Lion and iPhoto'11 - where are Original Photo Files?

In previous Mac OSX and iPhoto versions one used to be able to Control click on a photo and get a sub menu which allowed you to go to the folder where the picture file was located. In iPhoto'11 running on Lion that submenu doesn't exist. How do I find the original file so I can open it in, for example, Photoshop, or any other App for that matter?

It is strongly recommended that you do not opoerate that way - it is not supported and is dangerous - you should not be going diredtly into the iPhoto library to access photos - you can set PhotoShop or any other editor as teh external editor for iPhoto and use it as supported - for other access you should use the media browser (in the lower left ahnd corner of the open/attach window under media ==> photos ==>iPhoto
LN

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Telling iPhoto where my original photos are

Hi Guys, so I have this problem. I have my original photos outside the iPhoto library folder. Just because I like to organise photos my way. The thing is that I want to move the iPhoto library folder and the folder where I keep my photos, to an external HD. When I do that and I point iPhoto to the moved librabry, the library itself works, with the albums inside, the thumbnails etc, but when I open a photo it asks me for the location of the original photo. I have thousands of photos and I don't want to tell iPhoto where each photo is manually. Is there a way to tell iPhoto what's the path to the originals folder?
I just did that for iTunes, as I also keep my music outside the iTunes folder, and iTunes found the new location automatically, which I think is pretty amazing.
Is there a way to do that for iPhoto? If you are confused I can try to explain better.
Thanks a lot,
Jorge

Jorge
This is the largest single reason why I do not recommend running a Referenced Library.
When you run a Referenced Library iPhoto creates an alias to the file. However, aliases will not survive moving across volumes, and that's how your problem arises.
One possibility that some folks have managed, but others have failed: Download [FileBuddy|http://www.skytag.com> and try use it to resolve those aliases for you. If that fails then I'm afraid you'll be doing them one by one.
Why run a Referenced Library? Are you concerned about accessing your files? There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
*For Users of 10.5 and later*
You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
*For users of 10.4 and later* ...
Many internet sites such as Flickr and SmugMug have plug-ins for accessing the iPhoto Library. If the site you want to use doesn’t then some, one or any of these will also work:
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. However, if you're using Gmail you can use iPhoto2GMail
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.
*If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running*:
For users of 10.6 and later:
You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu. Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and later:
Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
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

Iphoto - how are the photo files managed and stored ?

I am one of those who migrated from the PC to this wonderfull world of the Mac. So please excuse my PC based way of thinking.
I have many thosands of photos, (aprx. 8,000 +++ )
I used to organized my photos on an external hard disk and and I would create folder that would hold a group of photos; for example (A folder labeled "Vacation on New York" will hold all the photos for that event)
Now on my iMac, I could import all the photos on that folder and create an event on iphoto called "Vacation on NY"
The only question I have is where do those file phisically go to? Where are those files with their names and extensions? What folder or directory do they go to once I import them into iphoto?
I need to know this so that I could get a back up and know how to manage the files.
Also...
I would like to know how can I close all events at once.
Thank you in advance for all the explanations......

The files are copied into the iPhoto Library which is in your Pictures Folder.
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. Examples of such apps: Chronosync or DejaVu . But are many others. Search on MacUpdate
By way of explanation:
The iPhoto Library is a Package File. This is simply a folder that looks like a file in the Finder. This is to protect the iPhoto library because many users were inadvertently corrupting their library by browsing through it with other software or making changes in it themselves.
Want to look inside?
Go to your Pictures Folder and find the iPhoto Library there. Right (or Control-) Click on the icon and select 'Show Package Contents'. A finder window will open with the Library exposed.
Standard Warning: Don't change anything in the iPhoto Library Folder via the Finder or any other application. iPhoto depends on the structure as well as the contents of this folder. Moving things, renaming things,, deleting them or otherwise making changes will prevent iPhoto from working and could even cause you to damage or lose your photos.
To use an editor with iPhoto: You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.
To use the files in other apps, upload them etc
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
There's a similar option in Outlook and many, many other apps. 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.
If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running:
For users of 10.6 and later: You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu.
Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and 10.5 Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
Other options include:
Drag and Drop: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
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.
Show File: a. On iPhoto 09 and earlier: 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. 3.b.
b: On iPhoto 11 and later: Select one of the affected photos in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.

Where are individual photo files stored on disk after iPhoto import?

This might be the dumbest question in iPhoto history but WHERE in the file system are the individual photo files stored after importing them into iPhoto?
The reason I ask is I want to simply go to the file location in the finder window and attach to an email or edit with another application.
When I go to Pictures>iPhoto Library there is one gigantic iPhoto library file.
Thanks!

kuristofuaa
The photos are stored inside the iPhoto Package File. This is simply a Unix style package file, it makes it a tiny bit more difficult for users to inadvertently muck up their iPhoto. WHy do I say this? Because it is strongly advised that you do not move, change or in anyway alter things in the iPhoto Library Folder as this can cause the application to fail and even lead to data loss.
As to getting pics for email:
There are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.
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.
To upload to MySpace or any 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
The change was made to the format of the iPhoto library because many users were inadvertently corrupting their library by browsing through it with other software or making changes in it themselves. If you're willing to risk database corruption, you can restore the older functionality simply by right clicking on the iPhoto Library and choosing 'Show Package Contents'. Then simply make an alias to the folders you require and put that alias on the desktop or where ever you want it. Be aware though, that this is a hack and not supported by Apple.
Regards
TD

Iphoto - Where are my photos

Today, my iPhoto crashed, and tried to open it again. Doing so, I detected that there are two files with my photos. One is called "iPhoto Library" and Finder tells it is an "iPhoto Library". The other one is an "iPhoto Library", but it is called "iPhoto-Mediathek". What is what?

One is called "iPhoto Library" and Finder tells it is an "iPhoto Library". The other one is an "iPhoto Library", but it is called "iPhoto-Mediathek". What is what?
Probably both will be holding your photos. Look at the dates for "created" and "last changed" in the Finder, to see, when iPhoto created them or changed them. Also, look at the sizes in the Finder. The largest one will be holding the bulk of your photos.
It depends on your System Preferences for "Language & Region" how your iPhoto Library will be called by default, when it is created. If your primary System Language is "German", the iPhoto Library will be called iPhoto-Mediathek.photolibrary, and if it is English, it will be called "iPhoto Library.photolibrary".
Double-click the largest library in the Finder to open it in iPhoto. Does iPhoto open? If it prompts you, that the library needs repairing, then let it repair the library. It may take a while, but is recommended after a crash.

Where are my photos? just tried to access time capsule after my first back up and am unable to open iphoto to verify they were backed up.

where are my photos? just tried to access time capsule after my first back up and am unable to open iphoto to verify they were backed up.

You can't open your backups directly with apps.
But you can see some types of files in your backups. If you're still on Snow Leopard (or Lion with iPhoto '09 or earlier), see the gray box at the end of Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #15.
If you're on Lion with iPhoto '11, you can use the Finder to see the iPhoto library, per the beginning of that same link. All you can see there is the library and size.

I recently upgraded to Mavericks and now don't have access to iphoto. I cannot find my iphoto library to back the photos up before upgrading the iphoto but see the photos when I try to change screensaver? Where are my photos so I can back them up?

I recently upgraded to Mavericks and now don't have access to iphoto. I cannot find my iphoto library to back the photos up before upgrading the iphoto but see the photos when I try to change screensaver? Where are my photos so I can back them up?

The iPhoto library should be in your user folder/Pictures unless it was moved.

Horrors: How do I get all my original photo files back out of iPhoto 9.1.2?

In my heart I KNEW I should never have upgraded iPhoto when the update came in for 9.1.2. But I had no idea what it was going to do. Now, to my horror, I have found out.
It has EATEN all the original photo files in my Home/Pictures folder and hidden them inside a single iPhoto database! Yikes.
I discovered this nightmare when I tried to find the original hi-res of a certain photo, and searched my Mac for it by filename – the one assigned to it by my camera.
All the original and modified versions of the file should have appeared in the search box – but no original appeared, sending me into a total panic. I also searched my laptop and back-up drive to no avail. Then I looked in the Home/Pictures folder and there were no photo files there, when there used to be hundreds. Just one single iPhoto Library file.
I felt sick, I thought I had lost all my original photos.
So now I have two problems, and questions:
1) iPhoto only displays photos from the last 18 months, so how do you access all the photos from years back now?
2) How can I export ALL my photos back out of the iPhoto database so I can have them where I can see them on my Mac again – as individual files in my Pictures folder like they were before?
Oh, and one other question:
What can I use instead of iPhoto? Can I revert to an earlier version? Or is there an application that I can import photos to that will leave the original files where they are? Then I can make a back-up of the originals before importing them into iPhoto.
Thanks,
Sarah
PS: How do I change my Apple Discussions username?

There's no reason to use the Finder to access your photos. That's what iPhoto is for. THe following is from a post by Terence Devlin on accessing photos for use outside of iPhoto. It's the definitive treatise on the subject.
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
There's a similar option in Outlook and many, many other apps.
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.
If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running:
For users of 10.6 and later:
You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu. Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and 10.5
Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
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:
a. On iPhoto 09 and earlier: 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.
b. On iPhoto 11 and later: Select one of the affected photos in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
OT

Where are my photos, and how to I move them

Hi, all. I'm a very inexperienced Apple user. Switched from Windows to Apple a little over a year ago and still can't figure out this Apple OS. IPhoto is also pretty mysterious to me, but getting a little less so.
Here's my current problem: I want to back up my data. I want to do it by copying my folders from my "administrator" account (that's the thing that looks like a little house when you're in the "Finder," right?). I notice that when I go into the "pictures" folder in the administrator account, it's completely empty. I think I know why, but I'm not sure how to fix it.
A few months back, I went to the "genius bar" at my local Apple store with a bunch of questions unrelated to iPhoto. The "genius" who was helping me did something that made the photos accessible to all of the accounts on this computer. (I made two accounts in addition the administrator account, but I've decided to delete them because they serve no purpose.) I think that's why there are no photo files in the "pictures" folder in the administrator account.
Can anyone here figure out:
(1) how I can get all the photos to show up in the pictures folder in the administrator account;
(2) how to make sure that all the new photos I import into iPhoto go into that folder from now on; and
(3) how to do this in a way that won't cause a problem when I delete the two accounts that are not administrator accounts?
Many thanks in advance for your help.
Regards,
John

I did the search using the "magnifying glass icon" at the top right corner of the screen. I got several results, but none gave me any useful info. The first result puts me into the photo library in iPhoto, but doesn't tell me where the library is stored.
I only know this--it was made into a "shared" folder, or something to that effect. Does that give a clue as to where it is and how to move it or change it?
Regards,
John

Where do my photo files down load to when iPhoto imports them

Where do my photo files down load to when iPhoto imports them

It goes into a Originals or Masters folder inside the iPhoto Library "package" which is really a folder designed not to look like one so people don't open it up and mess with it's insides.
Normally you can manage your photo's in iPhoto and export copies from there, but in emergency or bulk copy cases you might have to access the iPhoto Library directly and copy from there instead.
To open this iPhoto Library "package", right or control click on it and "Show package contents"
Be sure to only duplicate and move original files out and don't mess around there as it will them mess up your iPhoto Library.

Iphoto Library is a time machine back up!!!! Where are my photos??

Please help. Yesterday I opened Time Machine for the first time and set it up to do my backups. I then went to open iphoto (12 hours later) and I got the error message "The iphoto Library is a time machine back up, and so cannot be used as the main library". How can I get iphoto to work again and where are my photos??? Thanks in advance.

Is it possible that iPhoto is pointing to the wrong iPhoto Library file? First verify that you have a file called iPhoto Library in your pictures folder. Next, while launching iPhoto hold down the option key. You will be prompted to locate your iPhoto Library file (or to create a new library). Make sure that your iPhoto library shows up, and that it's located in your Pictures folder and not somewhere else. Select the iPhoto Library and choose it.
To make sure that your pictures are still in the iPhoto Library file you can hold the control key down while clicking on the iPhoto Library file. If you choose the 'Show Package Contents' option you will be presented with a list of folders. If you open up the folder titled 'Masters' you will see another list of folders by year. Digging deeper you should find your pictures in additional folders listed by month/day/roll. At a minimum this should help you confirm that your pictures are still intact.
If you continue to have issues you might need to give Apple a call. I have successfully used Time Machine for several years without any issues.

Where are my PHOTOS did a icloud back up and restored on a new iphone 5 everything BUT MY PHOTOS HOW CAN I GET THEM PLEASE

DID A ICLOUD BACK UP ON A SPRINT IPHONE 5 AND RESTORED ON TO A ATT IPHONE 5... ICLOUD RESTORED ALL DATA BUT NOT ONE PHOTO WHERE ARE MY PHOTOS??? TRIED OVER AND OVER AGAIN NO IPHOTOS EVEN THOUGH 4,5 GB OF SPACE IS USED OF THE ICLOUD PROVIDED 5GB INDICATING MY PHOTOS ARE THERE HOE CAN I GET THEM

Hi, bridgetsheaa.
If you are missing purchased music, you can download your past purchases by following the steps in the article below.
Downloading past purchases from the iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519
Cheers,
Jason H.

Where are my photos on the PC after sync with an iphone? I know nobody out there is stupid enough to suggest to me that they are encrypted and inaccessible, right? Seriously? How stupid would Apple corporation have to be to do something like this?

Where are my photos on the PC after synching with an iphone? I know nobody out there is stupid enough to suggest to me that they are encrypted and inaccessible, right? Seriously? How stupid would Apple corporation have to be to do something like this? That would be just as foolish as making my music unusable on the PC...
Okay, Let's assume that Apple is indeed THAT foolish.......How does one get the photos from the phone to the PC and still use them?

The photos are still on your phone, and if enabled in your Photo Stream. They are not automatically transferred to your computer when syncing.
See iOS: Import personal photos and videos from iOS devices to your computer and iCloud: My Photo Stream FAQ
tt2

HT3986 Where are the individual files located in iphoto

Where are the individual files located in iphoto, thanks for your help

They are all stored in the iPhoto Library. You would need to examine its contents to see them separately (outside of iPhoto).

Is there any system level support for RAW files from an Olympus XZ-10 camera. I use Lion and iPhoto version 9.4.2

Is there any system level support for RAW files from an Olympus XZ-10 camera. I use Lion and iPhoto version 9.4.2

If there is I can not find it - Google provides a list of possible methods form Adobe and others
LN

Lion and iPhoto'11 - where are Original Photo Files?

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