Workflow on a Mac

[Coq au Vin]

...or why is iPhoto such a useless pig?

I'm a recent Mac convert and I'm having a few issues finding a nice, simple workflow/managment system for my photos.

On the old PC, my workflow would look like this:

Memory card -> Import RAW file into Capture One -> Export Jpeg to a folder in "My Pictures" -> Picasa automatically finds the new photos and displays them. Job done.

With the Mac, the first 2 steps are fine (Memory card -> Capture One), but it all turns to custard after that. If I use iPhoto, I have to export the jpegs into a folder in Finder, locate that folder and then import them into iPhoto, which then makes copies of everything in its stupid monolithic library. I then have to go and delete/empty the folder I used to export to from C1. iPhoto then jealously guards the original jpeg and doesn't let me do anything to it (even rotating it) without creating a copy.

How do other Mac users go about things? do you just put up with iPhoto?


(The irony is that one of the reasons I chose a Mac is that they are supposed to make managing photos simpler. Go figure)

[RobDickinson]

uh, by lightroom?

[Kimbos]

iView Media Pro.

[rustyspit]

Thre reason it isn't working for you is that you're not using it in the way it is intended - iPhoto isn't really designed for use with another raw processor, it's designed to be a one-stop shop for consumers who just want to import their pictures from the camera, organise them and maybe adjust the levels or remove red-eye. Anyone who is keen enough to be using C1 is probably expected to buy Aperture (Apple's 'pro' photo software).

Either import the photos directly into iPhoto and maybe just export selected raw files for processing in Capture One, or buy Lightroom/Aperture.

ETA: I think you can tell iPhoto to leave the photos wherever they are on disk and not to copy them into its library (iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced -> Copy photos into iPhoto library).

Edited by rustyspit on Tuesday 12th August 08:42

[Dr MAD]

Import directly into Lightroom. Most editing can be done from here including cloning in the new version or export from Lightroom into Photoshop for major edits.

Lightroom gives you the ability to edit, crop, view as a slideshow, export to more manageable formats, print, export to web etc etc. Aperture is similar but I personally prefer the way Lightroom manages files.

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshoplightroom/

http://www.apple.com/aperture/

Dan

[Coq au Vin]

Thanks chaps. Lightroom looks good, but is certainly not inexpensive (especially considering Adobe's worldwide pricing policies). Aperture is cheaper so I might have a look at that. Still, considering the program that made it all possible on windows (picasa) was free, both lightroom and aperture look like a bit of an overkill for my needs...

[rustyspit]

Coq au Vin said:

Thanks chaps. Lightroom looks good, but is certainly not inexpensive (especially considering Adobe's worldwide pricing policies). Aperture is cheaper so I might have a look at that. Still, considering the program that made it all possible on windows (picasa) was free, both lightroom and aperture look like a bit of an overkill for my needs...

Bear in mind that either Lightroom or Aperture would be an upgrade for both C1 and Picasa. iPhoto would behave more like Picasa if you changed the settings to leave your photos outside the iPhoto Library.

Lightroom is available through the Adobe education store if you know a friendly student.

Edited by rustyspit on Tuesday 12th August 09:41

[Dr MAD]

you can download a 30 day trial of each and see which suits you best.

[pixelpimp]

You can also so use mac's own 'Image Capture' to import the images as well as performing tasks.
I use this mainly to import, then open up in preview where I check for sharpness/crapness.
Then it's onto photoshop for fine editing.
Good luck.

[Coq au Vin]

OK. I was talking crap when I said Lightroom or Aperture would be an overkill. I downloaded the Aperture trial and was shocked at how much better it was than the Picasa/Capture One combination - even at my level. I genuinely had no idea what I was missing out on. Have now bought it.

Now to work on improving the ability of the retard behind the camera...

[Fordo]

I used to use iphoto to import raw straight from my camera, and photoshop if i needed heavy editing.

Then got aperture- and have never looked back. I hardly ever use photoshop now, unless im compositing something. Aperture is really great for managing photos and doing batch changes