Aperture 4 Wish List

Why do you need these to Geotag your photos? You can do that in iPhoto.

Don,

It is really unfortunate what Apple has allowed to happen with Aperture. I just spoke with a photographer this morning who used to be a level 3, "Aperture Solutions Expert." Apply summarily discontinued the solutions expert program, he told me. So, it doesn't appear that outside expertise is being developed. After years of being an Aperture user, I reluntanctly had to look elsewhere. In exasperation, I've briefly chronicled by experience on my website's blog: http://www.photosophistry.com/blog/2014/5/ApertureDebacle

Great blog post David. I feel your pain. I was forced to make the move to LR. Of course the Aperture faithful will come along and say how great Aperture still remains to Lightroom but the performance of LR speaks for itself. 2010 is when Aperture 3.5 was release (I think this is the date) with only point releases in between. It is simply terrible how Apple treats it professional customers. While I was very happy with Aperture, the newer cameras can simply over power Aperture. Sad day indeed.

Good points, but let's remain accurate:

Aperture 3.0 was released on February 9, 2010.^[11]

Certainly just a typo, but still, inho, worth getting right.

DEFii wrote:

Don,

It is really unfortunate what Apple has allowed to happen with Aperture. I just spoke with a photographer this morning who used to be a level 3, "Aperture Solutions Expert." Apply summarily discontinued the solutions expert program, he told me. So, it doesn't appear that outside expertise is being developed. After years of being an Aperture user, I reluntanctly had to look elsewhere. In exasperation, I've briefly chronicled by experience on my website's blog: http://www.photosophistry.com/blog/2014/5/ApertureDebacle

While I generally agree with you reasoning, Aperture 4.0 is coming. Closely tied to the Cloud and to iApps and video asset management.

Perhaps that is true, Ari5tophanes. Unfortunately, I wasn't left with much choice but to move on. Aperture stopped working well and Apple couldn't offer a solution. For those who chose to patiently wait, I hope you're correct.

Let's say that a new version of Aperture tackled the problem of large libraries freezing the system. What other improvements would match LR-5?

And what are the other frequent complaints from AP users?

I am an amateur, and so I don't have big libraries. And I am not bothered that I have to use the NIK plugins for some alterations. On the whole, I felt that the database aspect of LR was weak compared to AP. And I hated the Modules in LR.

I do wish the AP could use DxO. I've already got it and while it isn't as powerful as PTlens is, is certainly is automatic and simple.

daikambu65 wrote:

I am an amateur, and so I don't have big libraries.

Just for the record, I am a professional (not of the machine-gun camp -- I use a camera to make limited edition fine art prints), I run large and huge Libraries, and they all work well. I know many amateurs who have large Libraries. They work well, too.

I regularly use a Library with over 3/4 million Images. SuperDuper tells me there are more than 8 M files in the Library, not including the Originals (they are all referenced). My system does not freeze.

Afaik, there is no known problem of Libraries freezing because of size.

Any Library that triggers a crash (or worse, a kernel panic) _is_ a big problem. Any application that is unreliable shouldn't be used. But IME and those of others I know, Aperture is currently stable. I have no problem recommending it to photographers, however they make their living.

More apropos to this thread: use what meets your needs. It's not complex. If Aperture 3.5 does not meet your needs, and something else does, use it.

I am not fan of the modular approach in Lightroom either. Aperture's interface is better in my opinion. Additionally, Lightroom's usage of collections is not as fluid as Aperture's usage of albums. The latter has uniformity regarless of where in the application you're working. Stacking images is easier and better implemented in Aperture also. Overall, I think image mangement is superb in Aperture. Lightroom offers no serious competiion in this regard.

That said, my ultimate move to Lightroom was precipitated by Apeture's bugginess and frequent unresolved crashes. But once I started using Lightroom, you may say my eyes were open. Here are a few things I can do in Lightroom (and would not want to give up) without using plugins and creating new TIFF or PSD files:

1. The upgright feature - perspective correction and fixing converging verticals
2. Adding multiple adjustments to a single brush, as opposed to creating a new brush for each adjusment
3. Masking and noise reduction as a part of the sharpening feature
4. Adding lens profiles that come quite close to replicating what I see on my Nikon's display
5. Interface with Photoshop is easier and more consistent

So, that's my take on it.

Thanks for the advice about Aperture, to me it appears that Apple has dropped the ball with this one. Getting info from Apple about updates or new releases is practically impossible. I reluctantly move to Light Room and hope that Apple gets back to where it should be.

I have in the past and still do enjoy Apple product but am disappointed with them on this.

Terence Devlin, the photos I take on the iPhone are great and the fact that they are geotagged is a feature that I really like. However, I take most of my photos with a Canon 70D which is in a totally different class but it doesn't have a built in GPS. There is a Gps module that can be mounted on the camera to do the geo tagging, but I would prefer to use the gps function in my phone.

Ari5tophanes wrote:

While I generally agree with you reasoning, Aperture 4.0 is coming. Closely tied to the Cloud and to iApps and video asset management.

Can't tell you how many times I've heard that over the last three years. It got old about two years ago, and is now well into pathetic.

Interesting, DEFii. I wasn't aware.

I'm not smart enough with DSLR to understand the comment about lens profiles.

In the end, progress is a ceaseless force and let's hope that the Apple people read these remarks.

I'm not married to Aperture, but that Database power is awfully attractive to me. I import images, keywords and tags are automatically added, and though everything can be thrown in a pile, I can find any shot. No folders or folder hierarchy required. That alone blows my mind whenever I use it. The Collections concept in LightRoom wasn't nearly as intuitive.

My sentiments exactly. Tired of hearing that just before every WWDC, every fall update, every spring update, for the past several years.

DEFii wrote:

My sentiments exactly. Tired of hearing that just before every WWDC, every fall update, every spring update, for the past several years.

Apple is very tied to hardware, espxially for its Pro apps. Aperture, i part, exists because of the digtial asset management provided through Final Cut and the production system. For all of that the new Mac Pro workstation has been introducd and we are about to see software updates across the board to maximize that power and productivity. Apple is less ties to the photographic (e.g. Photoshop) community. They position according to the markets they speak strongest to, one of which is the Apple ecosystem, another is the strong iOS draw, and another is the combined photo and video asset management crowd.

LR is a great program, but I feel it is like Photoshop...a one trick pony for the pro and serious (very serious) pixel level editor/manager. Aperture as it evolves will likely be positioned more in line with services (iCloud, FB, Flickr), integration (iMovie, FCP, iMovie, Apple TV), and those for whom the Appleshpere is about convenience.

Winter is coming but at least that is good entertainment. Aperture 4 has been coming for YEARS, literally years and there is nothing to show for it. I would love it to rear its vaperware head and prove me wrong and allow Apple to take more of my money but at this point in time I am 1. not putting my hopes and dreams on it, and 2. absolutely appaled at the way Apple treats it pro consumers. As I have said many times, I have no issues with Apple cancelling Aperture all together but at least have the courtesy to say so.