I'm looking to purchase an iMac in a few months and am trying to decide what post processing software to purchase. CS3 is WAY too expensive for me.

I've read about Photoshop Elements and Lightroom. Not a whole lot of information on Aperture though.

I'm looking for a tool to help organize photos with some light post processing work. I'm hoping to use some of my pics as decoration around the house, so I'd like for them to be "perfect" for printing in larger sizes.

Does anyone here have much hands-on knowledge of Aperture? From what I've read and understand, it'll probably be between Aperture and Lightroom.


Please direct me to any thread if this is already covered.

Craig

 

Define "perfect" for printing?

I don't know anything about aperture, but Lightroom is great for adjusting all light related properties. However, it has very limited manipulation features, so you can't do much editing of image content. There is limited cloning/healing, but that's about it in the current version. This means you can easily adjust the way the image looks, but you can't change what's in the image very much.

As for organizing, it works pretty well if you use the features is has. I'm not using it to it's fun capacity and still need to work on my organization, but it is pretty good. Just use tags and metadata when importing images and it should work well.

Hope this helps.

 

I guess by perfect I mean something that I could hang on the wall and be proud of. I know that is different for everyone, but I don't want someone to look at the picture on the wall and point something out that is "off" on the photo.

I have zero experience with post processing software. I've played with the software that came with my Rebel XT, but that's about it.

I'll read up on Lightroom through this site and others and try to find more stuff on Aperture.

 

When it comes to perfect printing, your monitor has to be calibrated, you have to have a very good and you have to use the drivers for the PAPER you're printing to.


As far as PSE and CS3, they both are for more detail changes to a picture. Lightroom is for more general same processing of many pictures. Lightroom 2 will be out soon and will allow a little more detail changes than is currently does, but not as much as PSE or CS3.

 

FWIW, I use LR for nearly all my processing now. The only time I would go into another package (all I have is Paint Shop Pro) is if I need to do image manipulation like mask something out of the image.

 

I thought Lightroom was the PC version of Aperture. ?

 

Aperture is an Apple software, Adobe just did it better and called it LIghtroom. Maybe I shouldn't say better, I only used it once, I like Lightroom.

 

oic. didn't know that.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll still look into Aperture but it sounds like Lightroom 2 might be the way to go.

 

so you're getting an iMac, but going to use a software made for PC to organize and process your images? ...personally, that doesn't make a whole lot of sense...might as well just get a PC then...

i've never used Aperture, though i've got version 1 at home...my PowerMac G4 just won't handle it...

Aperture 2 is out and has most, if not all, the features you're looking for...

http://www.apple.com/aperture/specs/
http://www.apple.com/aperture/features/100.html

i use Lightroom on my PC at home, but would much rather organize my photos on my Mac...all my Mac apps run so much more smoother than my apps on a PC...

 

I run Lightroom on both Mac and PC and have no problem doing so. Lightroom is just not a PC program.

 

yeah - Macs are quite fond of Adobe programs, last time I checked. I mean, people have been using Adobe on Mac for a long ass time.

 

x2

LR runs fantastically on my iMac. It is not PC-only software. FWIW, Scott Kelby also runs it on his Macs and his output is terrific and he sells it professionally.

If the OP is really concerned about not being able to do enough image manipulation with LR, though I think it does plenty, he could pair it with the relatively cheap PS Elements and move seamlessly between the two.

 

x3 for LR on the Mac. As a matter of fact, I migrated my LR install off of Windows and onto my Mac. There's no difference whatsoever in how it ran on the two platforms.

 

Ha.
I just got a Mac this past weekend and was about to get Aperture. Glad I didn't. I guess whenever I do, buy, I'll get LR.

Thanks guys (even though you weren't helping me, lol)

 

You should perhaps get the demos of both and see which you like better.
That's certainly the most useful way to shop.

Lightroom certainly can handle most basics for picture editing.
People don't notice much, imho - the major changes are:
1) cropping
2) White balance
3) Red eye correction

Then you're into the subtler stuff like contrast, sharpening, etc.
You need separate software for any major manipulation like HDR, or major stuff
like taking something out of a picture.

Printing is a whole different ballgame - I have no experience with that.

- Frank

 

I agree with Frank, try out the free trials for both. The second version of Aperture is supposed to be quite a bit better than the first from a performance standpoint. v1.0 supposedly ran sluggishly on all but the fastest of machines.

All that said, I can't imagine it's a whole lot better than LR, because LR is excellent. If you do get LR, I recommend this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Ligh.../dp/0321492161

It's very good, and really opens up LR for you. It also focuses on the software from a work flow standpoint, which is something LR excels at. Scott Kelby really is outstanding when it comes to Adobe software.

Good luck!

 

Thanks!

 

Owners of LR 1.0 can invite those who don't, to use LR 2 beta.

https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/entitl...ghtroom_invite


If someone wants, just send me an e-mail address.

 

for some reason i was interpreting the whole thing about aperture vs. LR as a mac vs. pc software type thing...totally forgot LR was for mac too...

x2 on trying out both demos and then deciding...

 

A simple search at apple.com has shown my lack of internet skills. This is a fairly informative site for Aperture, it's similar to Adobe's website.

Looks like LOTS of tutorials too.