Hello,

As I've said before, I never really used AF because I prefered my old manual lenses so I need to learn how to use it. I've just read the manual that explains the difference between AUTO - SEL - CENTRE.

I don't really see the difference between the three. As long as you find your focus point, then it keeps the focus locked as long as you have the shutter release half way down, yeah?

Which AF mode do you usually use and if you use more than one, in which case would you change?

Also, what do you use the AF button on the back of the camera for?

Hello Roger,

Welcome to this forum. I've only been a member for 3 days but I can already tell you that the people here are very welcoming. I've already asked a gazillion of questions and everyone has been kind and helpful to me.



Same here. Got my first SLR for Xmas when I was 16 (I never asked for one; it was my dad's idea) and I've never stopped clicking since. Well, it's not entirely true... Ever since I graduated from University and moved to France, I haven't had access to a darkroom and professional developing is so expensive that I haven't been photographing much in the last 4-5 years.

I just bought my first d-SLR Friday and I'm very happy with it.

Thank you for the link to your album. I really like your photos. You have done some really nice architecture shots but I also like your other photos, whether it's animals or humans. They are very warm and loving and there's lots of humour in them which is something I'm fond of.

Your photograph of Notre-Dame (well... I think it's ND) is amazing!

Yes, yes, yes! Me too! I'd love to see the results!

Beautiful!!!

There's an eerie feel to it and I must say I like that. I also love the sharpness! I can't believe this comes from a sigma lens (I had a dreadful experience with a sigma lens once).

Ok, I did that and it worked. I tried looking in the Aperture's help menu and it says I have to save the image in photoshop. In which location do I save it? The changes I did in photoshop never appeared in aperture.

The more I play with aperture, the more I like what it can do but at the same time the more I don't know how to use it... if that makes any sense!?!

I looked for training on Apple's website and in France, a 2-day Aperture training costs 800€

Is it possible that in the trial version it is impossible to export an image into photoshop? Because in my image menu, the function to do tha is unavailable...

Thanks for your help, I did find everything.

It is possible to do duotone. The option is located right underneth the B/W function. In French they call it "couleur monochrome" (perhaps monochrome colour in English). I don't think it supports pantone colours like photoshop but you would only really need that for professional printing.

You are absolutely right; I'm starting to see this as I'm playing with aperture.


This is amazing! It must be much faster than doing automation in photoshop. I got to learn how to do this! I've found the video tutorials but I've only watched the first two.


Oh la la!!!!! Really?! I don't do any saves in photoshop? No export? Nothing?!? I've got to try that!


I've got to learn more about that because I don't see the differences between some features. What's the difference between légende, keyword, etc... etc... I will figure it out on my own because it's all French terminology.

Don you've been soooooo helpful! I was about to stop using it without realizing all the wonderful features aperture has.

May I abuse of your time just a little more and ask 2 questions (if you don't have time I truly understand).

1. I understand that my "original" RAW image is never altered but I'd like to keep the RAW image and next to it a copy where I can tweak the levels, etc... That way I could compare. I would also like to have 1 colour and then 1 B/W.

2. Speaking of B/W, what is the best way to make a B/W in aperture? A sepia or blue tone image? Is it possible to to duotone like in photoshop?

Thank you so much for all your help!

Don, you are a STAR!!!!!!

I see... I never used a light table in that way when I was doing traditional photography (but then again I only shot 35mm). I would just use it sometimes to look at my negs & just put my prints on a table to decide on the sequencing.

It makes sense but I "just" have a 17" Macbook pro and no extra monitor so I guess it's not going to cut it for me. (Mind you, I LOVE my MacBook and the fact that I can use it anywhere)


No, no and no.
I've seen them in tutorials but I haven't found them in Aperture. It may be because my aperture version is in French. I live in France and my hubby is French so I use French software. It isn't a problem for Photoshop because I know where everything is but I suppose it's trickier with new software.

Ok... Ok... I'll still test it a little more before giving it up.

Hmmm... I've been testing both aperture and lightroom tonight but I can't decide on which I prefer.

I love aperture's loup while I like Lightroom's B/W button.

To tell you the truth, I find both software complicated and I don't really understand how they work. Because I use iLife it is somewhat simpler to use Aperture but I don't really know what to do with it. I feel like it was much easier to manipulate images in photoshop; especially using curves and levels. Plus I miss using the dodge/burn tool.

Does anyone know what the lightbox is used for in Aperture?