iPhoto Tip #1
Pictures you shot with your digital camera held vertical give you a great way to frame some shots. But, sometimes when you import pictures from your digital camera into iPhoto, any of these “vertical” shots will need to be rotated for you to view them correctly on your Mac.

This photo was shot vertically and needs to be rotated to view it correctly.

Here’s how:
Just highlight the photo by clicking once with your mouse.

Then click once on the rotate button on iPhoto’s bottom left. Or use the keyboard shortcut Command (Apple key) + R (rotate-counterclockwise). Or use the keyboard shortcut Command (Apple key) + Option + R (rotate-clockwise).

Rotate Button

Your photo will rotate either to the left or right (depending the rotate preference settings). Click the buttom as many times as needed to correctly view the photo.

Tip: By holding down the Option key while you click the rotate button you can reverse the rotation.

If you want to change the default rotation setting. Just go to iPhoto menu -> Preferences

Under the iPhoto General preferences, find the Rotate setting and click the direction you desire the default to be.

iPhoto Rotate Button before changing default setting.

iPhoto Rotate Button after changing default settings.

Remember you can always still use the Option key to temporarily override the default rotation direction anytime you need to. Note you can also rotate photos while viewing a slide show.

Note: Some digital cameras like my Nikon D-70 actually rotate the vertically shot pictures automatically allowing you to view them correctly in iPhoto instantly! Unfortunately many digital cameras do not have this feature.

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