how to find file location in Mac photos

to be able to see the filenames, sizes of files, metadata.

Photos will show you the filename, size, keywords, and quite a few metadata, if you select the photo and open the Info panel by pressing the key combination ⌘I. The filename is shown on the second line. Or click the ℹ button in the toolbar to open the Info panel, for example:

If you keep the Info panel open and select a different photo, the panel will update automatically.

You can see the titles of the photos below the thumbnails, if you enable "View > Metadata > Titles".

Photos does not treat the filenames as a default title. You have to copy the filename to the title field, if you want to see the filename as a title.

If you follow Larry's advice and install PowerPhotos, you can use it as a second browser. PowerPhotos has a free trial version, which suffice as a browser. If you want to use the advanced options, like searching for duplicates or merging libraries, you will have to purche the full version.

Here is an example of PowerPhotos in List view. You can select, which columns you want to see:

And in Grid View, with the thumbnails, you can select, which metadata will be shown as a title and a subtitle. It is very convenient.

But PowerPhotos is just a browser. To edit a photo, select it and ctrl-click it, then use the command "Select in Photos" and you can edit it in Photos. It is very convenient to be able to see the same library in two windows, Or two different Photos Library at the same time.

You do not - you never direct access the files within the Photos library - to use then with other programs use the Edit With capability in Photos, the External editores for Photos extension from the App store, export the photo and use the exported photo or use the media browser (near the bottom of every open/attach/upload window) meida ==> Photos ==> Photos

Direct access is not supported and is dangerous and is never needed - if you want a file manager rather than a photo manger then use other software that works like you want, Photos is not the correct program for you

LN

Csound1 wrote:

All of Photos files are located in the Photos Library which is in the Pictures folder. It is a database, I do not advise you to go there.

Actually all files may or may not be in the library - with referenced libraries and optimized libraries they are not - and as you state it is not a good idea to go into the library in any case as you have no idea what you are actully getting and you an destroy the entire library with a simple mistake

LN

Since it is difficult to know about the files, there never is any need to go to them and even if they are there it is very dangerous to mess with them your advice is the best

I do not advise you to go there.

LN

then it is the wrong program to use - if you like PSE better use it - Photos does not operate like that - different strokes for different folks and yu simply use the program that meets your personal needs

You can see most of that in the info window - With PowerPhotos you can see more meta data and might find that better

LN

All of Photos files are located in the Photos Library which is in the Pictures folder. It is a database, I do not advise you to go there.

Yes Larry, I know that there is a way to assemble the library from files scattered all over the computer, I had (possibly wrongly) discounted that method for this question.

how do I find file location in Mac photos

What are you trying to achieve, shelleys? Did you see a warning in Photos that files could not be found and you need to locate them?