As a Landscape Photographer and a professional Editor, I encounter many people who still venture out to learn Apple professional products. Some will ask me, “Should I learn Final Cut X?” or “Should I use Aperture or Lightroom?”
My Answer is always No.
As a professional, and especially if you’re an agency looking to get into Apple software, you should look elsewhere. Here is why.
1. Aperture
Remember Aperture? Many people still use it. Unfortunately, Apple just announced they’ll be discontinuing it. This is infuriating and depressing to many, I’m sure. I know a lot of people who loved it; even Chase Jarvis was a big-time Aperture user.
Now, users are left with either Capture One or Lightroom. Or what the abominations Photos for OSX will be, which is the software designated to replace it.
2. Final Cut Pro
Remember that fiasco? Apple destroyed what was the best software editing application at the time, in attempts to revolutionize non-linear editing. Well, all they really did was create pro iMovie, rebrand it, and slap on a user interface that was such an ass backward from anything anyone was used to that it was impossible to conform to without learning all over again.
I can bet you, in the next few years, Apple will discontinue FCPX as well.
3. Shake
Remember that awesome compositing software that everybody loved that Apple bought and then discontinued?
Yep, Apple has a track record of taking professional apps, then discontinuing them or changing them into something that sucks. Why? Because Apple only really wants to make iPhones and iPads. That’s what makes them the money, and if their software isn’t in line with that ecosystem, you can bet it will be discontinued and changed into something else.
I could have expanded this list if I wanted. They’ve killed a few other programs and disabled many others. Like with the way Qmaster works with compressor. Goodbye, multicore rendering in the compressor. And I don’t even bother using Logic anymore because I know that will be dead soon.
So, if you’re looking to build a new computer or learn software to become a professional photographer or editor, I highly recommend going with Adobe. Apple’s professional products cannot be trusted.
Love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment.
