My iPhoto Edits Disappear

Q: I edited my photos in iPhoto, but when I try to use them later I keep getting the original, unedited photo. What happened?

A: iPhoto will always keep the original copy of all of your photos in case you decide later that you really do want it after all - even if it’s a long, long time later. If you want to use the edited version instead of the original, you’ll need to look for it in a slightly different place.

If you’re looking in your file system, navigate to Pictures→iPhoto Library. If you only see a single icon here instead of a bunch of folders, follow the directions in Monday’s column to open the library. Here, you’ll see directories called “Originals” and “Modified.”

The “Originals” folder holds, you guessed it, all of the original copies of the photos you have in iPhoto. The Modified folder holds the modified copies of any photo you have edited (but only those you have edited - if you’re looking for a photo you haven’t changed a bit, you’ll still need to find it in the Originals folder). If you’re looking to open a photo that has any edits you’ve made, you’ll always want to open it from this Modified directory.

Another option you have, as long as you have iPhoto open, is as simple as drag-and-drop. Click a photo in iPhoto that you want to work with, and drag it to a window or dock icon of another application you have open. Presto, the edited version of that photo is instantly in whatever application you want it in.