Amazon.com is offering Apple Aperture at a discount price of 269.99
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Apple Aperture 2 - Improved Interface, Faster Browsing & Enhanced Image Processing
Apple today introduced Aperture 2, the next major release of its groundbreaking photo editing and management software with over 100 new features that make it faster, easier to use and more powerful.
With a streamlined user interface and entirely new image processing engine, Aperture 2 also introduces new imaging tools for highlight recovery, color vibrancy, local contrast definition, soft-edged retouching, vignetting and RAW fine-tuning, and lets users directly post their portfolios on the .Mac Web Gallery* for viewing on the web, iPhone, iPod touch and Apple TV.
At a new low price of $199 ($189.99 at Amazon.com), anyone can easily organize, edit and publish photos like a pro.
"Many of the most respected photographers on assignment all over the world trust Aperture to organize, edit and deliver their images," said Rob Schoeben, Apple's vice president of Applications Product Marketing. "With its simpler interface and lower price, anyone can take full advantage of Aperture's power."
"At the end of the day, it's all about the quality of the image," said Sports Illustrated contributing photographer David Bergman. "Even before I begin making adjustments, Aperture's new RAW processing gives me better images with more visible detail and better color rendering than any other program I've tested."
"I used to have so much stress about post-production on a shoot, having to juggle multiple applications to make sure they all worked," said Bob Davis, PDN Top Knots Wedding Photographer 2007. "With Aperture that's no longer a factor. I can do everything all in one application."
Featuring a new, easier user interface designed to be more intuitive and accessible, Aperture 2 now lets users navigate between Viewer and Browser modes with a single key command. Screen real estate is maximized for images with an all-in-one heads up display that allows users to toggle between library, metadata and adjustment controls in a single tabbed inspector. The All Projects view, modeled after iPhoto's Events view, provides a poster photo for every project and the ability to quickly skim through the photos inside, and the integrated iPhoto(R) Browser offers direct access to all the events and images in the iPhoto library.
Performance has been enhanced in Aperture 2 so it's faster to import, browse and search large volumes of images. Embedded previews let photographers caption, keyword and rate images as they are being imported, and with the ability to export images in the background, photographers can continue working while images are processed to JPEG, TIFF, PNG and PSD file formats.
Quick Preview allows users to browse RAW images in rapid succession without having to wait for files to load, and the Aperture library database has been re-architected to provide fast project switching and near instantaneous search results, even when working with extremely large libraries of 500,000 images or more.
Aperture 2 delivers powerful new imaging tools for getting the most out of each photograph. Apple's next-generation RAW image processing is at the core of Aperture 2 offering uncompromising image quality and precision controls that let users fine-tune the image profile for each of their cameras.
New tools for improving and enhancing images include Recovery for pulling back "blown" highlights, Vibrancy for selectively boosting saturation without adversely affecting skin tones, Definition, which offers local contrast for adding clarity to images, Vignette & Devignette filters for providing professional visual effects and a true soft-edged Repair and Retouch brush for quickly and easily removing blemishes, cleaning up sensor dust and cloning away problem areas.
Pricing & Availability
Aperture 2 is available immediately for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) - $189.99 at Amazon.com. Owners of previous versions of Aperture can upgrade to Aperture 2 for just $99 (US).
*The .Mac service is available to persons aged 13 and older. Annual membership fee and Internet access required. Terms and conditions apply.
New Aperture Site - Inside Aperture
Scott Bourne alerted us that a new site focused exclusively on Apple's Aperture photo application has launched, and will carry a lot of Scott's excellent resources. The site is called Inside Aperture and is operated by computer book publishing giant O'Reilly and is sponsored by Apple.
Here's a little bit more from the site: "O'Reilly Media's Inside Aperture site draws upon community expertise to provide you with tips and real-life experiences from professional shooters who use Apple's premier photo management application to organize, edit, and output their images. This site features weblogs, articles, podcasts, and tutorials — all focused to help you improve your digital photography workflow." Check Inside Aperture.
ApertureTricks.com Blog Offers Apple Aperture Help
Scott Bourne, a professional photographer, author and educator has created ApertureTricks.com to help photographers who are trying to adjust to the new paradigm introduced by Apple. Bourne, who moderates the blog and has created most of its initial content, hopes others in the Aperture community will contribute to help make it a valuable resource site.
"Any time you have a new software program, there's just no way one person can know it all right away," said Bourne. "I want to create a community where people who are interested in Aperture can come and share their thoughts, concerns and tricks for using the software." Here are some recent Aperture tips and tricks that have been posted:
Better Web Gallery — This is a simple trick to create a Web Gallery in Aperture.
Image Straighten — If you try to straighten an image by clicking on the straighten tool in the tool bar and then clicking and dragging within your image, it's easy to go too far or not far enough. Actually getting the image straight often requires some luck done that way. Here's an easier way.
White Balance — How to set white balance on a picture.
Talk To Apple — How to provide Apple with your feedback.
Zoom All Images — When you have two or more images visible in the viewer and you have used 'Zoom to Actual Size' all images will display at 100%.
Deleting Camera Generated Names — Are you frustrated by the fact that Aperture keeps the camera > generated file name when you import images? If so, there's an easy workaround.
Working With Stacks — Stacks are one of Aperture's coolest features. You can "stack" images together for easier compare and select or just to keep like images together. If you want to use two images from a stack independently of each other, you have several choices...
Multiple Libraries — Lots of you were concerned when I announced new information on Apple's new photo software called Aperture. One of the biggest complaints was that Aperture currently requires that all photos in a single library are stored on the same drive. I have spoken with Apple about this and have an update.
First, this is going to change in future versions but it's not something that can be fixed in time for the official product drop date.
But there is a workaround...
For more tips and tricks visit ApertureTricks.com
You can find lots of good Aperture resources and Aperture tutorials on the Apple site. Here are a few to start with.
Apple Aperture Quicktime Tutorials
Apple has posted 26 QuickTime tutorials to their support site. These are the very same Aperture tutorials that ship in the box with the software, and they take you through importing photos, using Stacks, taking advantage of Full-Screen mode, rating images, adding keywords, creating Smart Albums, making image adjustments, working with external editors, creating books and websites, printing, and more. These video tutorials are designeed to step you through every part of the photo management process while using Aperture.
Visit the Apple Aperture Tutorial Section.
Exclusive Special Offer - Fluid Mask 2.0 - $189
Fluid Mask 2.0 is based on breakthrough segmentation technology inspired by the way the eye, optic nerve and brain perform visual processing. When an image is loaded, Fluid Mask's segmentation engine analyses the distribution of colors, finding the natural groups within the image. Together with information calculated about edges, gradients and textures, a model is constructed which divides the images into objects.
Vertus Software is offering Fluid Mask at the special 'friends and partner' discounted rate of just $189 - PLUS free upgrades for the next 6 months.
New Features Of Fluid Mask 2.0
- Importing and exporting 16 bit color images
- Improved mask selections — especially on compressed images and fiddly cut-out tasks — making selecting your mask faster and more accurate
- Increases mask selection usability (a completely new image information layer IIL) giving you confidence with your selections, and helping you to learn how to use Fluid Mask easily.
This is an exclusive offer to visitors of PhotoshopSupport.com. To qualify, visit the Fluid Mask Discount Price page. Find out more about Fluid Mask on our special Fluid Mask Page.
Aperture Quick Tours
There are 5 very informative Aperture Quick Tours available:
In Advanced RAW Format you'll see how Aperture makes RAW as easy as JPEG, and how to work in the native RAW form throughout your workflow.
In Powerful Compare and Select Tools you'll see how to quickly identify "selects" using unique and versatile compare & select tools.
In Versatile Printing and Publishing you'll discover how to create high-quality prints, customized contact sheets, unique bound books, and stunning websites.
In Professional Project Management you'll see how to manage thousands of projects: organize flexibly, enjoy deep metadata support, powerful search.
In Nondestructive Image Processing you'll see how native, nondestructive RAW image editing means your digital "masters" remain untouched.
Visit the Apple's Aperture Quick Tour Page.
Key Features of Aperture
You can also read some pages that describe the power of Aperture with an overview of key features of Aperture. See the following pages on the Apple site:
Advanced RAW Workflow
As a photographer, you know all about the benefits of shooting RAW. With access to all the data your digital SLR can record, you're capturing images of startling quality, great dynamic range, and virtually no noise. And now, for the very first time, you have an application that provides you with more control of the final image than you've ever had before. One that actually makes working with RAW files as easy as working with Debugs. That application? Aperture.
read more
Professional Project Management
Aperture, the first all-in-one post-production tool for photographers, provides everything you need to manage your photo library: flexible organizational tools, comprehensive meditatio support, and powerful search tools that let you find files instantly.
read more
Intuitive Photo Edit Tools
It's the biggest, most taxing job you have as a photographer. You've finished your shoot. You've taken thousands of photographs. Now you need to quickly edit the shoot, reviewing all of your photos and identifying your very best. Aperture helps you accomplish this with powerful and flexible tools designed specifically to address the needs of the professional photographer.
read more
Photographer-Friendly Retouching
Have you ever modified a file and instinctively hit commands only to realize that you've just overwritten your original file? You can't Undo. You just have to live with the results. If you remembered to backup, you may have another copy of your original. But what you really need is an application that lets you freely experiment with your images while still providing you a built-in safety net. What you really need is Aperture.
read more
Versatile Printing and Publishing
Using Aperture, you can produce high-quality prints and contact sheets, design customized books, and create impressive websites as beautiful as the photographs you take. Best of all: you can do it all with drag-and-drop ease.
read more
The Photoshop Blog offers the latest Photoshop and Digital Photography news and software updates, tips and tutorials, and random thoughts from graphic artist, digital photographer and Photoshop expert Jennifer Apple.
Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture
This collection of Apple Pro Training tutorials will get you up and running in no time. You’ll learn how to sort, rank, and manage images with unparalleled efficiency; display onscreen proofs and contact sheets in compelling ways for clients; edit and retouch your selected images professionally; publish proofs, portfolios, and final images on the Web and in print; and archive images in a way that’s easy, secure, and intuitive. These hands-on tutorials provide a great overview of an indispensable application for digital photographers.
Find out more about new Aperture books on our Aperture Books Page.
