Photos library on a NAS fileserver?

iCloud is not compulsory. It's an option for syncing photos between multiple devices which are signed in to the same iCloud account.

Although technically Photos can run as a reference library with the source files on a NAS server it is not a stable configuration. It's not nearly as robust as Aperture was in referencing source files from servers. Most users end up with a damaged library at some time.

If you want a reliable library then consolidate your Photos library into a managed library and put it on your boot drive or on an external HD that is formatted as shown in this screenshot and connected directly to the Mac by USB, Firewire or Thunderbolt cable.

If you want to use the iCloud Photo Library for syncing with all of your devices you'll need to purchase enough iCloud storage to house the full library and should read these Apple documents before committing to the iCPL:

iCloud Photo Library FAQ - Apple Support

http://www.apple.com/support/icloud/photos/

If the library is for a family these might be of interest:

https://www.apple.com/icloud/family-sharing/

Set up Family Sharing - Apple Support

I to am wanting a similar thing as the first post. I can "manage" on the computer and figure out most things, but I do not fully understand iPhoto, Photos, and all the photo library smack. I had a good structure for my photos in a PC before moving to an Apple computer and was scared to use iPhoto when we first switched so I just downloaded photos into a picture album I created and could view from Finder.

I eventually decided iPhoto would serve me better for organization so I started downloading into iPhoto...then decided to upgrade to Aperture. THE DAY I did this and started moving my iPhoto library into Aperture I found out that Apple was no longer going to improve Aperture!!! So I called back and they refunded my money...but I had already started a partial "trial" library in Aperture. I decided to then just go with the new Photos app on my computer because I figured it would be similar but better than iPhoto. I hate it!

So currently I have photos in my finder "pictures" folder, iPhoto library, partial Aperture library AND a new Photos library...I'm a hot unorganized MESS! I have only 5.23GB left on my HD (of 500GB HD)...I have been putting a bandaid on this for quite some time because I just didn't know what to do. I know there are duplicates of things, but I'm afraid to delete things because I don't know for sure if it is the "real" file or a copy or what!

I just purchased a WD My Cloud 6TB HD (two 3TB HD configured to mirror each other as raid 1). It arrives tomorrow. I need this to be my primary storage for photos and videos and to move ALL of my photos to this external HD. I have an iMac mid 2011, 2.5ghz core, 4gb memory so the external HD is really my only option. I have looked into iCloud and it is not an option nor do I use it now. I have also looked into increasing the storage on my computer, but I would be in the same boat again soon. The external HD with backup in the tower seems to be the best option for what I am needing. Currently I have 285GB of my iMac HD as photos. I have loads of photos to scan for family and tons of videos to digitize so my storage needs will significantly increase soon. There...that's my computer smack I've learned in research 😉

I have been reading several posts about being able to use an external HD as the primary source for photo storage, but I understand I would have to reformat the drives to Mac OS Extended (Journaled)...if I do that...will it take away the ability for the HD to do what they have created it for from WD? I like the idea of accessing my photos from any of our devices. This is what I got... http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=1640 I don't want to reformat if I cannot use it as a personal cloud the way WD says it can be used. I would rather just find a different organization program to view and organize my photos than the new Photos app because I really don't like it. I also use photoshop elements for my editing so I don't really need the Photos editing options..however I could learn to "like" the Photos app as an organizer eventually if I can use the HD as the original source of photos...again I think that all depends on what reformatting the HD for Mac Os will do to it...

Second...if I don't need to photos to stay in the "libraries" because I am not going to use iPhoto, photos, aperture...can I just move the individual folders/pictures in folders and organize on my own? In other words, will it show me the folders individually and then I can move them without them being attached or bundled with the "library"? I do not understand a lot of the library structure...just enough to get along so consider me a novice for the most part. I had a great organization to my photos and could find anything on my PC but since moving to Apple its all a hot mess and has gotten worse the more photos I've taken! I just haven't had time with 3 little kids and working to figure out a good structure. I thought I was going to get it all organized with iPhoto and then you see what happened!!!!

Any help appreciated! I have read a lot of information on here and will continue to search for information, but thought I would ask about my specific needs. Thank you!

have only 5.23GB left on my HD (of 500GB

You are in dangerous territory. It's recommended that a one keep a minimum of 10-15 GB of free space to facilitate optimal system and application performance, i.e. for temporary swap and cache files. If you accidentally get down to the MB range you Mac can freeze up and refuse to boot.

You need to free up space ASAP. You should notice an improvement in performance when you do.

If you are to store and use your libraries from an external HD it MUST be formatted as shown in the screenshot above and connected by USB, Firewire or Thunderbolt cable.

It appears that the drive you got is a NAS device which is a wireless connection. It is not suitable for running or backing up iPhoto or Photos libraries or using as a Time Machine backup drive.

It should be OK for storing/backing up your other documents and files but you need another EHD formatted and connected directly to your Mac for housing your libraries and running them from there.

I'm not familiar with that drive so don't know if you can formate it OS X Extended (journaled) as a raid device and use it. You'll need to look into that in more detail.

OT,

I just dragged photo library to my NAS folder and then set it as the system folder . It works and even photo stream functions. Will tis fall over?

Anyway I have terrabytes of photos, need family sharing and have windows and mac in the house so I need to get away from apple photos library altogether I think . Thoughts?

I have a synology DS214 Play with 2 tb of photos and monthly offsite portable drive swap backups. No photos are kept on my mac.

The challenge with a NAS is to find a sound iOS photo upload / photo stream solution so that Apple Photos or image capture can be bypassed. Some NASs have apps that enable photos upload to NAS. I am going to test the Synology DS photos app out now.

Photos libraries should not be3 on an NAS server. It does not have the correct formatting to support the complete ecosystem within the library package with it's databases, permission issues and hard links. It may run temporarily but will eventually crash and burn.

In order for the library to run correctly and safely it MUST be on a drive that is formatted as shown in this screenshot and connected directly to your Mac via USB, FW or Thunderbolt cable: