Aperture 2
Aperture 2 gives photographers incredible tools to manage massive libraries, speed through photo edits, make essential image adjustments, and deliver photos online and in print using one simple, integrated workflow. Whether you shoot RAW or JPEG, Aperture lets you get the most out of your photography.
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Overview
Over 100 new features in Aperture 2, including:
- Image adjustment controls such as Highlight Recovery, Definition, Vibrancy, and Vignette
- Retouch tool with soft-edged brush to remove unwanted elements from photos
- Next-generation RAW image processing for highest-quality images
- Quick Preview mode for rapid-fire photo browsing
- Simplified user interface that maximizes screen space and provides direct access to your iPhoto library from within Aperture
- Integration with MobileMe Gallery to instantly publish your photos, allowing visitors to view and download images
- Powerful plug-in architecture for seamless integration of popular third-party image editing software
Optimized for speed
With a superfast search engine and Quick Preview mode for rapid-fire photo browsing, Aperture offers sizzling end-to-end speed even when working with large libraries.
Intuitive and accessible
With its streamlined user interface, Aperture puts library, metadata, and adjustment controls in one tabbed inspector; makes better use of screen real estate; and provides direct access to your iPhoto library from within Aperture.
Powerful image processing
Enhance your photos using an expanded suite of adjustment tools including Recovery, Vibrancy, Vignette, and a soft-edged Retouch brush — all with the highest-quality RAW processing.
Superior integration
Instantly publish a MobileMe Gallery for viewing via the web, iPhone, iPod touch, or Apple TV; design and order beautiful custom books; and access your Aperture library from within iLife, iWork, or Leopard Mail.
Most Useful Reviews
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Aperture 2
Outstanding Aperture 2
Written by DP
Oct 4, 2008
As an artist, and photographer (Canon G9) with thousands of slides, prints, and negatives to digitise and back up, I had thought of going down the Photoshop Elements route (which came with the scanner), but did the one-month Aperture trial; and bought Ap2 after only two weeks' trial. It does precisely what I want (and, I daresay, far, far more than I need).
I would, though, seriously recommend the book "Aperture 2" in the Apple Pro Training Series, which comes with a DVD and takes you in 12 lessons, through what is, to a fairly un-technical mind, an amazingly powerful piece of kit. I'm old enough to find it easier having a colour manual open next to the screen, telling you exactly what to do when. Bit like instructions for a complex recipe for a dinner party. Well done Mac. …More348 of 356 people found this useful
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Aperture 2
A must have
Written by NB from MACCLESFIELD
Sep 17, 2008
For anyone who takes photographs, be it just holiday snaps or professionally this software is just a must have product..
The power of this software together with its ease of use really sets it apart from anything else on the market..
I use it to store many thousands of photos and it really makes the management of that silky smooth plus when used in conjunction with iWeb its fantastic... everyone thinks I am a pro thanks to Apple!!
…More278 of 300 people found this useful
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Aperture 2
Great software, if you have the grunt!
Written by MW from Liverpool
Dec 31, 2008
Aperture is a really elegant, powerful and wonderfully easy to use photo app, perfect for creating your own storage structure plus the benefit of having a good UI and raw file handling system, editing is a sinch. However, beware if you have a 'lower' spec mac. I run a 2.16 intel macbook pro 17" with max ram (older model so its 2gb) and im afraid aperture can eventually bring the system to a crunching halt when tasked. Considering apple spec my machine as being more than adequate, it is far from the ripping fluid app it could be. Ive switched to lightroom for a bit and it does work twice as quick, but just is nowhere near as neat as aperture. Also, apple are much slower at updating the software to work with new cameras, my new little Panasonic G1 just is not supported. Im going to hang on in there as I will upgrade my 2 year old mac soon, but feel a little disapointed that im having to spend over £1500.00 to use what could be the best app apple have ever made.
MW …More140 of 152 people found this useful
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Most Recent Reviews
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Aperture 2
Reduce the time in post production by days!
Written by SF
Jul 3, 2009
As a new convert to Mac from PC I found the transition quite challenging, as well as looking into Aperture. As a pro photographer dealing in weddings the main obsticle that I wanted to avoid is the time spent on post production. It took me 2 days to edit a wedding on a PC importing everything into Photoshop. A workflow tool was needed, enter Aperture. What a powerful piece of software, after going to One to one training at the Apple store with a photographer, after 10 lessons I am now editing a wedding in under 2hrs! Its non-destuctive meaning that any adjustments that are made can be altered without having to make copies and increasing the files on your HD. You really don't need Photoshop as all the adjustments are already within software. The RAW element is something else, easy to convert and can be used with most DSLR. The price for the sofware has been paid for 20 times over already. If you are looking to reduce post production with hundreds of images this is the only tool you need! …More
125 of 127 people found this useful
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Aperture 2
Beautiful software
Written by DD from Bwlchgwyn
Jun 11, 2009
I have used iPhoto and early versions of Elements but I find that Aperture has a nice flow to the work and the interface just suits me and I find it more intuitive than the competition. Full screen mode using the HUD is fantastic and the on-demand Loupe is very useful. RAW manipulation is great and it handles my Canon 450 files with ease. I can do most of my alterations and minor repairs more quickly and easily in Aperture than in Elements. However, if you do need to do something really clever to your photo then either Elements or Photoshop is essential but both of these have a steeper learning curve to match their abilities.
The Apple Pro Training DVD and book is very helpful if not essential and there are loads of Youtube tutorials of varying quality that are worth a look.
Time Machine seems to work well with Aperture 2 but I also back up into a separate Vault.
Highly recommended. …More76 of 77 people found this useful
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Aperture 2
Best pro photo workflow
Written by HP from Reading
Apr 2, 2009
As a pro photographer processing thousands of images a month, small differences in workflow efficiency really add up. Aperture has a very slick interface design which means every common operation is just one keypress away.
Rating the shots and selecting them for work is a breeze and very quick on my MacPro. Its retouch brush is good enough not to enter photoshop for 95% of my work- saving me many hours per month waiting for photos to import.
Its handling of Hasselblad FFF files could be better (the colour management isn't as good as Phocus) and it badly needs to implement curves, but it is streets ahead of Lightroom or Bibble or Bridge workflows and vastly quicker than Photoshop when all you want to do is colour correct, crop, retouch and export. Image quality is top notch, too.
I love it- it was worth the switch to Mac just to use it. …More118 of 122 people found this useful
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