If I transfer to DVD and Delete from iPhoto...

Question

There are a lot of pictures I'd like to delete from iPhoto. If I transfer them to a DVD or CD, can I transfer them back to iPhoto at a later date...especially if I delete them from iPhoto after they're burned to CD/DVD?
I guess I'd like to know if I can store them on disk rather than in iPhoto/my hard drive?
Is this possible, and if so, is there anyone out there that can help me out?

Answer 1

Justinbear56:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. Yes. There's two ways you can do that.
The first is:
1 - select the photos you want to backup to the HD and put in an album. (Easier to assemble and remove later).
2 - select the album and use the Share->Burn menu option.
This will create a CD that, when mounted in the optical drive with iPhoto running, will show up in the Source pane and will allow the files to be viewed and copied back to the library if needed for any use.
3 - delete the photos in the album by selecting all and typing Option+Delete and then emptying iPhoto's trash.
The second way will allow you to still see the photos via thumbnail only but remove the full sized files from your HD. It is:
1 - assemble the photos you want to remove into an album. If the photos are grouped by rolls then just use the rolls and don't create an album.
2 - Select the album/roll(s) and, using the File->Export->File Export menu option export them to a folder on the Desktop.
3 - insert a blank CD/DVD in the drive. When it mounts on the desktop give it an appropriate title.
4 - Drag the folder you created on the desktop into the disk to copy the files and their containing folder to the disk and burn the disk.
5 - Go into iPhoto's Advanced Preference pane and deselect the option to copy files into the library when importing.
6 - mount the newly burned disk on the desktop and drag the folder on the disk into the open iPhoto window. This will copy alias files of each photo on the disk and create thumbnail versions in the Data folder.
You can either delete those original files from the library first or allow iPhoto to import duplicates and then delete the original files.
7 - Go back to the iPhoto Advanced Preferences and reselect the option to copy files into the library.
Now you can view those files in thumbnail version up to but not quite the full size via the slider. You will not be able to move them or use them in albums, books, etc. But you will be able to view them. If you put the disk back in the drive and mount it, then you will be able to edit them (the edited version will be stored in the library and removed if you do a revert to original) and use them normally. It probably would be a wise thing to place those photos in an Album and name it for the disk that they are on for each retrieval.
I've creates several Tutorials on the use of alias based iPhoto libraries that can give you an idea of what can be done.
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