IPhoto library disappeared--and maybe the photos too?

My iPhoto application cannot find the library and so I went in search of it, and I couldn't locate it either. The really odd thing is that I cannot find it in my Time Machine backup. I used iPhoto about a week ago with no problems, but when I go to that date in Time Machine, it can't locate the library. I do have some old versions of the library that I was saving "just in case" (dated Jan. 12, 2008--probably around the time we upgraded to Leopard)
All of my old photos are in folders labelled by year (up to Dec. 30, 2007). But no photos can be located since then that would have been imported into iPhoto. So it looks like I've lost the last year and a half of photos? I also can't find them in Time Machine unless they're in some hidden place.
I'm a little afraid to rebuild my library because I don't know what happened to the photos from 2008-2009. I'm optimistic that someone out there can help me. Thank you!

Select one of the affected photos in the iPhoto Window and right click on it. From the resulting menu select 'Show File (or 'Show Original File' if that's available). A Finder Window should open with the file selected. Does it?
Regards
TD

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I imported some photos to iPhoto from my iPhone. After it was done, I said it could delete the photos. iPhoto quit unexpectedly and now the photos aren't on my iPhone or iPhoto. Help!

These were pictures of my honemoon and I'm desperate to get them back!

All I am trying to do is find something on a forum board or article etc stating that the the date showing in iphoto could be the date it was imported or synced or sent to me and not the actual date taken.
The date on the photo could be anything because you can edit the date with iPhoto or any of 100 apps, free and paid for. So, the date on the photo will prove nothing, I'm afraid.
Regards
TD

HT5037 I've downloaded iPhoto Library upgrader and run the install but can't find the app to run it. Consequently, I cannot open iPhoto. I upgraded from 7 to the latest version to get my photo books feature back. Has Apple been bought out by Microsoft?

Please help... cannot access my photos...

More details would help more then snit remarks about Apple being bought out by Microsoft.
Such as if you have relocated iPhoto from /Applications.
Allan

I am not able to open iPhoto, when I have used the iPhoto Library Manager, I get the message that "the iPhoto Library folder could not be found" Help!

Help! I can't open the iPhoto! I have os x 10.5.8 and I have tried using the iPhoto Library Manager only to find out that the folder for the iPhoto Library could not be found.
I have also tried the Fix #1 from the user Old Toad who said to delete the preference file :com.appleiPhoto.plist - I could do that, but I couldn't figure out how to delete iPhoto's cache fie, Cache.db because I couldn't find it? I'm not sure how to find the file by it's directory path name of HD/User/Home/Library/Caches/com.apple.iPhoto .
Help is very much appreciated!
vernawithav

Download and use Find Any File to search for "Library6.iPhoto". It's a file that is present in every iPhoto library. If you don't find one on your hard drive then your library has gone missing entirely.
Another thing you can try is to use the Search For - All Images feature in the Finder window to see if you can see any of your photos.
That will tell you if they are on your hard drive but somewhere other than the library.
What do you see when you insert the DVD into the optical drive? Can you open it and any folders on the disk? If the disk is titled iPhoto Library then open the disk, the the iPhoto Library folder and finally the Originals folder. Check the subfolders to see if your photos are there.
Your original photo files will be in the Originals subfolders.

IPhoto Library showing old (previously deleted) photos?

I was looking to reset the faces in iPhoto and this required going to the iPhoto Library in the finder, while looking for the file to delete I came across previously deleted photos
Why is this?
If i deleted them I would expect them to be deleted and not lying around gathering space on my mac?
Is there a way to permanently delete photos?

1 - NEVER use the finder to make any change to the structure or content of the iPhoto library - tere are o user serviceable parts in it
2 - deleting from iphoto is simple - select a photo in an event and press the delete key then empty the iPhoto trash - do not reorganize events before emptying the iPhoto trash
3 - try Back up your iPhoto library, Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - from the resulting first aid window repair permissions and if necessary rebuild your database
4 - here is a potential solution if nothing above works - I have not tested it and as always have a good backp prior to doing things, but this sounds safe and effective - http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/08/deleting-zombie-photos-from-iphoto/
LN

IPhoto Library disappeared. Now unreadable?

Okay, here's exactly what happened.
I had moved my iPhoto library to an external firewire drive and everything was groovy.
Yesterday, I had downloaded new pix and everything was groovy.
Then - at some point my firewire drive became accidentally disconnected. Bad I know, but I moved on.
My iPhoto was opened at the time. And a closed out of it while the drive was disconnected.
Things were no longer groovy. As I re-opened iPhoto it said I had no photos.
I tried to relocate the library and I couldn't open it.
Now, when I try to open import the pix from my drive it says: I can not import cuz the file is in iPhoto.
I know my pix are there in modified and originals...but I can't get them to open.
What doI do?

BC Baroo
I'm guessing that he disconnect happened while iPhoto was trying to write to the database, and the db is now corrupted.
Options: Do you have a current back up? if so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from it to the library folder. If not, your only option will be to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same film rolls and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, books, calendars etc.
Hold down the option (or alt) key and Launch iPhoto. Choose Create to make and place a new library.
Go into the old iPhoto Library Folder and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual rolls to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the old iPhoto Library Folder.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.
Regards
TD

I just created a new iPhoto library with holding the option key down and then opening iPhoto with version 7.1.5. I changed the name of the first library to iPhoto library 1 and now I all my photos are gone. My operating system is Mavericks.

I just created a new iPhoto library with holding the option key down and then opening iPhoto with version 7.1.5. I changed the name of the first library to iPhoto library 1 and now I all my photos are gone. My operating system is Mavericks.

launch iPhoto wile holding down the option key and select the original library - when you create a new library of course it is empty
And you seriously need to backup your iPhoto library and purchase and install iPhoto '11 version 9.5.x from the App store and download and run the iPhoto library upgraded \then run the new iPhoto - 7.1.5 is not fully compatible with Mavericks
LN
PS you also need to update your profile - it states that you have OS X 10.6.8

I went into the original files in the iphoto library and organised the photos there, now when I try to look at the photos in iphoto the tiles are there but when I try to enlarge or put into a slide show a big grey explanation mark occurs?

I tried to organise my iphoto originals to it would be easier to back them up onto my hard drive, so I renamed them and grouped them in the orinigal file. Now when I go onto iphoto to view the photos in a slide show a big exclamation mark comes up and if I click on the photo to see the original file it can't find it. Any ideas?

You won't be able to run the rebuild function and restore your library becaue you renamed and regrouped your original photos from the Finder. I doubt if you can change the names back to their original names and put them back in the folders they were in originally so your only option is get your backup library and replace the one you damaged.
If you don't have a backup copy of the library from just before the problem that contains all of your photos you will need to start over from scratch as follows:
Start over from scratch with new library
Start over with a new library and import the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from your original library as follows:
1. Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
2. Open the library package like this.
Click to view full size
3. Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
4. Drag the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window.
Click to view full size
This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library but will not keep the metadata, albums, books slideshows and other projects.
In the future stay out of the iPhoto Library package and only access the photos using iPhoto.
OT

You can't open photo library using this version of iphoto. you have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iphoto. please quit and use the latest version of iphoto

you can't open photo library using this version of iphoto. you have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iphoto. please quit and use latest version of iphoto. iphoto 11 is installed.

This is a message you got?
If so, as your post isn't clear, it may be a bogus message caused by a corrupt database.
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. .
Regards
TD

Since my last software update, my iphoto 11 will not import any photos from any source. The circle just spins...when I go to force quit, it says iphoto not responding. Backed up iphoto library, uninstalled and reinstalled iphoto. Still not working. Help!

Since my last software update, my iphoto 11 will not import any photos from any source. The circle just spins...when I go to force quit, it says iphoto not responding. Backed up iphoto library, uninstalled and reinstalled iphoto. Still not working. Help!

Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. .
Regards
TD

IPhoto Library 'disappeared' after Yosemite crash and iPhoto upgrade

I have upgraded my iMac to Yosemite and have been using iPhoto fine since then (although it is a bit slow), yesterday iPhoto crashed the computer, after several restarts the computer was ok, but iPhoto wouldn't load and then said it needed to be upgraded - So I did this and when I opened this again it crashed then said that it needed to upgrade the library and then it crashed (iPhoto) when I restarted it started with no library and would appear to have overwritten the iPhoto (default) library, I have checked this and although there are other libraries, I am aware of these and these are not my missing library. I found some information on http://www.scanyourentirelife.com/all-my-pictures-in-iphoto-disappeared-how-to-s afely-get-them-back/ and this talks about looking in the 'Masters' file but to be very careful as altering this will cause problems with edits etc. Anyway I found that in my directory a file called 'Old Masters' as well as 'Masters' and it would appear that all of my pictures are now in 'Old Masters'.
So I am opening the right file but how do I make the 'Old Masters' the 'Masters' - is it as easy as shifting the files or changing the name on the file?
Tech Stuff - My iMac is running 10.10 Yosemite and is about 1 year old 27" version and I keep everything up to date (for my sins) - My library 700+ events and is about 176gb in size
Your help would be appreciated

Armelle,
there is unfortunately not yet any known way to repair an iPhoto Library, that got corrupted during the upgrade by a crash.
You can either restore your iPhoto library from the last backup you made before you tried to upgrade the library, and then try to upgrade again.
Or if your last backup cannot be restored or is too old, copy all photos you can find in the iPhoto Library package and import them into a new iPhoto Library.
but I can see my picture in "old Thumbnails".
The "Old Thumbnails" are only smaller sized versions of your photos. Don't you at least have "Old Originals" or "Old Modified"?
Léonie

I am making a calendar in iPhoto, picking photos from a folder, let's call it "2011 Pics," in iPhoto. After arranging all the photos and captions I decided I wanted to insert a new photo -- one that was not in "2011 Pics." So I inserted it into the folder

Add new photo to existing calendar folder in iPhoto
I am making a calendar in iPhoto, picking photos from a folder, let's call it "2011 Pics," in iPhoto. After arranging all the photos and captions I decided I wanted to insert a new photo -- one that was not in "2011 Pics." So I inserted it into the folder, but the picture does not show up on the scrolling menu of pictures at the left of the calendar-making page. This happened last year and in frustration I started all over again. But surely there is a way to add a new picture to a calendar that is already laid out.

Yes, the Old Master file has a folder for each year where I find all photos from that specific year. I am attaching a screen shot of the file.
In the meantime i have managed to download all photos (it did not download any video files though in mpg, avi, 3gp, m4v,mp4 and mov format) to a new iphoto library. Unfortunately the photos are quite mixed and often doubled up. I ma considering to purchase iphoto library which checks all duplicates in iphoto. this will save me a lot of time. What do you think?

IPhoto 11 doesn't show the photos that I just imported from an SD card, but says its importing to library 15 min after SD card is removed.

iPhoto 11 doesn't show the photos that I just imported from an SD card, but says its importing to library 15 min after SD card is removed. The import seemed to start normally, I went to mail to check messages, came back to iPhoto & the usual prompt about wanting to delete the photos on the card never came up. The photos didn't show up in events or the library & the device icon wasn't showing so I tried to import again. A prompt then came up saying that I needed to wait until the import was done!

Hi, this problem is also happening to me also. I just took some pics of my daughter on my nikon d3100 and imported them from SD card to iPhoto. It says 'preparing to import' but during the process i do not see the photos being imported. After it was done, there was a new event album, i clicked opend it to see my photos but all of them were blank. I forced quit and re-launched iPhoto but it didnt work, i even re-imported, not to no avail.. Please help. Earlly 2011 13' MacBook pro 10.7.2

HT5037 I installed the iphoto library upgrader and iphoto still will not open

I installed the iphoto library upgrader and iphoto still will not open. can anyone solve this?

Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Repair Database. If that doesn't help, then try again, this time using Rebuild Database.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In early versions of Library Manager it's the File -> Rebuild command. In later versions it's under the Library menu.)
This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, albums and keywords, faces and places back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
Regards
TD

IPhoto is quitting unexpectedly and losing the photos I just imported and edited.

iPhoto is quitting unexpectedly and losing the photos I just imported and edited. Any suggestions to fix it?

Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Repair Database. If that doesn't help, then try again, this time using Rebuild Database.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In early versions of Library Manager it's the File -> Rebuild command. In later versions it's under the Library menu.)
This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, albums and keywords, faces and places back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
Regards
TD

IPhoto library disappeared--and maybe the photos too?

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