Dupes and other small problems

Question

I originally did not want to use iPhoto after buying my new SD800. I wanted to use the Canon software because of the way it allows you to save photos from dates into specific folders. However, I had problems getting the software installed (read, it wouldn't) so now I am using iPhoto.
I have a few videos on my camera (.avi's) and I used Image Capture to bring everything onto my harddrive. I opened iPhoto and it asked if I wanted to import, which I did. It imported everything up till the videos and then crashed. I reopened iPhoto and it wanted to import again, and I did. This time I canceled the import before it reached the videos and found that there were dupes everywhere.
Now iPhoto keeps telling me that there are 345 photos to import (which there aren't). I know that it will crash again when it reaches the videos but don't want to hide them or put them on a different harddrive. Any suggestions?
Also, is there any way to import my pictures/videos the way the Canon software does, by creating a sub-folder with the date and throwing all relevant photos in there? I keep all of my photos on external harddrives and cannot imagine doing this manually.
I am a little disappointed because I have heard so much about how easy things are on the Mac, but being a more technical person I like my data in places that are organized by me and not the software.
Is there any way to clear out iPhoto and start over? I can just hook it up to my externals and import all over again (till it hits videos it doesn't like)
Any ideas on organizing (for easy backup) photos on a Mac would be a great help!
Thanks!

Answer 1

Of course, you know what I'm going to say...
I want something that allows me to set the folder structure that will be used and doesn't try to manipulate things in transfer.
Well, that's iPhoto.
If you're coming from a Windows Image Viewing background, it's easy to misunderstand what iPhoto is. It's not an image viewer, but a photo organiser. That is, it's a database, with a built-in image viewer, version control and lightweight editing.
By default, when you import pics into iPhoto they are imported into the iPhoto Library Folder. Then you manipulate them in the iPhoto Window - that is, create your folder structure, albums, smart albums, books calendars etc. All in the iPhoto Window - and iPhoto keeps track of the files for you. In essence, iPhoto says, why bother with file management, do the fun part and let the application do the dull bit. Also, another advantage is this: It's easy to create a date based folder structure in the Finder for yourself - Folder for each month etc. But what if you also want a 'Best of...' folder? Now you've got duplication, endless duplication. In iPhoto albums are "virtual", so that a single pic can be in 50 albums with no duplication.
If you want to, you can create your own folder structure and not copy the files into the iPhoto Library Folder (iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced: Uncheck 'Copy Files to the iPhoto Library Folder...). I don't recommend this for a couple of reasons: it makes importing and deleting pics multi-stage operations, plus, things like migrating to a new computer or moving things around becomes more complicated too. And to no specific advantage.
But how can I find my pics, I hear you wonder: There are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.
1. Drag and Drop: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. File -> Export: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. Show File: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
Plus, the Film Rolls (View -> Film Rolls) correspond exactly to the Film Rolls in the iPhoto Library Folder / Originals folder.
There's only a single catch in all of this. Like any database, iphoto requires that you manipulate the data via the iPhoto Library Window, rather than a back door like the Finder. The good news is that everything you need to do can be done via the iPhoto Window - and I do mean everything.
If you want to consider another app, have a look at Graphic Converter. It has an excellent file browser, and is a really good editor. You will use Image Capture to get your pics onto the Mac - or if you use a USB card reader instead of your Canon, it will just mount on the desktop and you can drag and drop the pics to whereever you want them.
Have a think about iPhoto. It really is a very good and safe app. And you'll find there's a very supportive community here to help.
Regards
TD