Keywords, iPhoto '08 and Bridge CS3

Question

I've got a bunch of photos (10,000) with keywords added with Adobe Bridge CS3. When I import these into iPhoto (with "Copy items to the iPhoto library" checked/enabled), the keywords import.
But when I use iPhoto to add new keywords, these keywords do not get written to the file! They seem to exist only in the iPhoto database. And Spotlight keys off the actual file, so none of my newly added keywords are searchable in Spotlight, only the IPTC keywords on the file. Which is not what I want.
However, if I import a file to iPhoto that has no IPTC keywords on it, and then I add keywords with iPhoto, iPhoto will write these keywords to the file. So it appears that iPhoto won't write out IPTC keywords if the file already has them. That *****. Big time.
Does this mean that if I want to use iPhoto exclusively (abandoning Bridge CS3) to manage my photos etc that I have to somehow strip off all IPTC keywords and then re-import to iPhoto, and then re-tag all my 10,000 files with keywords? Please tell me there is an easier way.

Answer 1

Harper The Explorer
Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
these keywords do not get written to the file! They seem to exist only in the iPhoto database
This is correct. You can write them to the file on export (File -> Export).
iPhoto is your photo organiser, so the idea is that you don't search in Spotlight but in iPhoto or in a media browser that hooks into iPhoto. Remember, if you're using iPhoto you can't really access the files via the Finder anyway.(* See Below for more)
You do need to choose between Bridge and iPhoto. They do the same job but surfing the iPhoto library with Bridge is one of the more common ways of damaging it.
However, if I import a file to iPhoto that has no IPTC keywords on it, and then I add keywords with iPhoto, iPhoto will write these keywords to the file. So it appears that iPhoto won't write out IPTC keywords if the file already has them.
I'm afraid that I'm not sure the point you're making. iPhoto will read the IPTC tags and add to them on export.
*There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
For 10.5 users: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Apple-Click for selecting multiple pics.
To upload to a site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. If you're using Gmail you can use THIS
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
Or, if you want to access the files with iPhoto not running, then create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use THIS
Other options include:
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
Regards
TD