Calling all Mac users - Aperture 2 or Photoshop Elements?

[SoxAddict]

Ok Folks, I just invested in my first ever Mac a couple of weeks ago & am interested in gathering as many opinions & comments as possible from fellow Mac users as to what photo-editing software you like to use.

I've always used PS/PSE but am now wondering whether to go down the route of Aperture 2 for my iMac. I started a 30 day trial of Aperture 2 last night so can at least try it out for a while, but all your comments will be helpful too - especially if you've already tried both yourself.

I'm particularly interested in your pros and cons for either/both. And obviously if any of you have any plugs for other types of editing software, please share those as well.

Cheers!

[Jim Bryant]

Aperture 2 for sure!

[fletch]

Could you work with just Aperture? No PS of any kind, just Aperture.

I'm a PC and use Lightroom (which fills a similar niche to aperture) but couldn't do without PSE for that last 5% of editing that Lightroom cannot do.

[SoxAddict]

Originally Posted by fletch

Could you work with just Aperture? No PS of any kind, just Aperture.

I'm a PC and use Lightroom (which fills a similar niche to aperture) but couldn't do without PSE for that last 5% of editing that Lightroom cannot do.

I don't know anything about Aperture actually Fletch - that's one of the things I was hoping to get opinions on here. The whole Apple thing is a new route for me (apart from my iPhone of a couple of years). I've done some internet research trying to seek as much info as possible about what kind of things Aperture 2 actually does by way of editing, but am having a hard time finding complete answers. So I thought at least trying it out for a few weeks will be a big help, along with a poll from Mac users too!

I guess your answer helps let me know that I'll be needing something in addition to Aperture 2 if I do go ahead and buy it though.

[Jim Poor]

You can get OS X licenses for your Adobe software. Give them a call.

Aperture is a program I tried really hard to like and don't. While you are downloading trials, don't forget to try out Lightroom and Photo Mechanic.

[Jim Bryant]

Maybe this will help ya. With Aperture it's all about working with RAW files and workflow.
Apple Aperture vs Adobe Photoshop - Digital Inspiration
Apple - Aperture - What is Aperture

[SoxAddict]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

You can get OS X licenses for your Adobe software. Give them a call.

Aperture is a program I tried really hard to like and don't. While you are downloading trials, don't forget to try out Lightroom and Photo Mechanic.

Jim, thanks for all that. Lightroom is definitely one that I'm wanting to check out. I've actually never even heard of Photo Mechanic though, so thanks for the info there.

[Jim Bryant]

I mostly use Photo Mechanics by camera bits for all my editing. Then I double click on the photo and it brings it up in CS3 for PPIng. You can also upload, email and FTP through this program as well. It's a killer program.

here's the site: Welcome to Camera Bits, Inc.

[SoxAddict]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Maybe this will help ya. With Aperture it's all about working with RAW files and workflow.
Apple Aperture vs Adobe Photoshop - Digital Inspiration
Apple - Aperture - What is Aperture

Jim, thanks for these - I'd seen the Apple page on Aperture, but I guess it didn't answer all the questions for me (I'm not the most technically minded of people, so I often find all the software stuff very confusing!).

I hadn't come across the comparison link though, thank you, that'll be helpful, I'll have a good read of that tonight.

[SoxAddict]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

I mostly use Photo Mechanics by camera bits for all my editing. Then I double click on the photo and it brings it up in CS3 for PPIng. You can also upload, email and FTP through this program as well. It's a killer program.

here's the site: Welcome to Camera Bits, Inc.

Awesome, thank you so much again. My homework for the next day or so!