What is equiv to Adobe Bridge Import in iPhoto

Question

I have migrated all my photos (over 20,000) from PC to Mac and have taken the plunge. I used to use Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 in Windows and used the Organizer to import my media cards. When I did that, it would layout the pictures in a directory called "2009 05 30" for the photos taken today, for example. I would then tag then in Adobe for later searches. I would also use Picasa for a simple method of access and organization.
In addition, I would make a DVD disk of all the images for a time period and store that offsite. That disk contains the originals of my photos - I would manually fill up the DVD and write the time range and photo number range on each one.
So, now my questions.
1. How can I import photos to a similar directory structure instead of into the central iPhoto library?
2. If I cannot import like that, how can I easily burn a DVD of all images imported since a certain date, or image number.
3. Or should I use the Canon EOS Utility to import the card to a directory structure, then import from disk in iPhoto.
I know the "best practice" in this forum is to let iPhoto manage the entire library, but then my library would be tens of gigabytes in size and would not be easy to backup to to a single medium. (Unless I back up to another hard drive and save that offsite).
Curious what others do. I am playing with Aperture, Lightroom and will also try Elements 6.0 for Mac and see what meets my needs.
Thank you.
Jeff

Answer 1

jsundin
1. How can I import photos to a similar directory structure instead of into the central iPhoto library?
Use Image Capture - or any other app you prefer - to move the files from your Camera card to your preferred Location. Then run a Referenced Library: Simply go to iPhoto Menu -> Preferences -> Advanced and uncheck 'Copy Files to the iPhoto Library on Import'.
Now iPhoto will not copy the files, but rather simply reference them on your HD. To do this it will create an alias in the Originals Folder that points to your file. It will still create a thumbnail and, if you modify the pics, a Modified version within the iPhoto Library Folder.
As you have read we strongly recommend against this method - especially for inexperienced users:
1. Import and deleting pics are more complex procedures
2. You cannot move or rename the files on your system or iPhoto will lose track of them on systems prior to 10.5 and iPhoto 08. Even with the later versions issues can still arise if you move the referenced files to new volumes or between volumes.
3. Most importantly, migrating to a new disk or computer can be much more complex.
Always allowing for personal preference, I've yet to see a good reason to run iPhoto in referenced mode unless you're using two photo organisers.
2. If I cannot import like that, how can I easily burn a DVD of all images imported since a certain date, or image number.
Easy: Select the Event/Album or files that you wish to back up: then File -> Export, Kind: Original. Export to a folder on the desktop and burn that.
Backing up to another HD is actually the best way to go. DVD's rot over time. HD's are inexpensive, dynamic and very easy to use.
My back up strategy:
My Library lives on my iMac.
It’s Backed up to two external hard disks every day. These disks are permanently attached to the iMac. These back ups run automatically. One is done by Time Machine, one is a bootable back up done by SuperDuper
It’s also backed up to a portable hard disk when ever new photos are added. This hard disk lives in my car. For security, this disk is password protected. For this job I use DejaVu because it makes a simple back up that is clear and can be tested easily without doing an full restore.
I have a second off-site back up at a relative’s house across town. That’s updated every 3 or 4 months.
My Photos are backed up online. Personally I use SmugMug but there are many options including flickr. However, check the terms of your account carefully. While most sites have free uploading, you will often find that these uploads are limited in terms of the file size, or the bandwidth you can use per month. For access that allows you to upload full size pics with no restrictions you will need to pay.
Every couple of months I test the back ups to make sure they are working correctly. It’s very easy to mis-configure a back up application, and the only way to protect against that is to do a restore.
Aperture and Lightroom are much more powerful apps that iPhoto - and a touch more expensive too . Elements has no organising capability on the Mac. For that it comes with Bridge. Some people like Bridge. Never met one, but some do.
Regards
TD