[garda0354]

When I 'Move To Trash' some of my photos, how do I make sure they are completely gon from my hard drive? I noticed that several photos I deleted from iPhoto remained in my Picture folder. And do I always have to keep at least two copies of a photo in order for iPhoto to recognize it?

[Skybolt]

If you are using the trash in iPhoto (ranther than the trash in the dock) the photos should be gone. iPhoto keeps the originals of all photos so that if you want to go back and start your editing over, you have the option. Those are in the "originals" folder. The photos you have modified in any way are kept in the "modified" folder. You do not HAVE to keep both if you are sure you won't ever need to go back and start over.

Having said that, it is a really bad idea to be doing anything in the library in finder. Corruption ensues! Best to do anything and everything to/with your photos from within the iPhoto app itself.

You can use a third-party software like iPhoto Diet to accomplish some of the tasks -- one of its options is to remove the originals of modified photos, if you are sure that is what you want to do.

Just please, for the sake of your photos, stay out of the library in finder!