Mac OS X gave us iPhoto and now as a further extension we have Aperture. iPhoto handles JPEG files from introduction through processing, handling, and storage. As digital photography progressed to RAW images, Aperture has been developed as a processing device. Aperture is not limited to RAW alone, but will also run PSD, JPEG, and TIFF. Aperture is designed to make the handling of RAW files as effortless as JPEGs are run in iPhoto. The name of the game becomes "Workflow" and that is the ultimate goal of Aperture. Of course, there are alternatives. Adobe CS2 has built in RAW workflow capabilities. Additionally, Nikon, Canon, Olympus Sony, et al, have RAW processing embedded in their software. Some of these are better than others, but in my experience, often something is missing or awkward. Everyone seems to be looking for a solution; including Adobe, with a free Beta version of Lightroom. From the beginning, Aperture seemed to have more snap, more pizzazz. Aperture was not without its warts and several reviewers criticized the initial version. Something was wrong because Apple quickly responded by putting out version 1.1 and reducing the price by $200 to $299. I do not own Aperture but I have enjoyed prolonged test sessions and I know that it works. Graphically it is beyond reproach with features that make it useful for pros and serious amateurs. At a recent seminar that I attended, Phase One and Hasselblad, both used Aperture to extol the virtues of their expensive digital backs, and in adjoining rooms, no less! With this protracted introduction, I now turn to Anon and Anon�s interpretation, "Aperture Exposed". After the introductory first chapter, they proceed to the details of importing and organizing your RAW images. The chapter handles the import panel and the sources such as camera disk, and iPhoto. Organization, stack and album creation follow in logical sequence. From there, we progress to a chapter covering viewing and "Finding the Keepers". Along the way, there is guidance on every nuance of the important steps and clues to make your workflow comfortable and enjoyable. Chapter five covers in great detail various tools including Histograms, batch processing, masters, and versions. It is important to remember that all of this processing is non-destructive and entirely reversible in Aperture. A comprehensive chapter follows on exporting images for Client presentation including E-mailing, Keynote presentations and printing applications. Printing controls, print calibration and publishing for a web site follow in sequence. Creating and customizing a book for publication is well detailed. The last chapter is entitled "Advanced Aperture." Items such as Automator, photolibraries, RAW files as smart objects, and troubleshooting, are well detailed. What is different about this book? First, it is beautifully illustrated. Secondly, it is well detailed in every nuance of Aperture control. Lastly, it is well detailed with sidebars that provide intimate detail in the process of RAW processing, and provides tips that can save you time and money. This book is as comprehensive concerning Aperture as any book in my library dealing with Photoshop. In summary: Highly recommended as a manual for dealing with RAW images, especially if you contemplate Aperture as your image processor. I intend to put the Aperture program on my forthcoming new Mac Pro Quad Xeon. I give this book 4 out 5 Philly Cheesesteaks!

Reviewer: Dr. John Krause Dr. Krause is a retired Plastic Surgeon from Cherry Hill, NJ., where he practiced for 35 years. In the course of his work, he has gone from being an analog to a digital photographer. He recently joined MLMUG.

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© 2006 by Dr. John Krause & MLMUG
Posted 09/22/06
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