[GH-ISSUE #10] Confusion on Imports vs Originals #5

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opened 2026-03-02 16:46:56 +03:00 by kerem · 8 comments
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Originally created by @nik0kin on GitHub (Apr 29, 2020).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/photoprism/photoprism-docs/issues/10

I am confused after reading https://docs.photoprism.org/en/latest/getting-started/docker-compose/

Should I import via putting files in "Import" folder, then running photoprism import or by putting files in "Originals" folder and running photoprism index ?

The photos are both Originals and something I want to Import, so what's the difference? Is there another page that explains this?

Originally created by @nik0kin on GitHub (Apr 29, 2020). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/photoprism/photoprism-docs/issues/10 I am confused after reading https://docs.photoprism.org/en/latest/getting-started/docker-compose/ Should I import via putting files in "Import" folder, then running `photoprism import` or by putting files in "Originals" folder and running `photoprism index` ? The photos are both **Originals** and something I want to **Import**, so what's the difference? Is there another page that explains this?
kerem 2026-03-02 16:46:56 +03:00
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@lastzero commented on GitHub (Apr 29, 2020):

We know, we need to explain this better. The getting started page was meant as a quick start guide without going into details.

Did you see https://demo.photoprism.org/library/import?

Basically, you can do both. Depends on your use case. When you manage your library manually, we can obviously not filter out duplicates for you to save storage. Also we need to rescan the complete library to detect changes.

When you import, we know exactly what was added and we can use file/path names that automatically avoid duplicates. On the other hand, you have less freedom.

<!-- gh-comment-id:621388544 --> @lastzero commented on GitHub (Apr 29, 2020): We know, we need to explain this better. The getting started page was meant as a quick start guide without going into details. Did you see https://demo.photoprism.org/library/import? Basically, you can do both. Depends on your use case. When you manage your library manually, we can obviously not filter out duplicates for you to save storage. Also we need to rescan the complete library to detect changes. When you import, we know exactly what was added and we can use file/path names that automatically avoid duplicates. On the other hand, you have less freedom.
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@lastzero commented on GitHub (Apr 29, 2020):

In fact, you can even mix both ways of adding/indexing photos. Soon, we'll also have symlink support so you can index multiple directories and use import only for uploads or specific / new files.

<!-- gh-comment-id:621391850 --> @lastzero commented on GitHub (Apr 29, 2020): In fact, you can even mix both ways of adding/indexing photos. Soon, we'll also have symlink support so you can index multiple directories and use import only for uploads or specific / new files.
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@lastzero commented on GitHub (Jun 9, 2020):

Added this topic to our FAQ:

I'm having issues understanding the difference between the import and originals folders?

Import is a temporary folder from which you can move or copy files to originals in a structured way that avoids duplicates. Most users with existing collections will want to index their originals directly without importing them, so that existing file and directory names stay the same. On the other hand, importing is more efficient when adding files as you don't need to re-index all originals to find new photos and videos.

<!-- gh-comment-id:641195611 --> @lastzero commented on GitHub (Jun 9, 2020): Added this topic to our [FAQ](http://docs.photoprism.org/getting-started/faq/): ### I'm having issues understanding the difference between the import and originals folders? ### Import is a temporary folder from which you can move or copy files to originals in a structured way that avoids duplicates. Most users with existing collections will want to index their originals directly without importing them, so that existing file and directory names stay the same. On the other hand, importing is more efficient when adding files as you don't need to re-index all originals to find new photos and videos.
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@spupuz commented on GitHub (Nov 13, 2020):

so adding a news photo means resync all???

<!-- gh-comment-id:726767809 --> @spupuz commented on GitHub (Nov 13, 2020): so adding a news photo means resync all???
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@graciousgrey commented on GitHub (Nov 13, 2020):

We have a more detailed explanation in our user guide: https://docs.photoprism.org/user-guide/library/import-vs-index/ now.
You do not need to re-index all photos, when adding new ones. Unless the option "complete rescan" is checked only new or changed files from the originals folder are indexed.

<!-- gh-comment-id:726823276 --> @graciousgrey commented on GitHub (Nov 13, 2020): We have a more detailed explanation in our user guide: https://docs.photoprism.org/user-guide/library/import-vs-index/ now. You do not need to re-index all photos, when adding new ones. Unless the option "complete rescan" is checked only new or changed files from the originals folder are indexed.
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@spupuz commented on GitHub (Nov 13, 2020):

We have a more detailed explanation in our user guide: https://docs.photoprism.org/user-guide/library/import-vs-index/ now.
You do not need to re-index all photos, when adding new ones. Unless the option "complete rescan" is checked only new or changed files from the originals folder are indexed.

ok thanks for your explaination

<!-- gh-comment-id:726825140 --> @spupuz commented on GitHub (Nov 13, 2020): > We have a more detailed explanation in our user guide: https://docs.photoprism.org/user-guide/library/import-vs-index/ now. > You do not need to re-index all photos, when adding new ones. Unless the option "complete rescan" is checked only new or changed files from the originals folder are indexed. ok thanks for your explaination
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@spupuz commented on GitHub (Nov 13, 2020):

if i add a new pic do i have to press rescan or it add it automatically?

<!-- gh-comment-id:726844387 --> @spupuz commented on GitHub (Nov 13, 2020): if i add a new pic do i have to press rescan or it add it automatically?
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@graciousgrey commented on GitHub (Nov 14, 2020):

If you add the image to your originals folder via the filesystem, you need to start the indexer as described here: https://docs.photoprism.org/user-guide/library/indexing/. If "complete rescan" is not selected only the new image will be indexed.

<!-- gh-comment-id:727201614 --> @graciousgrey commented on GitHub (Nov 14, 2020): If you add the image to your originals folder via the filesystem, you need to start the indexer as described here: https://docs.photoprism.org/user-guide/library/indexing/. If "complete rescan" is not selected only the new image will be indexed.
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