Making an HDR document Aperture-Photoshop workflow experiment, any takers?

Howdy, Fellow Photographers
I tried this recently but failed and I'm trying to figure it out.
So, is anyone interested in a 32-bit HDR test using Aperture and Photoshop CS2? I think this feature is revolutionary in Photoshop CS2 and hope Aperture will have something like it in a future update/upgrade.
The takers will have to have Aperture (duh) and Photoshop CS2 (duh).
1. Take an image in Aperture.
2. Make about 8 versions of the image.
3. Make 4 that are incrementally over-exposed,
4. Now make 4 that are incrementally under-exposed.
To achieve this:
Make 8 identical Versions.
Select each image (version) and open the Adjustments Inspector , select Exposure and click up into the + range and then select the next image and do the same but up a notch to a higher over-exposed level, continue this until each image is slightly over-exposed from the previous image.
Now select the next 4 and under-expose them into the - range using the same methodology as described above.
At the end you'll have 8 images (versions) that have a wide exposure value. Utilizing the same Master image with different versions having individually different exposure values. Some very dark to some very light.
Export each version as a "PSD - Original Size (16-bit)" file and "Include Metadata" checked into a folder on your Desktop or other hard drive.
(According to this Apple document
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302943
the only way to export and maintain the EXIF metadata the version has to be PSD and not a TIFF.)
In order for this to work Photoshop has to see and recognize the EXIF data. Open Photoshop CS2 and make a new HDR document, browse Photoshop to the folder with the images from Aperture. Make the new 32-bit HDR document.
Did Photoshop make a new 32 bit HDR document?
Let me know if this worked for you.
Many thanks
love & peace,
victor

Good Morning,
Thank you, joshua, Denny, jrg_uk and Ian
Yes, me too, I was getting the same error message about not having enough dynamic range or as you say joshua it sees the same EXIF settings for all of the shots.
Nevertheless, what I want to do is bracket the exposure levels (f-stop/aperture) and leave the shutter speed alone the way it is done with a camera and tripod but instead do the bracketing within Aperture (the application) and then send the photos (Versions) to the HDR feature in Photoshop CS2.
Thank you for your help!
Back to the drawing board...
love & peace,
victor

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Please help me Automate an Aperture/Photoshop workflow

I'm trying to streamline the process of exporting a RAW file from Aperture to Photoshop for editing and then re-importing it into Aperture. I have zero experience with Automator, but someone else on the Discussions site was kind enough to share hte Automator process he uses for this.
Problem is, I can't get mine to work (or I don't know how to make it work).
I created a folder called "Photoshop-IN" where I would export the RAW files from Aperture that need editing. Then I created a folder called "Aperture-IN" where the completed Photoshop files would be exported for re-import into Aperture. Then I created this workflow:
http://homepage.mac.com/chriskresser/PhotoAlbum16.html
I think the workflows are correct, but I don't know what to do at this point. The original poster said something about making them "watched folders", but I have no idea what that means or how to do that.
To test the workflows, I tried exporting a RAW photo from Aperture to a "Photoshop-IN" folder. Then I opened Automator and clicked the play button for the designated workflow. It tells me it executed properly, but nothing happens. The CR2 file wasn't opened in Photoshop, is still in the folder, and didn't get moved to the trash.
I also tested the other workflow (getting PSD file back into Aperture), and that doesn't seem to be working either. With this workflow, I get the following message. "Aperture got an error. Some parameter wasn't understood. (-1715)".
What am I doing wrong? I realize that this might be pretty far off topic, as it is more a question of how to use Automator and possibly AppleScript. But any help would be appreciated, including direction to some resources where I could learn more about Automator (the help section is woefully inadequate!)
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Chris
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Your PS-in workflow is too complex, all it needs is a Finder action to open in PS:
http://www.azurevision.co.uk/aperture/open-in-ps-action.jpg
Then File>Save as Plug-in..., choose 'Folder Actions' and then where it asks what folder to attach it to, navigate to your folder. Now, every file that is copied, moved or saved into that folder will be opened in PS.
The import into Aperture workflow is mostly OK, but you are passing a folder from the first action, not files. Try adding a 'Get Folder Contents' action just after the first action. With a bit of jiggling around and using the two actions of that workflow you should be able to save it as a folder action.
A couple more threads using a slightly different approach:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1292903
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1372571
Basically these export a RAW file out to a watched folder (as you are trying to do), but instead of saving it out and re-importing into Aperture, a duplicate file is made in Aperture by using 'Open in external editor' and saving the converted file into that.
Ian

Aperture to Photoshop Workflow

I am a novice at Photoshop, but will start a beginners course in a couple of weeks. I would like my workflow to be : camera to Aperture (Nikon RAW) and to edit select images in Photoshop. Is thee a good source for learning more about the Aperture / Photoshop interface?
Thanks.

A key point to remember is to make all of your Aperture adjustments first, then go to Photoshop last for any remaining work. Aperture will take all of your adjustments and create a TIF or JPG for you to work on in Photoshop. If you make any Aperture adjustments to a file that has already gone to Photoshop, a brand new TIF or JPG will be created.
Here is a link to more info on working with Photoshop:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302820

Aperture/Photoshop plug in and image size

I'm having a problem I don't really understand. I have Aperture 3 and I have CS5 that I'm trying to use as a plug-in for Aperture. This is half an Aperture question and half a Photoshop one so I hope someone can answer it for me.
In Photoshop I made an "action" that is a sort of raised beveled watermark for my photos.
I open one of my images in Aperture and "fix" it - soften the skin, blur the background (whatever...) then I go to the top menu item "Photos" and go down and pick "edit with Adobe CS5." And my image opens in Photoshop. I go to the menu and pick the watermark action but when it works my watermark can't really be "read" because it's not fitting on the photo, it's too big and falls off the edges. The photo is 1241x1280 px.
But here is the odd thing. If I take that same photo, the very same size 1241x1280 and open it directly in photoshop, completely bypass Aperture, and run the watermark action, it's actually a bit small (but usable) it fits fine in the very same photo! When I check the image size in Photoshop it is the same size (regardless of if I open in photoshop directly or go there from Aperture).
So this problem only seems to happen when I edit the photo from Aperture. I'm new to both Aperture and Photoshop (crazy to try and learn 2 programs at once) and I don't know if I can make just the watermark layer in photoshop smaller. But again it fits fine if I apply it directly from Photoshop bypassing Aperture.
Does anyone know why this happens and how I can make the watermark work? Or can I make a watermark in Aperture?
Thanks for any help,
Susan

susan-kelly wrote:
Like I said when I rescale it they way you said to do in photoshop it changes the size and distorts it a bit.
If you hold down the 'Shift + Option' keys while scaling, the text, shape or raster object will not distort and will resize from the center (AKA - maintain aspect ratio).
I run the full version of PS, so am not sure if the commands are exactly the same if you are running PS Elements, but there is a command at 'Layer menu > Layer Style > Scale Effects..' which can be used for scaling the bevel settings to match the scaling of the watermark item.
One exact way to do this in PS full version is to choose the Edit > Transform > Scale command and then use the option bar fields under the main menu bar to change the 'H' (Height) and 'W' (Width) percentages equally (to say 70% in each) and then use the aforementioned 'Layer........Scale Effects' command and enter 70% in that dialog. This should reduce the watermark and effects appropriately without distortion.
Note - indeed both programs are very deep (especially PS), but that just gives you more fun to learn as you go. Don't worry about mastering either, just work within a structured workflow so you can take the steps at your own pace.
Again, I am not sure what version of PS you are running, but the one book I suggest looking into more than any other is at the link below. It is somewhat dated, but the information is completely relevant and covers the general usage of Photoshop to make anyone comfortable with the tool set.
http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-Unmasked-Science-Selections/dp/0321441206/ ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307824869&sr=8-1
The companion website is still up and you can download all the images used in the book if you want to practice on the same images he outlines. Well worth a look if you want to learn Photoshop.

Which current Mac Pro for Aperture/Photoshop

After much research and what seems to be chasing my tail, I though I'd ask the forum for some advice on which machine will best suit my needs. I am currently running Aperture and Photoshop CS3 and looking for a fast machine for the job. I sort through around 2500-3000 raw files per week and hope the new Intel Xeons will speed up my workflow. It's the question of "How many cores are better?" that's confusing me as I am unclear on how many Aperture and Photoshop can actually make use of.
I'm looking to upgrade from my 3.06 iMac to a Mac Pro but having trouble choosing between a new 2.66 quad or a refurbished 2.26 8-core. I understand the drop in processor speed might be noticeable in some instances but the from what I have gathered an upgrade to the ATI HD 4870 is a must as is 6GB ram on the 2.66 and 8GB ram on the 2.26. It's not so much the price difference of the two machines (£2200 for the upgraded 2.66 and roughly £2700 for a refurbished 2.26 plus upgrades) it's will my workflow see any great benefits from the 8-core over the quad. The program I use most is Aperture, followed by Photoshop then FotoMagico, iDVD and Toast Titanium. Does Snow Leopard affect the use of cores in these programs?
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According to the Adobe blog the delay in offering a 64-bit suite for Mac is because the entire suite has to be rewritten in Cocoa (both previous and current offerings are written in Carbon) CS5 will be written in Cocoa and will utilise the full functionality of the Snow Leopard OS (OpenGL, GCD etc) so memory addressing will be a huge step forward on Photoshop (which I use).
I used Photoshop CS4 on a 2008 Mac Pro 2 x 2.8GHz 8 core (dual Xeon 5400 series Quad core CPUs) and just recently switched to a 2009 Mac Pro 2 x 2.26GHz 8 core (Xeon 5500 series Quad core CPUs). I used CS3 on the original Mac Pro 2 x 2.66Ghz (Dual Xeon Dual Core CPUs = 4 cores total). It's not a fair reflection as CS3 ran under Rosetta on the original Mac Pro and CS4 has better integration on the Intel based Macs, but in general, I noticed a much better rate of workflow on the 8 core machines over the 4 core machine.
More importantly, I would point out that running batch process of RAW files in CaptureOne Pro was significantly performing the batch process on the 8 core machines than on the 4 core machine. (250 RAW files {with no corrections] from a Canon EOS 1D MKII into 16-bitt TIFF files). I can't remember the exact figures but the 8 core machines were @ 23 - 25 minutes quicker than the 4 core machine.
I know it's not scientific and software versions were different which could add to the different results in part, but the 8 core machines both out performed the 4 core machine substantially.
However, the 2009 Mac Pro Quad Core is capable of running 2 threads per core (in effect a virtual 8 core machine and as many reviewers have pointed out, perform faster than the 8 core Mac Pro in certain applications (which have not been written to utilise the full multi-CPU-multi-core environment.
The Memory limitation on the Quad Core is 16GB RAM (Apple state 8GB but reviewers have installed 4 x 4GB DIMMs into the Quad Core without issue). Unless you are doing 3D or HD rendering etc you probably won't really need over 16GBs of RAM, however the cost of 4GB memory sticks is expensive. Crucial only offer a 12GB kit for the Quad Core Mac Pro 2009 to make full use of the triple channel memory speeds (DDR3 best performance in multiples of 3) and 12GBs from Crucial is @£771.00 (prices correct at time of writing this. This equates to @ £257 per 4GB.
Total for Quad Mac Pro with 12GB (3 x 4GB RAM) = £2670
Total for Octo Core Mac Pro with 12GB (6 x 2GB RAM) =£2731 (New price not refurb)
Graphics card upgrade etc will be the same on both machines. Memory based on Crucial Memory prices.
So, for a 2009 Mac Pro with 12GB RAM, it is £61 dearer for an 8 core (virtual 16 cores) machine over the Quad Core Mac Pro. The 8 core system will give you further memory expansion once prices of the 4GB memory sticks come down significantly. The Quad Core will only be able to be upgraded with 8GB RAM sticks over the 4GB sticks available now and will cost a huge amount at time of launch.
Buying a refurbishment 2.26 GHz with similar memory upgrade would in my opinion be the way to go. I know the CPU clock speed is lower, but in real time non memory intensive applications the difference will be hardly noticeable.
I went through the same dilemma as you. I opted for the 8 core system with 12GB RAM and the ATI HD4870 graphics (bought as an upgrade kit so was dearer than the build to order option). I am very happy with my purchase.
The other option is to check out eBay there may be a very well spec'd 2008 Mac Pro for sale with warranty, 16GB RAM and the 8800GT graphics card for less than either of the new systems.
Over the long term, the 8 core offers more affordable customisation options over the Quad Core, but it depends on how long you plan to use the machine

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What do you do after making the changes? Either opening the edited RAW file, or clicking on Done will create the sidecar (XMP) files which contain all of the information about your adjustments. The next time you open that RAW file, it will look for an XMP file with the same file name, and use the information contained in it.
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Hello,
I'm currently testing LR3. I have a master copy and 4 virtual copies with different exposures selected in LR3. I tought to myself that I could simply use the "Edit / In Merge to HDR Pro in Photoshop" option and tune the resulting HDR image in Photoshop but it seems that Photoshop doesn't take in consideration the exposure changes I've made on the virtual copies in LR3. The 5 images are identifical in the HDR Pro tool.
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Hi.
How do I make an HDR picture i Aperture. I have seen videos on youtube but they were doing it so fast.
I know that I have to take several pictures with diff. shutterspeed

Allansteff,
Welcome to the user-supported Aperture discussion forum. You should read the [Terms of use|http://discussions.apple.com/help.jspa] that Apple requests we abide by.
How do I make an HDR picture i Aperture
As far as I know, Aperture doesn't support any HDR formats. You can tone-map an HDR image generated from an external program and then import that into Aperture. What I generally do is stack the "component" photos in Aperture. (I stack them so I have all the associated photos together.) Then I use my external program to merge the photos and tone-map them to produce a JPG. I import that JPG and stack it with the component photos, making the new one the stack pick. Then I compare the well-exposed photo with the HDR tone-mapped one to see if I actually did something worthwhile.
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[Apple - Aperture - Plug-ins|http://www.apple.com/aperture/resources/plugins.html#editing]
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difficult to reproduce. But it might be a data conversion problem.
e.g. try
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3. Consider upgrading to Photoshop CS6, which auto-saves your work in the background. I'm not sure whether it would have recovered the data in your particular case, but it's possible.
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Posted form Spain

Making an HDR document Aperture-Photoshop workflow experiment, any takers?

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