Thomas Kyhn shares his experience with Peakto, explaining how the software transformed his approach to architectural photography. With a collection of approximately 87,000 images, his Capture One catalog grew increasingly sluggish, resulting in slow search times and delays in basic actions like switching tool tabs. Attempts to use Photo Mechanic Plus as an alternative were unsuccessful due to its inability to display variants or virtual copies. Peakto provided the solution, keeping Capture One running smoothly as his photo collection continued to expand.
Meet Thomas Kyhn: A Tech Enthusiast Turned Architectural Photographer
Thomas Kyhn began his photography journey in 2005 when he received his first DSLR camera. Initially drawn to photography without a clear direction, he was motivated by the allure of capturing images and experimenting with both hardware and software. Over time, Thomas developed a particular focus: photographing architecture and the built environment. This shift was driven by a desire to document the ever-changing landscape of buildings “as buildings change and disappear all the time“, he says. He became captivated by the aesthetics of architecture—precise perspectives, geometric forms, and the interplay of materials and textures.
Today, he stores more than 87,000 images from his collection in Peakto, primarily dedicated to 20th-century architecture.
Peakto: Thomas’s Solution to Keep Capture One Smooth Despite a Growing Library
Thomas switched from Lightroom to Capture One four to five years ago, drawn to its superior image quality and support for layers, which he found more beneficial for his architectural photography. However, as his catalog in Capture One grew, he encountered significant limitations. The application struggled with large files, becoming increasingly sluggish and making it difficult to navigate his extensive collection. Thomas recounts, highlighting how simple actions could be delayed by seconds.
This experience highlighted the need for a dedicated photo management tool that could streamline his workflow and enhance productivity. It was then that Thomas discovered Peakto, the solution to manage and organize his vast photo collections efficiently.
Centralized Search, GPS Data, and Smart Albums: The Benefits of Peakto for Thomas
1. Centralized Search to Browse Through Your Images
By incorporating Peakto into his workflow, Thomas effectively organizes his vast collection of images. His favorite feature of Peakto is its ability to browse and search the contents of his Capture One catalogs, including variants, seamlessly. This functionality significantly improves how he interacts with his images, allowing for efficient organization through albums and smart albums that span across different catalogs.
The benefits of Peakto extend beyond mere searchability. Thomas utilizes keywords, color tags, and GPS metadata to maintain a detailed organization system. “I organize image files in folders named by dates and places. I use keywords to keep track of what’s what—e.g., names of buildings, architects, and locations,” he explains. This meticulous approach ensures easy access to essential information and enhances his workflow, allowing him to focus on his passion for architectural photography.
2. Creating Smart Albums to Organize Your Projects
Since integrating Peakto, Thomas has experienced a marked improvement in efficiency. One of the standout features of Peakto is its ability to create albums and smart albums that span multiple Capture One catalogs. This capability is particularly valuable for Thomas, as it allows him to organize his images more effectively across different projects and themes without the limitations imposed by a single catalog.
3. Keywords and GPS Coordinates to Reference Locations
The map feature in Peakto has enriched his organizational process, enabling spatial referencing for his architectural photography.
In addition to these features, Thomas has developed a meticulous organizational strategy for his images. “I organize image files in folders named by dates and places,” he explains. He employs keywords to track important information—such as names of buildings, architects, and locations—along with descriptions when keywords are insufficient. Color tags help him distinguish between different groups of images, while GPS metadata plays a crucial role in his architectural photography, as it allows him to reference locations accurately.
By combining these tools, Thomas can maintain a cohesive structure within his extensive collection, facilitating quick access to images and enhancing his creative workflow.
Enhancing Creativity Through Effective Photo Management
Thomas Kyhn’s journey from a casual photography enthusiast to a dedicated architectural photographer highlights the importance of effective photo management tools. With around 87,000 images, his primary destination is his archive, though he also sells some of his work. Recently, he started sharing his photos on the beta version of the Foto app under the username thomaskyhn and on Instagram.
As he embarks on a collaboration with a Danish architect/photographer, Thomas looks forward to having more of his work in print and used for documentary purposes.
Through Peakto, he has streamlined his workflow, allowing more time to focus on capturing the beauty of the built environment.
