iphoto, importing photos

I know nothing about computers. Can anyone tell me: if I import my photos into iphoto, do these photos exist as new files (doubles?). If so, they would eat up twice as much space on my computer?

Can anyone recommend something other than iphoto, that is good for large amounts of photos? Iphoto does not allow me to import all that I have. I guess I have too much.

iPhoto does not create doubles on the computer, no, it just copies from the camera's memory card, so it takes up the same space on your HD as it would on the card.
As for having too much, or not being able to import them all, you are only limited by your available HD space, nothing to do with iPhoto.

Ok...I'm not copying from my memory card though. The photos are already on my computer. It still won't make a copy if I import my photos into iphoto?

I appreciate your help!

If you're importing from your hard drive, it will create a copy in the iPhoto library.

So, once the iPhoto import is done, you can delete the "originals."

Dysfunction said:

If you're importing from your hard drive, it will create a copy in the iPhoto library.

Click to expand...

Unless you have changed the iPhoto preferences (Advanced - uncheck Copy items to iPhoto Library) in which case the won't!

chas_m said:

So, once the iPhoto import is done, you can delete the "originals."

Click to expand...

Again, Unless you have changed the iPhoto preferences (Advanced - uncheck Copy items to iPhoto Library) in which case don't or the're gone!!

Sawday said:

Unless you have changed the iPhoto preferences (Advanced - uncheck Copy items to iPhoto Library) in which case the won't!

Click to expand...

Thanks.. I don't know the preferences because well... I don't use iPhoto.