Import Your Photos
When a digital camera or a memory card reader is connected to the computer with a USB cable and recognized by iPhoto, the "Import" view button is automatically selected. The next few pages explain how to import your photos directly from a camera, a memory card reader, a CD, or a location on your hard disk.
Import photos from a digital camera
When you connect a digital camera to your Mac, a disk icon appears on your Desktop named with the brand of memory card that''s in the camera.

1. | Turn your camera off. | |
2. | To conserve your camera''s battery power, we suggest you connect the camera''s AC power adapter to the camera, then plug the adapter into a power outlet. | |
3. | Use the USB cable that came with the camera to connect the camera to your Mac''s USB port. Turn on your camera. These things happen:
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4. | Type a film roll name in the "Roll Name" text field, or leave it blank and let iPhoto assign a name for you. You can choose to type a description of the imported photos in the "Description" field. The description text will appear in the Information pane (bottom-left corner) when this film roll is selected in the viewing area.[View full size image]![]() | |
5. | Click the "Import" button (shown on the previous page). The "Import" button changes to a "Stop Import" button during import. To stop an import, click the "Stop Import" button.[View full size image]![]() ![]()
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6. | After the photos have been imported, click the eject button next to the camera (or card) icon in the "Source" pane to unmount it. | |
7. | Turn the camera off and disconnect it from your computer. |
All imported photos are placed in the Library.
Import photos from a digital memory card reader
You can import your photos from a digital memory card reader, even if your digital camera is not directly supported by iPhoto.
1. | Connect an appropriate card reader to your Mac using a USB cable, one that is compatible with the type of memory card in your camera. |
2. | Take the digital memory card (CompactFlash, SmartMedia, SD card, Memory Stick, etc.) out of your camera and insert it in the card reader.The card''s icon appears on your Desktop, as shown to the left, indicating it has been mounted.The card from the camera might be called a memory card, digital card, digital memory card, or even a memory stick! They all refer to the same item.This icon appears on your Desktop, named for the card that''s in the reader.![]() |
3. | iPhoto automatically recognizes the memory card and opens; if iPhoto is already open, it switches to the "Import" view. |
4. | To automatically erase the contents of your memory card after importing the photos, select the "Delete items from camera after importing" checkbox.[View full size image]![]() |
5. | Click the "Import" button. After you click "Import," the button becomes a "Stop Import" button, in case you want to stop the import. Large preview thumbnails are displayed in the viewing area as photos are imported. |
6. | Unmount the memory card: Click the eject icon next to the mounted camera icon in the "Source" pane (shown on page 6).Or drag the memory card icon on the Desktop to the Trash.Or Control-click on the memory card icon and choose "Eject" from the contextual menu that pops up. |

Import photos from a location on your hard disk or from a CD
You can import any photos that you already have stored on your hard disk or that might be on a CD.
1. | Insert a CD (if you have one that contains photos you want to import). |
2. | Open iPhoto if it is not already open. |
3. | From the File menu, select "Add to Library..." to open the "Import Photos" window, shown below. In the Finder window Sidebar, select the CD icon (if you inserted a CD), or choose a location somewhere on your hard disk where photos are stored that you want to import. |
4. | Select an entire folder of photos, an individual photo, or multiple photos, then click the "Import" button. |
