photos - reveal in finder greyed out?

This tendency to not let people have simple access to their own files is very evil. And lingo like "referenced files" should not be used in menus for consumer software.

That said, is it the case that I can show in finder an original file, but not an edited one? Why would that be? I could do it in iphoto. As far as I can see, the answer is no. I can't find any file where the command "Show referenced file in finder" is available. Why is it there?

I think there are two problems with Photos here. The first is that Apple has not made it easy to do some of the things that users need to do. For example, users often want to open photos in other applications or upload photos to websites. In iPhoto, you could use "Reveal in finder" to do either one. The Photos application should allow users to do these things easily as well. Having to export the photo first requires a number of steps that are unnecessary. I'm sure Apple developers will soon provide menu items for doing these things in one step (even if the application then does multiple steps behind the scenes to make that happen).

The second is that the language Apple uses is not easily understood by most customers. I happen to be a software developer (iOS, Python/Django and others), and even I had to look up what "referenced file" meant in the context of the menu item "Show referenced file in finder" being greyed out. No normal use of the application suggests that file storage is different from that used with iPhoto; no explanation is provided and no easy menu items are available for these normal workflows. In general, using technical jargon does not make for a good user experience.

The third problem, which is not Apple's, is that these support forums should be for support. It is unfortunately too common that people come here not only to answer questions, but to make the questioner feel stupid. The questioner's frustration is understandable, but the answerer's is not. Many people know the answers to questions like these -- if you can't keep your "snarkiness" to yourself, please let someone else with a better attitude answer the question.

You can only reveal referenced originals in the Finder in Photos. If your original image files have been imported into the Photos Library and are not referenced outside the library, they cannot be revealed in Photos.

please ignore the "macbook pro, mac os 10.5.6 that apple in its wisdom appended to my post."

Apple didn't You did. It's part of your profile that you haven't updated.

i have absolutely no idea what a "referenced original" is. is this common parlance that any well-educated professional should recognize, cause the phrase is totally unfamiliar to me?

Referenced means the original file is not copied into the Library package on import (see below). You'll need to define "common" "well-educated" and "professional" to get a meaningful answer to the second half of your question. Put it this way, using the app in the default settings the issue never arises. If you're going to change the defaults then you need to do some learning.

nor do i know what "if your original image files have been imported into the photos library" means.

In the default setting, the app manages the files. They are copied into the Library package on import, that is the files are stored within the package called Photos Library.photolibrary in your Pictures Folder. You can choose to store them outside the package - then they are Referenced from their storage location.

how do i find a photo - to open it in photoshop, for example?

Export it from the Library to the Finder -> File -> Export. Even in iPhoto using the Reveal in Finder command was never a way to use an external editor.

Same problem here. I'm having a hard time figuring out where the new Photos app is storing my pictures. I'm an old fashioned guy and I like to work with files and folders. I'd like to know the hard drive location of my pictures at all times. I'm uncomfortable with Libraries. The reason is that I run an automatic backup every night and I need to know which file/folder to specify so that my pictures will be backed up properly. In iPhoto I could do a "Reveal in Finder", but in the Photos app, "Show Referenced File in Finder" is greyed out. Pretty crappy software in my opinion.

By default the files are stored within the Library package, just like iPhoto.

If you're, as you say, a files and folders guy, then a couple of possibilities: use a referenced library - that is, you decide where the files are stored. I strongly urge against it as it's more work for exactly no gain and one huge loss - you can't use referenced files with the iCloud Photo Library.

The other possibility is to use some other app. I'm not being snarky here. Sometimes the app Apple installs, capable as it might be, is just not the right tool for your particular task. There are lots of Photo apps out there, each with different solutions to the basic problem. You may find one more to your taste.

The reason is that I run an automatic backup every night and I need to know which file/folder to specify so that my pictures will be backed up properly.

There are dozens and dozens of back up utilities. I'm not sure which one you use, but none of the significant ones will need to know which specific folder within the Library package needs to be backed up. They just compare with the previous back up and add anything new or changed. So, you might consider that as a possibility as well.

Just because you have no concept of how a database works most certainly does not make Apple Evil

No one is keeping you from accessing your files - but when you use aSQLite database you can only access them using the correct tools - you do not have to use Photos but if you do use it you do have to use it correctly

There are many,, many program where you do not and can not directly access the data - where are your names address stored in Contacts and how do you access them? Same for your email message in Mail - Etc Etc Etc

iPhoto is NOT evil - you simply do not understand it or databases and therefore you most certainly should use other software - it is just plain crazy to use a program you think is evil, do not understand and do not understand

And of course you do not even understand that your last question has been answered already in this thread - the show original file in finder is user to show the original file in the finder when it is referenced in the Photos library - a clear and simple answer

LN

For example, users often want to open photos in other applications or upload photos to websites. In iPhoto, you could use "Reveal in finder" to do either one.

But neither was the correct or most efficient way. For one you got better results using the external editor feature, for the other the Media Browser was there - and still is in Photos. Photos is using an alternative method for working with other editors, called extensions. Neither involve exporting.

The second is that the language Apple uses is not easily understood by most customers

Your source for this is? It's surprising how few times the question comes up on this forum. SO, I can certainly appreciate that you don't understand this, I just wonder how many folks you've asked to come to the assertion that "most" have the problem.

if you can't keep your "snarkiness" to yourself, please let someone else with a better attitude answer the question.

I think you'll find the tone of these conversations are most often set by the person asking the question, or, in your case editorialising without portfolio. As you're a software developer I look forward to you joining our cohort of volunteer helpers on here. When you've done that a bit I'll certainly be interested in hearing your opinions on how it should be done.

The issue I referred to is your uncertainty over the meaning of 'Referenced'. You're welcome. As for the snarkiness, well, pot/kettle etc.