iPhoto where are the pics stored?

[aristobrat]

Regarding your first question, yeah, the "iPhoto Library" is its own entity, located inside the "Username > Pictures" folder.

You can drop whatever else you want inside of the "Username > Pictures" folder, and it won't mess with your iPhoto Library.

Although your iPhoto Library is actually a bunch of subfolders and stuff, it will appear to you as a single file (called a package). Unless you right-click on it and choose "Show Package Contents" (which is not recommended), you'd probably never know it was a bunch of sub-folders containing your pictures, thumbnails, and a lot of metadata.

If you copied your pictures from your PC into the "Username > Pictures" folder, you could add them to iPhoto at your leisure.

iTunes is a little different in that your iTunes Library doesn't appear as a package. It'll be located in your Music folder, but it will appear as a regular folder.

Same deal, though. You should be able to drag other folders of music into your Music folder, and it won't mess with your iTunes Library folder. You can then add your music into iTunes as you want. I'm not sure if iTune's default preference is to make a copy of your music, or just link to its original location, so check that before you start, and change it if needed.

 

[sneakyzeal]

Aristobrat - thank you - that's exactly the answer I was hoping for! Always nice to discover that I'm on the right track.

I learned the hard way about not mucking with the iTunes library folder when I first was getting to know iTunes (the Windows version obviously), so even if I was tempted to "Show Package Contents" for iPhoto, it would definitely only be to look and not touch.

Thanks again Now I just have to be patient - my i7 shipped in the last 12 hours or so but the tracking information hasn't populated yet!

 

[pcman2000]

My first mac is currently shipping; in preparation I have a question about photos / iPhoto from a data migration perspective.

I think I understand the directory structure of the mac (excuse the PC terms - 'folder structure' on a mac perhaps?) in terms of photos (but do correct me if I'm wrong). So my question now is..

1. Are files at the "username > Pictures" level completely separate and unrelated to the files at the "username > Pictures > iPhoto" level?

In other words, can I migrate my PC files to the Pictures folder and slowly import them over time from there into iPhoto (which would then copy them to the iPhoto folder if I had that setting checked, allowing me to delete them from the Pictures folder)? Yes. BUT Make sure your have "Copy to iPhoto library" Checked in iPhoto Prefrences!

And on a somewhat related note..

2. Is this the same for iTunes, and could someone describe the directory structure for this please? Yes, iTunes copies your music to Username/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music Thanks in advance for your thoughts

 

[notjustjay]

This seems to be a resurrection of an old thread but there seems to be renewed interest.

As much as I like iPhoto for what it is, I just can't get used to letting it manage all my photos for me. Not only does it betray my "control freak" sensibilities but it makes it difficult to keep photos on an external server and share with other devices (such as other PCS or my PS3). I also don't like the idea of a monolithic library that has to be loaded each time I start iPhoto. On my PowerBook, once I started collecting more than a few thousand photos, it started to take a long time to do anything: opening iPhoto, scrolling, resizing the scrolling view, even closing iPhoto, started to take longer and longer. Upgrading to a MacBook Pro has helped, but it's only a matter of time...

Before the Mac, I kept all my photos in folders, named by date and description, e.g. "2007-08-14 Trip to Grand Canyon". I am going to back to this method. These folders are now stored on my NAS, where I can access them from the Finder, from any PC, from my PS3, even from the internet if I so desire. I can copy individual pictures or entire folders to external hard drives or memory cards to make backups or to give them to someone.

When I plug in my memory card or camera, I have it set to NOT open iPhoto. I just copy the files from the card into a new folder.

For those times when I want them in iPhoto, for example to make a slide show, I will import only the photos I need. Once I'm finished the project, I delete them from the iPhoto library.

In other words, my workflow is backwards from what Apple wants you to do. It's not "the Mac way" and it has its flaws, but this is a system I much prefer.

 

[aristobrat]

As much as I like iPhoto for what it is, I just can't get used to letting it manage all my photos for me. Not only does it betray my "control freak" sensibilities but it makes it difficult to keep photos on an external server and share with other devices (such as other PCS or my PS3).

Hmmm, iPhoto's definitely not the best solution for every person/workflow, but if you set the iPhoto option to not copy originals into the library, you should be able to store your photos on any device, in any folder structure (allowing you to quickly copy them, and other things to access them).

 

[notjustjay]

Hmmm, iPhoto's definitely not the best solution for every person/workflow, but if you set the iPhoto option to not copy originals into the library, you should be able to store your photos on any device, in any folder structure (allowing you to quickly copy them, and other things to access them).

I will check out that option, thanks. Sounds like a possible "best of both worlds" scenario.

 

[tozol]

I will ask a question being a bit of a noob were photos are concerned.
Firstly the stuff iphoto does is just fantastic at times, but I have a problem I think no one has addressed here, and could do with an answer if possible.

OK, using iphoto to basically control all my photo imports from my camera, dates an labels all nicely, however my problem is this....
... I'm trying to get one of my photos uploaded to some bird site, and it has a basic, "browse" button, and there is my problem, I can not physically find said photo to click on so the site can upload my pic.

closest I got from the info on here, is browse to the library and iphoto, but then you hit a wall, as all you see is the package.

So simple question guys, that I guess will help others to...were do a point the online browse to in order to find my photo.?

 

[spinnerlys]

...

So simple question guys, that I guess will help others to...were do a point the online browse to in order to find my photo.?

Drag the photo from iPhoto to the Desktop (or any other place in Finder), the use the online browse to select it there.

Or try to drag the photo from iPhoto onto the online browse button, I currently have no iPhoto to test though.

 

[tozol]

Drag the photo from iPhoto to the Desktop (or any other place in Finder), the use the online browse to select it there.

Or try to drag the photo from iPhoto onto the online browse button, I currently have no iPhoto to test though.

thanks ill try that.

Edit
works a treat.

 

[iCole]

I love iPhoto. The only thing is miss is an option to delete all those duplicates it creates when you change/resize a picture. It becomes a mess after a while, not that you will actually see it becoming a mess but it really uses up a lot of HDD space. Then again, you are always sure to have your original unprocessed pictures. But they should include an delete originals option or a cleanup option.

 

[Tumbleweed666]

I love iPhoto. The only thing is miss is an option to delete all those duplicates it creates when you change/resize a picture. It becomes a mess after a while, not that you will actually see it becoming a mess but it really uses up a lot of HDD space.

Only if you edit a high percentage of your photos, and your photos already take up a lot of space and you think that jeopardizing your original photos for the sake of $50 of disk space is a good idea.

But they should include an delete originals option or a cleanup option.

And the day they do that, 5 minutes later will be a bunch of people who fiddled around saving 1% of their disk space even though they probably didnt need to and it was 50% free, but they like it being "tidy" and then found they couldnt get back to the original photo they now desperately need as they made a mess with the editor, or they now have a new photo editor and want to start again.

 

[iCole]

You are probably right Still i see iPhoto eating away my HDD space in the back of my head. Must resist cleaning doubles

 

[levh04]

My question is...I want to upload my pics into a folder inside my picture folder in finder...however it automatically opens up and loads them into iphoto. Once i edit them in iphoto i have to drag them to my desktop...create a folder in pictures in the finder and then drag the pics from my desktop to that folder. HOwever, the main issue is when i want to re-edit a pic i edit it in iphoto again and then have to redrag it back to the picture folder. I want them to sync together i guess

I want to be able to start with my pics in a folder in finder and then if i want to edit a pic double click it and it opens in iphoto...i edit it and then it automatically saves the changes. Is there anyway this can happen?

 

[Tumbleweed666]

My question is...I want to upload my pics into a folder inside my picture folder in finder...however it automatically opens up and loads them into iphoto. Once i edit them in iphoto i have to drag them to my desktop...create a folder in pictures in the finder and then drag the pics from my desktop to that folder. HOwever, the main issue is when i want to re-edit a pic i edit it in iphoto again and then have to redrag it back to the picture folder. I want them to sync together i guess

I want to be able to start with my pics in a folder in finder and then if i want to edit a pic double click it and it opens in iphoto...i edit it and then it automatically saves the changes. Is there anyway this can happen?

I'm not sure, because I don't think I understand any of that

If you dont want them in the iPhoto library at all just use your own folder structures, there is an option to keep them in your folders and not import them to the iPhoto library at all. preferences>advanced>copy items (tick or untick) I think you'll still have an iPhoto library but it will just have thumbnails and stuff like that in it,and your photos will remain where you put them.

 

[keefo59]

Why is this so difficult?

I'm new to Macs and find simple things like this to be extremely frustrating.
Where are my photos?! I've read all the replies and in the "pictures" folder inside my user directory there IS NO iPhoto Library file.

Why can't I just click on a photo inside iPhoto and have the location of the photo displayed?

Has anyone else encountered this problem? Am I the only one in the Mac universe that doesn't have an iPhoto Library file in my "Pictures" directory? Any suggestions on where my iPhoto Library file might be?

 

[askme]

Why can't I just click on a photo inside iPhoto and have the location of the photo displayed?

If i'm understanding you correctly you can do this, just right click on the photo you want in iPhoto and select "Show File" it should let you see the photo in Finder

Hope I helped you

 

[JennyLoveSS]

Help is needed desperately!!
I have just got my new macbook 2 days ago and i am new to mac.
In the midst of exploring iPhoto i found that when i have all my photos in the iphoto library,i dont know how to send photos from the library via bluetooth because i couldnt locate the files since everytime i open the photos using iPhoto.

Clicking the "show package" brings out a lot of folders which are quite complicated and it's actually next to impossible for me to find a photo from that bunch of folders and send it to let's say my phone by bluetooth.Can anyone help? Thanks in advanced

 

[Tumbleweed666]

Help is needed desperately!!
I have just got my new macbook 2 days ago and i am new to mac.
In the midst of exploring iPhoto i found that when i have all my photos in the iphoto library,i dont know how to send photos from the library via bluetooth because i couldnt locate the files since everytime i open the photos using iPhoto.

Clicking the "show package" brings out a lot of folders which are quite complicated and it's actually next to impossible for me to find a photo from that bunch of folders and send it to let's say my phone by bluetooth.Can anyone help? Thanks in advanced

Go to bluetooth (top right hand menu bar).
Click on your device on the drop down.
Click on send file
a "finder type" window opens
Go down to the bottom left hand side, where under "media" is "photos"
Click on "events"
Navigate to your photo ...etc.

p.s next time better not to hijack someone else's thread when you have a different query, but start a new one, with a clear title such as (in your case) "how to send photos to bluetooth?"

 

[JennyLoveSS]

Go to bluetooth (top right hand menu bar).
Click on your device on the drop down.
Click on send file
a "finder type" window opens
Go down to the bottom left hand side, where under "media" is "photos"
Click on "events"
Navigate to your photo ...etc.

p.s next time better not to hijack someone else's thread when you have a different query, but start a new one, with a clear title such as (in your case) "how to send photos to bluetooth?"

Thanks a lot for ur answer !! okay will pay attention to it next time

 

[Alena]

Help is needed desperately!!
I have just got my new macbook 2 days ago and i am new to mac.
In the midst of exploring iPhoto i found that when i have all my photos in the iphoto library,i dont know how to send photos from the library via bluetooth because i couldnt locate the files since everytime i open the photos using iPhoto.

Clicking the "show package" brings out a lot of folders which are quite complicated and it's actually next to impossible for me to find a photo from that bunch of folders and send it to let's say my phone by bluetooth.Can anyone help? Thanks in advanced

Sorry for continuing to hijack this thread but I too am new to the site and to Mac computers and I am not yet sure how to create a new thread but I was wondering if any of you helpful people could help me. I want to transfer a bunch of pictures from one person's Iphoto account into a new one I have just created for myself on a shared computer. Is it as easy as simply copying and pasting them from one account into another or is there a quicker short cut because I am currently unable to paste onto my desktop and there are hundreds of pictures I want to copy.

Any help would be appreciated.

Alena

 

[Tumbleweed666]

Sorry for continuing to hijack this thread but I too am new to the site and to Mac computers and I am not yet sure how to create a new thread <snip>

Any help would be appreciated.

Alena

Click on "mac basics and help" up above in the breadcrumb list , e.g.
" Mac blah> apple blah > Mac basics blah > blah"

then click on "New Thread" and put in a decent subject ("not "help" or suchlike).


So, now you know. No more excuses to hijack

Apart from being poor "netiquette" you are going to be missing out on people who might know the answer as they see that "where does iPhoto store its files" was solved about a year ago so they cant be bothered to read on any more. Yours is a completely different question, someone who knows might happen upon your new question even if they cant be bothered to read to the far end of an old one.

 

[David Brooks]

Ftp?

Getting back to subject, can anyone recommend a way of using iPhoto along with uploading an iPhoto set to a private FTP server? (As in, uploading to somewhere besides FB, Flickr, mobileMe, etc)

I don't see a way of being able to upload the combined modified and unmodified photos from a set without a lot of pain. I would like to use iPhoto if possible.

Advice would be appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[David Brooks]

FTP clarification

Let me clarify:

It's my understanding that if I modify only some photos from an iPhoto set, then what I see in iPhoto for that set is a combination of photos from more than one directory (the originals, and modified folders). So it's painful to determine which photos I do not want from the originals folder because they have been modified. This is the issue I'm having when I'm trying to use an FTP client to upload an iPhoto set to my webserver.

Thanks again.

 

[tjilkamata]

finding one picture from thousands

I am learning about my new iMac, and am hesitant re importing all my folders from my PC - all nicely sorted according to subject (not date, event, face, etc) and with sub-folders. I'm trying to insert photos into a Word doc, and am pulling my hair out trying to find one specific photo from the 4 or 5 albums I have created in iPhoto. I read through previous suggestions, but still have trouble using the "insert picture" in Word as I can't get it to open a file unless it is in iPhoto somewhere, ie not in User, Pictures.
Is there a simple way to import and store all my folders & sub-folders from PC to iMac and still use the iPhoto features?

 

[Tumbleweed666]

I am learning about my new iMac, and am hesitant re importing all my folders from my PC - all nicely sorted according to subject (not date, event, face, etc) and with sub-folders. I'm trying to insert photos into a Word doc, and am pulling my hair out trying to find one specific photo from the 4 or 5 albums I have created in iPhoto. I read through previous suggestions, but still have trouble using the "insert picture" in Word as I can't get it to open a file unless it is in iPhoto somewhere, ie not in User, Pictures.
Is there a simple way to import and store all my folders & sub-folders from PC to iMac and still use the iPhoto features?

Why the heck cant you folks start a new thread when you have a new topic (or two in your case, one about Word and one about iPhoto), rather than expecting (a) people to page through dozens of of irrelevant questions (some dating back 2 years) before getting to your question, and (b) expecting people to deduce what your new question will be maybe 50+ questions (and interspersed answers) later from the original one?

Maybe this is why the question above yours didn't get answered either?