Blurb book precision layout with InDesign

I'm working on a photographic project which I want to end up as a Blurb book. I can use either Blurb's own BookSmart software or InDesign templates/a PDF export preset for this.
However, I don't think BookSmart will allow me to freely and very precisely place and resize photos where I want them, so I choose to use InDesign CS4 (Mac) for this. Here's an example of what I want to do:
I could resize each photo in Photoshop first, but I need to try out different sizes within the layout before comitting, meaning I probably need to do this in InDesign. And just dragging freely with the mouse won't do because I need to repeat the exact same layout for the next pages.
So how do I very accurately resize an image to say 7cm width and place the next one 1cm next to it?
And has anyone here tried designing book layouts for Blurb before? Any tips or suggestions for a Blurb newbie?

I didn't quite understand how to use it but it gave me some ideas to create a new master page myself.
It now looks like this (click on the image to make it larger):
I made two frames (for the pictures) to the correct size and placed a third frame in between to add space. There's also a frame underneath for text.
In case you're wondering, it's all about stereo (3D) pictures, and picture size along with the space in between is the key to getting it right.
So I'm trying to figure out what the most flexible and easiest way of experimenting with sizes/placement would be, before actually printing. I could of course go completely "analog", print out the photos in various sizes, cut them out, then place them next to each other on a table to try out with my 3D glasses, take note of what works in order to make appropriate adjustments in InDesign.
But allowing for flexible and precise adjustments in InDesign and/or Photoshop would be easier if it works...

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