I often import pictures from other people’s digital cameras, but iPhoto wants to import all images on the camera. What if I want to only import certain images? Is there a way to check or highlight certain images to import?

The handy feature that lets you import certain images is built into the latest version of iPhoto ’08 ($79 as part of iLife ’08), so you either need to upgrade or find a cheaper workaround.

One workaround is using the Image Capture app to fish photos from a camera, with these caveats: After you click Download Some in the main Image Capture window, click Options and make sure the box labeled Delete Pictures From Camera is not checked.

Now you can select multiple items via Shift-click, and use Control-click to select noncontiguous items, right? Well, the latter only works if you switch Image Capture from the default Icon view into List view (View > List, or the handy window-view icon).

Then manually import the pictures into iPhoto by any of the usual methods: drag files or a folder right into the iPhoto window or Dock icon, or, from within iPhoto, select File > Import To Library.

Icons make for easier picking and choosing, so feel free to use Icon view and download the pics individually.