Wish list for managing photos in iPhoto

Question

Looking at the number of posts on the topic, it is obvious that there is lot to be enhanced in the way iPhoto manages your photo library and files. So in order to make it as straight forward a possible, this post is aimed at debating what the requirements should be.
So here are my thoughts:
1) We should be allowed to import and store the photos in the target directory of our choice.
-> The target folder should be prompted at each IMPORT process.
2) We should be able to move the photos to new folders (after initial import).
-> This should allow photo management between iPhoto and Finder to be consistent.
3) When making modifications to a picture via iPhoto (crop, effect, ...), the modified file should replace the original one in the same directory (as it already does in the iPhoto library).
-> of course the original file should be saved/archived in a separate folder (in a folder on the user's choice)
Overall, the two main requirements (for me) are:
-> Keep photos files organized based on the desired output (already the case in iPhoto library where the photo shown is always the modified one)
-> Keep consistent file management in both iPhoto and Finder (to avoid having the photos you actually want to keep in separate folders)
Please feel free to comment, validate, brainstorm; hopefully the Apple developers will keep an eye on this discussion and include these comments in the next iPhoto release/patch....
-- Sebastien --

Answer 1

Sebastien
Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
1) We should be allowed to import and store the photos in the target directory of our choice.
-> The target folder should be prompted at each IMPORT process.
You can now store photos in the target directory of your choice. If you want file manage, this is easily done. I see no advantage to iPhoto is doing that for you. The Mac has a file manager, called the Finder, why would it want another one?
2) We should be able to move the photos to new folders (after initial import).
You can. Events in the iPhoto Window correspond exactly with the Folders in the Originals Folder in the iPhoto Library package file (Right click on it in the Pictures Folder -> Show Package Contents).
You can move photos between Events, you can rename Events, edit them, create them, as long as you do it via the iPhoto Window. Check out the Info Pane (wee 'i', lower left) the name and date fields are editable. Edit a Event Name using the Info Pane, the Event Folder in iPhoto Library/Originals will also have the new name.
-> This should allow photo management between iPhoto and Finder to be consistent.
Um, that would make iPhoto into, well, an image viewer. There are many for the Mac, search on MacUpdate. The point of iPhoto is that it's a photo organiser, not a file organiser. You seem to be confusing the Finder and iPhoto again.
3) When making modifications to a picture via iPhoto (crop, effect, ...), the modified file should replace the original one in the same directory (as it already does in the iPhoto library).
Why on earth would it do that? What would it achieve?
-> Keep photos files organized based on the desired output (already the case in iPhoto library where the photo shown is always the modified one)
But it does - go File -> Export and that's exactly what you'll get.
-> Keep consistent file management in both iPhoto and Finder (to avoid having the photos you actually want to keep in separate folders)
No, really? Are you seriously saying that for every Album there should be a corresponding folder of images? Think of the wasted disk space. Again, if you want to do that, by all means organise your folders yourself and use an image viewer.
The point and purpose of iPhoto is that you arrange things based on the pictures themselves, not their files. Basing things on the organisation of the files is redundant, as it's covered by the Finder, and your focus on trying to match the photo arrangement with the file arrangement is far too limiting, and also, redundant.
Finally, this is a User to User forum, the Apple Developers do not promise to read anything there.
iPhoto menu -> Provide iPhoto Feedback
Regards
TD