Export Photos In The Photos App

[EDLIU]

I'm trying to clean install my MacBook Pro. I need to backup the photos in the Photos app(Mac). Should I export in the Photos app and save them on an external hard disk drive? Do I need to save the original photos on the ext. hdd too?

 

[EDLIU]

What are the differences between "Export Unmodified Original" and "Export Items"?

Why "Export Unmodified Original" just took a few seconds, but "Export Items" took 4 hours?

 

[Weaselboy]

Just save the whole Photos library file to an external drive then copy it back over after. That will preserved both your original and edited files, along with any organization like albums you have setup.

 

[EDLIU]

What is "Transfer To Mac Or PC" - Keep Originals in iOS?

What if I did not select the Keep Originals in previous Transfer to the Mac, and then sync them to the iOS?

 

[Weaselboy]

I think you are going to get things all messed up trying to do that. Just copy the whole Photos library off to an external drive. That way you will have all the originals plus any edits you have done.