peterD

I still use Aperture which I really like for 95% of my workflow but I realize that I need to replace it eventually. I  simply do not like LR  or Capture 1 and do not want to get stuck on a subscription based app. Apple Photos is simply junk and would never consider it. Ill wait until I see something I like and originally thought AP included a Dam, hopefully one is in the works.

I was initially excited about AP, however, it's not working for me and how I previously used Aperture 3. I 'm a wildlife photographer and need better tools, more  tools and more efficient tools to effectively edit my images.
 
I should point out that I can edit most of my images better and quicker in Aperture so AP for my workflow would be very limited, however my hopes were that AP could have been so much better and a viable alternative to Aperture's editing features  and for this reason I'm being critical of AP interface. The lack of selective editing brushes is in itself almost a deal breaker for me. I realize it's in beta but I would assume also that what we are currently using will not significantly change. My initial hope and wishful thinking was that this would become more Apple Aperture (editing) like but it's now clear to me that is is simply a streamlined version of Photoshop. Little things like adjustment window modules... To save an edit, one must click merge on the far left rather than, imo, the intuitive way would be on the far right or simply press return."Merge'? Why so cutesy? Sorry but save would be so much better. Little things like this make a huge difference when I have hundreds of images to process. 
 
In my workflow I edit animals and mainly birds. The sharpen/unsharpen brush does not do it for me. The lack of "Definition" like adjustments is yet another deal breaker for me. The over complicated and virtually meaningless "More" window module and the General, Dynamics, and Texture are, well again making a simple thing unnecessarily complex and oh so much like PS.
 
The masking mode simply does not work well enough for me. I have used and will continue to use Perfect Photo Suite 8, Perfect Mask or even CS6. For me the masking refine mode does not work well enough for me capture fine detail nor does the add/delete brush work very well for me. Again remember I don't mask out sharp contrasts for which any masking tool word work
 
Why not something simple and hugely effective like Aperture sharpening brush and with the adjustment slider, same as with many editing tools in Aperture, Shadows, Highlights, etc etc etc.
 
If i'm sounding critical, I am as I need efficiency not eye-candy nor reinventing intuitive terminology. All this editing should be simple and straightforward but it's  not working for me.  I understand that perhaps for landscapes or other genres it could work. I miss all those Aperture editing tools and their link with adjustment sliders. The ability to readjust selective edits at anytime in the future is as in Aperture is hard for me to lose. Yes, I understand that AP is not a File Management/editing but why not? 
As a standalone basic photo editor and at a reasonable price point, It can be useful to some ,however, unless it resembles the effective and intuitive Apple IU it is just another photoshop alternative.