Problem using photo's in iPhoto to upload to net

Question

I just got this macbook. Brand new to Mac. I just put some pictures from my iphone into the iphoto library. So, theoretically they're on my mac and ready to be uploaded to the net. These are property pics and I'm putting them in a listing. I've never had an issue withthe pc. So, I go to my listing page and try to upload but for some reason when I go to my pictures file to upload, I can't get access to the iphoto library. I read a few posts in here and it appears I have to make a copy of the pictures before I can use them for anything...
can someone tell me why apple would make something so ridiculous?? why would I want to make a copy of something I just copied onto my computer so I can use it again. Why add a step to the process? I've found the same with PDF attachments in emails. I'll open the attachment and then I can't save it until I make a copy of it from the preview area...why the heck add the step?
So, I'm sure there are ways around this...at least I hope there are. Please let me know how I can simply connect my phone, or camera, to my computer, save the pics, and then upload them to where ever I want without the need to duplicate everything.
Thanks

Answer 1

Apple didn't make anything so ridiculous. You don't have to copy the photos to use them. With the pdfs and email, jusy drag them from the email to the desktop or where ever you want them. There is no "preview area", what you're been asked to do is save the file from the server to your machine. Same as Windows, a little different workflow that's all.
As a tip: before you decide that Apple are making things ridiculous, remember you've got a  learning curve ahead of you. Just like when I sit at a Windows machine, it might help to bear in mind that if it seems overly complex or thick, then you've probably got something to learn. That works for me.
Anyway, t he first of these is what you want.
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:   You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
There's a similar option in Outlook and many, many other apps.  If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running:
For users of 10.6 and later:  You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation  which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu.
Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and 10.5 Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
Other options include:
Drag and Drop: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
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.
Show File:  a. On iPhoto 09 and earlier:  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.    3.b.
b: On iPhoto 11 and later: Select one of the affected photos in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.