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Separate iPhoto library into individual folders/events/albums

Hi - I have copied my iphoto library to an external hard drive, but would like to access the events/albums without having to open the whole library. Is there a way to do this? Thanks!

MacBook Pro

Posted on Apr 1, 2013 4:14 PM

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21 replies

Apr 1, 2013 5:04 PM in response to ebhollis

The Library is the container for all the stuff that iPhoto works with at any given moment. All the events, albums, etc. You CAN have more than one iPhoto Library, but the app will only be able to use one at a time and you will not be able to safely and easily move stuff from one to the other.


Hold down Option when starting iPhoto up.


And of course, there's this: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2638


Understand fully what you're doing before commiting precious & irreplaceable photos to the app and fiddling with its libraries. Or pay the consequences of losing all.

Apr 1, 2013 9:19 PM in response to Shootist007

Shootist007 wrote:


You'd be better off using some other image management software as iPhoto is very limited and is more for the casual snapshot taker. It sounds like you are a bit more serious about your photo taking.

???


It sounds like you simply do not understand how to use iPhoto or how it works - the more serious you are the more critical a good database system like iPhoto - or Aperture if you need more editing and better RAW capabilities - is a great solution


LN

Apr 2, 2013 11:59 AM in response to LarryHN

I use lightroom where you don't have to compromise on how you store your images or how you want to arrange them.

Right I don't know how to use iPhoto as I never have or would use it.


<Edited by Host>

LarryHN wrote:


Shootist007 wrote:


You'd be better off using some other image management software as iPhoto is very limited and is more for the casual snapshot taker. It sounds like you are a bit more serious about your photo taking.

???


It sounds like you simply do not understand how to use iPhoto or how it works - the more serious you are the more critical a good database system like iPhoto - or Aperture if you need more editing and better RAW capabilities - is a great solution


LN

Apr 2, 2013 11:03 AM in response to Shootist007

I use lightroom where you don't have to compromise on how you store your images or how you want to arrange them.



It's statements like that that tell us that this while you think you know enough about iPhoto, that you actually don't. You can also use iPhoto with images stored as you want, and have been able to do for each version for the past 7 years. Don't particularly recommend it but it is perfectly possible.


Of course, if Lightroom is the correct App for you, by all means use it. But that's a Pro level app costing 10 times what iPhoto costs (and until recently used to cost 20 times). Comparing that with iPhoto is like comparing iMovie and Final Cut or Word and TextEdit. iPhoto is an excellent lossless proceesor (like Lightroom) and Photo Library Manager (like Lightroom) but not all the same bells and whistles as the Pro application. It will even process Raw (like Lightroom). But it's not aimed at Pros, like iMovie isn't, like TextEdit isn't. However, for the family snapper, the person with a point and shoot or even a phone then it's a very good and very capable application and very good value.


What irks is when someone claims to be knowledgeable and isn't.

Apr 2, 2013 11:26 AM in response to Yer_Man

I know all about that but by default iPhoto, along with iTunes, imports all your files into there own little folder structure basically burying them far away from the normal users abiltiy to actually get to those images to copy them to some other storage media or do anything else with them, that is unless you do it from inside the i programs.


My statement is iPhoto is for the novice user with no real knowledge of computers that likes to have everything done for them.


I am not one of them.

Apr 2, 2013 11:34 AM in response to Shootist007

That's not your statement. Your statement is the factually inaccurate

...you don't have to compromise on how you store your images or how you want to arrange them.


So, really, how can we know what you actually when all you offer is that? And I know you have difficulty with concepts that are not file based, but there are other ways of working on a computer, and not everyone has your limitations.

Separate iPhoto library into individual folders/events/albums

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