Directly access digicam images in iPhoto

Powershot G2 works this way, but it is S L O W. I'd agree that I.C. is an overall better choice, but it is nice to have options, especially when Apple decides that older apps won't be updated or even go away (as Sherlock will the next version...).

Hey, great tip! It worked for me with my MacBook and my Canon S2 IS. I had just been discussing the need for such a thing with someone the night before seeing this tip here! Way cool!

@Galactico

I think the benefit of iPhotos directory structure is that it keeps track of original and modified photos in case you want to revert back (say you crop down on section of a photo, print, revert to original, then crop on the next section. There are other benefits as well. Do you not let iTunes manage your music files either?

I prefer Image Capture, not only because you can see the thumbnails, but because I have ExifRenamer run immediately after importing my photos to rename them all to the exact date and time that the photo was taken. (I use yymmdd-hhmmss.jpg)

Then I just import that folder into iPhoto if I want to. Exif Renamer runs as a "post action" in Image Capture.

I would be you could even run iPhoto as a post action though to have the photos you extract from your card import directly to iPhoto without any interaction with the Finder.

I still think that iPhoto is weak, in comparison to a free application such as Canon ImageBroswer which comes with a purchase of a camera.
I like ImageBrowser because one could create a folder anywhere in the Finder, and then be able to access that folder just as you created it, with the option to not create any thumbnail images - instead of having to "import" in to the application's own browser system that does not create a folder in the Finder.
For those of you who've owned Canon ImageBrowser you know what I am talking about - and I also like the simple page setup/print option in that software as well. Just so much easier and intuitive than iPhoto.

To think I did not know about image capture that is a great program, thx.

The use of File>Import only works if your camera mounts as a drive when you connect it. Most Kodak EasyShare cameras don't do that, and you can't use the Import command under "File." But...since you can't see the thumbnails using this "hit enter twice" tip, I don't see the benefit. Image Capture is still the best option for many of us.

I always use Image Capture to do this, but if it's built into iPhoto, it would a welcome feature.

I just wish Apple would add the ability for iPhoto to retrieve photos taken on a cameraphone via Bluetooth. There's a real awkwardness in the way Apple uses iTunes to put photos on iPods and Bluetooth File Transfer to get files on and off phones. It could be a lot more seamless from an end user perspective if Apple put the effort into documenting directory structures on different models of phones and built in downloading into iPhoto.

I've longed for this feature in iPhoto.

I don't connect my camera directly via usb, but I use a usb memory card reader.

It's 4GB, so I don't often delete images on there. I also want to decide which ones I want iPhoto to have.

I personally think opening the finder and dragging selected images to the iPhoto library is a bit messy, given there's a nice flashy 'import' screen, but I do it anyway.

If there was a 'choose images' button as well as import, I don't think there would be anything for me not to like about iPhoto. Apart from this missing feature, I think it's great.

I note the comment about using File > Import to library, but I don't use the column view in finder, and you can't see thumbnail images when in list view.