Q: How to delete raw files imported in photos?

Hi,

Thanks again.

I would say this is exactly what I do, making sure that the pictures are deleted and removed from everywhere including the recently deleted album and iCloud (and including the "Advanced/Restore files" folder in iCloud, the content of which I suppose is identical to the recently deleted album).

One important information: I have migrated/imported about 90 GB of photos (some of them as RAW+JPEG, others only as JPEG) before I became aware that importing photos to Photos is a potentially irreversible action (and also before I decided that I do not want that many RAW files in that program). I would now simply like to free up space to migrate/import the rest of my pictures (as JPEGs), and for those pictures (not previously imported to Photos), I would not have any problems.

Ture T.

Importing is not an irreversible action - it is not possible to "partially" reverse it

again if you follow the steps I posted  you should be fine - if you are not you need to provide specifics about what you are actaully doing and exactly what is happening

to remove them you must

1 - export the JPEG to a desktop folder,

2 - delete the image from Photos,

3 - delete from the recently deleted album and

4 - give it time to stabilize [this actually should not be necessary and probably is not but since you are having issues give it some time] and

5 - then import the version you want

LN

Hi Larry,

I really appreciate your help.

I do understand that it is not possible to partially reverse the importing action (i.e. to get rid of just one of the two formats). That is why I proceed like I do.

What you describe is what I do, except from the first step: I do not do "export JPEG" (nor "export original files"); I completely delete the picture, and then follow the other steps. When I import the JPEG (step 5), the previously attached RAW file appears again after a few seconds or minutes - but only if I am connected to iCloud.

The only thing I could still try would be to give step 4 some more time, even though the file(s) are not visible anywhere when I log on to iCloud nor in the recently deleted album. But how long time?

Ture T.

this does not compute

try giving it a couple of days (although that should not be necessary) - and be sure you are doing what you think you are - if the photo is not in iCLoud.com - Photos and if not on any IOS device and is not in Photos then when you import a JPEG that should be all you have - it is not really possible for the RAW to "magically" reappear if it is gone

LN

Hi,

I totally agree: the RAW can not "magically" reappear if it is gone; that is why I had to conclude that a copy of the file must be kept somewhere "hidden" on iCloud.com, maybe as some kind of extra, extra security (in addition to the extra security already offered thanks to the "Restore files" function).

I will follow your advice and wait for a couple of days, then re-import.

Thanks again.

Ture T.

Post back with the results

LN

You must never make changes directly to the contents of the Photos library using the finder - if Apple told you to do that they are wrong and do not understand how Photos works - which unfortuantly is not uncommon

And there is no way to delete just the RAW file once you have imported it - you have to totally delete the photo and then import only what you want

and as to

nowhere was written that when u import directly form the camera both files (CR2 and jpg) are copied in photos....

Think about it - import is import and everything is imported - Photos can not ready your mind and only do a little of what you tell it to - you say import and  it does - again is you do not want both do not shoot both or separate them prior to importing - importing is importing and what every you say to import will be imported

LN

Hi Andrea,

I have also once made that experience that you just describe. But, I also (and mostly) experience that the RAW files re-appear no matter what. So, it is probably just a matter of time. Well, it is not very clear. Right now I have decided to wait 48 hours (after completely deleting a series of photos yesterday), before I re-import them (cf. the latest comment from LarryHN). Then I will see. I hope to end up having full control over which files I keep and which files I delete.

Best,

Ture T.

Hi,

Here an update, 48 hours later (at least):

Re-importing my JPEGs, after having let things stabilize for a couple of days, the result is exactly the same: The RAW files re-appear, crafting themselves onto the freshly imported JPEGs, after maximum a minute or two. (Please see the above posts for details concerning this problem).

Once again: When I re-import whilst NOT connected to iCloud, there is no problem. The RAW files only re-appear when I connect to iCloud again (and I waited a while to be sure that nothing happened before reconnecting to iCloud).

Conclusion: The RAW files are kept in iCloud, hidden. They are not visible anywhere, nor under "Advanced/Restore files" (as they were also deleted, two days ago, from the recently deleted album in Photos).

What to do? Well, I would have to ask Apple where exactly, and for how long time, iCloud keeps these files!

Best,

Ture T.

I have opened a new thread:Files kept hidden in iCloud after deletion

Ture T.

Obviously, the idea is to lock everybody into JPEG and share everything through iCloud. Nobody should have to abandon a photography workflow, or slog through inane work-arounds like this simply because Apple has ditched Aperture and dumbed down everything to accommodate the cloud-based marketing. I understand that Apple no longer is interested in supporting anything beyond iPhone photography, but it seems this method of dealing with RAW files is so cumbersome it is purpose-built to force  this minority group of users to either convert or leave the Apple family. And that isn't a technical decision, it's purely market-driven.

I'm sorry - this is a forum for users to help other users resolve technical questions - your question is not clear - please read this article  Writing an effective Apple Support Communities question  and post a clear technical question

LN