Photo Library matter when using iCloud?

[Wirenut]

Does the Photo Library matter at all when using iCloud Photo Library? Or is it just a storage place to make less downloading for viewing pictures?

For example, if I were to get a new Mac computer, I wouldn't have to move the Photo Library over to the new computer manually like in the past because it would do it automatically for me when I turned on iCloud Photo Library, correct?

YES, the Photo Library is part of my backup scheme. But I am just curious how it works with the iCloud.

 

[robgendreau]

Yes, it matters. The library contains all kinds of necessary files. Even if it's a system library and you are using iCloud Photo Library. I suppose you could, maybe, download all that. But you might lose data; you'd wanna make sure nothing is stored locally

 

[Wirenut]

So when switching to a new computer, you have to save the Photos Library from the old computer and put it on the new computer manually? You can’t just let iCloud Photos download the pictures to the new computer?

 

[HDFan]

Well this is interesting. When on a trip I upload to iCloud photos from my regular camera so I had a backup. I just checked one of them, comparing the original (which I transferred from the SD card to a directory on my hard disk) with the iCloud version. The original raw file is 5472 x 3648, 20 MB in size. The downloaded version from iCloud is jpeg, 789 KB in size, and has the dimensions 1616 x 1080. I do not understand how Apple can say that it uploads to iCloud in the original resolution. Besides the loss in size, converting to jpeg loses a ton of information in the original file.

So if you turn on iCloud Photo Library it looks as if it kills the quality of your originals if you are using a higher resolution camera.

But back to your question, putting all of your photos in just one place is not a good idea. They should be backed up to 3 different locations on 3 different media types. I don't know what kind of camera you are using, it may be that you've already lost the original quality. But for backup purposes I would definitely transfer your iTunes library over to the new computer as a backup.

I must confess that I find iCloud Library, photostream, etc. maddening. With iCloud photo library turned on are your photos still in your local library? Hopefully someone else understands how they work better than I do can give some more informed advice.

 

[Wirenut]

HDFan, I understand that we should be making multiple backups, we all understand it. For some reason people feel that they have to bring that up in every thread, even when it has nothing to do with the topic, so much so that I even put a disclaimer in my opening post to try to avoid it. Turning the conversation to that always distracts from the real point, which is understanding how iCloud works.

For what you describe, you should check out the Preference in Photos. It will most likely be set to iCloud Photo Library but to Optimize Mac Storage, which is why it's not downloading the full file. Choose Download Originals to this Mac and see if that helps.

 

[Nigel Goodman]

I always copy my Photos library to any new desktop computer as, and when, I get it. Recently did this with a new iMac Late 2017 purchased in December last year. I treat this as my source for all photos (and documents) and try to do my best to ensure that it contains complete up-to-date files. I just use iCloud to get a copy of the library on my other devices - iOS and Mac OS. Downloading a full set of photos from iCloud would take just to long if you have a big library.

HDFan: I agree with Wirenut, it would appear that you are comparing a smaller thumbnail version rather than a full resolution version. I recently did a test. I checked a RAW photo that had been imported from an external camera in the Photos app on the iMac for size and resolution. I then went to the same photo on my iPhone which had been downloaded from iCloud. On the iPhone both ViewExif and Metapho reported odd sizes and resolutions. Metapho appeared to be reporting the thumbnail resolution, but the size was the same as on the Mac. I then shared the photo from the iPhone to another location, and the resulting file was exactly the same size and resolution as reported in the Photos app.