You can upload photos from your camera to the iPad with an adaptor purchased from the Apple store for $29. For a casual photographer who just wants the photos to show on the iPad, it will be fine. But if you want to know that with a certain camera setting you achieved what you wanted to achieve with your photo then you need more than what the "Photos" app currently gives. iPhoto gave us that information -- here's an example of the metadata shown with iPhoto for each and every photo taken:
In any case, I've resolved my issue as follows:
1. My plan is to use a MacBook Air to review my photos using iPhoto while I'm traveling.
2. My intention is to stick with the operating system 10.9.5 for as long as possible on my MacBook Pro. That way I'm going to hold onto iPhoto and iMovie (with the chapters option) at least until I find a worthy substitute. One lesson I've learned is that a new operating system doesn't necessarily give me something better than I had so I never just upgrade without making sure I'm going to be happy.
2. So as to not further aggravate myself, I've removed the "App" icon from my doc. I can still go to the App store if I need to, obviously but at least the whole idea of it isn't on my desktop.
3. I'm returning the new iPad mini, the case, and the camera connector. Without iPhoto, the iPad doesn't do what I need it to do.
4. Regarding your comment about Steve Jobs rolling over in his grave, I do think he would be deeply saddened. I'm reminded of when he got back to the faltering Apple and simplified things. I can just see him slashing products right and left to bring the company back within his vision.
All of this said, Apple is still the best thing out there and for that I'm grateful. It's just disappointing to see a company that is so highly regarded falter.