[Randy]

Is it a something like iPhoto or what?

[Toka]

Aperture is a pro-level photo application...so yes, its like iPhoto, in a sense. But much, much more involved (in a good way, assuming you are into that sort of thing).

[Randy]

Thanks. New Mac upgraded from circa 2000 iMac. So much to learn. Just starting digital photography as well.

[dB Cooper]

Aperture has a lot of good features but if you are just getting into digital photo-ing, I'd learn iPhoto to lay the groundwork first. For starters, it's free with the computer. Starting with Aperture is like learning to drive in a Ferrari.

[Toka]

Aperture has a lot of good features but if you are just getting into digital photo-ing, I'd learn iPhoto to lay the groundwork first. For starters, it's free with the computer. Starting with Aperture is like learning to drive in a Ferrari.

Very true. The included iLife software is amazing, and if you need to take another step you have options for that (whether it be Aperture, Logic, Final Cut, etc.). But those are not at all "learn as you go", so start with iLife first.

[TONEPUB]

Aperture is a high end photo program that will help you catalog and sort
large numbers of photos quickly.

I've always found Aperture pretty cumbersome to use, especially since
I shoot in RAW mode, not JPEG, and don't have that many photos to sort
from any given shoot.

If I were a wedding, event or sports photographer where you come
back from a shoot with thousands of images to sort and categorize
quickly, I know it would be of more use to me.

I usually use the Browse function in Photoshop.

Keep in mind Aperture is not really intended as an image editing
tool, it's capabilities are very minimal there. 

[dB Cooper]

Except for lacking support for layers, Aperture 2 is a pretty capable editor, much more than v1. I am lukewarm towards anything that is a closed format however.

[Upstateaudio]

I personally prefer Lightroom, which is Adobe's equivalent product over Aperture.