First time Photoshop Elements User with iMac Photos-Import from Photos or Export (to save originals)

[Walt-1]

Just installed Elements 2020 on both my iMac & Windows 10 laptop.

1. For iMac, what is recommended procedure for bringing photos from Photos so I also retain originals? Does Organizer create separate files that also double the HD storage requirements?
2. For Windows 10 laptop, I have a 512GB SSD, does importing media double the storage requirements? Is it better to keep originals on a separate HD or USB Flash Drive instead of having them on the same SSD?

I haven't been able to glean this info from previous posts, so I figured I'd ask before I find out the hard way & develop bad habits instead of using Elements, Organizer and Premium Elements 2020 in the most efficient, professional manner. Thank you in advance for your recommendations, which I anxiously await. 

[nikunj.m]

Hi there,

The Elements organizer does not store your original images, it only creates a preview of the images and links that preview to the original image stored on the computer or the external drive from where it was imported. 

The originals stay intact and are not altered unless you save the images back to the same folder through the Photoshop Elements Editor with the same name and ask Photoshop Elements to over write the original.

You can have the originals on the local storage of the computer or an external hard drive and import them to the Photoshop Elements catalog from that location. Whenever you wish to edit the images, please ensure that the source from which is the images were imported, is connected to the computer and online.

You can check some details about the Elements organizer catalogs here: https://helpx.adobe.com/in/elements-organizer/using/creating-editing-catalogs.html

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Nikunj