how do i recover deleted photos from my imac

General File Recovery

If you stop using the drive it's possible to recover deleted files that have not been overwritten by using recovery software such as MAC Data Recovery, Data Rescue II, File Salvage or TechTool Pro. Each of the preceding come on bootable CDs to enable usage without risk of writing more data to the hard drive. Two free alternatives are Disk Drill and TestDisk. Look for them and demos at MacUpdate or CNET Downloads. Recovery software usually provide trial versions that enable you to determine if the software would help before actually paying for it. Beyond this or if the drive has completely failed, then you would need to send the drive to a recovery service which is very expensive.

The longer the hard drive remains in use and data are written to it, the greater the risk your deleted files will be overwritten.

Also visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on Data Recovery.

Try using a data recovery product such as the ones listed here. Don't write anything else to the drive until the files are recovered or you choose not to recover them.

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If you have been using Time Machine to backup your computer, simply use TM. If you are not using TM then get an external HD and begin backup immediately. Apple explains how in Mac Basics: Time Machine backs up your Mac