iPhoto - WTF!!

abooth2909 · 15 Apr 2010

Right, it may just be that I'm tired and thus can't see the wood for the trees but I'm having a serious issue (well a couple really) when importing my photos into iPhoto.

I have started off by opening iPhoto then selecting the folders from my external HDD to import into Library. Great, they appear and can be opened.

First problem, you can only see the filename not the extension so seeing which is RAW is a pain in the Ar$£!

Then I decided to reprocess one of the RAW files, fine, saved copy, edited in PSE8 then saved jpg file.

When I went back into iPhoto, the new edit is nowhere to be seen but I can locate it in the iPhoto Library by looking through Finder! :bang::bang:

Am I best ditching iPhoto, deleting the Library (I am less than 1/4 through transferring so not the end of the world) and just copy the My Pictures (PC based) from my external HDD to the Pictures folder on the Mac?

I presume I can import them to iPhoto then if I ever want to and still be able to find what the hell I'm looking for!

Is Aperture any better for this?!

Rant over, any help greatly appreciated.

grum · 16 Apr 2010

Not sure about your iphoto issues sorry - try the Lightroom 3 beta though, it's reet good.

Flamez · 16 Apr 2010

Aperture will show the master RAW file and also stack all the versions you create from it.

yoby · 16 Apr 2010

Andrew,
Having similar issues myself as I type - Thought it was about time to organise the 65000 images I've got and at this rate it'll take me around three years. Seriously thinking of only importing the processed ones as like yourself I'm unable to see which ones are RAW and which ones aren't. Planning on spending a goodly portion of today trying to figure out if I can actually get it to do what I want it to (unless work gets in the way) - Will let you know if I figure it out, otherwise it's a loan and either Lightroom or Aperture.

grum · 16 Apr 2010

Lightroom beta is free for now - not sure when it runs out.

Deckard · 16 Apr 2010

iPhoto is a bit screwy in the way that it keeps Original and Modified file folders. You probably had a Raw file in the Original but iPhoto saved the Jpeg in the Modified folder. It's a bit rubbish from that point of view.

However, I do like iPhoto still as it's a nice way to view pics. What I do though is use it only for my completely finished Jpegs. Raws are imported to my hard drive [not iPhoto], edited with whatever I fancy, archived to an external hard drive and DVD too, then only the finished images are then imported to iPhoto. I find this works well for me but horses for courses and all that.

Troglodyte · 16 Apr 2010

Although iPhoto does support RAW I find it very slow for it. Aperture isn't exactly a speed demon either IMO - I've tried the latest version. Lightroom is the best if you want to archive your RAWs in an iPhoto style app.

Personally I use the free DPP software to process the files (I like it's RAW converter better than either Aperture's or Lightroom's) and just keep the RAWs in folders on the HD. I then import the jpegs into iPhoto.

JasonRS · 16 Apr 2010

abooth2909 said:
First problem, you can only see the filename not the extension so seeing which is RAW is a pain in the Ar$£!

Check your iPhoto preferences.

abooth2909 said:
Then I decided to reprocess one of the RAW files, fine, saved copy, edited in PSE8 then saved jpg file.

When I went back into iPhoto, the new edit is nowhere to be seen but I can locate it in the iPhoto Library by looking through Finder! :bang::bang:

Don't you have to import the new one, unless you're using the "edit in external editor" option?

abooth2909 · 16 Apr 2010

Thanks for all the responses everyone. At least its not just me then!

I think I will seriously have to consider my future workflow pattern and maybe look at LR3 or Aperture. As I am only using it for amateur stuff and family pics so I guess I am no worse off just putting all the pictures in folders like on my PC and, as suggested, just import the processed images...

JasonRS said:
Check your iPhoto preferences.

Checked them and can't find a way to see the extension

JasonRS said:
Don't you have to import the new one, unless you're using the "edit in external editor" option?

I did do "edit in external editor" to PSE8 but even then it went to the "original" folder under iphoto. It then wouldn't allow me to import as it said its already in the Library! Oh no its not!! Oh yes it .... you get the picture!

joescrivens · 16 Apr 2010

Troglodyte said:
Although iPhoto does support RAW I find it very slow for it. Aperture isn't exactly a speed demon either IMO - I've tried the latest version. Lightroom is the best if you want to archive your RAWs in an iPhoto style app.

Personally I use the free DPP software to process the files (I like it's RAW converter better than either Aperture's or Lightroom's) and just keep the RAWs in folders on the HD. I then import the jpegs into iPhoto.

tis is the way to use iphoto happily.

Its really a great program but it has some strange ways for your workflow - this is the best kind of workflow to use with it. Import your raws not through iphoto, do your work then drag the jpeg into iphoto, then use it in all its coolness

abooth2909 · 18 Apr 2010

All photos organized into normal folders for now, next task is to import just the finished ones / processed jpegs into iPhoto...

Makes me realise just how much of a lazy git I've been in the past when I look how mixed up all of my pics are. Time to get organized I think!