Can't access files moved to external hard drive

I moved my pics to external hard drive using copy function. Then I deleted the files from Iphoto on the hard drive.   I see thumbnails on both, but neither photo will open.  I get an ! in a circle.  What file(s) do I need to restore?

tell us what you did - it is generally not possible to restore the iphoto library in parts - it is a single entity and must be restored as such
When you moved your iPhoto library and tested it was it fine? Did you switch to it (depress the option key and launch iPhoto using the select library option)?
how did you move "your pics" to the external drive - the correct way is
Moving the iPhoto library is safe and simple - quit iPhoto and drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity to the external drive - depress the option key and launch iPhoto using the "select library" option to point to the new location on the external drive - fully test it and then trash the old library on the internal drive (test one more time prior to emptying the trash)
And be sure that the External drive is formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) (iPhoto does not work with drives with other formats) and that it is always available prior to launching iPhoto
And backup soon and often - having your iPhoto library on an external drive is not a backup and if you are using Time Machine you need to check and be sure that TM is backing up your external drive
LN

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