Simplify your workflow with Aperture’s export feature

Aperture is not only a great tool for organizing your images, but it also sports a powerful export feature. Export options include:

• application of an sRGB or AdobeRGB color space
• resizing for web (e.g., 640×640 pixels)
• watermarking with your personal copyright
• automatic or custom file naming
• save as .jpg, .tiff, .png, .psd
• resize and attach to email (small, medium, large file sizes)

Any of these features can be combined into custom export profiles. This allows you to quickly export multiple versions of the same image with slightly different characteristics. You may, for example, want to export a full size AdobeRGB .tiff version to your backup folder, a 640×640 sRGB watermarked .jpg version for uploading to your web gallery, and a medium size image formatted for emailing to an editor or client.

Ah, but there’s more. Thanks to a number of available plug-ins, you can also export directly to stock, microstock, and online gallery sites. Options include:

• iStockphoto
• Fotolia
• Flickr
• pBase
• PhotoShelter Personal Archive

If you haven’t yet explored the export feature, give it a shot. It may soon become one of your favorite tools!

Technorati Tags: Aperture, export, workflow, image management, photography

My basic Aperture workflow

I’ve been using Apple’s Aperture software to manage my image library for almost a year now. My original workflow involved importing and keywording images in Aperture followed by editing and adjusting selected images with Photoshop Elements (using Aperture’s “roundtrip” feature). With the Aperture 2.0 update, however, I find that I am able to accomplish most of my basic edits/adjustments within Aperture itself. My basic workflow looks something like this:

1. Import all images from media card(s) into an Aperture project
2. Use the quick preview option to scan images and select rejects
3. Rank 3,4, and 5 star images
4. Place duplicates and similar images into stacks
5. Add metadata (keywords, copyright, caption, etc.) to select images
6. Make necessary adjustments to white balance, exposure, etc.
7. Edit images as necessary (crop, remove dust spots, etc.)
8. Export watermarked versions for web
9. Export full size jpg versions for uploading to stock sites
10. Back up database

Technorati Tags: Aperture, DAM, digital workflow