Aperture over iPhoto - Is it worth the money?

Question

I'm sick to death of iPhoto as I now have over 4 different libraries on different hard drives (due to using a laptop and not having enough space, also a recent change in computer), I never know which on is opening and when and it is next to impossible to browse in finder, due to the library not opening as a folder, like iTunes does.
On top of this I went looking for a photo recently and it appears to have disappeared, despite 90% of rest of reel, still there & backed up. I fear the same has happened to another photo as I await one of my iPhoto libraries (which until now I presumed was the master), to upgrade it's software.
I know the whole non-destructive editing means more file on your computer, but don;t understand how itunes can deal with multiple hard drives and iphoto can't (leave a blank thumbnail on the index page if not available at that time, don;t set up a new library)(Rant over!)
I want somewhere, that I can easily and efficiently store my photos in one place so that I don't have to spend 20-40mins trying to find photos when I want them.
Is Aperture worth the €199 and does it solve these issues? Also does it integrate with Photoshop, or will I need to do that manually.
I'm tempted to delete iphoto and just use the finder.

Answer 1

What version of iPhoto are you using?
Iphoto can do what you want, if you take a few moments to set it up.
I want somewhere, that I can easily and efficiently store my photos in one place so that I don't have to spend 20-40mins trying to find photos when I want them.
Get a HD that's large enough for your Photos. Merge your iPhoto Libraries into one and then... you're set.
iTunes doesn't edit. Iphoto (and Aperture) do. That's a rather large difference right there.
Aperture is much more powerful than iPhoto, yes it does integrate with Photoshop, in a broadly similar way to iPhoto. But I'm concerned that if you find iPhoto frustrating hen you may have bigger issues with Aperture.
on different hard drives (due to using a laptop and not having enough space, also a recent change in computer), I never know which on is opening and when and it is next to impossible to browse in finder,
For instance, you can easily set Aperture to run a Referenced Library (where you decide where the files are stored) (and you an do that easily with iPhoto too), but that's of no use to you if you want email or upload the +edited shots you make+. They can't be accessed via the Finder either. (because there is not edited file in Aperture!)
Here's a handy guide I make for iPhoto users to access their files. Almost all of these work for Aperture too.
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
*For Users of 10.5 and later*
You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
*For users of 10.4 and later* ...
Many internet sites such as Flickr and SmugMug have plug-ins for accessing the iPhoto Library. If the site you want to use doesn’t then some, one or any of these will also work:
To upload to a site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. However, if you're using Gmail you can use iPhoto2GMail
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
*If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running*:
For users of 10.6 and later:
You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu. Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and later:
Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
Other options include:
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
O, and by the way, Aperture is much less that €199 on the App store. I recall it's about €70 or thereabouts.
You can download a trial from the Aperture pages on the Apple Site, too
Regards
TD