[Macworld]

Post your comments for A photographer's workflow for the iPad here

[va_lemon]

Is it possible to import just the JPEG if you're shooting JPEG+RAW? I'm like to come up with a workflow where I can shoot RAW with my Canon 5D Mark II, backup to a portable drive like the HyperDrive, then use the iPad to view what I've shot. Storing 21MP RAW files on the iPad will quickly eat away storage on a multiple day trip.

[DerrickStory]

In terms of being able to only import Jpegs to the iPad when shooting Jpeg+Raw, I haven't found a way to do that. So, if you have large Raw files that you want to manage with an iPad, you'll need the 64 GB version, and you'll have to offload the Raws regularly. I think over time, we will have more control. But just like the early days of the iPhone, you have to use workarounds in the beginning.

[tony_d]

Can the DropBox App see the images in the Photo App? I would like to use DropBox as a way to move my images to the cloud and then be on my Mac at home at the same time. Just want to use the iPad as way to look at the images (the screen is better than the little LCD on my Nikon) and keep an extra copy in the cloud.

This post has been edited by tony_d: 09 June 2010 - 08:27 AM

[kitm]

Funny, I was just about to research this. I'm hoping to get an ipad for an upcoming trip to London so that I can avoid taking my MacBook. So I should probably get an image harddrive backup system as well. What do you suggest?

Cheers,

Kit

[DerrickStory]

Kit, if you shoot a lot of photos, and use Raw, you'll probably be happier with both an iPad and an image hard drive backup. Your other option would be extra memory cards so you don't have to erase any images... keeping in mind, that with the iPad you can selectively choose which pictures you upload via the Camera Connection Kit. It comes down to what you can afford and which approach best suits your needs.

[kitm]

Hi Derrick,

That's what I plan but was looking for recommendations on image hard drive backups....

Thanks,

Kit

[SFrawley]

I got the 64G model specifically in anticipation of the photo requirements. A single concert has, on occasion, generated over 2K shots. I hope to be able to present a slideshow of my nephew's wedding the same day, but haven't found a package that will allow me to do selective slideshows of an import.
Is anybody aware of a current App that will allow minimal post-processing (crop and selection of keepers) for a slideshow without round-tripping to the Mac and back?
With my VGA out to my projector and external speakers, it would be nice to do a slideshow with tunes to play while I am off taking more shots.

[owmyheadhurts]

I wonder when we will be able to shoot wirelessly to the iPad?

[mich8261]

Derrick, the main piece I see missing here is the ability to rate images on the iPad and have that rating carry into iPhoto or Aperture. I would love to see an Aperture Lite app, but I imagine that what I list above could be accomplished in the existing native photo app. I'd love to hear what you think.

[lakes98]

One thing I see lacking in any scenario I've read is how long it takes to get an 8G 30MB/s card (example) onto the iPad and then how long it takes to get it back off. A real world test would be helpful vs theoretical speculation. Any takers?

[3Dlabrat]

I've been using a 64GB iPad to back-up and view my photos for a couple of weeks. I've mostly shot RAW, and these have all been short, limited shooting excursions. The one time I tried it, my cameara (Panasonic LX2) was excruciatingly slow to transfer the pictures via USB, and I decided to cancel the import. The SD dongle was lightning fast. I haven't tried a dedicated card reader plugged into the USB to see if it's as fast, since I haven't shot anything on a CF card yet.

Currently, the photo app on the iPad is of little use other than to back-up and view photos. You can access the photos via a third-party app to do something more with them, but you can't even do basic things like organize into events, rate the photos, or add key words. I hope that this sort of functionality will be coming in a future software update.

[newuser1980]

one thing i never understand is that how hard does it to make the SD card reader built-in to ipad? now nearly every family or everyone has atleast one digital camera, so it is not seldom use item, i just can't stand to have piece of plastic that stick out the ipad, it is totally against minimalist.

or steve job never shoot photo?

[DerrickStory]

A basic theme we see in any discussion around this workflow, is the shortage of tools that we're used to using on our Macs. Tasks such as rating our photos, adding IPTC data, easily authoring slideshows, etc. just aren't there... yet.

By Mac standards, this is indeed a primitive workflow. But I think things will evolve quickly. For me personally, I get the most that I can out of the iPad now, then turn to my MacBook Pro as needed. It will be interesting to see how that balance shifts, if at all, in the coming months.