Aperture 3!

For the last two months, I have started shooting in RAW format. As a result, I have had to change the way I process, store and organize my images since iPhoto does not currently process RAW files. I decided to do a full 30-day trial of both Aperture 2 and Lightroom 2 (I also tested the beta version of LR3) to be fair to both applications and truly explore the options. In my experiences, the actual image processing was comparable but the file organization and added features were very different.

Like iPhoto, Apple's Aperture employs the Library method for file organization where LR keeps images organized by dates or you can set up your own system for organization. LRs flexibility in file management would be most beneficial for anyone shooting specific events or clients. LR includes options for image sharpening and noise reduction that was not available in Aperture though Noise Ninja does offer an Aperture plug-in.

I rely heavily on Flickr for image display and long-term storage so Aperture was a clear winner for me because of ConnectedFlow's Flickr Export plug-in. I have been a loyal fan of the iPhoto version of this plug-in so the Aperture version was a smooth transition. LR2 had limited exporting capabilities for Flickr except for Jeffrey's Lightroom plug-in which was not nearly as intuitive as ConnectFlow's Aperture plug-in.

LR's series of image presets was a nice added feature -- a good starting place for monochrome, sepia and other techniques clients often request. Though overall, on my older MacBook Pro, LR felt sluggish in comparison to Aperture. LR3 beta includes a new Flickr exporting feature which was much easier to use than Jeffrey's Lightroom plug-in.

I am on my last days of my LR trial and was feeling the crunch to make a decision. Today, Apple announced the release of Aperture 3! Apple is boasting more than 200 improvements to Aperture and it still retails for $100 less than Lightroom. The feature set looks awesome, including presets, non-destructive editing tools and features I hadn't even considered like maps and facial recognition brought over from iPhoto. Sorry, Adobe. Looks like Apple is getting more of my money.

Here's a video of some of the Aperture 3 tools in action featuring photographer Chase Jarvis.

Mesmerizing Flash Mini-App

Thanks to Christina over at Twinklings, I'm completely smitten with this little fishy Flash gadget created by Adam Bowman. Its a charming, beautifully executed little bit of design and programming. Enjoy, and don't forget to feed the fish!

Mister Retro Photoshop Filters: Permanent Press

Mister Retro has been making Photoshop filters to help grungy-up your artwork for years with their iconic Machine Wash filter sets. With their newest set, Permenent Press, helps to simulate Ye Olde Printing Errors. Grouped to ink effects, plate effects, halftone effect and press effects , this is by far the best and most usable set Mister Retro has offered. On sale for $99 download. Sweet!

If You Don't Have Photoshop, Chapter Two

I recently tried Skitch which is a combination of a simple image editor and an image hosting service. Its a pretty intuitive little application. Its a great way to capture an image and then post it back onto the internet. There's a three-minute video tutorial which is about all the information needed to get started using it.

It's Mac-only at the moment and you have to be invited to try it out. I have two invites. First two people to email me, get an invite to try it.

[Our email address is in the sidebar]

WTF?

The new Photoshop logo..? I scratch my head wondering why?

Several other blogs already lambasted the decision -- feel free to read them.

Brand New
30gms
John Nack, Sr. Product Manager for Photoshop

Save Trees, Reduce Paper Waste

Most designers I know care about the impact the design industry has on the enviroment. I think there's a lot of guilt about all the paper our industry creates -- ads, magazines, brochures, business cards, greeting cards, posters, etc so the idea that anything we can do to reduce paper waste is an idea to consider.

Green Print offers an application for streamlining printed files, especially from the web, to remove unwanted pages -- like only one line of text or the tail end of an ad. The application is a very streamlined print preview option. The goal is to reduce paper waste and reduce costs associated with ink and toner use (save the world and save money too!). The home license for GreenPrint costs $35 and is available for Windows operating systems only.

GreenPrint also offers a font called Evergreen that remains legible while fitting more words onto each page. Compared to default fonts like Arial, Helvetica and Times, EverGreen claims to reduce paper use by as much as 20%. Overall, I think the font is a pretty solution and for a mere $10 for Mac or PC, its a very good deal. My only dislike is that they added an odd line to the uppercase T to simulate a tree. A little heavy-handed and not particularly aesthetically pleasing.

I think I'll just reduce my font sizes, margins and line spacing when printing text documents and using a condensed font for the time being.

Adobe in hot water over FedEx Kinkos deal

Several publications picked up yesterday's story about the "send to Kinko's" option in the newest versions of Acrobat and Acrobat reader. Needless to say, lots of small print shops are angry about this. There are probably some designers who are annoyed with this feature too. but I wonder why I don't have the option to "send to Johns-Byrne" or "send to Skylab Letterpress" or "send to Dickson's"? Seriously, very few designers want to send their work to Kinko's. For the legal industry and other paper-trailblazers, the option to send to Kinko's may be too easy to pass up.

Marketplace: Printers See Red on Kinko's PDF Deal
Commercial Appeal: Mud Flying at Adobe's Deal
BetaNews: Adobe Catches Flak For FedEx Kinko Deal

At the moment, Adobe's only solution to the new feature that favors one printer over all others is to allow users to disable the option. Brilliant.

Tracking time

If you freelance or considered charging for your time by-the-hour, then at some point, having a simple tool for tracking your time is a necessity. Thanks to House of Pretty I now have two lovely tools for tracking time, The Rat Race and The Daily Grind. (link)