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Milkmaid70
Milkmaid70
Known Participant
August 13, 2017
Question

Importing from Photos on mac

  • August 13, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 1843 views

After using Photoshop YEARS ago, I am now reintroducing myself to it through CC.  I have also chosen the Lightroom option as well.  I have just purchased subscription and have downloaded the Lr program.  But, I am having problems locating my pictures in Photos on my mac.  I can see a sub folder of Pictures - but this does not contain all my photos.

Where or how do I get to Photos?  Or do I have to move them out of Photos and into a folder under users? 

Sorry for likely inane questions....I'm hoping to keep these basic ones to a minimum.  I just couldn't find the answers anywhere online or here in the forums.

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

Milkmaid70
Milkmaid70Author
Known Participant
August 13, 2017

I should add that Photos sits under my "Applications" on my mac.  But in Lr, it is just not there. 

99jon
99jon
Legend
August 13, 2017

It is best to use one or the other but not both apps, in order to avoid file duplication. Apple hides your original photos; so you can revert at any time. So you need to go inside the package.

-Launch Finder and go to Pictures

-Right-click (control-click) on Photos Library and choose Show Package Contents

-Drag the Masters folder and drop it on to Pictures – that will make Masters into a regular folder in Pictures

-Launch Lightroom and choose Import and at the top of the import dialog choose “Add” (not copy) then navigate to Pictures >> Masters and select all, then start the import.

After successful import into Lightroom you could trash the Photos Library but that will depend on whether or not you are using iCloud. Alternatively drag the photos Library to an external hard drive.

Use copy rather than drag and drop (step 3 above) if you intend to move the Photos Library.

Milkmaid70
Milkmaid70Author
Known Participant
August 13, 2017

Thanks for the speedy reply.  Much appreciated.

I followed your steps above, but after clicking on Show Package Contents, I have no Masters folder.  The first folder is Contents.  Sub folders of this also do not contain a folder Masters.  Is what you are talking about called Contents on my computer?

Am I in the wrong area?  I can take a screen shot if you need.

Yes, I do use iCloud, so I'm guessing that trashing Photos is not the best move.  But copying to an external hard drive is.

Ugh......my photos are such a mess.  They are everywhere.  Hence me getting Lr so I can clean up files, and add tags.

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