Free alternative to Google Photos

Using offline photo library management software

Aug. 31, 2020 - Willem L. Middelkoop

After encountering the umpteenth ‘magic’ bug while managing my iPhone’s photos, I was done with it. Apple came a long way since it launched iPhoto (the predecessor of iCloud Photos). But for something as valuable as my personal memories, I want to be in full control. Read along to learn how I migrated my photo library away from the iCloud, using free, open source software.

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In Apple Photos you can export the unmodified originals

Importing new photos from my camera is easy - very much like the Apple iPhoto ad from 2002!

Visiting the Apple Store in Miami Beach in 2008

Going through my old photo libraries using iPhoto and Apple Photos

No vintage photo filters applied: this is an untouched original digital photo from 2001. (Lake Garda, Italy, 2001)

Importing all photos into Shotwell caused my tablet to run a little hot (as it generated new thumbnails) - a problem solved using an rather analogue solution: a ventilator

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