Naming photo files

how can i assign a name to a individual photos within a selected group of files in a folder?

I think I have found an answer in the app Rename from someone else's posting in a 'batch change' discussion
It seems to work but as a recent ex-Microsoft user I am AMAZED that this rather basic action is not possible in Finder and iPhoto!!

Similar Messages

Problems with re-naming photo files

Hi there, could anyone please give me some advice on a problem I am having with re-naming photos?
I have scanned over 2000 photos onto my mac. I scanned a batch of a couple of hundred at a time, and as I went along I would copy each batch into iphoto and then trashed them off the hard-drive (with hindsight I'm not entirely sure why I did that!). I am now trying to back them all up on to an external hard drive and have run into problems. The file names they saved as are for example img001, because of the number of photos I scanned I have about five photos in iphoto all with the same file name, and when I drag them onto the hard drive to copy them I am of course getting the message pop up that says I already have a file of that name on the hard drive and do I want to replace it, which of course I don't.
So...... I went through all the photos and renamed them so they were all different. However, although they show with new titles, when I click on "Show Extended Photo Info" in the Photos menu, the file name shows as the original one it was scanned as. I have then tried right clicking the photo and going to "Show file", and have renamed the photo there. However it still shows the same file name back in the extended photo info, and when I try to copy it on to my hard drive I get an error message saying "The items on the Clipboard cannot be pasted to this location. One or more of the items may have been deleted or are no longer available".
This is driving me insane!!! Please can someone help me!?

several things most of which have to do with what iPhoto is and how it works
iPhoto is a database program and you must not every make any changes to the contents or structure of the database (the files) except using iPhoto - never via the finder or other programs
as a database you never use the internal structure but use the database tools to access the photos
The only way to backup up the database is to copy it intact as a single entity to a different drive - you can not back it up in pieces
To backup the photos or move them to a different machine you export them from the database (file menu ==> export) and one of the options at that time is to assign new file names
when I drag them onto the hard drive to copy them I am of course getting the message pop up that says I already have a file of that name on the hard drive
So now that you understand how iPhoto works you see that there is a simple solution to this - simply export the photos and use the rename option in the export to assign sequential names to them
I went through all the photos and renamed them so they were all different
If you did this by typing a new title below the photo then you simply export using the use title as file name option
I have then tried right clicking the photo and going to "Show file", and have renamed the photo there
This is using the finder to modify the contents of the iPhoto library and will corrupt your library and make it unusable - to use it you will have to restore it as it was - your backup is the easiest
LN

Need help naming photo files in a sequence?

I want to name a group of files in a sequence. For example, I have 10 photo's from Joe's birthday party. I want to name the files JoeBirthday with a number after them (JoeBirthday1, JoeBirthday2, and so on.). I cannot figure out how to do this. Can someone help?

You can do this w/Automator but I'm not sure if it's any faster than other ways. If you have quite a few items and select all, it might be faster. See:
http://maketecheasier.com/2-ways-to-batch-rename-files-in-os-x/2009/05/16

When exporting from Photos, the panel for naming the file no longer shows up. Why and how do I change so I can name the file what I want?

When exporting from Photos, the panel for naming the file no longer shows up. Why and how do I change so I can name the file what I want?

You don't need to maintain all versions of the upgrade chain, but many of us do in case we need to work on a legacy file. If you want to rmove a version, though, ti should be done BEFORE installing the later one. Just reinstall CS5 and things should get back to normal.

Exporting named photos from iPhoto to MY choice in Files?

I am completely confused about the changes from iPhoto 09 to iPhoto 11. I go through my photos after the RAW files are downloaded from my camera, cull the dreck, rename the ones to keep, then export them in TIFF with names to the folder of my choice. Or at least that's what I used to be able to do!
I have tens of thousands of photo files in my MAC. And I don't really relish a whole new learning curve just because I have purchased a new MAC with a new OS. I need to be able to pluck the files from the individual country, then the city, then the photoshoot and import them into Lightroom before they get exported again in a corrected form to upload to my agencies.
This newest version of iPhoto does not bring up the ability to scroll through the Finder and assign the named and exported photos to specific folders. Why? And is there a way to reset or fine-tune this so that I regain that function?
Assistance is appreciated because I edit hundreds of photos in each session and I am tearing my hair out with this nonsense of only being 'allowed' to export to Pictures (gosh -- that's helpful when there are thousands of items in Pictures!), or Desktop or Recently Used.
Suggestions???

You might be correct, Terrence.
I have only had this new Mac for a week and I simply followed my usual procedure. I'm now wondering if I should just let Lightroom import the RAW files from my camera, do all of the editing and discarding over there, and so forth.
It's funny, after I posted that I looked at my own question to the forum and realised that I was creating a redundancy that was unnecessary.
My previous MAC was manufactured in 2009, so my iPhoto in there was the 2009 version.
Ah well -- guess I got my answer in a sort of self-administered smack on the hand manner!
Thanks.

How do I find a photo file in the Finder + future migration question

Being a recent Mac convert, I am just getting used to the 'complete control' approach to photo management that iPhoto has. I'm used to knowing where my photos physically reside on my computer - this is useful for doing things like uploading photos to a website for example. How do I actually find a particular photo in the Finder (or even give photo files recognisable names, as opposed to whatever automated naming system iPhoto uses)?
A followup question to this is, what happens if I ever want to migrate my photos out of iPhoto one day to another application or even back to a PC (God forbid - just my paranoia about being forced to use a particular system forever kicking in here!) - is there a way to do this, and keep photo modifications etc? Or once I start using iPhoto, have I made my decision for life??
My apologies if this has been asked before, I couldn't find anything in the forum when searching.

poddster
I hope you've a notebook and pen, but you've asked a lot of questions:
I'm used to knowing where my photos physically reside on my computer
You photos are stored in the iPhoto Library at your Pictures Folder. This is a Unix style Package Folder that very easy to see inside: right click on it and choose show package contents. A finder window opens with the library exposed.
Here's how the library is laid out:
In this folder there are various files, which are the Library itself and some ancillary files. Then you have three folders
Originals are the photos as they were downloaded from your camera or scanner.
(ii) Modified contains edited pics, shots that you have cropped, rotated or changed in any way.
iPhoto always preserves the original file, all operations are carried out on a copy.
(iii) Data holds the thumbnails the the app needs to show you the photos in the iPhoto Window.
And here's a warning: 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.
this is useful for doing things like uploading photos to a website for example
No it's not. Don't surf the iPhoto Library. The idea with iPhoto is that you do everything via the iPhoto Window or media browsers:
So, to access pics use one (or more) of the following:
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
iPhot doesn't name the files, those names are given by your camera. You can add titles in iPhoto and if you use the File -> Export command there's a facility there to name the resulting file (it'll be a copy - remember what I said about all operation being done on a copy...) with the title.
Do not rename files in iPhoto, That comes under the heading of making changes in the iPhoto Library Folder and alters the path to the files. If you do, iPhoto will lose track of the file. But the truth is there's simply no need to. However, you can rename the files before importing them if you like.
Migrating is really easy. You've seen the layout of the Library above. The originals are all there, in the originals folder, the Modified versions in their folder. If you want to have only the most recent versions of pics, then export them from iPhoto to a folder on the desktop.
By all means post back if you need more.
Regards
TD

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

Is there a way to make photo files on the computer the same as the files in iPhoto?

I have all my photos organized in iPhoto but they are not organized the same way in the photo section of my files. Is there a way to have them show the same files? When ever I need to add a photo to a website I can't find the same one's I have in iPhoto since I'm only able to upload them from the photo file section and not iPhoto.
Thanks!

No and neither is there any need to.
When ever I need to add a photo to a website I can't find the same one's I have in iPhoto since I'm only able to upload them from the photo file section and not iPhoto.
Just need to learn how to use iPhoto:
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.

Why do I get 3 sets of photo files when I transfer 3 catalogs.

Transferred 3 catalogs from old computer, PSE 9, to new computer, PSE 11. Result is 3 sets of photo files, all different trees. Did this previously, then put all files in one place, reconnected one catalog and the tags were all messed up. Wrong tag with the pictures, not acceptable! I have about 6000 pictures in files by date. Many files have pictures sorted into more than one catalog. Reconnecting also brought the wrong pictures into the catalogs. Had to delete everything and start over. How do I end up with all picture files in one place - Pictures - and also have 3 catalogs accessing the correct file. It worked great in PSE 9!

Mrben1969 wrote:
there seems to be two sets of Library files.
You should have three different folders named "Library". They are
<~/Library>, or the Library folder in your Home folder (aka, Library folder from user domain)
</Library>, or the Library folder at the root level of your startup disk (aka, Library folder from local domain)
</System/Library>, or the Library folder in the System folder (aka, Library folder from system domain)
And under no circumstances should you even dream of deleting any one of them.
Should this dream ever occur, you need to get cured by reading a basic book about Macs, eg, David Pogue's "Missing Manual…".

With Upgraded 9.3 cannot find photo file

Just upgraded to iPhoto 9.3 and had the photo file automatically upgraded. I can open the app with the iPhoto icon. But I cannot find the photo file. And cannot do either from another computer on my network. All that shows is the app icon. Where are the photos now?

Where they always were - in the iPhoto Library. The .3 update changed nothing in that respect.
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.

Is there any file carver technology tool to recover from a HDD only a group of named jpg files

Is there any file carver technology tool to recover from a HDD only a group of named jpg files that i lost? I lost 500 jpg files in my iPhoto library named i.e from 1.jpg to 500.jpg and I want to recover ONLY them from an 1TB external WD My Book e-sata disk, to avoid time waste and unwanted jpg files.
I' ve used data recovery software as Photorec, but it recovers all the jpgs it can find, it can't search for specific name files and as it uses its own naming for the files it recovers, i have thousands of photos to look up and find these i really want.Not to mention so much waiting time.
Even if you know other technology tool that can help me please tell me.
I've also used StellarPhoenixMacDataRecovery that is not file carving tool, but with similar results.

Prosoft Data Rescue may be what you need. Others may work that way, that are described here:
My data has become inaccessible, and I don't have a backup!

Drag and drop photo files into photo lab website for uploading photos, worked in old version but not in new version.

drag and drop ability not available in new version. I am trying to upload a large number of photo file to an online photo site for processing and the drag and drop does not work it did on the old version.

Nothing to be fixed. Just a little learning for you.
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.

Date and time of photo files in PSE 10

I imported about 1000 photo files (JPG) into my catalogon my desktop PC from files that I had saved on my laptop PC while on vacation. Most of the files were imported with no problems, but some of them were saved with the wrong time and date information. My folders are named for the date the pictures were taken, e.g., 2012-03-12. A few of the files were in a folder inside a folder for a different day, "c:\users\Don\My Pictures\2012-03-12\2012-03-08". What causes this? How can I get PSE10 to work porperly?
I have Windows 7, 64-bit PSE10, and an HP-PC with 8GB RAM.

Thanks for the reply Brett N.
I read some previous posts on date problems, and one answer said that if the import was done outside PSE10, all bets are off as to the correct results. That made me remember that I copied the folders and files to my desktop PC using Windows Explorer and then PSE10 found them as new files. I assume that my problems were because of not using PSE10 to import the files.
I am going to mark your reply as the correct answer, and give up on this issue until the next time I import files.

Photo File Size and Photoshop processing

On previous discussion, Steve Grisetti noted that problems with burning are sometimes associated with photo file size. The post stated that Photoshop Elements has a batch processing selection that can resize photos all at once. I when to Photoshop, selected process multiple file, selected source, save in same as source, and resize images 1000. When I viewed my photos after, about 50 of my photos were now duplicates of other photos For example, I put all my pictures in timeline order prior to doing my video. If I found a NEW photo after I had already scanned and named the photos, I would place the NEW photo in the picture folder by adjusting accordingly: 1.jpg, 2.jpg 3.1.jpg 3.jpg The 3.1.jpg would be the NEW photo. Photoshop replaced 3.1jpg with the picture in 3jpg. Does anyone know how to restore my photos back to the original "3.1jpg"? The backup is not accessible at this time.

If I understand you correctly you have been using the renaming feature and the parameters you used caused file1 to be renamed to a pre-existing filename (file2). If this is so then you probably have lost the original file2. An undelete utility may help (try Piriform Recuva).
For the future when using batch conversion it is good practice to select a new folder for the outputted files.
It is also good practice to burn all image originals to a CD or DVD immediately after importing from your camera. This way you can always recover originals.
Here are a couple of screenshots, the first from Elements Organizer and the second from Photoshop Elements. Which one did you use and what parameters did you enter?
Cheers,
Insanity is hereditary, you get it from your children

Can't find photo files.

I have been looking for the individual photo files on my computer. When I open the "Pictures" folder the only option that I am given is iPhoto.
If I click on it, it opens iPhoto but does not show the individual files. I have used the finder to search for the individual photos by name and the search does not turn up the file.
My ultimate question is, how do I go about finding these photo files on my computer that I know have not been removed.

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.

Naming photo files

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