Distorting photos when uploaded

Does it happen to photos that have not been edited with Picelmator?

OT

1. You don't need to use iPhoto to upload to anywhere. If you don't like it, and don't want lossless processing, just don't use it.

2. As to the core issue: It's an oddity. You're the only person reporting this. So it's unlikely to be an systemic issue with either app.

As a Test:

Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library'

Import a few pics into this new, blank library. Is the Problem repeated there?

Have you tried using Pixelmator as the external editor from inside iPhoto? The following explais how (Note: you would use Pixelmator just like you would PS or PSE as far as how you save the edited version, i.e. with the same extension/format and file name):

Using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.

1 - select Photoshop or Photoshop Elememts as your editor of choice in iPhoto's General Preference Section's under the "Edit photo:" menu.

2 - double click on the thumbnail in iPhoto to open it in Photoshop. When you're finished editing click on the Save button. If you immediately get the JPEG Options window make your selection (Baseline standard seems to be the most compatible jpeg format) and click on the OK button. Your done.

3 - however, if you get the navigation window

that indicates that PS wants to save it as a PS formatted file. You'll need to either select JPEG from the menu and save (top image) or click on the desktop in the Navigation window (bottom image) and save it to the desktop for importing as a new photo.

This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..

NOTE: With Photoshop Elements the Saving File preferences should be configured as shown:

I also suggest the Maximize PSD File Compatabilty be set to Always. In PSE’s General preference pane set the Color Picker to Apple as shown:

Note: to switch between iPhoto and PS or PSE as the editor of choice Control (right)-click on the thumbnail and select either Edit in iPhoto or Edit in External Editor from the contextual menu. If you use iPhoto to edit more than PSE re-select iPhoto in the iPhoto General preference pane. Then iPhoto will be the default editor and you can use the contextual menu to select PSE for your editor when desired.

I use Snapseed as the External Editor and about 25% of the uploads to FaceBooks get distorted...

It's beginning to look like the problem may rest at the Facebook end of the pipe.