Customer Reviews

Aperture 3: Portable Genius

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There do not appear to be as many books available for Aperture 3 as there are for some other photo programs. The local book store had three, and the public library had two of them. After checking out both books and spending several hours with each, this one appeared to be more helpful. I read the book, took lots of notes, and then downloaded the trial version of the program from Apple. I have since purchased Aperture 3 on the Mac App Store, and have purchased this book for reference and problem solving. The book has been very helpful in learning to use the program and I highly recommend it. Lots of tips and many screen shots to illustrate what the author is talking about. On occasion, the screen shots can be small and difficult to read, but for the most part they are very useful. Many books of this type, teaching photo software, can be pricey. This one is a real bargain.

This book is well-organized and very clearly written. I had been looking for a solid reference to get me started in Aperture as I transition from photo hobbyist to part-time professional. This book does an excellent job of presenting the information I needed in an easy-to-access way, and answered some questions I'd had for quite some time as I'd been muddling through Aperture myself. I started out using this book as a quick reference when I needed a solution to a problem I was facing, but I've since read through it from start to finish, and have become much more proficient with Aperture as a result. Now that this book has trained me in the basics, to help my Aperture knowledge keep growing I'd love a second Aperture book that follows the same formula as this author team's other great book, Photoshop CS5 for Nature Photographers: A Workshop in a Book.

I've been using Aperture since it first came out and my main complaint has been the lack of "coaching" material other than Apple's help site and one or two other sources. The Anon's earlier books were helpful but did not address Aperture 3 issues. While the text is clear and concise, the illustrations add a measure of comprehension needed to effectively use this program. All user's of Aperture 3, beginning or experienced, will find a wealth of helpful material which will make the Aperture experience more rewarding. In my own case, I have recently been working on photographing flat art which requires color control. I was able to find the answer to my questions quickly using a well laid out index which directed me to the exact page which explained what to do. I recommend this volume to anyone who needs a text on how to use Aperture 3 or anyone who needs a reference book to address problems as they arise.

For fans of Apple's Aperture photo management program, comes "Aperture 3: Portable Genius" from Wiley, and while the program is less of a photo processing product, there are chapters devoted to the features within Aperture that provide photo adjustments. The main benefit of the program is, as mentioned, photo management and the book covers the basics as well as the all important chapter on workflow within Aperture which can sometimes be confusing. If nothing else, the book should save you a trip to the Apple store's famed Genius Bar.

I have been using PS Elements for years and recently switched to a Mac and starting using iPhoto, which was
easy and useful, but I needed more enhancement features so I moved up to Aperture 3.
The "portable genius" manual looked good from the online reviews, but I found it to be unhelpful, even with careful reading and highlighting text.
Almost half the book discussed technical aspects and jargon that might be useful to those using high-end image manipulation software or those who moved up from Aperture 2.
What I was looking for was a workflow approach that gave me the practical skills to quickly start to use the image enhanced features ("Adjustments")...like the "Dummies" series or the terrific PS Elements books by Scott Kelby...this was not to happen.
Many of the images are too small to easily see the tiny "boxes" on the screen shots, and the authors frequently wandered into giving too much info, rather than practical hints.
I would not recommend this book for beginners at all, and have not seen any books giving practical advice to new Aperture users. The best bet is to sign up for the Apple Store one-on-one courses.

The book is a very good introduction and workflow for Aperture 3. It should clear up details about the program and set up a good workflow. Where the books fails in the screen shots. The images are far too small to be of any use. You would think that the editors would realize that a screen capture measuring 1.25 inches by 1.25 inches is too small to identify which badge the image is showing. Even with a magnifying glass you cannot determine what badge is shown. I realize that having larger examples would add pages to the book, but in it's current version many screenshots are totally useless.

Aperture is a creative program that hides its technological underpinnings. The authors know so much about the details the of the program that they are unable to see Aperture as a newcomer would. The best technical writers are able to digest their information and render it in lay terms. For instance, "iPhoto '11, the missing manual," by David Pogue and Lesa Snider is also about an Apple photo-editing program. But the authors are able to clearly and concisely translate the bits and bytes into accessible, everyday English. The mother-and-son team behind "Aperture 3," a volume in the Portable Genius series, fails.

This guidebook purports to be "fun" and "hip." Believe me, it is not.

The authors also offer discounts for the purchase of certain software. This raises a huge warning flag in my mind as to whether they have a stake in the success of that software.

There is a lot in Aperture I never would have figured out without some help. Apple's help manual is of limited value and very boring. This book seems well organized. Explanations are clear and illustrated with lots of photos. If Aperture will do it, this book will probably show how.

This book helped me learn about the features of Aperture 3. Leaned everything from techniques for adjusting pictures, how they are stored on the Mac, and how to print. Very useful, glad I purchased the book. Useful resource and reference guide.

The book is a good reference for Aperture 3. I have learned some techniques which were not taught in online training.