How to Photoshop Request Photo Library on Macbook Pro

Accessing your Apple Photos Library from Photoshop on your Macbook Pro might seem tricky at first. Apple Photos stores images within its own database, separate from the typical file system you navigate through Finder. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step walkthrough on how to seamlessly open and edit your photos from the Apple Photos Library in Photoshop.

Dragging and Dropping from Apple Photos to Photoshop

The simplest method is drag-and-drop:

1. Open both Apple Photos and Photoshop on your Macbook Pro.
2. Locate the desired image within your Apple Photos library.
3. Click and drag the image directly from the Apple Photos window onto the Photoshop application window or the Photoshop Home screen.

Dropping the image onto the Photoshop application window will open it as a new document. Dropping it onto a specific Photoshop document window will add it as a new layer to that existing document.

Using the Open Dialog Box with the Media Browser

Alternatively, you can use the File > Open dialog box with a few extra steps:

1. In Photoshop, select File > Open (or click the “Open” button on the Home screen).
2. In the sidebar of the Open dialog box, locate and expand the “Media” section.
3. Click on “Photos”. This will display your Apple Photos library within the dialog box.
4. Select the photo(s) you want to edit and click “Open”.

Important Considerations for Saving Edited Photos

Crucially, after editing your photo in Photoshop, always use “File > Save As” to save a copy to a regular folder in your file system. Do not attempt to save directly back into the Apple Photos library through Photoshop. Modifying the hidden folders managed by Apple Photos can lead to data loss or corruption within your photo library. Saving a copy in a known location ensures you can easily access and manage your edited photos. This practice also preserves your original photo within the Apple Photos Library.

While Photoshop doesn’t directly integrate with Apple Photos in the same way it might with traditional file folders, these methods offer straightforward ways to bridge the gap. Remember to always save your edited images to a separate location to maintain the integrity of your Apple Photos library.