Does anyone use iPhoto in their workflow?

[Roger M]

I'm in the first stages of developing my workflow for my S2. I'd like to simplify the number of software titles used, and integrate iPhoto- if it makes sense. I have iPhoto, iView, and Photoshop 7(in addition to the Fuji stuff)

I shoot RAW and higher res jpegs for pro work typically, and lower res jpegs for snapshots and the like. I'd like to create a workflow and archiving system that will work for the different file types. "Ease of use factor" is important. As someone who is slow on the organizational front, this task is daunting and their are so many choices...

I'd appreciate any one's ideas, logic and resources that have been helpful.I have a G5 on the way and I'd like to get something figured out in the next week or so.

Thanks folks

[easternherp]

Hi Roger M,

My preference would be ditch iphoto if you have photoshop as it isn't as powerful. You will need to upgrade to 8 when it comes out to take full advantage of the G5.
If you don't need the performance of photoshop then use iphoto. Have a try with them both and see what you prefer.

[okidoki]

NO NO NO...
If you like me like to keep it neat and clean on your can do not use IPhoto.
It creates a million extra files, horrible...
I have not found anything that works 100% for me yet but the FinePix Viewer lets me rotate with ease and PS has the action tabs so that I can create Batch operations. (If you don't know what this is search for a tutorial online).

Timo

[Roger M]

Thanks for the responses folks, let me clarify my question a bit. I don't intend to use iphoto as an image editor, I'll stick with PS7 for that. I'm just wondering if it has a place as an image browser or archiving application ? Thanks

[apb]

http://www.iview-multimedia.com/
IView Media Pro is the best solution I have found - reasonably intuitive, generous demo period, supports many formats (including RAF with preview of the EXIF jpeg), runs better than FinePix Viewer, Photoshop's Browser and IPhoto.

There are a few bugs, and oddities, but pretty damn solid.

The main complaint is speed - this directly related to the use of Quicktime to preview images. The thumbnails are stored in catalog file, but preview images are generated on the fly.

cheers

andy batt

[okidoki]

I will give this a try, have heard about it.

I understood that you were not going to use IPhoto as a editor, still it is not a program that I would recommend at all.

Timo

[StormChaser]

I've been using iPhoto for a while know and its got about 5500 photo's wich take up about 40Gb. Its easy to work with and easy to catalog, burn cd or dvd, slide-show etc I must agree its not the fastest program, but I found it very stable. I keep everything cataloged in iPhoto and then pick it up in PS7 with the imagebrowser whenever I need it.

Works great for me.

[ianmcc]

My vote goes for iView. I use it for very fast preview of RAW files. Of course it read anything else, virtually any other image format, audio, video etc..

i use mine to create customized HTML galleries for my clients to view online.

I just upgraded to 2.0 and they now have a free viewer program you can give to your clients to view your catalogs.


definitely try the demo out

[AndreK]

I use iMatch from www.photools.com. This is a great product which does lossless rotating of JPG's and displays RAW with Exif info. I have three defined shortcuts under the use tools menu which by right clicking the image will open it in PS or start the EX converter. It might have a little steep learning curve but once you got a hang of it you'll never go back.

It features a thumbnail database which mean you can archive your images and still have the tumb on your computer. When trying to open an off-line image it will ask you for the media it's on.

I'm not connected in any way with photools but have been down the same road before to make the workflow easier.

Check it out. They have a 30day trail version.

[ianmcc]

Also before you buy anything, you might want to look at the new Photoshop version CS,.. the file browser is much improved as well you get the RAW plugin,... so browsing RAF files is easier,..