Digital photographers convert to Mac - why? [Archive]

MikeH

April 2nd, 2006, 04:44 AM

Hi Beatrice,

I'm a digital photographer currently with a Windows / Canon setup. I'd noticed the Mac part too. If you are a gamer then without a doubt you use Windows, but for digitial photography and imaging a Mac seems to be the thing to have.

I am currently considering whether to move to a Mac. One thing is for sure though - I won't change Canon for Epson (just my preference). My interest comes from the Mac seemingly being more secure, stable and faster than Windows PCs... I'm about to compare Macs to find out.

But juts to confuse things even further, XP is being replaced this year by Vista http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/default.aspx.

Mike

ME100FINN

April 2nd, 2006, 05:06 AM

I wont give up Canon either (printer or camera)! The i9900 is lacking the archival properties, but they are releasing a new wide carriage printer that does. I am not sure on a release date. I also recently acquired the HP8750 printer with archival prints, so I am set there.

Please post your findings regarding the mac info -- it's nice to get other's opinions, etc. I am tempted to dig into it, but I am afraid it would be a HUGE investment $$ wise and I am not sure I can get into that. I would actually prefer to spend the $$ on new lenses and not computer equipment. The point is to be taking pictures FIRST, right?

Wendy

April 2nd, 2006, 05:08 AM

Mike ...

They have delayed Vista now until 2007 :confused: :confused:

Whenever people mention changing from Windows to Mac I'm not much use on the issue ... I have been using Macs for so long that I find it hard to remember what Windows was like ... and I'm sure its moved on a lot since the 80's :) :)

Wendy

mel

April 2nd, 2006, 05:55 AM

.
My interest comes from the Mac seemingly being more secure, stable and faster than Windows PCs... I'm about to compare Macs to find out.
Mike

Well I am seriously considering a Mac for my next computer for these same reasons :)

That and all the great things I hear about Macs on this forum ;)

MikeH

April 2nd, 2006, 05:56 AM

Wendy,

Oh yes... so it seems. I didn't realise it had been going on for so long - since 2003 :eek:.

Don't hold your breath is the phrase that comes to mind.

Mike

CarolLHB

April 2nd, 2006, 08:53 AM

There are a lot of Mac gurus on this site. I'm not one of them, just a regular ole user. You know what I like about them? They're just plain cool. Slick, fun, easy and well, just cool.:cool::)

GaryK

April 2nd, 2006, 08:54 AM

bnk1953

April 2nd, 2006, 09:22 AM

As far as Vista is concerned - at least what I've seen so far - many of the improvements on Windows are already contained in the current Mac OS. There are rumors that another Mac OS will be coming out in late Fall (code named Leopard?) bringing more "new stuff". Granted Apple is definitely heads above others in the "cool" factor etc. It still comes down to what you are comfortable with. I have family members who have switched to Macs and are very happy. I have children who are "required" to use windoze due to college requirements. (both kids are planning on buying macs after leaving college - brainwashed probably by their dad). At one time a lot of the software for photos, advertising, etc - was really aimed at mac usage. I don't think that is the case anymore.
I've gotten to the point where I buy something because it works for me - not because others seem to like it. Of course opinions of others helps in decision making, etc. - it still comes down to what you feel you will be comfortable with. Majority of the people in here seem to use Canon or Nikon - I bought a Konica/Minolta 5D because it works best for me. I know I speak for the rest of the Mac owners - if you choose to go with Macs - you will be welcomed with open arms - we tend to be a proud and happy group. If you choose to be Windows so be it - its got to be whats best for you.
~bruce.

MikeH

April 2nd, 2006, 09:33 AM

Mike

I'm in upgrade mode as well. My system is really struggling these days :)

I have decided to put off the Mac/Windows question until one more upgrade has happened. Once the kids are primarily out of the house (like they are ever home anyway :D ) then a Mac is a definate consideration.

Gary,

The kids are a consideration for me as well... they both need Windows for university and college. Mind you having a Mac would mean I get it to myself ;) :D.

Mike

Wendy

April 2nd, 2006, 09:41 AM

Mike . ..

That is wicked ... Umm not sure that it would work I think that there maybe a queue waiting to play with the Mac :) :)

Why do kids need Windows for College & Uni ??

Wendy

GaryK

April 2nd, 2006, 09:45 AM

Mike

At least my son won't touch mine (upgraded or otherwise) just not powerful enough for him :rolleyes: . His video card cost almost as much as I want to spend on my upgrade. He's on a co-op program for Univ (work 4 months, school 4 months) so he is gone most the year anyway.

My daughter would probably love a Mac.. once she sees one. She still has a year left before going off to wherever. I just don't think I can get a year out of my current system :D

GaryK

April 2nd, 2006, 09:52 AM

Wendy

I'm not sure what Mike's guys are taking.
My son is doing programming and all they use in the school for that is PCs. I'm sure there are workarounds and such but why add another layer on top.

He is also a gamer and all his buddies us PCs so no thought for him.

His biggest dilema is what type of CPU to use and how can he cool it better. I've seen him spend a day playing with position of cooling fans just to get a 1 degree temp drop. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :)

MikeH

April 2nd, 2006, 09:56 AM

Wendy, well they both use Windows applications, so I'd still need to have a decent spec Windows machine :(. Mind you there is always my work laptop ;).

Gary, the problem I have is that I need the better machine for the Photoshop and photography work.

Mike

Grant

April 2nd, 2006, 09:56 AM

Beatrice

What you have often hear is a bit of a twist on the truth. There are a higher percentage of Photographers that use Mac that regular general users. As near as I can tell between 22% and 35% use Mac computers (Depending on sources). So one may ask what captures their hearts when it comes to Macs?

1) Apple has built a reputation on simplicity. If you are a photographer, or anyone else for that mater, and have no interest in learning about computers then this is a good drawing feature.

2) Mac has nurtured a reputation of being the computer of the graphic artist. This was very true and to this day that still look funky.

3) They are well build, in spite of my DVD failing with in the first few day. From what I have been able to tell all the parts of my iMac are of the highest quality. For example to view there monitors are to fall in love with them. The same thing can be said for my windows but that is because I knew what I was buying.

5) If you are a photographer you are much more likely to come in contact with a Mac than in many other fields. I have a team of 110 people I work with and I am the only one with a Mac. I belong to a camera club that has 97 members and about 30 of us have Macs.

6) Tradition has dictated that Mac are the king of the graphic heap and tradition is hard to break.

7) Proselytizing is a big thing in the Mac world. And this is noting new in the Camera world. My camera is the best just gives way to my computer is the best and urban legends are born.

If you know what you are looking for you can get an excellent Windows base computer for photography. On the other hand with a Mac you just pull it out of the box and place it on your desk and you have an excellent computer for photography. Make no mistakes, if you have a graphics bent, Apple makes some very fine computers and are well worth considering.

The only down side with a Mac is that you must join the Church of Steve and stand on corners flogging the virtues of apples. Oh they even give you little apple stickers to replace the fish on your bumper.

.

ME100FINN

April 2nd, 2006, 11:25 AM

Grant, thank you for that reply!! It was the type of info I was seeking. I'd like to make the plunge, but when I look at all the software I currently have on my system I want to choke. i cant imagine transferring all of my Microsoft Office stuff, etc. to the Mac. Well, FIRST I have to buy the Mac version of each one... does money grow on trees by the way? ... and then set up a whole new system for that stuff TOO?? My dh suggested having two computers - the mac for my photography (not a bad idea ;) ) and then keep the HP computer for all the other stuff. But how... email alone is integrated into everything that I do. I would prefer to capture email on the mac... since I love to email all of my photos to family. Then I am doing email on two systems. The thought gets more mixed up the more I think of it. Or maybe I just get a mac and make the transfer a long and slow one.

I guess first off I need someone (or otherwise) to tell me without a doubt I would be gaining x, and x, and x if I were to switch to Mac. Everything you listed sounds very reasonable and would make a good first argument in favor of a switch. Oh, I just love new computers too, so it might be an easier sell too. An acquantaince of mine has a new mac that is no bigger than a kids' lunch box. I was amazed!!

I'd love to hear from more Mac users too!!! Tell me why you love your mac and/or why you made the switch!!

Wendy

April 2nd, 2006, 01:44 PM

Hi Beatrice ...

There is even a website which Mentors switchers ... :) :)

http://www.macmentor.org/switch/

... and the help you ever need to move your Windows thing to a Mac ...

Wendy

Richard Ellis

April 2nd, 2006, 03:25 PM

Grant

April 2nd, 2006, 03:57 PM

Beatrice

First off I am not the one that will try to convince you to switch. It will be more expensive than just staying with you PC so the choice should be yours. For myself, I haven't switched I have augmented my systems, having a foot in each camp. Right now the task I have set before me is to have each system task independent so all photographic processes and web design are done on the Mac and all business stuff is done on the PC. The PC is easy because i am very familiar with that and the Mac is a new and exciting challenge.

First off I went into this with two things in my favor, well maybe three. I have lots of friends that are Mac users to ask advice of, these range from those that embrace Macs with religious fervor to those that hate Macs and want to ditch them at the first chance. Second I had a friend switching from Mac so we simply exchanged some software. He took my legal copies and I took his. Finally I do believe I am very computer savvy.

I did use a mini and they are certainly a very painless way to enter into the Mac world. That is if you use your own keyboard, mouse and monitor. If you decide, along with the mini, to purchase apple versions of those peripherals then you will find that buying an iMac is a cheaper way to go.

Your concern over email is not a trivial one but can be over come. First off your biggest problem will be moving your address book and for the most part this is not easy to almost impossible. Depending on what you use you may have to reenter by hand or as the addresses come in. Once you are past that hurdle then the rest is easy. You can do one of two thing if you want to maintain email on both machines. First you can have separate addresses. You can have the same address and delete you email of your server manually. This can be set up to do from either systems. You just have to remember to down load it on both computer. I have multiple address so I use the first system and simply forward things I want on another computer

I have not had my iMac long enough to have achieve my initial goal but as I find software the goal is getting closer. I still find myself comparing software and I am not sure that is good. I still am in a learning process or is that an unlearning process. for example <Ctrl> + C copies on a PC while Command + C copies for the Mac. This sounds very but they simple but it is not. I can do this in my sleep on a PC ...BUT ... On the PC it is the pinky + pointer that does this on the mac ring + middle finger. Old habits die hard and it is a lot of little things that make life interesting.

.

bnk1953

April 2nd, 2006, 05:07 PM

Why do kids need Windows for College & Uni ??

Oldest daughter is at Cornell University NY - Engineering - most the of programs they use there are Windows specific. Youngest out at Occidental College - CA - school only supports windows. (Once she got there found that many of the students use Macs - still the support people only will help with window problems. (some would say that the IT people like windows because it keeps them employed - geez did i say that - sorry).
~bruce

Carbone

April 2nd, 2006, 06:37 PM

Just to add to what has already been said.. Many companies will exchange your software copy from Windows to their Macintosh version (if they have one) at a very minimal cost. Adobe did it for me (15$ for a CD, that's a fair price).

Next, many utilities you pay for in the Windows world are free on the Mac. Have a look at www.versiontracker.com, choose Mac OS X subject area, and research what you want. If it aint free, it probably is dirt cheap. Why? Because the Macintosh community is composed of many talented individuals who volunteer their free time to create the tools we need.

Then, there are the perks of owning a Mac :

- Free Quicken for accounting (home account with an iMac, business accounting with a PowerMac or MacBook pro)
- iLife is free. It's a full featured video editor, dvd authoring, photo management, music creation, web page creator suite. On the PC world, I'd say it's worth close to 300$ or more.
- Many other free utilities come with the system.
- With a Mac, right out of the box, you connect your digital camera and iPhoto collects your pictures. No drivers asked. It's much simpler. Now, on the PC, try to connect a USB device before installing its drivers (think HP). You're in a mess.
- Mac has the PDF creation tool within each application.
- Macintosh usually are ahead in technological stuff. Like my Powermac has a FireWire 800 port (it's faster than the regular FireWire port). And Digital Optical Line In and Out (TOS Link cables). I'm sure, there ain't many PCs with this kind of connectors.

Just to give you an example, the video I made yesterday, I simply connected my Sony camcorder and filmed my teddy bear. No drivers installed. I did this with Quicktime. Very simple!

And with a Mac, it's always simple. Removing an application, for example, 99.9% of the consists of dropping it in the trash can. Empty the trash and you're done. No messy registry or uninstallers which can stop working and leaving you with the trouble of manually removing the files.

Ray

GaryK

April 2nd, 2006, 07:26 PM

Beatrice

And the biggest reason to switch

RAY has one:D :D

mhughes

April 2nd, 2006, 07:28 PM

I bought my first Mac in Feb 1996 & was captivated by it immediately. Even then, in '96, you only had to take it out of the box, plug it in, & a cherry voice said "Hello!" & an animated figure led you thru the first steps.

Back then you had free 24/7 phone support & hand holding.

Now I'm using a G5 with 1 GB of RAM & 2.1 GHz power with a 20" screen. This is my 4th Mac.

I use Office 2004 & now with the cross-platform capability I zip Office files back & forth to our church's PC with no problem. Office files, mail merge; no problem.

Right now, we have a big project going on with one of those church directory things & someone else is emailing me pictures which I then correct & edit in PSE4 & then send back to their PC.

Well, I could go on & on & already have but it's easy to see how Mac users become fanatics.

We just have fun!

Mary H

Carbone

April 2nd, 2006, 08:17 PM

Gary... i'm ROTFL !!!!!

Ray

ME100FINN

April 2nd, 2006, 09:21 PM

Beatrice

And the biggest reason to switch
RAY has one:D :D

OHHH yeah...that is THE reason, you're right!! I'm sold now :cool:

All joking aside, it is looking like a really good idea to switch! My hubby is going to the States for a trip soon and I think he will make it a point to stop by a store and check it out himself. I am going to continue doing some reading and check out all the links shared here too--thanks all!

Now for those that are PSE users, the Mac version is only the Editor, right? You use the iphoto for management? Does it work similar to the Organizer (if you happen to know)? Can you write stuff to the EXIF files, etc and captions?

ooohh...too much fun stuff to look at now!!!

ME100FINN

April 2nd, 2006, 09:23 PM

To all those who say that the Mac is expensive, remember that you don't need to buy Virus protection services, and you get a lot of good software 'stuff' with the system. iLife, for one, gives you iPhoto, iTunes, Garage band, etc. etc.

Plus, the costs are coming down with the Intel chips.

You won't regret it.

The cost of the mac itself isnt expensive (especially compared to pc's). What IS expensive is switching software, hardware, and the like to make it work on the Mac.

Carbone

April 2nd, 2006, 09:26 PM

ME100FINN

April 2nd, 2006, 09:33 PM

Old habits die hard and it is a lot of little things that make life interesting..

Grant, I am totally with you on this one. I can do tasks on the pc with my eyes closed. All the way back to working on really old machines--I can still remember workin in Lotus 1-2-3 and selecting the menu options with the keystroke /fs to save a file! Now I am more mouse driven though--Windows has done that to me.

Also, I think I would hurdle the fence for awhile like you are doing - keeping the pc and learning the Mac as I go. I have such an urge to be creative with not only photography, but using those images in video clips for family fun memories. I also have a Sony DV camera that is itching to be used more often to create fun stuff. I know the Mac would be much more friendly with this (as Ray has pointed out).

PCs are comfortable for me now because it is all I know. I am somewhat computer saavy and my husband calls me a computer whiz (as do others). I know I can switch without much or any problems as far as that is concerned. To move to Mac is simply remolding my workflow in all that I do. So many things are integrated now - I dont know how it would work on the Mac (or if it would work without further software purchases, etc.). I would say that 90% of my work is done with the full suite of Microsoft Office products, and the other 10%...PSE of course! ;) {Lately, maybe it's the other way around! LOL}

Well, that's about it for now... off to get some real work done...homeschool!

Keep the comments coming...this is a great thread!!

Grant

April 3rd, 2006, 12:04 AM

Beatrice

Lotus 1-2-3?! Oh my you are just a young babe. I go back to VisiCalc. That program is so much forgotten my spell checker doesn't even recognize the word.

You mentioned that you use two pieces of software Office 90% of the time and Elements the other 10%.

On the Mac Office comes in three flavours, Professional, Standard, and Student and Teacher Edition. The Professional Edition is the Standard Edition with the addition of Virtual PC. Virtual PC will not run on an the Intel Mac. If you are getting an Intel based computer don't get the Professional Edition . The Standard Edition and the Student and Teacher Edition are the same program. They contain Word, Excel, Power Point and Entourage (Mac version of Access). I believe as a home schooler you would qualify for this product ($229.95 Canadian). The one warning is that Microsoft has chosen not to port Access to the Mac Platform. If you are a heavy user of Access you can port the data over to a Mac program but not much else. Mac people will tell you that Office is so much better on the Mac but for my part I really don't see it. It runs well on the Mac and for me that is enough.

Now comes Elements on the Mac. I personally favour it on the Mac over the PC. Not that it is a much better of a program on the Mac it is that I hate organizer with a passion and there is no Organizer on the Mac. Don't lament the loss of Organizer it is replace by an equally trivial program iPhoto. On this one I am swimming up stream as it seems all Mac people think this is wonderful imaging database. I suspect the reason for this is they haven't used a very powerful one. The one good thing about iPhoto is that it is completely integrated within OS X.

The iMac does come with a program called iLife that has, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand, and iWeb. They are not free as has been pointed out but buy way they are marked I think they cost $2000 and they throw in a free computer. On the other hand iTunes is free and you can even download it for the PC. The only one I use often is itunes so really won't comment on the others.

If you are really interested in a fine piece of software iWorks is a joy to use. If you didn't need to talk to Office in the outside word then iWorks could be wonderful answer. The only thing that stops this program from being a world class business suite is that it doesn't come with a spread sheet or data base.

It is really hard to praise the new Imac based on software as most of the power house software has not as yet been written for it. Microsoft, Adobe Macromedia and a whole bunch more have been caught with their pants down as far as Universal Binary goes. In fact even Apple hasn't got some of their finer programs ported yet, here Aperture and Final cut come to mind. They will eventually come and then the full value of the iMac Intel will be seen.

To me some of the exciting things about the iMac are things no one tells you about. An example would be when you insert a blank CD into the drive nothing seems to happen. If you have really sharp eyes you will notice, in the folders, a new CD icon appears with very tiny radiation symbol. Just drag what every you want to that burn onto the disk to the radiation icon and presto it is done no fuss no muss just work. Now where did I find that out I just stumbled upon it.

.

ME100FINN

April 3rd, 2006, 04:47 AM

Thanks again for the info Grant. I think Office products are the most used on a daily basis. Let's see, the latest versoin of Office I use: Outlook, Word, Publisher, Excel, and occassionally Power Point. I wonder if I could get a deal from previously owning this version. If not, I can usually get a deal via military means (which is how I obtained the Office Professional for only $20). My hubby often has to send files to/from work, so I would need the basics of these files to be able to work with one another (so iWorks is lacking in this regard). I also have Microsoft Money, but I wouldn't fret over the move to Quicken. So, my first thoughts of having a computer only for photography doesnt seem logical -- I would be incorporating my photography into the use of the Office programs. That's what I do almost every day to some degree. I would need to look at a complete conversion at some point. Which, by my guess, would be done anyway (the thought of maintaining two computers...sigh).

As for photo management, it sounds like the iPhoto will do the job. I have tried several programs in the past -- from extensive user control to basic simple user interface. As long as my basic needs are met, I am happy. So if iPhoto will allow me to find a photo and preserve data that could be read if it were on a CD years from now (like keywords or info that would tell a person what the image is or where it was taken,etc.) then I am happy. With the age of digital, I do want my kids or whoever to be able to pull up a jpg file and know what the contents is. What's the point of having all these family pictures if they dont know who is who? Know what I mean?

Now, as for the Intel mac... I had someone recommend to hold out and get one. It sounds like it's not a good choice due to software limitations. I have lots to learn about the system. I have NO clue what kind of problems I would run into when I want to copy my data files to an external drive to use on a Mac. I recently did this from an old pc to a newer one -- what a pain!

The EASE of the mac sounds too good to be true..honestly! I have had probelms with my dvd writers now -- cant get the darn things to work when I want! Windows XP is great but has its pains too.

I am going to do lots of reading tonight (I hope). I go back to my original question... why does a digital photographer make the move to a Mac? It isnt necessarily for iPhoto in particular... but overall use of the system, stablility, and ease of use that fits a workflow geared towards the creative person. If I can do what I do...and do it faster and easier...I am all for it!!

I am sure more comments to come ....

ME100FINN

April 3rd, 2006, 06:43 AM

The Mac version has kept the file browser (PSE3) or gained Bridge (PSE4), that's where you update the EXIF.

iPhoto has similar functions to the Organizer, but it's a totally different beast. I prefer it over the Organizer. iPhoto lets you create albums, organize your picture in Smart Folders, tag them, adjust the date and the file name, burn CD and Slideshow, etc.

I'm Ray and I switched because of me :cool:

Ray

Ok, I wasnt sure where "Bridge" came into play. Now I know. I like the fun feel of iPhoto. Can it edit and add EXIF data to the files? I cant seem to get any detailed specifics on the program.

I am Beatrice... I will switch because of me too! :cool:

Carbone

April 3rd, 2006, 07:35 AM

They contain Word, Excel, Power Point and Entourage (Mac version of Access)

Correction : Entourage = Outlook.

I believe as a home schooler you would qualify for this product ($229.95 Canadian).

Some stores will sell the Students, Parents and Teachers edition right on the spot, no questions asked... :D

Mac people will tell you that Office is so much better on the Mac but for my part I really don't see it.

MS Word Notebook view is a charm to take notes on the fly and organize your ideas, right as you write them. Excel as a page layout preview which will be integrated in the next version of Office for Windows. The formatting palette is a charm to use (if you have a big screen) because all is there, no reason to look up or down as before (PC).

On this one I am swimming up stream as it seems all Mac people think this is wonderful imaging database. I suspect the reason for this is they haven't used a very powerful one.

Ehh... I did use the Organizer before... I managed over 12,000 pictures with it. And I prefer iPhoto. For a multitude of reasons. First, the interface doesn't get in the way (the organizer had all the tags with little pictures, buttons at the top, sliders at the bottom and the right, etc.) iPhoto is lean. List of folders, buttons at the bottom, and that's it. You can even choose a neutral grey for the background in order to facilitate picture selecting.

But you're right, the real pros (photogs and others) prefer iMedia (the other link I gave you). For me, and my hobbyist needs, iPhoto is just! And it integrates with everything else, even third party software now (The Print Shop, like the PC version btw for Mac).

If you are really interested in a fine piece of software iWorks is a joy to use. If you didn't need to talk to Office in the outside word then iWorks could be wonderful answer.

iWork is also the solution if you've been doing a lot of Publisher, it's the closest thing to it. iWork comes with Keynote and Pages. Keynote is like Powerpoint on steroids. Pages is like Publisher and Word, together. There's a tryout on every new Macintosh sold.

In fact even Apple hasn't got some of their finer programs ported yet, here Aperture and Final cut come to mind.

Aperture has been delayed for a May release, but Final Cut Pro has been ported last week.

Final Cut Express I am not sure. I think this one will wait an upcoming newer version, but I am not sure.

Ray

Carbone

April 3rd, 2006, 07:38 AM

iPhoto will not, out of the box, write the exif information back to the picture. You will probably find an AppleScript for that (an iPhoto extension if you will).

Ray

GaryK

April 3rd, 2006, 05:58 PM

Beatrice

To respond to your original question. :D

IMHO a lot of it has to do with tradition (as I think Grant stated earlier). I do tend to be in a graphics eviroment for my work and a lot of graphic houses use Macs. I think mostly because that is what they are used to using. If you started on a Mac 15+ years ago when they were no doubt king of the hill for artist types. Then the people following in your footsteps HAD to use a Mac as well as learn on a Mac.. and so on until now.

This is aside from the cool factor and the ease of use.
I used to do Apple Care (service calls) and when I was trained there were a lot of similarities between the PC and the Mac (more than most would admit) just different names for a lot of stuff.

All of this is just my view on this little portion of life. :D

Grant

April 3rd, 2006, 07:41 PM

Correction : Entourage = Outlook.

Ray is correct I was wrong! What can I say, it was late at the night and Should have been in bed

Ray nice to see that you read my post this closely.

ME100FINN

April 3rd, 2006, 07:59 PM

I hear ya! I would like to move into the world of Mac - it is very intriguing and artsy. I feel like I would fit in very well. I am making a list of hardware and software that I use now, along with notes that I need to check into with each. My hubby will probably take it with him to the States and stop by a store and check everything out. It would seem that I have more hardware to plug in than I imagined. i dont know if it will all work (maybe just the iPaq Pocket Pc?), so i dont know which Mac system would be best for it. I am leaning towards a mini, but the iMac is looking pretty impressive--I just cant imagine all the wires hanging out of the back side of the monitor! Is that how it works?

I am still wondering about iPhoto...sorry to keep probing! I have browsed the apple iPhoto forums and it seems that people love or hate it. I dont want the mess of regrouping, tagging, and organizing my 12,000+ photos all over again (for a third time this year)! Would iPhoto recognize all my efforts done in PSE4 on the pc? Would those translate using Bridge? I dont want to be in a position where I am really managing two programs to organize the images--that doesnt make much sense. I'd also like to find the solution to writing exif data before I get into this. That's why I chose PSE - the Organizer does write this info to the file. Guess this is a whole new thread to start ... maybe on a different forum altogether...?

Wendy

April 3rd, 2006, 08:19 PM

Grant

April 3rd, 2006, 08:25 PM

Beatrice

With enough extra money the only wire that can't be eliminated with the iMac is the power cord.

ME100FINN

April 3rd, 2006, 08:42 PM

Hi there ...

I use iPhoto for all my finished Photos but keep layered files on the Mac in a folder system. I also have lots of different iPhoto libraries which I manage using iPhoto buddy (a nice easy way to manage multiple libraries)

http://www.iphotobuddy.com/

I much prefer have multiple libraries rather than one large one ...

Wendy

It is really hard to know if iPhoto is right for me because I cannot get my hands on it. I am trying to do lots of reading and envision what I would be doing. I have read about iPhoto resaving jpg's and other "downsides" of the program. I was first impressed by its integration to make webpages and share photos.

I like the idea of multiple libraries too, but with all the little random photos I do from day to day, I cannot think of a logical method to put them in different libraries. If you want to create something with photos from each library, can you do that easily?

The design and layout of the Organizer is really working well for me now. I am trying to see how all the benefits will transfer to the Mac. I am getting the impression that iPhoto is more like a browser to view images and not really organize them -- the organizing would be more likely done in Bridge.

For the hearty, diehard hobbyist photographer, dont you tag and use keywords? Dont you search for images by camera or ISO or other specifics? Dont you want to preserve data with each digital image? Does iPHoto meet all your expectations as a digital photographer? Doesnt it bug you that you cannot view PSE files (psd) in iPhoto? I suppose there's a method and means to all of these questions when using a Mac. I would just hate to make the switch and be thoroughly disappointed in the photo organizing and features of the programs.

GaryK

April 3rd, 2006, 08:43 PM

Grant

I think Ray reads your posts so closely in case you slip in a Ilovecanon somewhere. :D :D

Carbone

April 3rd, 2006, 09:03 PM

Gary... LOL !!!

Beatrice : Here's a procedure to import your Keywords to iPhoto tags :

------------------------
http://scriptbuilders.net/files/iphotoiptckeywordimportexportutilities1.0.html

This guy made a script, using Graphics Converter, to import IPTC tags from your images into iPhoto Keywords. It also uses another script for creating the new keywords in iPhoto (this one is free).

Graphics Converter : http://lemkesoft.de/en/graphcon.htm

And the script for iPhoto : http://homepage.mac.com/kenferry/software.html (it's the first one, top of the page)

You might be able to use an evaluation version of Graphics Converter. Say you start this on a Saturday morning an promise to complete by the end of the following day, you'll be ok :)

I haven't tested this solution, but I haven't read anything negative about it so I'd say it's ok. But start slowly. Pick only a handful of images, something will be able to check manually without spending the whole day tracking the last import session.

The way I think it works :

- Open iPhoto
- Drag and drop a bunch of images (keep things simple even after the test is complete, do a few at a times, not 1000...)
- Select those images in iPhoto. To do this, it's very simple. Click on the Last Roll, just below your Library, in the left pane, at the top. iPhoto will show but only the last images imported. Press Command - A to select them all.
- Run the script.
- In an open Finder window, where your newly downloaded scripts are, double click on the Import IPTC Keywords to iPhoto Keywords

Watch the marvel unveils upon your eyes :)
-------------------------------------------------------------

Hope this helps !

Ray

Grant

April 3rd, 2006, 09:18 PM

Grant

I think Ray reads your posts so closely in case you slip in a Ilovecanon somewhere. :D :D

Gary

I only love living things ... like people and dogs.

I don't even love my Nikons but I like them. Mechanical objects are simply tools some better than others.

.

ME100FINN

April 3rd, 2006, 09:29 PM

Thanks for all the details Ray! It looks fairly straightforward. In my attempts to keep details with each digital image it has only brought more and more headache (steps and more software) to get it accomplished. I really wonder if it is worth all the effort, know what I mean? If I spent more time cataloging/organizing (in iphoto or whatever) I could then find what I need to then create DVDs or print photo albums with captions, etc. ....This would allow getting a hardcopy (dvd, slideshow, printed album, index prints) to reference back to the original digital image. This seems like a workflow to get started and the way to go instead (maybe). That way it doesnt matter what computer system or software a person is using 20 years from now -- they can still see the final product of my efforts. My goal is to document as much of my children's lives (and mine) via video and pictures. I do need to really focus on this -- and I think the Mac would really help in creating some really great final products EASY and FAST. Maybe I need to give up on all the details of the IPTC data and just rely on the software to get me organized so I can start creating. PSE Organizer is helping me get things together now, but with my current system and cd drive issues, etc I havent created any keepsake items yet (other than creating some nice effects with PSE and a few scrapbook pages etc - but they are all individual items as of yet). I somehow think that a Mac would streamline this whole process and I could crank out a lot more stuff. Does this make sense? I think i just had a light bulb moment...

CarolLHB

April 3rd, 2006, 10:03 PM

Ray-what's the name and who wrote that book on iLife'05? You know, the one we're waiting for the "06 version of? Beatrice may want to take a look at that...:)

Carbone

April 3rd, 2006, 10:11 PM

Carol :

The book's author website (Jim Heid) :

http://www.macilife.com/

Beatrice :

I made a short movie on iPhoto to show you how easy it is to create a book, and save it locally as a PDF (which you can print at home !)

http://homepage.mac.com/carbmac/captures/iPhoto056.mov

Enjoy ;)

Ray
P.S. No sound, it's too late to edit and cut and post-process.. :D

CarolLHB

April 3rd, 2006, 10:31 PM

Thanks, Ray:)

ME100FINN

April 3rd, 2006, 11:02 PM

Ray, that is so sweet! Thanks for taking the time to do that... and since you are using a Mac that it was easy as pie! Right? LOL I assume you can add more captions to that if you want. Well, since PSE does edit PDF files, you could manually add them once it was saved as a PDF. I hear these books you purchase are pretty incredible quality -- have you purchased one yet?

I am going to read the other site posted too. Thanks a million guys 'n gals... this is really helpful to me. I go to sleep dreaming about photography and Mac now! LOL It's hard to believe I could possible have one by this time next month! Apple doesnt ship to me so my hubby would have to find a workaround that when he is in the States.

Off for lunch and more reading later this afternoon or tonight...

Carbone

April 4th, 2006, 07:22 AM

Yes, you can modify these books in PSE, except you'll have to save them page by page, because PSE doesn't do multiple pages PDF.

I have never ordered a book from Apple. I print them locally, on my printer (canon has these little book kits, so those Epson).

To tell you how easy it is to use a Mac would sound like an advertisement, but it would also be the truth. I would a Microsoft power user before I switched (certified in VBA for Office, for example). The only thing I did prior to getting my Macintosh is read the "Mac OS X Missing Manual", that's it. When it came in, I was able to play and use it from day one. Even after a month, I was on forums helping others :)

Apple US won't ship to Japan, but what about Japanese Apple store?

Ray