Aperture vs Lightroom vs Elements

jpragsdale

Senior Member
Hello,

I realize this topic has been somewhat covered previously, but I wanted to add a new twist to it. I am relatively new to photography and photo editing and am also a Mac owner. I am trying to decide between the 3 suites listed above. Of course, I would like a tool that will assist me in making powerful edits while not having a huge learning curve.

Can anyone offer any guidance? I appreciate your input!
 
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teejay

Senior Member
So I'm pretty new to this game, I have CS5 and Lightroom and 99% of the time only use Lightroom. I know you didn't mention Photoshop but I love Lightroom.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Aperture is, as far as I know, the Apple equivalent of lightroom. It's basically a great way to sort and to the basic editing of raw files and jpegs. If you want to do serious image improvement, Photoshop is the thing. You can use layers and make adjustments to only selected parts of the image. You can also do this with Aperture, but in a more limited way.

I'd say start with Aperture since it is the less expensive one of the bundle and you'll see if it does all you need.
 

RickSawThat

Senior Member
I am a MAC guy and started by using Aperture and have really liked it. Now using PhotoShop CS4 more and learning that but would love to try out Lightroom with all the positive recommendations it gets.
 

RickSawThat

Senior Member
You have all inspired me and now I have downloaded the trial version of Lightroom :) so then the question coems up when my trials run out do I get the paid version of CNX2 or Lightroom? (on a Mac running OSX Lion)
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
You have all inspired me and now I have downloaded the trial version of Lightroom :) so then the question coems up when my trials run out do I get the paid version of CNX2 or Lightroom? (on a Mac running OSX Lion)

Speaking as a Mac and PC user that has tried Aperture, Capture NX2, Lightroom, Photoshop and a ton of other apps. . . I do most of my work with Lightroom.
 

silvertip

Senior Member
If you are a student or employee of a school (public or private high schools and universities), you may be able to get LR3 at a very good discount.
 
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