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MikeD · Oct 21, 2008, 01:29 PM

I keep seeing things that talk about how Aperture organizes your photo library. So what happens if you've been using iPhoto to organize your photos this whole time, and then purchase Aperture. How does that work in terms of your library of photos and how they're managed. Do I have to manage them separately or if I move a photo in iPhoto, will it reflect that in Aperture? I'm just not quite sure how that would work and if someone can clarify, that would be great!

Thanks!
Mike

tooki · Oct 22, 2008, 01:37 PM

A import from iPhoto to Aperture is a one-time deal -- it copies the files into the Aperture library and uses its own copy from then on. iPhoto is unaware of that. Any changes you make in iPhoto after the import will not be reflected in Aperture, nor will any changes in Aperture be reflected in iPhoto, as they each maintain completely independent libraries.

That said, with a few exceptions, Aperture can be used to act as a drop-in replacement for iPhoto. I don't use iPhoto at all, I just use Aperture.

Veltliner · Oct 22, 2008, 10:44 PM

It also depends what camera you use.

Do you shoot RAW?

Then you might want to take a look at Capture One 4 / Capture One 4 Pro.... and DxO, both great apps.

If you have a Canon camera, you have all the software you need on the disc that came with your camera.

MikeD · Oct 23, 2008, 12:17 AM

Tooki, so Aperture has all the features of iPhoto and more. The albums would stay the same as well as published albums etc? Basically iPhoto 'on steroids' if you want to be cliche?

I shoot RAW most of the time and usually edit / adjust if needed in Photoshop, Photoshop elements on my old macbook (just got the new MBP).

OreoCookie · Oct 23, 2008, 03:22 AM

Aperture is to iPhoto what Final Cut Pro is to iMovie: it's a pro app which gives you a lot more freedom to do what you want. Unlike iPhoto, it's designed for RAW files from the ground up. In many cases, you see that using Photoshop isn't necessary anymore. (Typically, you'd only edit your picks.)

I'd download the free trial version and see if you like it. I switched from iView Media Pro and never looked back

tooki · Oct 23, 2008, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Veltliner

It also depends what camera you use.

Do you shoot RAW?

Then you might want to take a look at Capture One 4 / Capture One 4 Pro.... and DxO, both great apps.

If you have a Canon camera, you have all the software you need on the disc that came with your camera.

Yes, great for individual images. Neither of those apps is a full-fledged workflow application like iPhoto, Aperture or Lightroom.

tooki · Oct 23, 2008, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by MikeD

Tooki, so Aperture has all the features of iPhoto and more. The albums would stay the same as well as published albums etc? Basically iPhoto 'on steroids' if you want to be cliche?

I shoot RAW most of the time and usually edit / adjust if needed in Photoshop, Photoshop elements on my old macbook (just got the new MBP).

Yes and no. It is a professional tool, so while it does more, it dispenses with features intended for the consumer. Aperture has book printing, but with fewer goofy layouts. (But you can actually edit layouts, which you can't do in iPhoto. Aperture does not do greeting cards or calendars.

Also, if you rely on using already-published MobileMe web galleries within iWeb, it won't recognize web galleries published from Aperture. Nobody knows why.

I found that with Aperture, there's very little I ever need to do in Photoshop. Mind you, I am a photographer, not a digital artist, so I edit to fix minor technical flaws (exposure, color balance, etc) and do everyday edits like rotating, cropping, and minor spot fixes. I do not do heavy manipulation, and that's not something Aperture really offers.

angelmb · Oct 23, 2008, 01:03 PM

http://www.eisa.eu/eisa/awards/2008-2009

Veltliner · Oct 23, 2008, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by tooki

Yes, great for individual images. Neither of those apps is a full-fledged workflow application like iPhoto, Aperture or Lightroom.

The speed advantage of the so-called workflow apps is generally overstated.

For pure volume shooting like basic journalism or weddings, sure, you'll be faster.

But for higher end photography that needs lots of adjustments and best possible file prep before sending it to Photoshop, I found Lightroom so poor that I completely dumped it. With Canon's RAW converter I'm about three times as fast as with Lightroom, and get much better and much more adjusted files.

I never used DxO, but heard people rave about its quality, and particularly its lens and perspective correction. DxO and C1 also have databases, and you can work as quickly - or quicker - than with Lightroom or Aperture. It's really a matter of personal preferences.

Too many people just buy Lightroom or Aperture without checking out the alternatives first and see if it's really for them.

Veltliner · Oct 23, 2008, 05:56 PM

Links for those who are interested:

http://www.dxo.com/intl/photo/dxo_optics_pro

http://www.phaseone.com/4/

OreoCookie · Oct 24, 2008, 07:38 AM

I'm working with Aperture for about a year-and-a-half now and it's my favorite (Apple) app, right up there with iTunes and TextMate. Aperture 2 now allows for plugins, so you can use things like Noise Ninja, Viveza or various lens correction tools right from within Aperture -- if you wish. If you like what iPhoto does for you, I'm sure you'll appreciate Aperture.

Make sure to start with a managed Library (which is the default), the app is complex as it is.