Apple announces Aperture

[srwatters]

http://www.apple.com/aperture/

I can't wait to see this baby in action... Still reading, but liking what I see. The stacks based on exposure time should be a HUGE help in RAW workflow. Same time=same light...

[engstrom]

I couldn't find the Windows version of this software.

It actually looks pretty good but we'll see what it's like when it gets here. All I know for sure is I'm not overly happy with my current RAW workflow (using ACR and Photoshop).

[srwatters]

Keep your eye out for next year when the Mactels arrive. I'll bet there are some crossover apps like iTunes...

[Gordon]

I've been getting better results with CS2 & Bridge than I was getting with the 'file browser' in CS. The new RAW features in Bridge seem pretty useful, working on multiple files at once ,background processing outside of Photoshop, cropping in ACR, the Image Processor automation scripts etc seem to be helping, along with much improved rating and sorting/ viewing features.

Aperture looks like a direct competitor to Phase One or RawShooter, rather than Photoshop

[engstrom]

Gordon, that's what I need to do. I've just been using Bridge as I did File Browser. I should spend some time with Bridge. What I would like to do is select a bunch of files in Bridge, run ACR on each of them to adjust and save the settings but not have them open in Photoshop until I go back and open them/apply ACR setting/some option available after all the ACR settings for all the selected pictures have been set.

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by engstrom

Gordon, that's what I need to do. I've just been using Bridge as I did File Browser. I should spend some time with Bridge. What I would like to do is select a bunch of files in Bridge, run ACR on each of them to adjust and save the settings but not have them open in Photoshop until I go back and open them/apply ACR setting/some option available after all the ACR settings for all the selected pictures have been set.

I'd strongly recommend spending the 10 - 20 minutes it takes to watch three videos from

http://www.russellbrown.com/tips_tech.html

In particular, the

CS2 Bridge Workflow
CS2 Camera RAW
and
CS2 Exporting RAW Images

You can actually open multiple RAW files in ACR and edit them, crop/ resize/ convert to JPEG/TIF etc, without ever opening Photoshop, all from within Bridge. When you have them all open in ACR you can switch back and forth between them, selectively adjust all or subsets etc. Huge improvement over the previous CS version.

There's also a link to the 30 day CS2 trial version for those that haven't taken the plunge yet.

[engstrom]

Thanks Gordon. Sounds like those videos will definately help. I'll watch them tonight.

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by GordonMcGregor

Aperture looks like a direct competitor to Phase One or RawShooter, rather than Photoshop

I agree Gordon. I've been using PhotoMechanic as my broswer, but the features of Aperture 'appear' to be better than Bridge. We'll see and $500 is quite an investment to wrap around Photoshop. I'll have to see it in action on an iMac to really gauge its usefulness to me.

[PeteQ]

I agree that Aperture won't be a direct PS competitor. I didn't come across any "layers" info. I like the fact it takes better advantage of dual processors and the imagae mangement. I have always hade good luck with Apple software so I am looking forward to some reviews.

[AjP]

wow Scott, sound awesome to me just by looking Demo, it will will work like whis in real life, I'm definately switching to Mac (which I've been thinking for past year) :)

[cmalana]

John- those videos helped me!

Depending on what I'm doing, I sometimes don't even get into PS anymore but just stay in Bridge and ACR. Of course, there are times when I have a picture that I will have to crop several different sizes, and for those, I'll save the cropping for photoshop (or just go back to bridge and reprocess again.

With WB, exposure, shadow, brightness, crop, curves, noise reduction and sharpening in ACR, i find the need to go to PS much less frequent. Only think I end up doing in PS is a batch copyright logo job...

[engstrom]

Originally Posted by GordonMcGregor

I'd strongly recommend spending the 10 - 20 minutes it takes to watch three videos from

http://www.russellbrown.com/tips_tech.html

In particular, the

CS2 Bridge Workflow
CS2 Camera RAW
and
CS2 Exporting RAW Images

You can actually open multiple RAW files in ACR and edit them, crop/ resize/ convert to JPEG/TIF etc, without ever opening Photoshop, all from within Bridge. When you have them all open in ACR you can switch back and forth between them, selectively adjust all or subsets etc. Huge improvement over the previous CS version.

There's also a link to the 30 day CS2 trial version for those that haven't taken the plunge yet.

I watched the first two videos last night - the narrator is a little, how shall we say, over enthusiastic about some things but there's a lot of great info in the videos. I learned a bunch that will help my workflow and save a bunch of time. Thanks for the link.