Photo recovery when iPhoto crashed while deleting imported images

Question

I was importing images into iPhoto when it finished and asked if I wanted to delete originals or not. I chose to delete originals. As it was finishing the import/deleting the images, iPhoto crashed. I could see the images right before the crash. Upon rebooting iPhoto, the images were gone from my card and not showing up under last import. Where can I find them??? Thanks!

Answer 1

Greetings,
Sorry to hear about the lost pictures.
My guess would be that there was something wrong with the import process (bad data / corrupt media card in camera, low battery power during import, bad connection with camera, etc.)
Try finding the images on the computer using the File > Find in the Finder as described here: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1995 (maybe they just got misplaced / not fully imported into iPhoto).
Use the picture in that article as an example.  Rather than having "Kind" "Any".  Choose "Kind" "Image".  This will locate any picture at all on your computer.  You can then copy and paste the images (if you can find them) into a new folder and then import that folder into iPhoto.
If you haven't used the camera since you deleted the pictures there is a good chance you can recover them from the camera using data recovery software.
Here are a few examples:
http://joesoft.com/products/klix.php
http://www.prosofteng.com/products/data_rescue.php
http://www.macintosh-data-recovery.com/
http://www.subrosasoft.com/OSXSoftware/index.php?main_page=product_info&products _id=1
You can contact a local Apple Authorized Provider to see if they offer data recovery services: http://www.apple.com/buy/locator/service/
There are many nationwide / worldwide data recovery companies out there.  Here are a few examples:
http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com
http://www.drivesaversdatarecovery.com/
http://www.totalrecall.com/
Consider using these best practice tips to avoid or minimize the impact of issues in the future:
Do not delete the images off your camera until you have imported your images to the image management program of your choice (like iPhoto), and then backed up your images (like with TimeMachine)
Reformat the camera's media card using the camera itself between uses (check your camera's manual for how to do this).
Ensure your camera has a full charge on the battery before you import (Or run off of AC if possible).
Ensure the date and time on the camera are correct before importing.
If you are using a media card reader and are getting regular failures, try using a different reader or the camera itself (The same is true about importing directly from the camera. Try a reader instead.)
Plug the camera directly into the computer with a solid connection, no loose cables.  Don't use a hub.
Alternate between multiple media cards during photo shoots (trips, etc) so that if one card goes bad (they are just little bits of plastic after all) you don't lose the entire shoot.
Best of luck to you.