I am trying to save photos from iphoto to an external hard drive

Help!
I bought a "WD Elements" external hard drive to save photos and make more room on my Macbook Pro. I can't move pics from iphoto to my "WD Elements" hard drive . I've recently gone on a few vacations and have a few thousand pictures to download. I'd like to save them onto my computer and then my external hard drive, but would first like to place old pics from iphoto onto the external hard drive and I am unable to figure out how to do this. I've tried selecting pics and then dragging them into the "Elements" external device, but this is not working (a white circle with a line through it pops up, as if I am unable to do this). When I select pics and click export, a message says that it's unable to export these pics to the hard drive device.
Please help! ~Thanks!

1. What format is the external drive? It sounds like it's ina format that Macs can't write to. Is it a NAS or NTFS?
2. Easiest thing: just move your iPhoto Library to the external
Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

  • I'm new to Mac and I'm having a problem trying to transfer photos from Iphoto onto a external hard drive?

    My hard drive says it's locked and I don't know how to unlock it. Also i tried exporting photos but that didn't work either. Thanks so much

    No idea - you actaully have to share details
    What version of iPhoto and of the OS?
    What format is the external hard drive? What is the exact error message you get?what didn't work about exporting?  What exactly are you trying to accomplish?
    If you want the iPhoto library to operate on an external drive the 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

  • Copying photos from iPhotos to an external hard drive, changes the dates the photo was created

    I have the odd query where when I copy photos from iPhoto in to any other folder, whether it's on the mac deskstop or an external hard drive, that the 'date created' on the some of the photos is changed from the date the photo was actually taken to some random date. This is sometimes the date that I move the photos and sometime a date seemingly randomly selected between the date when the photo was taken and then date I copied the photos.
    It doesn't make a different if I copy or cut and paste each file, and if I select all photos from a single event and copy then all in one go, some photos keep the correct data and others don't.
    Most of these photo of of my baby, so the exact date take is very important ofr reference. Current I have a 100 odd photos taken over a few weeks all with the same 'created date'. I have no idea if she was 10 week or 20 weeks old at the time.
    Any ideas? It's really frustrating me.

    No
    iPhoto never does anything with a photo that is not in its library
    Although it does not affect this do you have a default managed library or a (strongly not recommedned) referenced library - (The iPhoto advanced preference to "copy imported items to the iPhoto library" has been unchecked) which is strongly NOT recommended.
    LN

  • Transferring all my photos from iPhoto 8 to external hard drive

    My iPhoto is running stupidly slow on my Mac.I start it up and I get the rainbow spinning wheel of death to the point of excruciating pain!! Essentially it renders my iPhoto obsolete as I can't even view any photos. I'm assuming it is because I am short on disk space so I have an external hard drive which I believe has been formatted for Mac (I folowed the setu instruction and restarted as requested). I have dragged the iPhoto library over to the EHD as instructed on here but I receive the error message :
    The Finder can’t complete the operation because some data in “iPhoto Library” can’t be read or written.
    (Error code -36)
    Can someone please help me! I need to either fix some problem with iPhoto to make it run more smoothly, but ideally I would like to do this and also transfer to my EHD to free up some space. It's driving me crazy!
    Any help would be much appreciated!
    Thanks!

    That -36 error can be caused by something as simple as a bunged up file permission. One way around it is to back up the Library to the external with a back up app - and let this deal with those kinds of issues. Any back up app that copies in the same format will do the job (so, not Time Machine).
    Example of such apps:
    Chronosync - http://www.econtechnologies.com/pages/cs/chrono_overview.html
    or
    DejaVu - http://propagandaprod.com
    but there are many others. Search on MacUpdate or the App Store

  • How to tranfer photos from iPhoto/Finder to external hard drive?

    I read that in order to enable Mac to write to, erase or reformat NTFS devices (my external hard drive), I need to get NTFS-3G. Besides NTFS-3G, I also need Macfuse, which is problematic with Lion. Can anyone please comment, advice or share their experiences? Thanks.

    No idea - you actaully have to share details
    What version of iPhoto and of the OS?
    What format is the external hard drive? What is the exact error message you get?what didn't work about exporting?  What exactly are you trying to accomplish?
    If you want the iPhoto library to operate on an external drive the 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

  • Transfering pictures from iphoto's to external hard drive

    Hi All,
    Could someone help me as I'm going around in circles?
    My hard drive is nearly full, so I need to transfer my photos from iphotos to my external hard drive and delete them on my powerbook. Everytime I either drag the 3200 pictures and drop into my hard drive or copy and paste it comes back saying one of my pictures is busy so it's unable to complete the process. And this stops the computer transfering any photos? I've tried moving the pictures in question, but then it quotes another picture?
    Can anyone advise the best way to transfer photo's to my EHD without this challenge ocurring?
    I would appreciate any advise.
    Kind Regards
    Danny

    It may be a terminology issue but Apple uses the word "import" for any transfer of photos from the phone to a computer (or to an external drive attached to a computer). http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4083
    You can (I believe -- haven't tried it) import them directly to an external drive attached to a Mac by using Image Capture. Image Capture is in Lauchpad -- probably in the "Other" folder in Lauchpad. Easiest way to start it is via Spotlight Search. It can be set to open automatically when a phone or camera is connected by opening iPhoto and going to menu named iPhoto and opening Preferences.
    With the phone connected, the bottom of the Image Capture window allows you to select where you want the photos to be saved.

  • I can't move photos from iPhoto to my secondary hard drive or to a burn folder.  I have never had a problem with this before.  This is something new.   They will not drop into either folder.  Nothing happens.

    I can't move photos from iPhoto to my secondary hard drive or to a burn folder.  I have never had a problem with this before.  This is something new.   They will not drop into either folder.  Nothing happens. 
    I checked my secondary harddrive and there is plenty of memory.
    I emptied my burn folder but the photos still will not drop into it.
    I created a new burn folder, no luck with this either.
    230 photos is the maximum size of the events I am trying to move from iPhoto to save elsewhere.
    I have shut down and restarted my computer.   No change. The photos still will not drop out of iPhoto.
    My Mac Computer Storage shows that I have 62.2GB free out of 249.2GB (movies, photos and contacts taking up the most space)
    My Lacie External Harddrive (2TB capacity) shows that I have 1.79TB available.  It shows that 207,729,520,640 bytes (207.73 GB on disk) are used.
    I have never had this problem before.  It is usually very easy to move my photos from iPhoto.
    I am not a computer expert (I work in surgery so don't have a need for lots of computer knowledge) so please explain in simple terms.  
    Thank you so much for any help you can provide.
    I really appreciate it.

    YES Terence!  Thank you. Exporting allowed me to move my photos from iPhoto into the Burn Folder on my desktop.   But that doesn't explain why I'm having to go that route now.   Have I done something (accidentally changed some setting) on my computer that will not allow me to just click and drag anymore?   I really liked the convenience of the click and drag option. 
    I don't have the time tonight to export and burn a lot of CD/DVDs.  I'll try that tomorrow and make sure my photos are moving properly.  I also need to export photos to my external hard drive to make sure that route is working. 
    Wouldn't you know that my Apple Care Plan runs out this Wednesday?!  I need to make sure everything is working properly before that expires. 
    Thank you so much for your help.   I really, really appreciate it.

  • How do i move photos from iPhotos to an extern hard disk

    how do i move photos from iPhotos to an extern hard disk

    Specifically from?
    You export them: File -> Export
    This User Tip
    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4921
    has details of the options in the Export dialogue.
    Or if you want to, you can keep the images in iPhoto and move the Library to an external:
    Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    1. Quit iPhoto
    2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
    3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
    4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
    Regards
    TD

  • How can I download my photos from iphoto to the external hard disk? thanks!

    How can I download my photos from iphoto to the external hard disk? thanks!

    This is our resident iPhoto guru, Terence Devlin's, advice:
    You can move your iPhoto Library to an external disk or new Mac:
    1. Quit iPhoto
    2. Copy the iPhoto Library Folder as an entity from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
    3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
    4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.

  • Exporting from iPhoto 11 to External Hard Drive

    I am trying to export some of my pictures in iPhoto to me external hard drive.  I am able to do it, but when I open the pictures that have been exported, they have lost their info, for example the date the picture was taken.  What appears in the info is the date that I exported them.  Is there a way to export but retain the date?

    You need to check both the Include boxes.
    No, you do need an application that's aware of Exif - and that includes simple photo viewers. It does not include the Finder.
    In more detail:
    There are two kinds of metadata involved when you consider  jpeg or other image file.
    One is the file data. This is what the Finder shows. This tells you nothing about the contents of the file, just the File itself.
    The problem with File metadata is that it can easily change as the file is moved from place to place or exported, e-mailed, uploaded etc.
    Photographs have also got both Exif and IPTC metadata. The date and time that your camera snapped the Photograph is recorded in the Exif metadata. Regardless if what the file date says, this is the actual time recorded by the camera.
    Photo applications like iPhoto, Aperture, Lightroom, Picasa, Photoshop etc get their date and time from the Exif metadata.
    When you export from iPhoto to the Finder new file is created containing your Photo (and its Exif). The File date is - quite accurately - reported as the date of Export. However, the Photo Date doesn't change.
    The problem is that the Finder doesn't work with Exif.
    So, your photo has the correct date, and so does the file, but they are different things. To sort on the Photo date you'll need to use a photo app.

  • I am unable to export photos from Apple to an external hard drive

    I am very frustrated in the process of trying to export photos from Apple to my external hardrive.   Please help!

    I am sorry.... I am trying to export my photos from iPhoto Version 9.2.1 to my external Western Digital Drive.  Everything seems to go along smoothly until I receive the box stating
                          "Unable to create/volumes/MyBook/IMG 5101.jpg"   and it only gives me the option to cancel..

  • How to back up a group of photos in iPhoto to an external hard drive

    how to back up a group of photos[an album] in iPhoto to an external hard drive. not taking them out of iPhoto just backing up

    If you're not taking them out of iPhoto, then you need to back up the iPhoto Library:
    Most Simple Back Up:
    Drag the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to another Disk. This will make a copy on that disk.
    Slightly more complex: Use an app that will do incremental back ups. This is a very good way to work. The first time you run the back up the app will make a complete copy of the Library. Thereafter it will update the back up with the changes you have made. That makes subsequent back ups much faster. Many of these apps also have scheduling capabilities: So set it up and it will do the back up automatically.
    Example of such apps: Chronosync - but there are many others. Search on MacUpdate or the App Store

  • HT2477 how do i get photos from camera transfered to external hard drive

    im new to mac. im trying to learn how to get all images from my camera to an external hard drive. im a photographer and i use my comouters primarily for editing. but when i plug my camera into the usb port i can not find it on the computer ir under the finder-devices? please help me

    From the Finder, go into the drive to the folder where you want to create the new folder and select New Folder from the File menu (cmd-shift-N).
    From Image Capture, select Other… from the Import To popup menu.
    In the File Save dialog, navigate to where you want the new folder, then click "New Folder" button.

  • Transferring photos from CF card to external hard drive

    Such a dumb basic question.  New mac user, huge learning curve. Could transfer photos in my sleep on my pc. Cant use the usual drag and drop motions here. Do NOT want to load my new mac with thousands of pics (im a photographer) I JUST want to transfer them from my CF card to my external hard drive (yes, I can see them both on my desktop). PLEASE help meeee

    What format is the EHD formatted as, I suspect it may be NFS which is a PC format. NFS drives can be read by OS X but OS X cannot write to them. If this is the case either re-format the drive as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or purchase a new EHD and format it correctly. I suspect you may not know how to format, if not here are some instructions:
    http://osxdaily.com/2012/01/04/format-an-external-hard-drive-or-usb-flash-drive- for-mac-os-x/
    In addition you should be backing up your computer using Time Machine, TM will also backup EHD's that are formatted for OS X. It will not back up PC formatted EHDs. If you are unfamiliar with TM please book mark and use:
    http://www.apple.com/support/timemachine/

  • Moving photos from iPad 3 to external hard drive

    I've sync'd photos from albums on my Macbook and photos from my camera to my iPad 3 64gb. I have also created albums on the iPad from the photos moved from the camera so all photos are now in albums. To free up space on the Macbook and on the camera I would like to delete the photos from these 2 sources. To be on the safe side I would like to transfer the albums, which hold about 1600 photos, from the iPad to an external portable source. Is this possble and what external hard drive is recommended. Would the Kingston Wi Drive 16GB USB 2.0 Portable do the job or would I need something with greater capacity? It's not cheap.
    Thanks for your help.

    There are some wireless external hard drives that can be used with the iPad.
    The Kingston Wi-Drive, which costs $50 for the 16 Gigabyte, and then $30 more for every 16 gigs more. It works by you turning it on and then accessing the files on it from an app that you download on your iDevice. You can access music, movies, and other stuff. No connections or anything, it works like a WiFi connection, you connect to it from the setting on the iPad under wireless networks.
    Then there is the Seagate GoFlex, which some would recommend over the Wi-Drive. But this one costs $199 and had 500 Gigabytes of storage. It works the sameway as the Kingston: no wires, runs over its wireless connection. You can actually fit up to 300 HD movies on it.
    Another option:
    Expand your iPad's storage capacity with HyperDrive
    http://www.macworld.com/article/1153935/hyperdrive.html
    On the road with a camera, an iPad, and a Hyperdrive
    http://www.macworld.com/article/1160231/ipadhyperdrive.html
    Mac - How to Move the iPhone & iPad iTunes Backup folder to an External Hard Drive
    http://osxdaily.com/2011/03/05/how-to-move-the-iphoneipad-itunes-backup-folder-t o-an-external-hard-drive/
     Cheers, Tom

Maybe you are looking for