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iPhoto - Importing photos

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fido94

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 31, 2009
3
0
my primary reason for not being a heavy user of iPhoto is how it deals with importing photos. So I wanted to post this question to see if there's a solution for it.

When "importing" photos, iPhoto makes duplicate copies. I want to know if there is a way for iPhoto so point to where the pictures are (on an external hard-drive) and not having to make duplicate copies.
it's strange because iTunes does not obviously make copies and instead point to where the files are.

Any thoughts?
 
Yes, it is possible.

Like iTunes, there is an option to not copy photos to library on import.
 
fido94 said:
my primary reason for not being a heavy user of iPhoto is how it deals with importing photos. So I wanted to post this question to see if there's a solution for it.

When "importing" photos, iPhoto makes duplicate copies. I want to know if there is a way for iPhoto so point to where the pictures are (on an external hard-drive) and not having to make duplicate copies.
it's strange because iTunes does not obviously make copies and instead point to where the files are.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

iPhoto preferences -> Advanced -> Uncheck Copy item to the iPhoto Library.

As for iTunes.....it can also copy your files if you wanted it too....just as an fyi.

-Kevin
 
Thank you. weird enough, iPhoto still make copies despite unchecking the box. maybe it use them for thumbnails?
 
Yes, it makes thumbnails, as well as edited copies of any photos you choose to edit.
 
For the record I don't see why people have this hangup about letting the software manage the files and libraries. Who wants to sort and order the file structure? It's the predominant feature for me that these programs manage them for you so I never have to look at the actual files themselves. I do everything from within the program, and if I needed a copy for manipulating somewhere else, I bring them out then.

I suppose some people need the control, or want to be able to shift the files to another program or I guess if you interacted a lot with windows users and needed to make something with them else where...
 
mrkgoo said:
I suppose some people need the control, or want to be able to shift the files to another program or I guess if you interacted a lot with windows users and needed to make something with them else where...
Click to expand...

It's a control issue! :)
 
fido94 said:
It's a control issue! :)
Click to expand...

I used to be the same way, but once I let iPhoto just handle the photos, and iTunes my music, I actually found time to do other things. I wasn't worried about whether all my photos were named and in the right folders or not. It was quite a good feeling.
 
r.j.s said:
I used to be the same way, but once I let iPhoto just handle the photos, and iTunes my music, I actually found time to do other things. I wasn't worried about whether all my photos were named and in the right folders or not. It was quite a good feeling.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I "let go" a while ago for both as well.

-Kevin
 
hakr said:
I am annoyed constantly by the fact that iPhoto, Aperture, et cetera, insist on "importing" photos into their programs, instead of just working on photos in preexisting directories.
Click to expand...

Then you should look into something like Picasa for Mac. That leaves your structure alone. I think Adobe Lightroom does as well.

-Kevin
 
hakr said:
I am annoyed constantly by the fact that iPhoto, Aperture, et cetera, insist on "importing" photos into their programs, instead of just working on photos in preexisting directories.
Click to expand...

I prefer it. I have better things to do than fiddle around with folder structures and file titles - like actually working on my photos.
 
hakr said:
Indeed. I like the "Mac" apps, but I really don't understand why they were designed to "import" photos, rather than leave them where they are.
Click to expand...

So the users don't have to worry about the actual files. If you can see the picture in iPhoto, why worry about where the photo actually is?
 
r.j.s said:
So the users don't have to worry about the actual files. If you can see the picture in iPhoto, why worry about where the photo actually is?
Click to expand...

Also, so you don't accidentally delete or move the photo, thus rendering the link broken. To delete a photo "accidentally", you have to open the iPhoto package, go to originals, search through the folders and delete it. If, for example, you pointed to a file in the desktop and deleted it as part of a routine cleanup, then you'd be missing that file.

I'm actually not that bothered by the thumbnails, but at the way it makes a full size jpg duplicate of every RAW file imported. Oh well, I'll have to wait until I get a new hard drive to move my library and move to Lightroom.
 
hakr said:
Indeed. I like the "Mac" apps, but I really don't understand why they were designed to "import" photos, rather than leave them where they are.
Click to expand...

Like I and others have said, giving up that control of you files is actually very liberating. Although, hypocritically, I still like to manage my documents to an extent. I think that's because I require multiple programs to open them, and edit them frequently.

Files like media are generally stable once you have them.

Seriously, just think about why you need to have them in your own file structure? It is most likely out of habit. I guess if you have a lot of photos, it's really discouraging to have to reorganise them all.
 
fido94 said:
my primary reason for not being a heavy user of iPhoto is how it deals with importing photos. So I wanted to post this question to see if there's a solution for it.

When "importing" photos, iPhoto makes duplicate copies. I want to know if there is a way for iPhoto so point to where the pictures are (on an external hard-drive) and not having to make duplicate copies.
it's strange because iTunes does not obviously make copies and instead point to where the files are.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...


can you explain this for me? if I'm in iphoto and right click and show in finder it takes me to the iphoto library folder where the photos are, no duplicates just one folder where the pictures are!
if your importing from a camera there would only be on copy of the picture would there not??


edit, ok I think I know what you mean same idea as itunes really, but i manually put my music into the itunes music folder so there's no duplicates, same idea??
 
redgaz26 said:
can you explain this for me? if I'm in iphoto and right click and show in finder it takes me to the iphoto library folder where the photos are, no duplicates just one folder where the pictures are!


edit, ok I think I know what you mean same idea as itunes really, but i manually put my music into the itunes music folder so there's no duplicates, same idea??
Click to expand...

I think the OP means....they have their photos stored on the drive somewhere. When you import into iPhoto, it copies the photos into iPhoto's library, leaving the originals where they were. Resulting in 2 copies.

-Kevin
 
kbmb said:
I think the OP means....they have their photos stored on the drive somewhere. When you import into iPhoto, it copies the photos into iPhoto's library, leaving the originals where they were. Resulting in 2 copies.

-Kevin
Click to expand...


yes I get it now then after importing just delete the original copy(s) save space and keep the pics in the one place, quite simple!!
 
redgaz26 said:
yes I get it now then after importing just delete the original copy(s) save space and keep the pics in the one place, quite simple!!
Click to expand...

Nope. I have a folder named "All Photos" and in that folder I have various subdirectories for "People," "Pets," Europe 2006," et cetera. When I import photos from my cameras, I send the images to the appropriate subdirectories. Easy to do, easy to find photos, easy to upload a couple of photos.

My way. :)
 
hakr said:
Nope. I have a folder named "All Photos" and in that folder I have various subdirectories for "People," "Pets," Europe 2006," et cetera. When I import photos from my cameras, I send the images to the appropriate subdirectories. Easy to do, easy to find photos, easy to upload a couple of photos.

My way. :)
Click to expand...

I use smart albums in iPhoto, all I do is tag the photo with a keyword, and it gets added to the proper album, automatically.
 
r.j.s said:
I use smart albums in iPhoto, all I do is tag the photo with a keyword, and it gets added to the proper album, automatically.
Click to expand...

But what if you you need to send some pictures to a friend, do you export (thus keeping all the keywords and rating you've created)?

I like iPhoto but it's annoying that it doesn't embed data.
 
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