Can you compare photos in Apple photos?

Answered by Douglas Hiatt

I can provide a detailed answer in an informal style about comparing photos in Apple Photos.

So, let me start by saying that Apple Photos is a great tool for managing and organizing your photo library. It offers a wide range of features to help you edit, organize, and share your photos. However, when it comes to comparing photos side-by-side, Photos for Mac falls a bit short.

As of the latest version, Photos 4.0, there is still no built-in feature in Photos for Mac that allows you to compare two photos side-by-side. This can be quite frustrating, especially if you’re trying to choose between two similar shots or make adjustments based on comparing different versions of an image.

In previous versions of Photos, there was a workaround that involved adding the two photos to a Calendar page or a book page. This allowed you to view the photos side-by-side and compare them. However, Apple has removed the option to create an Apple book in Photos 4.0, making this workaround no longer available.

Personally, I found this change to be quite disappointing as I often used the book feature to compare and select the best photos from a set. It was a convenient way to view images side-by-side and make quick comparisons.

Unfortunately, Apple has not provided any alternative solution within the Photos app itself for comparing photos side-by-side. This means that if you want to compare two photos, you’ll need to find another method or use a different application.

One possible workaround is to open the two photos in separate windows using the Preview app on your Mac. Simply right-click on one of the photos in Photos, choose “Open With,” and then select Preview. This will open the photo in a new window. Next, repeat the process for the second photo. You can then position the two windows side-by-side on your screen to compare the photos.

While this method does allow you to compare photos side-by-side, it is not as convenient as having a built-in feature in Photos. It requires you to switch between applications and manually position the windows. It’s a bit cumbersome, but it gets the job done.

Although Photos for Mac is a powerful tool for managing and organizing your photo library, it currently lacks a built-in feature for comparing photos side-by-side. While there are workarounds available, they are not as convenient as having a dedicated feature within the app. Hopefully, Apple will consider adding this functionality in future updates to enhance the user experience.