iCloud. Advice needed please

[dUnKle]

Can I ask how does iCloud work for phot
I’ve always used it with my iPhone and iPad and sync works well.

But now, I have a Mac,I have a hard drive with loads of picture on also

Can I get these to be backed up to iCloud also and, at same time, get the iCloud pictures to be stored in my hard drive (basically so my hard drive and iCloud have exactly the same data) ?

thank you

 

[Rigby]

Yes. Import all your photos into the Photos app. Then go to the iCloud tab in the app's preferences, and enable "iCloud Photos" and "Download Originals to this Mac".

It's a good idea to have an additional backup just in case something goes wrong.

 

[dUnKle]

Thanks. Now this will sound stupid.
How do I import all the photos into the app.
I have about 20 gig worth over numerous folders

 

[Rigby]

See here:

Import photos from storage devices and DVDs using Photos on Mac

In Photos on your Mac, import photos and videos stored on hard disks, CDs, DVDs, flash drives, card readers, and SD cards.

support.apple.com

If you want to sync to the iCloud photo library, you'll have to let the app copy all the photo files into the library (which is by default located under the Pictures folder). You also have the option to leave the files where they are (there's a setting in the preferences), but then they will not be synced. See:

Where are the photos I imported into Photos on my Mac?

Photos and videos you import using Photos are stored in the Photos library on your Mac, but you can store them elsewhere.

support.apple.com

If you'd rather like to manage the files yourself, it's probably better to simply move them to some folder on iCloud Drive, although that means new photos will not be automatically copied to the cloud.