Why is iPhoto Library growing?

The iPhoto library on my iMac has grown from about 6000 pictures to over 26,000! It seems that many "face thumbnails" have been created although there also seems to be many duplicates. I have never used "Find faces."
I have searched all drives and found 10 iPhoto Libraries! (Yes, ten!) Some of these are old and smaller, less than 6000 pics, others are backups. I am using iPhoto Library Manager to sort out the mess but still would like to know why all the thumbnails were created.
I have the main iPhoto library on an external drive. Backup on another external and am gathering all "redundant" libraries into a forth drive in a folder named "Old iPhoto ..." to keep all that out of the way.
iPhoto has got to be the most screwed up of Apple's many screwed up programs. iPhoto Library Manager is a total life saver!!
Any advise on any of this is welcome.

Thanks for your responses -
Terence, seems the face thumbnails are both in Events and in Photos. The Library that I am working with (the largest on the assumption it will have at least one copy of all my photos) has 1,148 Events and 26,151 Photos. On a review I found "faces" in both.
Yes, I am sure I have created all of the Library's - I have used iPhoto for years; started with ver. 6 I believe. Been through several drive crashes, moved from Windows to Mac, and several Mac's. So I consider myself lucky that I still have all the photos that I do.
Old Toad, you may be onto something also; Some events have Face thumbnails and then duplicate events do not. There seem to be three copies of most, if not all the events. So yes, probably one of the Libraries picked up face thumbnails. I don't know how iPhoto chooses to make them other than "Find Faces" which I see occasionally at the bottom . (Now that you guy's have mentioned it it seems that I could have lost my mind somewhere along the line and hit something to generate face thumbnails)
My plan to try and fix this Library is to first manually browse and search for duplicate Events and Merge those that I find. To trash all face thumbnails I can find. Then use "Duplicate Annihlator" to find duplicates - seems to do a good job but not exhaustive. With this many photos it's going to be a tedious process.
Any ideas you may have will be appreciated. Oh yeah, I am using iPhoto 11 ver 9.5.

Similar Messages

Why is iPhoto library so big? When I have only 4,000 pics, the size is over 31G!!

Is there a way to know what is taking so much space in photo library?
I have only 4,500 pictures, but Iphoto library is taking 31.5 GB.
The most part of it is from a folder called "Masters", I am not sure what's in it.
Thanks

Do you sync photos to an iPod or iPad? If so there will be a folder inside the library titled iPod Photo Cache that can grow to rather large proportions if you sync alot. That could be the reason for the undue size of your library.
Also if many of your photos are in the portrait orientation iPhoto will make a second copy of the photo, rotate it and use it as the original file. That can add to the library size.
OT

After installing Aperture and leaving photos in iPhoto library, why did iphoto library size almost double?

I installed Aperture and chose to leave all my images in the iPhoto library until I became more comfortable/familiar with Aperture.
I was looking at my hard drive space and see that the available space went way down. In Finder, the Aperture library.ap library is 17.97 gb and the iPhoto library is 122.75 gb.
When I open iPhoto, it says that it contains 19349 images/87 gb.
What happened? Is that extra size related to the Aperture referencing the images? Should I delete and start over, and move all the images into Aperture so that they are managed there?
I'm just figuring my way around Aperture, and I'm trying not to over-think the organizational differences, but this size discrepancy seems a bit too much.

I wish I had more info for this but I'm stumped. As I said there is no reason Aperture would increase the iPhoto library size by importing iPhoto's library.
BTW how did you do the import, that might shed some light on the problem.
The image count between the backup and the live iPhoto libraries seems fairly consistent so why the jump in size I can't say. And as for the increase in the number of images in Aperture, you started with an empty Aperture library, correct? And did you import anything directly into Aperture since you did the iPhoto import?
I'm still a little confused on the whole thing where Aperture shows both original and edited versions of an image, and some show both RAW & JPEG versions of an image,
Well Aperture really doesn't show both the original and edited versions, all you ever see are the versions unless you specifically ask to see the master. When you import an image into Aperture a version of the master is automatically made and displayed. Because at this point the version is no different then the master (you haven't made any adjustments to it yet) the version looks exactly like the master but it is the version you are seeing.
As for the RAW & JPG thing, if you shoot both RAW + JPG's in your camera when you import them you have the choice of which to make the master or to make each one a master. Not sure if that is what you are referring to.
I'm wondering whether I would have been better off just moving the whole iPhoto library into Aperture at the beginning, and deleting the iPhoto library.
That is definitly one option and the option most users who switch eventually make. You're not going to want to have both programs handeling your photos. But you should probably hold off until you;re more omfortable with Aperture and make sure you have a good backup of the iPhoto library before you do anything.
Remember when you import the iPhoto library into Aperture you're only choice is to copy the images not move them. This is done so that you can make sure all went OK before doing anything with iPhoto.
If you have the room you could try bringing in the iPhoto library backup, and trying the import again into a new empty Aperture library.
regards

Why does iPhoto library

why does my iPhoto library (total) take up 85GB while I only have 20GB of images?

The iPhoto Window reports the size of the resulting folder if you exported everything at the "current" setting. The iPhoto Library in the Finder contains all your photos, their previews and thumbnails along with database and cache files.
Regards
TD

Why is iPhoto Library Still 20+ GB?

I have just about stopped using iPhoto (mostly use Lightroom now), and so have been deleting all of the "events" I'd stored there over the past year in order to free up some disk space on my MacBook HDD.
When I started, I had about 25GB in my iPhoto library (according to "Get Info"). I then proceeded to delete all but a few hundred MB of events and photos using the "Move to Trash" function in the "Photos" menu. When I was done I emptied the trash. Don't worry, all the photos are stored on another computer.
So how come my iPhoto Library says it's still using up 20+GB? Is there some default value in iPhoto that accounts for that?
If so, I might be tempted to delete iPhoto altogether. Like I said... never use it.
-PS

How have you been deleting the photos from iPhoto? Are you emptying the iPhoto Trash bin via the iPhoto->Empty Trash menu option? What does the finder say the library's size is? It will be larger than what iPhoto reports since iPhoto only lists the Original files.
If you never use iPhoto then do delete it, after exporting the files to folders so you don't lose them. There is a lot of overhead in a library, thumbnail files, database files, etc. You must have another application that you use for digital asset management so you can use iPhoto just for those special jobs that only iPhoto can do, books, calendars, etc. I use iView MediaPro/Expression Media as my DAM application and create libraries for those special projects like books. When I'm done with a book and have ordered it, I burn the library to a DVD via the Finder to archive the book in case I may want to order another copy at some time in the future. After burning to disk I delete the library.
iPhoto may be not for everyone. But don't go deleting it before saving the photos that are still in it.
NOTE: Lightroom and iPhoto do not play well together with iPhoto getting the short end of the stick. Making edits with lightroom or adding metadata with it and writing to the files can cause those files to be iPhoto incompatible.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.
Note: There now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

IPhoto library inflates from photos which were rotated in the camera!!!

Hi,
that is awful! I wondered why my iPhoto library is so big. I use the library only for slideshows and creating albums, *NOT for editing*.
I found it out!!!
I have tested it with a folder of 100 photos (approx. 1.5 MB each). One version of the folder (NORM) contains 100 horizontal photos. An Other version of the folder (ROTA) contains the same 100 photos with the EXIF-Flag "Rotate 90 CW" (my camera sets this flag automaticaly). The size of the 2 folders are exactly the same:
<NORM>: 150.871.544 Bytes
<ROTA>: 150.871.544 Bytes
Before I import one of these folders, I create an empty iPhoto library, size: 14.556.512 Bytes
And now the results:
- If I import <NORM>, then the size of library grows up from 14 MB to 24 MB, reason: iPhoto generates thumbnails of every photo. That's OK.
- If I import <ROTA>, then the size of library grows up from 14 MB to *255 MB*!! What the heck!!! iPhoto generates thumbnails AND A VERSION OF EACH PHOTO IN FOLDER MODIFIED!!! The size of every modified photo is bigger then 2 MB now (original 1.5 MB)!! Why?? The photo is NOT modified!!!
Can you enlighten me?

Not searched the forum then? This "discovery" turns up every couple of weeks. And the answer has been the same since iPhoto 1.
Your camera has an Auto-Rotate feature. However, the camera does not actually rotate any pixels in the file, but instead flags it with an instruction: "Display me this way".
Photo, seeing the flag, reads the intention and creates a modified version. Without this version, apps that integrate with iphoto, (like Word Processors, Mail Clients and Web Browsers) would end up with sideways photos. Why? Because they don't understand EXIF tags.
If you then try to Revert to Original, iPhoto will remove the edited version. However, when it then looks at the Original file again, it sees the flag, and creates a new rotated version. This loop will run as long as you Revert to the Original.
The solution is to either a: turn off the Auto-Rotate feature on your camera or b: rotate the photos prior to importing them to iPhoto.
Regards
TD

IPhoto Library File

I have an iMac + iPhone + an iPad .
I've imported pictures to my iPhoto's iMac ,the iMac's iPhoto Library was 10 GB Size .
After syncing with my iPad to sync Photos and events the iMac's iPhoto Library got bigger to 15 GB Size.
After syncing with my iPhone to sync Photos and events the iMac's iPhoto Library got bigger to 19 GB Size.
Can someone advise me why the iPhoto Library getting bigger and bigger each syncing ?
Thanks

Got the answer :
the file : pictures - photo library- iPod Photo Cache is getting bigger regarding an iOS device data base .

Aperture Library and iPhoto library are different sizes for the SAME images

Hi.
I'm a PROUD new Aperture owner (licensee) since last night. YIPPEE!!!
I imported my photos from iPhoto without a hitch. The same number of images, and I can access them all. Now, I know the two apps do different things, but I was expecting parity between the folders or Aperture's folder being heavier. It's MUCH less. Even with my previews. My iPhoto library is about 32GB and the Aperture library is about 9GB.
Is it because iPhoto is doing full size JPG previews of everything? That would add approximately 10GB, I think, but the size disparity is confusing me.
Any ideas what happened? Is all well?
Scott

You can choose to store your images IN (eg. copied) the aperture library, or as referenced masters (eg. you keep your own folder structure on a disk, and aperture only keeps the metadata and previews of it in the library). Main downside of referenced masters is that your images aren't backed up in the vault--you need your own backup strategy. Main upsides are that you can easily access your images in the finder, or with other apps, and that you can keep your images on another disk from your library. I have a Macbook Pro as my main computer, but my image library wouldn't fit on the internal drive, so I keep the Aperture library on the internal, and all my raw files on an external. I can access the previews for other purposes (mail, web, slide shows, etc.) when I'm away from my desk.
I have no idea why the iphoto library is so large--don't use iphoto much.

How can I migrate iPhoto library from an old MacBook Pro to a new one?

When the hard drive on my MacBook Pro 13 needed to be wiped clean, I restored all my files from Time Machine except for my iPhoto files. Not sure why my iPhoto library wasn't restored, but it wasn't, and I can't find it on my Time Capsule. I want to move my partial iPhoto library from my old MacBook Pro to my new one. I understand this is possible by linking them in some way. What is that way?

There are three ways; using File Sharing over a network, transferring them via an external drive, or using FireWire Target Disk mode. If you use file sharing, use the AFP protocol. If you use an external drive, it or a partition or disk image on it needs to be formatted as Mac OS Extended.
(65126)

Too big iPhoto library

Hi,
I have folder with 79GB of photos. I am also using Lightroom and these data files has 1,4GB. The same folder (79GB) inported to iPhoto has library with 19GB. I found that Previews folder has 17GB.
Why is iphoto library so large? It is ok?
Thank you in advance.

Yes it's okay.
The difference is the Previews.
Your camera has an Auto-Rotate feature. However, the camera does not actually rotate any pixels in the file, but instead flags it with an instruction: "Display me this way". This is a tag in the Exif metadata.
When you import a file with this tag iPhoto creates a Preview version. It does this because most of the apps that integrate with it - email clients, word processors etc - simply don't understand this Exif tag. So if you used the shot in a word processing doc, uploaded it to many Web site etc, the shot would come out sideways.
If you then try to Revert to Original, iPhoto will remove the edited version. However, when it then looks at the Original file again, it sees the flag, and creates a new rotated version. This loop will run as long as you Revert to the Original.
The solution is to either a: turn off the Auto-Rotate feature on your camera or b: rotate the photos prior to importing them to iPhoto.
Two bigger and more important questions: Why use iPhoto if you have Ligthroom? and Are you aware of the pitfalls of running a Referenced Libraries in iPhoto? See this for more.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3062728?tstart=0
Regards
TD

How do I transfer my iPhoto library to two separate drives using Aperture

Hi, I'm using iPhoto 9.4.2. My photo library is taking up most of my Macbook Pro's hard drive space so I bought Aperture 3.4.3 after reading the following description:
"As your iPhoto library grows, it may become too big to store on your computer’s hard drive. Aperture lets you set up as many external drives as you want and specify where to store each of your photos."
I want to put most of my photos on an external drive and only the most recent photos on my Mac's hard drive. I can't figure out exactly how to do this, though.
Hopefully someone can provide simple instructions. Thanks!

"As your iPhoto library grows, it may become too big to store on your computer’s hard drive. Aperture lets you set up as many external drives as you want and specify where to store each of your photos."
This is referring to turning your Aperture/iPhoto library into a referenced library. Aperture lets you relocate the original image files to a folder outside your photolibrary (this folder may be on external drive) and reference the originals in this location. This way the library itself will be smaller, but if you want to edit or export the referenced images, you need to make sure the external drive is mounted.
Relocating original files is simple: Just select the images you want to relocate in the browser and use the command "File > relocate original file(s)". But after relocating you are responsible for protecting the originals. Do not move, renmae, or edit them in any way. Make sure you have a working backup of your library before you start restructering it.
See this part of the manual for more help: Aperture 3 User Manual: Working with Referenced Images
Just in case Aperture should lose the connection to some referenced originals (this can happen sometimes, if the you need to restore your harddrive) use the command "File > Locate referenced files" to reconnect them.
Regards
Léonie

IPhoto library takes more space than the actual data that is in it.

Why is iPhoto Library taking almost 10 GB more than the real data i have in it ?

I have the original photos in a folder and it takes 10.7 GB of space in my hard drive, but when I get info from the iPhoto library its taking 17.9 GB of space
Do you have two copies of the photos on the HD? Why?
I have read that every single move I do in iPhoto it makes a copy of the file for backup no matter how big the photo is, even if you just rotate the picture,
When you edit a pic - including Rotation - iPhoto makes a copy of the Original and carries out the edit on that copy and saves it. However, if you then make another edit it does not make a second copy, it simply destroys the first copy and applies the total edits to a new copy. So there is never more than your Original and a single Modified version of your pics.
that’s just taking so much space I need is there any way to make iPhoto stop doing that?
No. If you don't want that, simply don't use iPhoto. IPhoto is a Digital Asset Manager and it coheres to the best practices of DAM by treating your original file like a film photographer protects his negative.
Also when look in the finder and search for every file I have used during the day, if I had just open iPhoto once it will apper a lot of this files called like Album.999001.ipmeta that are from iphot. If I haven used it just opened it why is it showing that ?
This is just the way that iPhoto works. These ipmeta files are tiny 4kb files. They take up the smallest amount of disk space possible.
Regards
TD

Why is the iPhoto Library file so big?

Why is the iPhoto Library File so big?
I cancelled the option in settings that it copies the files to the Library but the LIbrary file grows and grows when I import new photos?
Can someone help me?

You have disabled "Copy items to the iPhoto Library"?
Then the original image files should not be imported; you can check this by selecting one of the recently imported photos and using the command "File > Reveal in Finder > Original File". Does it show you a file outside the library?
Your library will grow in size, when you import and edit photos, even if the originals are not included. iPhoto will store thumbnails of your photos, previews of the edited versions, of the faces, and if you sync your library with iTunes, there will also be an iPod Photo cache, that can be quite large:
iTunes: Understanding the iPod Photo Cache folder
You know, that disabling "Copy items to the iPhoto Library" is quite risky, don't you? Just in case you are not aware of the risks - iPhoto does provide no tools at all, if the connection between your referenced original files and your thumbnails in iPhoto gets broken. Or if you need to move your photos to a different drive, when the drive fails, as will happen one day. You will not be able to migrate the library to a new computer or restoring from your backup will be difficult. You will need third party apps like iPhoto Library Manager to recover from such a situation.
If you need to free space on your mac it is much safer to move the whole library to an external drive, or to split it and relocate the partial library with the older photos to an external drive.
-- Léonie

Photos do not show up in iPhoto yet still in user/pics/iPhoto Library. Why?

I opened iPhoto 6.0.3 today only to find it void of all my pictures and of any sourcer folders I created for each year pictures were taken. However, all my pics are still in user/pictures/iPhoto Library along with all the Data folder, created folders etc. I've tried to drag some of the pictures to iPhoto but it warns: "The following file could not be imported. (The file is in the iPhoto Library)". So if my pictures are correctly located in the user/pictures/iPhoto Library, why are they not showing up when I open iPhoto? Any ideas?

First, if the photos are in the Originals folder they they are already in the library even if the don't show (unless you placed them in that folder via the Finder).
Try the following: download and run BatChmod on the iPhoto Library folder with the settings shown here, substituting your account name for mine. You can either type in the path to the folder or just drag the folder into that field.
Now launch iPhoto and see if that helped.

HT201250 Why won't Time Machine won't restore my iphoto library [says there is not enough room on my hard drive.] Any ideas?

I've got 20,000 plus photos on my HD [yes, I know, way tooo many]. I'm trying to clean up by storing them on an external HD, but for several months I've not been able to export iphoto [even geniuses can't figure out why]. So as a work around, I'm trying to export events and albums to external. However, I realized that I didn't export in the original format making the files too small. Now, I just want to restore my iphoto library to the date before I started this process and when I try to restore from Time Machine, it comes up with an error message that I don't have enough room on my HD. Any ideas out there? [The reason I want to restore is because I started to delete some of the iphoto files from my HD to clean it up and I want to get back to the original format for export].

In the simplest sense, archiving a file means making a copy that you never change and never discard. You already know how to do that.
iPhoto has built-in archival features, in the sense that it saves all versions of an image that you've modified. As long as you have adequate backups, you don't necessarily have any reason to archive an iPhoto library. If you want to delete images from the working library but still have access to them in case you change your mind, then you do need to archive those images. I don't have a specific suggestion as to how you should do that. You might post a question in the iPhoto forum.

Why is iPhoto Library growing?

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