Lightroom with Mac

[photo_chick]

I couldn't get Lightroom to open any files in iphoto. That is why I went o YouTube to see what I might be doing wrong.

Now, it was quite late last night and I was tired. I will play with it again today and see what I can figure out.

Dawn

I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to do. When you're talking about importing files into Lightroom it should be just the files in their folders. You don't need to have iPhoto open at all.

If you go through a process of exporting these images from iPhoto before importing them into Lightroom you will loose image quality. It's an unnecessary step.

Go into Finder and locate the image files on your computer. If you don't know where to do that, in Finder under the GO tab drop down to Computer. Then locate the folder the files are in. I'm guessing it's probably under Pictures. That's where iPhoto defaults to on my Mac. Once you know where those are then open up Lightroom. In the Library pane in Lightroom go over to the left and find the Folders heading. Near it there is a plus sign. Click it and drop down to add folder. Now when the finder window opens up go to your folder of images that you made sure you located at the start. Click it then click choose. Once all those images show up in the import screen in Lightroom click IMPORT. That's all there is to it. You don't need to move the files, you don't need to export anything from the other software. You just need to tell Lightroom where your image files are located and it does the rest.

 

[jimim]

I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to do. When you're talking about importing files into Lightroom it should be just the files in their folders. You don't need to have iPhoto open at all.

If you go through a process of exporting these images from iPhoto before importing them into Lightroom you will loose image quality. It's an unnecessary step.

Go into Finder and locate the image files on your computer. If you don't know where to do that, in Finder under the GO tab drop down to Computer. Then locate the folder the files are in. I'm guessing it's probably under Pictures. That's where iPhoto defaults to on my Mac. Once you know where those are then open up Lightroom. In the Library pane in Lightroom go over to the left and find the Folders heading. Near it there is a plus sign. Click it and drop down to add folder. Now when the finder window opens up go to your folder of images that you made sure you located at the start. Click it then click choose. Once all those images show up in the import screen in Lightroom click IMPORT. That's all there is to it. You don't need to move the files, you don't need to export anything from the other software. You just need to tell Lightroom where your image files are located and it does the rest.

That's not true about iPhoto. When you export there is an option to export original file.

I just didn't want her to mess up the iPhoto folder if needed in the future that's all.

Like I said before everyone's workflow if diff. Just going my opinion.

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[photo_chick]

That's not true about iPhoto. When you export there is an option to export original file.

I just didn't want her to mess up the iPhoto folder if needed in the future that's all.

Like I said before everyone's workflow if diff. Just going my opinion.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

That option to export the original file isn't really just giving you the original file. It's giving you the file with no changes but it is sending it though the export process. It will artifact jpegs. THe whole idea of exporting from iPhoto first is a confusing and very unnecessary step that can be detrimental to your image quality in my opinion.

If the original poster wants to keep the iPhoto file system intact it's very simple. Just save the Lightroom edits somewhere else and not in those folders. Lightroom doesn't do anything to your original file folders on it's own. It saves all adjustments to the library files and it saves the exports where you tell it to..

 

[DawnM]

Ok, so can I get some clarity here? I need to take my photos in their original form OUT of iphoto and put them into ANOTHER folder (not directly into LR) and THEN import them into LR, is that correct?

I am sorry, but I keep reading your responses and you keep saying, "like I said" but I can't fully understand what you said so I am asking for exact information here.

I don't even know what a workflow is.

That's not true about iPhoto. When you export there is an option to export original file.

I just didn't want her to mess up the iPhoto folder if needed in the future that's all.

Like I said before everyone's workflow if diff. Just going my opinion.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[photo_chick]

Ok, so can I get some clarity here? I need to take my photos in their original form OUT of iphoto and put them into ANOTHER folder (not directly into LR) and THEN import them into LR, is that correct?

I am sorry, but I keep reading your responses and you keep saying, "like I said" but I can't fully understand what you said so I am asking for exact information here.

I don't even know what a workflow is.

No. There is no need to do that. Just import them from their current location on your hard drive.

iPhoto and Lightroom are library programs. Your files aren't actually "in" the software. The software just creates a library file that tells it where your files are located. All you have to do is tell Lightroom where those files are.

 

[jimim]

That option to export the original file isn't really just giving you the original file. It's giving you the file with no changes but it is sending it though the export process. It will artifact jpegs. THe whole idea of exporting from iPhoto first is a confusing and very unnecessary step that can be detrimental to your image quality in my opinion.

If the original poster wants to keep the iPhoto file system intact it's very simple. Just save the Lightroom edits somewhere else and not in those folders. Lightroom doesn't do anything to your original file folders on it's own. It saves all adjustments to the library files and it saves the exports where you tell it to..

Ok so I didn't know that I thought if something said "original". And "full" for quality then I figured it was the original jpg, bit then again I stopped using iPhoto 2 years ago. I always thought it was the original file if it said original and full. Who knew.

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[DawnM]

The current location IS iPhoto!

I think I figured out how to move them individually to a separate folder and then to LR.

But if there is no need to move them first and get them directly from iphoto I would like to know!

You are saying there is no need to move them from iPhoto into another folder first?

Dawn

No. There is no need to do that. Just import them from their current location on your hard drive.

iPhoto and Lightroom are library programs. Your files aren't actually "in" the software. The software just creates a library file that tells it where your files are located. All you have to do is tell Lightroom where those files are.

 

[Shutterbug]

The current location IS iPhoto!

I think I figured out how to move them individually to a separate folder and then to LR.

But if there is no need to move them first and get them directly from iphoto I would like to know!

You are saying there is no need to move them from iPhoto into another folder first?

Dawn

If you can wait till I get home this evening, I can check the process on my Imac and see if Lightroom can see the Iphoto Library on my computer.
To me the best way of importing photos into the computer is to do it manually and create my own folders for photos and not Iphoto.

 

[photo_chick]

The current location IS iPhoto!

I think I figured out how to move them individually to a separate folder and then to LR.

But if there is no need to move them first and get them directly from iphoto I would like to know!

You are saying there is no need to move them from iPhoto into another folder first?

Dawn

Stop going through the software and go though Finder.

The files are NOT actually in iPhoto. That is not how the software works. Even if you use iPhoto to import the files it still puts them into a folder. Somewhere on your computer the original files are sitting in that folder. FIND THAT. Probably in the pictures folder in a folder labeled iPhoto. iPhoto is just the name of the folder. Just like iTunes puts all the music in a folder called iTunes. You do not have to take them out of that folder unless you want to. Nor do you have to even open iPhoto to get to them.

As far as importing your iPhoto library... no, you can't do that as far as I know. It's just a library file and not actually any image files. If you're talking about the changes you've made to images in iPhoto but have not exported as a file or save, you will loose those when you change software. So yes, you would have to export those. But I honestly wasn't even thinking about those because they are not even actually files, it's just settings that will be applied on export and generally when most people import images into Lightroom they want the original image files to have the highest image quality possible. You're moving to better software for more editing options and would likely start over on each one anyway, right? And if you export all those changes to import them into Lightroom as well as import the originals into Lightroom you're going to end up with multiple copies of your images. As well as artifacting on the images you exported from iPhoto.

 

[DSLRuser]

Here is my lightroom workflow. (this works onn pc or mac)...remember...lightroom is just 1 big database. it bever actually stores photos in it.

Create 2 catalog files.

name the 1st one as .jpeg. Now import any existing jegs on your system into this catalog. As the pevios poster said...you photos are not moving...its just making a database of these files.

next, create a second or new catalog called .raw. now import any raws you may have on your system. same thing...they are not moving...you are just making a database

now, start taking all your new photos with raw in your camera. then import from your camera into the raw catalog each time and make what ever edits / post processing you need to from here.

now, if you have a raw file that you think is awesome and you want to do somethig with it, like put it on a web page, or email it or what ever. You export from raw catalog to a new folder as jpeg. from that new folder, you can do what you want. at some point you may even want to include that folder in your jpeg catalog.

at any point, you can go back into your raw catalog and edit the photo. your initial raw file is never changed. you can continue to tweak it, or revert it back to original.

 

[jimim]

Here is my lightroom workflow. (this works onn pc or mac)...remember...lightroom is just 1 big database. it bever actually stores photos in it.

Create 2 catalog files.

name the 1st one as .jpeg. Now import any existing jegs on your system into this catalog. As the pevios poster said...you photos are not moving...its just making a database of these files.

next, create a second or new catalog called .raw. now import any raws you may have on your system. same thing...they are not moving...you are just making a database

now, start taking all your new photos with raw in your camera. then import from your camera into the raw catalog each time and make what ever edits / post processing you need to from here.

now, if you have a raw file that you think is awesome and you want to do somethig with it, like put it on a web page, or email it or what ever. You export from raw catalog to a new folder as jpeg. from that new folder, you can do what you want. at some point you may even want to include that folder in your jpeg catalog.

at any point, you can go back into your raw catalog and edit the photo. your initial raw file is never changed. you can continue to tweak it, or revert it back to original.

How come u use 2 diff catalogs for RAW and JPG? Why not just one? I'm just wondering? I have both in mine and go back to the original jpg or raw file if need be?

jimi

 

[DSLRuser]

How come u use 2 diff catalogs for RAW and JPG? Why not just one? I'm just wondering? I have both in mine and go back to the original jpg or raw file if need be?

jimi

The main reason is, i dont edit my jpegs. jpeg contain so little information, as soon as you start tweaking, your image starts to become less than ideal. my jpegs are considered final. So, i dont want them mixed in with raws. I work out of the raw catalog 97% of the time.

I also keep it as a clear deliniation as to where i switched from casual phtographer shooting jpegs, to more serious hobby / money maker shooting raw only.

 

[jimim]

The main reason is, i dont edit my jpegs. jpeg contain so little information, as soon as you start tweaking, your image starts to become less than ideal. my jpegs are considered final. So, i dont want them mixed in with raws. I work out of the raw catalog 97% of the time.

I also keep it as a clear deliniation as to where i switched from casual phtographer shooting jpegs, to more serious hobby / money maker shooting raw only.

ah ok makes sense. so no program functional reason just preference. i figured but i learn everyday so i thought maybe something i didn't realize about jpg and raw being together in lightroom.

thanks for that. what i have to start doing is using multiple catalogs cause mine is getting huge. i think i'm going to do them yearly since i shoot for myself only not as a job so i can keep the under control. the one i have now is from lightroom 1.0 up till the present. i'm trying to organize my backups now so next year i can start with a 2013 year catalog. i think this might work for me. at least with multiple catalogs i can get original files off my hard drive too cause my new macbook pro is a retina with an ssd drive and they aren't the hugest. i used to edit wit the files on a network drive but i didn't like the speed so i moved all editing to the local drive.

jimi

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

How come u use 2 diff catalogs for RAW and JPG? Why not just one? I'm just wondering? I have both in mine and go back to the original jpg or raw file if need be?

jimi

The main reason is, i dont edit my jpegs. jpeg contain so little information, as soon as you start tweaking, your image starts to become less than ideal. my jpegs are considered final. So, i dont want them mixed in with raws. I work out of the raw catalog 97% of the time.

I also keep it as a clear deliniation as to where i switched from casual phtographer shooting jpegs, to more serious hobby / money maker shooting raw only.

I was wondering the same thing. I store both in the same catalog and have the option set to hide the jpegs for images where both a RAW and jpeg exist. That way I have a single catalog for all images, edit the RAW files exclusively (where they exist), yet still have access to the jpegs if I need them.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

OP, check out the free training videos that are available on adobetv.com. There are some excellent ones. This one in particular may be helpful: http://tv.adobe.com/watch/learn-lightroom-4/importing-existing-images/#

Try importing your My Photos folder (sorry, PC user here and don't know what Mac equivilent is) and set the "Include Subfolders" option on. This should show you all photos on your machine. If that still doesn't find them, go up to the hard drive level and import from there, again ensuring the include subdirectories option is on.

 

[PrincessMe]

I couldn't get Lightroom to open any files in iphoto. That is why I went o YouTube to see what I might be doing wrong.

Now, it was quite late last night and I was tired. I will play with it again today and see what I can figure out.

Dawn

I had the same problem when I first got Lightroom. I never did figure out how to directly import from iPhoto but do have a fairly painless workaround. Only did it once since I've never touched iPhoto again.

Open up a finder window and navigate to iPhoto library (should be under pictures). Either copy or drag the iPhoto library to your desktop. Right click on the iPhoto icon on the desktop and select show package contents. A new finder window showing the files will show up. Copy or drag those files directly into your pictures file (or another file). You'll now be able to navigate to the folder and import to lightroom.

FWIW, I love Lightroom but I did buy the package from B&H with the training video.

 

[Shutterbug]

How come u use 2 diff catalogs for RAW and JPG? Why not just one? I'm just wondering? I have both in mine and go back to the original jpg or raw file if need be?

jimi

I also have different folders for Raw and saved Jpegs. One main reason is its easier when I do batch uploading. Its much easier if I can choose a folder to upload as opposed to clicking on each individual photo.

 

[DawnM]

Thank you! I am indeed more of a visual learner so maybe that will help.

Dawn

OP, check out the free training videos that are available on adobetv.com. There are some excellent ones. This one in particular may be helpful: http://tv.adobe.com/watch/learn-lightroom-4/importing-existing-images/#

Try importing your My Photos folder (sorry, PC user here and don't know what Mac equivilent is) and set the "Include Subfolders" option on. This should show you all photos on your machine. If that still doesn't find them, go up to the hard drive level and import from there, again ensuring the include subdirectories option is on.

 

[DawnM]

Thank you everyone. I am going to figure this out.

Ok, so, don't go through iPhoto, go to Finder. Go to Finder and do what???? Type in what?

I will be watching some videos in the next few days and hopefully can get the basics of it.

Dawn

 

[Shutterbug]

Thank you everyone. I am going to figure this out.

Ok, so, don't go through iPhoto, go to Finder. Go to Finder and do what???? Type in what?

I will be watching some videos in the next few days and hopefully can get the basics of it.

Dawn

This is what I found out on my Imac. If you have imported ALL your photos via Iphoto, you will need to export the photos to a folder OUTSIDE of Iphoto for Lightroom to be able to see them.

These intructions will help as long as you know how to use Finder on your Mac, hopefully you do.

1. In Iphoto choose the "Event" that has the photos you want to edit in lightroom.

2. Select the photo or photos. From the menu select "file" and then select "export"

3. A new window will pop up. In the new window there will be a line that says "kind" click on the arrow and from the selections that pop up choose "original" Then click on the "export" button.

4. From the new window navigate to the Folder and create a new folder there, give it a name and save the photos there.

5. Close Iphoto and open Lightroom.

6. Use the Navigator on the left to find the folder that you just created and import the folder into Lightroom.