iPhoto/Photo Stream clarification

you need to read up on PhotoStream

http://www.apple.com/icloud/setup/

PS is temporary - the lessor of the last 1000 photos or the last 30 days - once either of these is passed the photos go away unless you import them to iPhoto - it is NOT a web archive

In iPhoto, there is a album called xxxx 2012 photo stream where xxxx is the month.

So is it safe to say that the photos are stored in my iPhoto library in the monthly photo stream album only?

Or do I have to turn on the automatic download setting in iPhoto to have the photos saved in iPhoto library?

There are two ways to import to iPhoto - manually and automatically - manually you drag photos from PS to iPhoto - automatically you check the import autpmatically box in the iPhoto preferences and the photos are automatically imported into an event named MMM YYYY Photo Stream - no albums are automatically created or used

As you can see I am quite confused with workflow when using Photo Stream. Apple has made the process very convaluded.

It actually is very simple if you read the instructions

LN

Bruce,

the Photo stream will not hold hold your photos permanently. They will be deleted from the stream after a month, or when you have added 1000 photos to the stream. So you should download them from the stream and import them into your iPhoto library on your mac, if you want to keep them.

You can download them either manually by importing them to an event, or set iPhoto to import them automatically - this will create the events named xxxx 2012.

You may want to have a look at these support articles:

iCloud: Photo Stream FAQ

iPhoto and Aperture: Using Photo Stream

iCloud: Using and troubleshooting Shared Photo Streams

Regards

Léonie

In iPhoto, there is a album called xxxx 2012 photo stream where xxxx is the month.

So is it safe to say that the photos are stored in my iPhoto library in the monthly photo stream album only?

Yes if your iPhoto/Photo Stream preferences are setup as shown in this screenshot:

NOTE: the preferences above do not automatically put new photos that have been added locally to the iPhoto Library into the Photo Stream. You would have to check the Automatic Upload box for that.

OT

Can I please clarify something here. I have it set up so iPhoto automatically imports into albums 'April 2014 Photo Stream'. Are these albums now permanent and I can delete them from camera roll? thanks

THey are not albums - they are events - two totally idfferent things

and yes once the photo is imported from PS into an event (either manually or automaticallly) it is permanent on your Mac

LN

Thank you for replying. Sorry, as I don't use albums on iPhoto I tend to call events albums! That's great, so is there a way of deleting the whole of my camera roll, or do I have to go through each one?

image capture (in your applications folder) can delete from your IOS device

You can delete PhotoStream items from your IOS device or using iPhtoo on your Mac (drag them from the PS to the iPhoto trash)

For support on your IOS device post in the forum fo rit

LN

Yes, you can select and delete multiple photos at a time. While viewing the photos in the Camera Roll click on the Select button at the top right of the window. Tap on each photo you want to delete so you get a check mark on the photo. Finally tap on the Trash (delete) button.

Thanks. I understand this, it's just that I have almost 2,000 photos to tap on - is there not an easier and quicker way to do this?

Attach the phone to your Mac.

Launch Image Capture (in the Applications Folder)

Select your device on the left hand side of the Image Capture window.

Click on one of the images.

Command - a to select all.

Hit the Delete button.

Sorry if I'm being stupid here. I've highlighted all photos I want to delete, pressed delete and nothing happened. Tried to drag them to the trash and wouldn't work, clicked edit and the delete option is faded out. What do I do from here?

I was being stupid, there is a specific delete button (red circle with line through it). Thanks for your help.