16 January 2016

How can I export or extract pictures from an iPhoto library to files and folders?

Select "Photos" in the Library (left column), but don't select any single photo -- leave all unselected. Then choose File>Export. The number of "items" (photos and video clips) appears in the dialog in the lower left corner, so you know how many you are exporting. You can then specify the format (JPEG, TIFF, PNG, Original). You can then pick (or add) a folder for all the files. After doing this, you'll have all the files in one folder.

You can also Control-click the iPhoto Library file, which is actually a package, and choose Show Package Contents. Then click the Masters folder to open it, and you'll see folders organized by year; inside are more folders organized by date and album, and inside them are photos in JPG format and video clips.

As per Apple, the proper way to back up an iPhoto library is to copy the entire iPhoto Library package file to another hard drive. That's the only way to copy the photos and the database, which includes albums, keywords, and all other iPhoto metadata.

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