If you use Aperture to manage your photos, then you may be keeping your original image files outside of the library (as referenced masters). When you delete library images that use referenced masters, you are given an opportunity to delete the master files as well.
There is a problem, however, if you decline this opportunity. The problem occurs because Aperture does not know that the files exist any more, and there is a good chance that you don't know exactly which files you can delete and which you cannot. How do you find them again to either use them or delete them?
Here's the hint: Move all the remaining referenced files that could possibly be where the orphaned ones now are by using the Relocate fetaure of Aperture. Whatever remains are the orphans. Once you have dealt with them, move the referenced files back where they started. (See more detail on this and other basic Aperture questions on my Q&A page.)
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