I’m usually a flag waver for artistic vision rather than gear or the tools of our craft, but this calls for an exception: just minutes ago Apple announced the much anticipated Aperture 3.0. And it’s the bomb. I’m lucky enough to have been using it for several months now.
There’s few things I think photographers will want to know about this new release. First, and most importantly, driving this software feels like you’re driving a German sports car. Aperture 3.0 has the power and grace that we’ve come to expect from Apple. Second, it’s got new features for days…
My favorites off the top of my head:
_Brushable, scalable, adjustments. Yep. They nailed it. Full selective controls on every adjustment you want.
_Video. Apple nailed this too. Aperture 3.0 has full multi-media capabilities. That’s right. Finally something that handles all those video files from your HD dSLR. Import, rate, scrub video, trim your clips. Add audio. Make a full-on MOVIE within Aperture or export to Final Cut Pro. Insanely cool. (Update: FYI it supports Nikon D300s files, D3 files, Canon 7d and 5d files, you name it, and a range of audio files from all manufactures as well.)
_Adjustment presets on import. Also seriously cool. Fast. Shoot tethered in your studio and want the photos to look sexy before the model or art director can see the RAW file? No problem. This kicks ass.
_Customizable. I’m a whiner when I can’t configure my software the way I want it. No worries, here. Fully customizable.
_Best little hidden nugget you wouldn’t know? The skin smoothing feature is absolutely unbelievable. When we need to smooth the skin of a model, it’s usually quite a process. Now it’s so damn easy, I’ll probably even smooth my skin up before I send pictures to my mom.
For the full kahuna, check out Apple’s Aperture page here. Since I’ve been using this software for a while, I’ve got a cameo video at Apple.com that features my Songs For Eating and Drinking series. Check it out if you’ve got time today. And of course, holler at me with questions or comments. I had a blast playing with this stuff, and I’m not shy on opinions.
Aperture is available today for $200 for the full version, or $100 to upgrade, with a 30-day free trial here.
–
Get my every move: Follow Chase Jarvis on Twitter
Get exclusive content: Become a Fan on Facebook
Related posts:
---
Get my every move: Follow Chase Jarvis on Twitter
Get exclusive content: Become a Fan on Facebook
@ Rob http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2006/12/important-storage-and-backup-solutions.html
@ Dartanyon, do you guys use the reference mode in Aperture or do you store everything in the Aperture library and manage the backup from there?
Hello People,
I just started using Aperture today. I'm trying to get a feel on how people are using it. If I'm taking picture on location should I make a library on my external Drive, and when I return home import that library into the main library?
If so then my main library on my server will be a master holding all my projects in on single library… Is that Right? or do you created many library on your sever for every project?
I'm just trying to get a workflow… yes I'm coming from a PC.. LOL
Rob,
Creating a library on a hard drive for your location shooting is a very good plan. When you get back to your office the decision whether to merge the location library with your main library is based on a couple of variables.
The most important is whether you're storing your main library on a networked server or on a hard drive. If it's on a hard drive, you can just plug in your computer and work on your library across your USB or Firewire. You can just merge your location library with your main, and off to work you go.
If you're using a networked server, you won't be able to work on your library across the network if it's stored on the server. You'll have to copy the library you want to work on to your computer's hard drive, work on the images, then copy it back to the server. In this case, you'll not want to store all of your images on this library because it will take a bit of time to copy it back and fourth off of the server. Smaller libraries based on shoot, year, etc. might be a better bet.
Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Chase, thanks for your insights on A3. I'm kinda curious how Aperture and PhotoShop are integrated in your workflow. Do you only use PS for major effects editing? Does everything go through Aperture first?
Aperture 3 has been nothing but problems for me. Perhaps it works great on machines that are brand new, the most powerful, etc., but forget using it on an iMac IMHO.
I'm taking the disc back to the store tomorrow.
After a couple more days using Aperture 3 I am able to give a pretty clear impression.
This programm is crap. Sorry, if I use these hard words, but I cannot express myself in a different way. Because I am really angry about Apple.
1. The programm crashes on a constant base.
2. Aperture 3 is slow and I have a very fast
machine. So bad programming.
3. That is to most bs-thing I ever can imagine. Aperture 3 has a very different interpretation of my image-changes. So many images were changed by Aperture 3 without my permission after importing. Funny, a lot of artowork I spend hours and days to produce now has a unwanted cast to red. Nice done Apple.
I could not believe that I ever would write something like that but people…do yourself a favor and avoid this piece of garbage for your own good and the good of your images.
Apple…shame on you…
PS: I have images to prove the color cast problem. So I really do not make that up ^^
@Scott,
Thank for the info.. I have the same library on MBP & my mac mini. So I can use the MBP in the filed and just export that project over to the mini. That way I have two copies of the same library on two different system, and use my drobo to backup the mac mini library.
thanks again for the help
Chase,
Should I get Aperture 3 or should I wait and get Lightroom 3?
Hmmm, sweet! Software like I always dreamed it could be. thanks Apple
I’m ploughing my way through the 900 page manual, and liking every feature I find.
Shame there are folks out there who find it doesn’t run to their liking – I wonder what the problem is…
Hey so I have aperature3 on my macbook pro. I am selling it to get a Imac for the house. I just upgraded aperature3. Is there anyway to deactivate it on the macbook and activate it on a new Imac when I get it? Thanks!
@ Rob, You can just install Aperture on the new machine after deleting it from the old machine. No need to deactivate it. It’s looking for concurrent uses, so as long as it’s deleted from the laptop, that will never happen. And you’ll be all set on the new iMac.
Hey,
I recently purchased Apeture 3 and am loving it, however i recently did a few Monochrome photo shoots and have imported the photos into Apeture, now the photos have shown in colour, i have tried to work out the problem my self but…well no luck so far…:( anyone able to help me out?