How to recover photos in iphoto11?

Question

IsabelK Author

Level 1

5 points

How to recover photos in iphoto11?

Hello everyone,

I just recently wanted to transfer my photos on an external hard drive when my comp froze in the process.

I manually switched the mac off and when I started it again ALL my pictures in iphoto were gone!

I tried the usual command+option- combination to rebuild the library - didn´t work, except for a single picture

t be added to the library.

I even downloaded a software to recover the photos and I see that they are still somewhere on the computer.

Now I wonder, if there´s a way to get them from the place they are directly set back in my iphoto-library?

It´d appreciate your help highly - as my photo library contains all my pictures of the past few years.

Thank you so much in advance

Isabel K

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2010), iOS 7.0.4

Posted on Dec 7, 2013 3:07 PM

Reply

Answer 1

LarryHN

Level 10

106,142 points

Dec 7, 2013 4:16 PM in response to IsabelK

the best solution is to restore your backup from before this occured

LN

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Answer 2

IsabelK Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 7, 2013 4:33 PM in response to LarryHN

Thanks for the fast reply, Larry!

The problem is, that I didn´t make a backup before.

But could you tell me how to access it anyways? I´d give it a go.

Thank you!

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Answer 3

IsabelK Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 7, 2013 4:46 PM in response to IsabelK

I just looked through my files and in the "picture" folder are lots and lots of pictures (I´m not sure, if it´s really all I´ve had before but more than the 3 in my library after all) - do you know how I can get them back to iphoto without copying every single one (as there are thumbnails that iphoto obviously used for face-detection on pictures and other small things in it as well)?

Thanks a lot for your help!!

Isabel

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Answer 4

LarryHN

Level 10

106,142 points

Dec 7, 2013 6:56 PM in response to IsabelK

YOu should always have a current backup

what version of iPhoto?

Back up your iPhoto library, Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your database

LN

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Answer 5

IsabelK Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 7, 2013 9:11 PM in response to LarryHN

Yes, I learn to have a back-up the hard way now.

I have iphoto 11 and already tried the alt-command-combination.

It brought one picture back - I did it 2 times which means I have 2 pictures now

but there might be another way to get them back?

Isabel

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Answer 6

LarryHN

Level 10

106,142 points

Dec 8, 2013 6:22 AM in response to IsabelK

Repeat the com-option launch and use each of the repair options starting at the top

If that does not fix it then download iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - and use its rebuild command to create a new library

LN

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Answer 7

Old Toad

Level 10

216,608 points

Dec 8, 2013 11:29 AM in response to IsabelK

If all of the fixes that Larry suggested fail give this a try:

Starting over from scratch with new library

Start over with a new library and import the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from your original library as follows:

1. Open the library package like this.

2. Launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.

3. Drag the subfolders of the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from the open iPhoto Library package into the open iPhoto window a few at a time.

This will create a new library with the same Events (but not necessarily the same Event names) as the original library but will not keep the metadata, albums, books slideshows and other projects.

Note: your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.

Happy Holidays