Imported photos are no longer available after reformatting card

Report · Apr 08, 2023

I just got lightroom and I added photos from my computer into lightroom no problem. Then I took my SD card out of my camera and plugged it into my computer and imported all the Raw files into lightroom. Then I looked at them but didn't have time to edit any, that was two days ago. So today I get on my computer and go to edit the photos and they are all in light room but when I hit develop it says files not found. They are not in my computer just in lightroom. I thought hitting import and watching them import which took a little longer than I thought it would so it definately imported them and I see them in the library but aparently they are not actually downloaded I'm not sure, this is where I don't get what happened. So I guess my 300 plus photos are now gone!? Thanks Adobe! I paid money to lose my photos. UGH!

Report · Apr 08, 2023

First question- Which "Lightroom" app are you using?

1) Lightroom-Classic v12.2.1, or

2) Lightroom- Desktop v6.2 (Cloud based)

"added photos from my computer into lightroom ...... imported all the Raw files into lightroom."

That is two Import processes- How did you manage to do that? Normally you can only 'add/import' photos on one occasion only.

"They are not in my computer just in lightroom."

So if you used the 'Cloud' version of Lightroom, then they were sent to the Adobe Cloud.

In your "Lightroom" app click on MENU: Help > System Info.... and post a screen-clip of the report you see on your screen.

"So I guess my 300 plus photos are now gone!?" Maybe not. We just need more detailed information to help you locate the destination 'where' they "downloaded" to.

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.0, Photoshop 27.0, ACR 18.0, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0 .

Report · Apr 08, 2023

Thank you for the reply by the way. I forgot to say that.

Well i checked Adobe Creative Cloud and looked for files in there and it says that i don't have any files in there.

Report · Apr 08, 2023

Lightroom Classic version: 12.2.1 [ 202303011008-5bfbce17 ]
License: Creative Cloud
Language setting: en
Operating system: Windows 10 - Home Premium Edition
Version: 10.0.19044
Application architecture: x64
System architecture: x64
Logical processor count: 16
Processor speed: 3.6GHz
SqLite Version: 3.36.0
CPU Utilisation: 0.0%
Built-in memory: 32509.2 MB
Dedicated GPU memory used by Lightroom: 356.1MB / 8031.0MB (4%)
Real memory available to Lightroom: 32509.2 MB
Real memory used by Lightroom: 2073.2 MB (6.3%)
Virtual memory used by Lightroom: 2868.5 MB
GDI objects count: 699
USER objects count: 2359
Process handles count: 3819
Memory cache size: 1178.3MB
Internal Camera Raw version: 15.2 [ 1381 ]
Maximum thread count used by Camera Raw: 5
Camera Raw SIMD optimization: SSE2,AVX,AVX2
Camera Raw virtual memory: 710MB / 16254MB (4%)
Camera Raw real memory: 713MB / 32509MB (2%)
System DPI setting: 144 DPI (high DPI mode)
Desktop composition enabled: Yes
Standard Preview Size: 3840 pixels
Displays: 1) 3840x2160
Input types: Multitouch: No, Integrated touch: No, Integrated pen: No, External touch: No, External pen: No, Keyboard: No

Graphics Processor Info:
DirectX: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (31.0.15.3141)
Init State: GPU for Export supported by default
User Preference: Auto

Application folder: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Lightroom Classic
Library Path: C:\Users\John\Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom Catalog.lrcat
Settings Folder: C:\Users\John\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom

Installed Plugins:
1) AdobeStock
2) DxO PureRAW 3
3) DxO PureRAW 3 Importer
4) Flickr
5) Nikon Tether Plugin

Config.lua flags: None

Adapter #1: Vendor : 10de
Device : 2488
Subsystem : 138a196e
Revision : a1
Video Memory : 8031
Adapter #2: Vendor : 1414
Device : 8c
Subsystem : 0
Revision : 0
Video Memory : 0
AudioDeviceIOBlockSize: 1024
AudioDeviceName: $$$/dvaaudiodevice/SystemDefaultAndEffectiveDeviceName=System Default - LG ULTRAFINE (NVIDIA High Definition Audio)#{comment}DVAAU-4201250: Open the audio hardware preferences page.
AudioDeviceNumberOfChannels: 2
AudioDeviceSampleRate: 48000
Build: LR5x19
Direct2DEnabled: false
GL_ACCUM_ALPHA_BITS: 16
GL_ACCUM_BLUE_BITS: 16
GL_ACCUM_GREEN_BITS: 16
GL_ACCUM_RED_BITS: 16
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GL_DEPTH_BITS: 24
GL_GREEN_BITS: 8
GL_MAX_3D_TEXTURE_SIZE: 16384
GL_MAX_TEXTURE_SIZE: 32768
GL_MAX_TEXTURE_UNITS: 4
GL_MAX_VIEWPORT_DIMS: 32768,32768
GL_RED_BITS: 8
GL_RENDERER: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070/PCIe/SSE2
GL_SHADING_LANGUAGE_VERSION: 4.60 NVIDIA
GL_STENCIL_BITS: 8
GL_VENDOR: NVIDIA Corporation
GL_VERSION: 4.6.0 NVIDIA 531.41
GPUDeviceEnabled: false
OGLEnabled: true
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Report · Apr 08, 2023

I have lightroom classic 12.2.1.1

I imported the photos on my computer already to lightroom first then,

I imported photos from my SD card second,

the ones from computer i had no problem with. but the ones from the sd card seemed like they imported i watched them all go into lightroom and start filling up the library and i looked at some of them and enlarged them but didn't try editing.

Then today i got on and tried editing and double clicked a thumbnail and it got bigger and then i hit develop and it said file can't be found.

Lightroom Classic version: 12.2.1 [ 202303011008-5bfbce17 ]
License: Creative Cloud
Language setting: en
Operating system: Windows 10 - Home Premium Edition
Version: 10.0.19044
Application architecture: x64
System architecture: x64
Logical processor count: 16
Processor speed: 3.6GHz
SqLite Version: 3.36.0
CPU Utilisation: 0.0%
Built-in memory: 32509.2 MB
Dedicated GPU memory used by Lightroom: 356.1MB / 8031.0MB (4%)
Real memory available to Lightroom: 32509.2 MB
Real memory used by Lightroom: 2073.2 MB (6.3%)
Virtual memory used by Lightroom: 2868.5 MB
GDI objects count: 699
USER objects count: 2359
Process handles count: 3819
Memory cache size: 1178.3MB
Internal Camera Raw version: 15.2 [ 1381 ]
Maximum thread count used by Camera Raw: 5
Camera Raw SIMD optimization: SSE2,AVX,AVX2
Camera Raw virtual memory: 710MB / 16254MB (4%)
Camera Raw real memory: 713MB / 32509MB (2%)
System DPI setting: 144 DPI (high DPI mode)
Desktop composition enabled: Yes
Standard Preview Size: 3840 pixels
Displays: 1) 3840x2160
Input types: Multitouch: No, Integrated touch: No, Integrated pen: No, External touch: No, External pen: No, Keyboard: No

Graphics Processor Info:
DirectX: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (31.0.15.3141)
Init State: GPU for Export supported by default
User Preference: Auto

Application folder: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Lightroom Classic
Library Path: C:\Users\John\Pictures\Lightroom\Lightroom Catalog.lrcat
Settings Folder: C:\Users\John\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom

Installed Plugins:
1) AdobeStock
2) DxO PureRAW 3
3) DxO PureRAW 3 Importer
4) Flickr
5) Nikon Tether Plugin

Config.lua flags: None

Adapter #1: Vendor : 10de
Device : 2488
Subsystem : 138a196e
Revision : a1
Video Memory : 8031
Adapter #2: Vendor : 1414
Device : 8c
Subsystem : 0
Revision : 0
Video Memory : 0
AudioDeviceIOBlockSize: 1024
AudioDeviceName: $$$/dvaaudiodevice/SystemDefaultAndEffectiveDeviceName=System Default - LG ULTRAFINE (NVIDIA High Definition Audio)#{comment}DVAAU-4201250: Open the audio hardware preferences page.
AudioDeviceNumberOfChannels: 2
AudioDeviceSampleRate: 48000
Build: LR5x19
Direct2DEnabled: false
GL_ACCUM_ALPHA_BITS: 16
GL_ACCUM_BLUE_BITS: 16
GL_ACCUM_GREEN_BITS: 16
GL_ACCUM_RED_BITS: 16
GL_ALPHA_BITS: 0
GL_BLUE_BITS: 8
GL_DEPTH_BITS: 24
GL_GREEN_BITS: 8
GL_MAX_3D_TEXTURE_SIZE: 16384
GL_MAX_TEXTURE_SIZE: 32768
GL_MAX_TEXTURE_UNITS: 4
GL_MAX_VIEWPORT_DIMS: 32768,32768
GL_RED_BITS: 8
GL_RENDERER: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070/PCIe/SSE2
GL_SHADING_LANGUAGE_VERSION: 4.60 NVIDIA
GL_STENCIL_BITS: 8
GL_VENDOR: NVIDIA Corporation
GL_VERSION: 4.6.0 NVIDIA 531.41
GPUDeviceEnabled: false
OGLEnabled: true

[removed unneeded information – Mod.]

Report · Apr 08, 2023

When you "Import" from your memory card there are options at the top of the window to "Add", "Move", "Copy", or "Copy as DNG". You need to learn what these option mean. "Add" means add them to the LR database without changing where they are currently stored. This is useful for files that are already stored in your computer. "Move" means move them to a selected storage location and then add them to the LR database. This is what I normally use to move image files from the memory card to the computer then add them to LR database.

I suspect you may have Added them while they were still on the memory card, then removed the card. Although added the the LR database they were left on the memory card. Those files are still in the LR database but the files are no longer available since the memory card has been disconneded. If you erased them from the memory card they are probably lost.

If you still have the files on the memory card, reinsert it into the card reader, and LR will be able to find them. If so, you have two options, but since you are new I will only describe one of them.

1. Select "Move" or "Copy" to move/copy them to a storage location on your computer where you want to keep your image files.

2. Use the "Destination" item in the right hand panel to select or add a folder to receive the files.

3. Then click "Import" on the bottom right hand side.

4. Once that is completed your files are stored on your computer and added to the LR database.

5. Remove the memory card from the card reader.

6. Once you are sure you have image files in your computer's storage, you can remove the first batch from the LR database, and erase the memory card.

I hope your images are still on your memory card, otherwise they are probably lost. There are ways to recover images from erased/formatted memory cards and you may be able to use one to recover the images, but I have never had much success with them.

Report · Apr 09, 2023

yeah i took the card out after that. I then formatted the card before using my camera again on saturday or yesterday. so they are gone.

Well thanks for the reply. I didn't know there were so many options to import photos. It seems like they should simplify it more or make it very clear to the user that the photos are not on the computer but only in lightroom.

Report · Apr 09, 2023

Even if you have formated the card the pictures may still be there - the card is written in a circular fashion. Try a file restore app like e.g. photorec (free download) to check if the picures are still there.
In general, never reuse the cards before you have made sure you have a backup - or rather two - of the pictures. Since you say the pictures are lost I guess you have none.

Thor Egil Leirtrø
Freelance concert photographer - thoregilphoto.com

Report · Apr 09, 2023

ok. i didn' even know i did that. thank you. like i said i'm new and was just trying to answer the question. sorry

Report · Apr 09, 2023

You cannot choose Add, when the photos are on the SD card. Adobe treats that as a hazardous operation, as such, Add should be grayed out when selecting photos on a SD card.

If the author has not accomplished a new import, the the author can bring up the import screen, and look at where the destination is (if not selecting Add) LrC tyically is set to what was previously selected for destination, what was previously used. Look on the hard drive, the folder that shows up under destination.

Report · Apr 09, 2023

i don't think i technically hit add i was just calling it that. i think i hit import. 99% positive

Report · Apr 09, 2023

The other comments here are correct that when using SD cards LRC does not allow you to select Add or Move, only Copy or Copy as DNG, and I assume LR is the same. (I don't use SD cards any more, only CFE-a. CFE cards appear to be disks and for them Add and Move are allowed.) Since you say you were using an SD card and the files were imported, I think that means they must have been Copy'ed to someplace on one of your disks. The advice from GoldingD to do another Import to see where LR is set up to copy the files to is a good way to see where they may be on your computer.

Based on your description above, I believe you are seeing the files when in the Library module, but when you select one of the files then move to the Develope module you do not see the image but only a message "The file could not be found". If that is correct, it seems that the files were copied to the folder you are seeing in the Library module, but are no longer there. If you moved or deleted them using the OS, that could be the problem. Or if they were copied to a drive that is no longer connected (e.g. a USB drive) that could also be the problem. At least the folder location where you see them in the Library module is a good starting place for searching for them using the OS. I think you should find them unless for some reason they have been deleted.

If this is the first time you have used LRC to import files, I believe LR defaults to using the "Pictures" folder as the Destination.

JohnElzenga suggests you may have copied them back to the SD card, but if you select the SD card as the Destination, LR shows a red alert in the upper right hand corner which is hard to miss. I am not sure if you ignore the red alert that it will actually perform the operation. I doubt that is what you did since it requires that you first make the destination selection and then ignore the red alert.

Also, you may want to look at this thread for some ideas on data recovery from your SD card.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1634079

Report · Apr 10, 2023

-- JohnElzenga suggests you may have copied them back to the SD card, but if you select the SD card as the Destination, LR shows a red alert in the upper right hand corner which is hard to miss.

The red alert (screenshot attached) was added in LrC 12.0. It theory, it should help avoid confusion / error, but I've come across a few instances where 'new' users haven't understood the meaning of the red alert and / or not realised that they need to hover the cursor over the exclamation symbol for a text explanation.

import to sd card.png

Report · Apr 10, 2023

ok thanks. i will do that to see what location the files are going to and then make sure they are there. i think it was sending them to the photos folder but i checked there as well as any other folder that comtains photos and they are not there. user error i guess. oh well i'll learn more about lightrooom and watch videos and get better at using it.

Report · Apr 09, 2023

Move is not a good idea IMO, something goes wrong, then the photos are no longer on the source, the SD card. Do not delete photos on the SD card until they are such fully copy'd AND backed up.

Only move a photo when you have backups. be that at import or in post processing.

Report · Apr 09, 2023

I just got lightroom and I added photos from my computer into lightroom no problem. Then I took my SD card out of my camera and plugged it into my computer and imported all the Raw files into lightroom. Then I looked at them but didn't have time to edit any, that was two days ago. So today I get on my computer and go to edit the photos and they are all in light room but when I hit develop it says files not found. They are not in my computer just in lightroom. I thought hitting import and watching them import which took a little longer than I thought it would so it definately imported them and I see them in the library but aparently they are not actually downloaded I'm not sure, this is where I don't get what happened. So I guess my 300 plus photos are now gone!? Thanks Adobe! I paid money to lose my photos. UGH!

By @John29311401aj5v

The photos are most likely still on your camera card. Please take some time to learn about how Lightroom Classic works, as it is different than most other programs — there are beginner tutuorials on YouTube, and a free beginner's e-book at lightroomqueen.com

Report · Apr 09, 2023

ok thank you.

Report · Apr 09, 2023

Hi, just read through your problem and unfortunate conclusion. So a couple of suggestions.

First, familiaize yourself with the Lightroom Queen site.Tons of useful information including books to guide you through your learning process. There is also a forum there which is very helpful.

Also sounds like you need to make sure you have backup strategy which includes not necessarily reformatting your SD card immediatey. FWIW, I leave my photos on the SD card and only reformat it when I need to use that specific SD card in my rotation of cards.

Report · Apr 09, 2023

So I guess my 300 plus photos are now gone!? Thanks Adobe! I paid money to lose my photos. UGH!

By @John29311401aj5v

Just so you know, Lightroom Classic does not delete photos on its own. In fact, Lightroom Classic takes no action at all on your photos, except when YOU the user specifically tell Lightroom Classic to do something to your photos.

It would seem that you deleted the photos when you went ahead and formatted the camera card (not Adobe's fault at all). But this re-emphasizes my earlier point that you need to understand what Lightroom Classic is doing. If you just jump in, spend no time at all learning what LrC is doing, the only thing you will get is trouble and frustration.

Report · Apr 09, 2023

to re-emphasize my point. it should not be so difficult to simply add a sd card and hit import. i then did the same thing on my computer withe the next batch and they all 417 photos went right into photos folder in raw format and it took less time than lightroom. and it was an actual copy that won't disappear when i remove the sd card. now that is indeed an import. not a faux port.

Report · Apr 09, 2023

Sounds like you may have made the following mistake. If you import photos from a memory card, then Lightroom will not allow you to leave these photos on the card and only add them to the catalog. The 'ADD' (and 'MOVE') options at the top center of the import dialog will be dimmed, and only 'COPY' or 'COPY as DNG' can be selected. However, as you select one of these two options, then you must assign a destination in the right panel and that is where you can make a costly mistake if you select the memory card as destination. If you do that then the images are copied to the same memory card, so removing the card and formatting it after the import was completed will indeed make you lose all those photos. The catalog will show the photos, but Lightroom won't be able to open them because they are missing.

-- Johan W. Elzenga

Report · Apr 10, 2023

Spot on, Johan. I submitted a bug report about that years ago (basically I feel that the memory card should never be allowed in the destination panel), but it obviously never got changed as it's still possible to make that mistake today.

Report · Apr 10, 2023

There are multiple bug reports dating back many years. Apparently, fixing it is "much easier said than done", which may explain why engineering took the easier option of adding the warning when the SD card is selected as the destination.