? on iphoto file structure

[simple_chi]

I understand the Original folder and the data folder, but not sure I understand why all my photos are also imported to the Modified folder.
I used to think Modified was only for photos that I had edited, and if I didn't edit them, there was only the original and the data version.

As an example, one recent photo is 1.4MG in the Original folder, 32KB in the data folder (I know this is more like a link) and then another 888KB in the modified folder. And this is a photo I haven't even looked at yet, much less modified or edited. I tried deleting one of the files in the modified folder and then when I tried to edit the photo in iphoto, it gave me a big '?' so obviously it was trying to use the modified file but didn't find it.

I'm really running out of space on the computer, so I'm trying to understand whether I need all these files or if I should just be keeping some.
Also, I just started using Lightroom. For those of you with Macs, do you import to LR or iphoto? why?

Thanks,
Lynn

[katrinak]

I import to LR because it is tidy and quick and offers so much more ability to edit and label than iPhoto. LR just offers all around speed and ease of use.

[LauraBean]

I don't truly understand how iPhoto does what it does, but I do indeed think it's a space hog. I use Aperture for my photos now, though I have older photos still in iPhoto. My guess is that Lightroom, like Aperture, would be more efficient in how it stores your images, because of its nondestructive editing approach (but I'm no expert!).