Is there a way to embed the meta data (such as key words, location info etc) into the master files using Apple Photos? Are there Photos extensions which are able to do this?
I would like to be able to future proof my images so if I ever decide I wish to move from Photos to another organiser, it is a little less painful than having to re-do all the tagging.
MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)
Several things
1 - no there is no way to modify the originals using Photos - that is one of the most basic designs of Photos - the original is the original and remains unmodified
2 - Referenced originals are not well supported by Photos and are not recommended - Disadvantages of a Referenced Library in Photos
3 - your questions indicate that you probably are using the wrong photo management system and should either reconsider your requirements or change to software that works like you prefer - Photos is not a good fit
LN
Several things
1 - no there is no way to modify the originals using Photos - that is one of the most basic designs of Photos - the original is the original and remains unmodified
2 - Referenced originals are not well supported by Photos and are not recommended - Disadvantages of a Referenced Library in Photos
3 - your questions indicate that you probably are using the wrong photo management system and should either reconsider your requirements or change to software that works like you prefer - Photos is not a good fit
LN
Thanks Terence,
I was hoping there would be an easier way, like a script which can embed the information without having to do an export. I manage my Photos as referenced files in Photos so exporting seems like an unnecessary step if I am able embed the data directly somehow.
Thanks Larry,
I believe you are correct: Photos is not the right management tool for me, hence my asking about the embedding of the metadata, thus making the move to a new one that much easier.... Aperture had an embed metadata function. Shame there is not a similar function in Photos. I shall suggest this to Apple as it could be quite useful...
Photos is a giveaway app. It doesn't have the kinds of capabilities that you're asking about. I'm tempted to say the asking that question probably means you're not really the target user for the app. I also strongly agree with Larry about the perils of a referenced Library.
BTW:
I manage my Photos as referenced files in Photos so exporting seems like an unnecessary ste
If you move to another app, then it would seem like you're thinking of only moving the unedited originals, yes? So you'll lose any other work you've done - editing in particular?
Hi Terence,
Yes, I don't mind losing any edits made on the photos (I have exports of the ones I need). However, losing tags, people and location edits would be a massive undertaking to re-do... I was hoping there would be some Photos extension or script which might be able to assist in taking this data and embedding it in the original file to minimise the extra work needed when switching to a more functional image organiser.
I've sent Apple a feature request, but won't be holding out any hopes :-)
I may have a work around... Photos does allow you to export the unmodified files along with an XMP file. I could then use a program like Graphic Converter to import the XMP data into the original files. Not as simple as just embedding the data directly, but at least it works :-)
That would be ideal - unfortunately, I don't think there are any available that can read the meta data information from Photos database and apply it to referenced files... If only I could program! :-)
Thanks for all your help though.
I may have a work around... Photos does allow you to export the unmodified files along with an XMP file
I simply keep the exported originals paired with the XMP sidecar files. And do not modify the the originals further.in another app. That may change the creation date and file size and other apps may no longer recognise the file as a duplicate of the original version. The sidecar file will suffice, if I want to import the original into other apps, that understand XMP files. And it is easy to read the XMP file with TextEdit or Xcode.
You can do this when you export from the app.
If you migrate to another app at some point you'll either be exporting, or if the app has a migration process then it will get this metadata.
Getting a bit complex now isn't it? Maybe you just need to find one app that does what you want.
Check out Lightroom. It can import a Photos Library - use the Import iPhoto Library command. It'll complain but still do it.
Embed meta data to file in Photos
