Photo Mechanic?
Dec 2, 2020 03:26:53 #
Years ago when digital was fairly young and I was only slightly old, the company used a program called Photo Mechanic that I found handy for quickly reviewing and sorting photos. After leaving that job, I just used the Mac photo program, then gradually moved to Lightroom and Photoshop. But I still remember how easy the basic first processing step was with PM. What do y'all think of PM? Still easy to use? Also, while researching this I got to a site called allmacworld.com that is offering a free download of Photo Mechanic 6. That's a whole lot better than buying it but I'm suspicious and don't want to get hacked or whatever. So what does everyone think or know: legit site or better steer clear?
Dec 2, 2020 06:48:36 #
I use PM as my front end for just about everything(Metadata, GPS, etc.). I then send my photos to LR. It's easy, quick and I can cull the unwanted much faster than when using LR. I would get the trial from PM and pay the one time cost for the program (Current version 6 Build 5378). If you had a license at some time you may still be in the database and may be pleasantly surprised.
Dec 2, 2020 06:51:48 #
Best guess; free download doesn't mean free version and it would be a trial version. However I no nothing about allmacworld.com, its just in most cases this is what I have found.
Dec 2, 2020 06:54:08 #
I use PhotoMechanic to view my pics and delete mistakes then I use it ingest the keepers onto my remote drives in dated files. My last step is to go through the ingested file and import what I want to work further with into LightRoom Classic. I am happy with PM in that I get to see my shots quickly and I can zoom in to check focus. It is a bit pricy, and is updated very frequently by the developer.
Dec 2, 2020 07:45:03 #
I like Faststone Image Viewer for my needs and wants. Some quick editing can be done there. And can transfer to Photoshop or what ever program you want to use for further work.
Dec 2, 2020 07:59:33 #
cedymock wrote:
Best guess; free download doesn't mean free version and it would be a trial version. However I no nothing about allmacworld.com, its just in most cases this is what I have found.
Right. That was my first though. "Free" is being used too freely. Imagine if companies charged to download the program and then charged again to use it. Whoops! I think I just gave them an idea. Sorry.
Dec 2, 2020 16:38:55 #
achesley wrote:
I like Faststone Image Viewer for my needs and wants. Some quick editing can be done there. And can transfer to Photoshop or what ever program you want to use for further work.
Had not heard of that. I'll look into it. Thanks
Dec 2, 2020 16:40:53 #
So if they suddenly start adding another charge, we should all just forward our bills to you, right? 
Dec 2, 2020 16:44:05 #
AFPhoto wrote:
I use PhotoMechanic to view my pics and delete mistakes then I use it ingest the keepers onto my remote drives in dated files. My last step is to go through the ingested file and import what I want to work further with into LightRoom Classic. I am happy with PM in that I get to see my shots quickly and I can zoom in to check focus. It is a bit pricy, and is updated very frequently by the developer.
Yeah, the price gives me pause, but I really want something where I can review my unedited images, weed out the truly awful ones, and if there are any left figure out where I want to file them.
Dec 3, 2020 08:23:41 #
Gallopingphotog wrote:
Years ago when digital was fairly young and I was ... (show quote)
I'm a heavy shooter, and have found Photo Mechanic invaluable in quickly paring down a large number of files to a more manageable number and then do a final edit in Photoshop. Don't know anything about allmacworld.com, but PhotoMechanic software itself is wonderful.
If your SOOC files are good enough you can select files on the initial contact sheet and crop and resize them to a separate folder at the size and quality you want, without changing the original file.
The feature set is extensive, with many more options than I use, as testament to the many journalists and sportshooters who swear by PM.
Highly recommended.
Marshall
Dec 3, 2020 08:41:17 #
Bigmike1
Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.
If you download it you will find that you can't use it until you either buy it or pay a fee to rent it. I got caught downloading a free photo editing program and then found that I could pay a monthly fee to use it. I quickly deleted it. The download is always free. The aftershock comes quickly.
Dec 3, 2020 08:59:37 #
I think PhotoMechanic is a great tool and well worth the price which is a small fraction of the total cost of digital photography as a hobby. They periodically have sales which make it a real bargain.
Dec 3, 2020 09:45:42 #
G. Crook
Loc: Linden, TX
Gallopingphotog wrote:
i have a iMac and use its built in photo program to delete my"junk". Insert my SD card, click import all new and my photos show up immediately. Scroll through and delete, then go to edit, Luminar 4 in my case. Can't get much simpler than that.Years ago when digital was fairly young and I was ... (show quote)
Dec 3, 2020 10:41:20 #
achesley wrote:
I like Faststone Image Viewer for my needs and wants. Some quick editing can be done there. And can transfer to Photoshop or what ever program you want to use for further work.
I also use Faststone. It is like a free PM, and it works great. No need to pay for PM, which is a very good program. FYI, I am a pro for over four decades in the biz and have used PM for years when my newspaper offered it to us free. Now that I am freelancing, I prefer not to pay for PM, so I use Faststone. Cheers
Dec 3, 2020 10:52:07 #
Gallopingphotog wrote:
Years ago when digital was fairly young and I was ... (show quote)
You've already moved to Lightroom. Why go backwards unless you are not happy with LR. you can do it all from LR. after adding your photos to the library, you can quickly go through them and mark the culls with an X, then select all the marked ones and delete. Then edit the rest as needed. If you used an older version the new one is only $10/mo.
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