The Digital Story Photography Podcast

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,038, Feb. 10, 2026. Today's theme is, "Lightroom Mobile's Insane Scene Enhance Tool for Auto Masking." I'm Derrick Story. Regardless of which Lightroom you have, it has impressive auto masking features. Classic and Desktop versions let you choose between basic elements like Subject, Sky, and background. But the Mobile version simplifies this even more with its Scene Enhance feature. And that's our top story for this week. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1038 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Lightroom Mobile's Insane Scene Enhance Tool for Auto Masking I stumbled into Scene Enhance on my iPad mini by tapping on the Magic Wand and exploring the panel that appeared after doing so. It had the auto-masking categories that I knew from Desktop and Classic. But there was a category that I did not recognize: Enhance. I tapped on it, and the application commenced to analyze my photo, then presented me with categories based on its analysis. Things like Subject, Background, Sky, Water, Architecture, Natural Ground, and more depending on the elements in the picture. With each element there was an accompanying enhance slider that allowed for adjustment in either direction. For example, I could deepen the sky color and contrast, or I could wash it out. Lightroom automatically created a mask for each of these elements. Adjusting each one individually provided me with a quick start to the picture edit. After hitting the Apply button, I could move on to other adjustments, such at Texture, Clarity, Sharpening, etc. What's really interesting, however, is that if I tap on the Masking icon in the toolbar, all of those masks are available there for further editing. So for the water element, I could decrease the Clarity for a more dreamy effect. I could also fine-tune the mask with a brush, and apply any number of other effects. What's equally impressive, is that I can hop over to Lightroom Desktop and continue working on the image, with all of my masks present. This is just crazy stuff. And for those of us who enjoy image editing on the iPad with an Apple Pencil, this is remarkably powerful. This Week in the News You Won't See Another Super Bowl Ad Like This One as featured on PetaPixel.com Birdfy Feeder Rookie review: light in weight and price, but not in features as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com 15 Pancake Lenses That Make Your Camera Pocket-Friendly as featured on FStoppers.com Virtual Camera Club News Workshops! The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques. This week I want to feature the Becoming a More Creative Photographer online workshop. It's easy to study the technical aspects of photography to improve your camera skills. There are endless books, videos, classes, etc that cover aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, but what about creativity? What techniques can we employ in order to create more compelling and expressive photos? This course will seek to answer those questions. The first session is on March 5, 2026. Online participation begins a week before that. Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today. Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me. Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view. If you're interested in writing for Live...

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,037, Feb. 3, 2026. Today's theme is, "The 5 iPad Photo Apps That I Depend On." I'm Derrick Story. I love my laptop, but I don't want to take it everywhere! Many times these days, I'm toting an iPad mini, compact camera, and my iPhone. Does that mean I can't edit and organize on the go? It does not! And thanks to these 5 mobile apps, I'm fully functional wherever the road takes me. I'll cover them today, and more, on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1037 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In The 5 iPad Photo Apps That I Depend On For most photographers, who don't write about the craft of host a podcast, the first decision to consider is ecosystem: Adobe, Apple, or none. I think Cloud connectivity is important for mobile workflows, so I suggest figuring out which online storage option works best for you - Creative Cloud, iCloud, or something else. That decision also drives your software choices. For Adobe users, Lightroom Mobile is head and shoulders above the competition. It plugs into a great ecosystem that also includes Lightroom Classic and Desktop, has amazing editing tools, and the organization is solid. And even for iCloud users, Lightroom Mobile plays nice and lets you send your favorited edited images to Apple Photos. Speaking of Apple Photos, it is solid, smart, and an excellent hub for iCloud users. The addition of Clean Up brings sweet AI magic to the editing suite, and the app plays very well with many of my favorite programs. One of the application is Nitro that fills the gaps a few notable gaps in Photos, primarily RAW processing. I can open RAW files in Nitro that aren't supported by Apple, edit them, then save them to my Photos library. Nitro had a comprehensive array of editing tools. And if you don't want to be tied to iCloud and the Photos library, it will let you work directly with the Files app that gives you complete control of organization, but is still sharable across devices. If I need top notch noise reduction or sampling up to increase the resolution on the iPad, I turn to Photomator with its sophisticated Denoise and Super Resolution tools. Plus it has a comprehensive editing suite that includes adjustments like Channel Mixer, LUTs, and Monochrome. And like Nitro, Photomator gives you the option to work with the iCloud Photo Library or the Files app. And finally, the Luminar Mobile App has continued to evolve at a rapid pace. In addition to its robust editing tools, it now has AI Enhance, AI Structure, AI Relight, AI Skin and Body, plus Sky Replacement and amazing presets. Full sized edited images can be saved to the Photos Library or smaller versions shared with other apps. I pair these apps with theOM System Tough TG-7, my trusty OM System OM-3, and Fujifilm X100V. So regardless if you have the latest iPad mini, or a larger Apple tablet, these apps are sure to impress, especially when you add an Apple Pencil Pro to the mix. This Week in the News Laowa has a new macro option for Micro Four Thirds users as featured on DPReview.com This TED Talk hilariously shows that the best way to make people care about wildlife is to make them laugh at comedy photos as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com Can a Pocket-Sized Telescope Be a Real Astrophotography Tool? as featured on FStoppers.com Virtual Camera Club News Workshops! The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques. This week I want to feature the Becoming a More Creative Photographer online workshop. It's easy to study the technical aspects of photography to...

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,036, Jan. 27, 2026. Today's theme is, "Step Up, Step Down, Step All Around." I'm Derrick Story. One of the great things about carrying around compact cameras is that you can pack two of them. And the efficiency gets ever better if you can share accessories among them. On the eve of my Mobile Photography Workshop, that's exactly what I'm going to cover today. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1036 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Step Up, Step Down, Step All Around Last week I focused on the OM System Tough TG-7, which I think is a technological wonder, but man does not live by ultra-compact camera alone. So in my everyday bag, along with the TG-7, I have my trusty OM System OM-3. What may surprise you, however, are the lenses and accessories that I carry with it. Because the TG-7 accepts 40.5mm filters using the handsome CLA-T01 Conversion Adapter ($37 on Amazon) or the affordable JJC Conversion Lens Adapter Ring ($9), I have an stash of cool filters for it, such as the K&F CONCEPT 40.5mm Black Diffusion 1/8 Cinematic Effect Filter and the K&F CONCEPT 40.5mm Black Diffusion 1/4 Filter Mist Cinematic Effect Filter with 18 Multi-Layer Coatings ($17.99). These would be fantastic to use with my OM-3. If only I had lenses that accepted 40.5mm filters... The lenses I carry in my everyday kit all have 37mm filter rings: Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f/2.8 Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mm By now, you know the answer to this situation: a 37-40.5mm Step-Up Ring Adapter, two pieces for $6.95 With it, every filter that I carry in my bag - diffuser, polarizer, IR - works on both cameras and all of my lenses. But the efficiency doesn't stop there. My Olympus FL-300R Flash, which is smaller than a deck of cards, offers dedicated programmable exposure with the OM-3, multiple tilting angles, built-in switchable diffusion panel, and two-mode RC wireless connectivity that also works with the TG-7. So I can use it as an off-camera flash with the tough camera, or an on-camera bounce flash with the OM-3. And last, but not least, both cameras can be recharged with a basic USB-C cable. Not bad for a kit that weighs ounces, not pounds. This Week in the News Both Michael Alford and I have cool TG-6/7 articles this week on Live View. Mine is How to Create Dramatic B&W Infrared Photos with an Affordable Compact Camera, and Michael's is, A Remarkable Compact Camera That's Been Hiding in Plain Sight. I think you will enjoy them both. US$1.2 billion Leica sale: Is Andreas Kaufmann preparing to exit? as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com Ricoh GR IV Monochrome already sold out - with additional cameras not expected till March as featured on AmateurPhotographer.com The best waterproof camera in 2026: compact underwater cameras for fun and action as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com Virtual Camera Club News Workshops! The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques. This week I want to feature the Mobile Photography with the iPhone, iPad, and Mirrorless Camera. The iPhone, combined with a compact camera, is a powerful tandem for on-the-go photography. In this online workshop, we will explore how to pull together these devices to build a robust and enjoyable workflow. We start on Wednesday, Jan. 28. I've just put the finishing touches on the 71-page eBook titled, "Mobile Photography with the iPhone, iPad, and Camera." It will be available today to all workshop participants. Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today. Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the...

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,035, Jan. 20, 2026. Today's theme is, "5 Impressive TG-7 Features You May Not Know About." I'm Derrick Story. Our OM System Tough cameras don't get as much attention during the off season. After all, they're designed for our spring - summer - fall adventure trips. But that may change after this podcast when you discover these tips that will keep this wondrous little camera in your pocket all year round. All of that, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1035 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In 5 Impressive TG-7 Features You May Not Know About The OM System Tough TG-7 is amazing for all weather photography - from the pouring rain, to freezing cold, to snorkeling in tropical waters. But it also inherents from Olympus DNA some nifty features that you may not be taking advantage of, at least not yet. Let me show you my 5 favorites. Focus Stacking and Focus Bracketing in Microscope Mode Art Filters and Monochrome Mode Full HD 120 FPS and 4K 30p Movie Recording Mount Filters with the Optional CLA-T01 AdapterCLA-T01 Conversion AdapterJJC Conversion Lens Adapter RingK&F CONCEPT 40.5mm Black Diffusion 1/8 Cinematic Effect Filter Infrared 720nm Photography with Stock CameraGREEN.L 40.5mm IR 720nm (R72) Filter One-Touch Digital Compass, Thermometer, and GPS Readout Add these features to its all-weather toughness and crazy-impressive macro mode, and you have a versatile pocket camera that costs about 1/3 the price of a Ricoh GR IV, and is worthy to be in your pocket all year round. This Week in the News I'm sick and tired of being told to stop taking photos on the street, so I was flabbergasted when a security guard did this! as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com Breaking Leica's monopoly: Ricoh releases GR IV Mono as featured on DPReview.com Peakto 2.6 Tracks Down All Your Duplicate Photos, No Matter Where They Are as featured on PetaPixel.com Virtual Camera Club News Workshops! The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques. This week I want to feature the Mobile Photography with the iPhone, iPad, and Mirrorless Camera. The iPhone, combined with a compact camera, is a powerful tandem for on-the-go photography. In this online workshop, we will explore how to pull together these devices to build a robust and enjoyable workflow. We start on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today. Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me. Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view. If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com. The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear. Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout. The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film...

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,034, Jan. 13, 2026. Today's theme is, "Get Your Photo Trade Show on in 2026." I'm Derrick Story. I was going to start this episode by reporting on the photo news from CES 2026, only to discover there was none. Wow. Fortunately there are some excellent events coming up that will scratch our trade show itch. And I'm going to cover the best ones on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1034 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Get Your Photo Trade Show on in 2026 Here are my calendar-worthy events on tap for 2026. Most of then are in the first part of the year, so if you're interested, I would start planning now. Imaging USA 2026: Premier industry trade show (Nashville, TN, Jan 11-13). The final day is today (Tuesday, Jan. 13), so if you're in the area you can still catch talks and Expo Hall. CP+ (Camera & Photo Imaging Show): "CP+ 2026," the world premiere show for cameras and photo imaging, will be held at PACIFICO Yokohama from Thursday, February 26 to Sunday, March 1, 2026. It features a wide range of exciting programs including new product showcases from leading brands, talk sessions, photo exhibitions, workshops, and ZINE markets. WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International): WPPI 2026 is scheduled for March 1-5, 2026, at The Rio in Las Vegas, featuring keynote speaker Annie Leibovitz and the annual trade show with hands-on gear and industry insights. The event includes conference sessions, the Icon Awards, and the main expo floor, with specific times for registration, the show, and award ceremonies running throughout those dates. The Photography & Video Show: UK event covering gear, business, fine art, 14-17 March 2026 at the NEC Birmingham. The Photography & Video Show is the event for anyone passionate about photography, video or content creation. Thousands of visual storytellers visit over four days to try and buy the latest camera kit and accessories, get tips and inspiration from big names, connect with each other - and enjoy a great day out! BILD Expo: Javits Center, NYC. No announcement yet for 2026, but was in June 2025. Paris Photo: Paris Photo is the world's largest art fair dedicated to photography and image-based art. It has served as a leading platform for over 25 years for the exploration of the medium. (Nov 12-15). This Week in the News Fujifilm's latest Instax instant camera has a new trick: movies as featured on DPReview.com The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Is Not Discontinued in the US as featured on PetaPixel.com Will We Finally See Canon's Retro Camera This Year? as featured on FStoppers.com Virtual Camera Club News Workshops! The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques. This week I want to feature the Mobile Photography with the iPhone, iPad, and Mirrorless Camera. The iPhone, combined with a compact camera, is a powerful tandem for on-the-go photography. In this online workshop, we will explore how to pull together these devices to build a robust and enjoyable workflow. We start on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today. Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me. Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view. If you're interested in writing...

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,033, Jan. 6, 2026. Today's theme is, "I Thought My iPhone Shots Were Fine, Until I Didn't." I'm Derrick Story. As I mentioned last week, my iPhone has saved me countless times. Plus, it's so convenient. So much so, that when I'm working on an article, I often pull it out of my pocket for a few quick illustration snaps. But then, I had an interesting revelation that caused me to recalibrate. I'll share that story on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1033 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In I Thought My iPhone Shots Were Fine, Until I Didn't Here's the story about using my iPhone for product illustrations for an article that I was working on. By chance, I redid a few of the images with my Fujifilm X100V. And boy, did I notice a difference. This Week in the News The Compact Camera Comeback Is Real: Why People Want Dedicated Cameras Again as featured on FStoppers.com "Until a photo is printed, it's just a jumble of binary code buried on a hard drive." It's time to be your own biggest fan and start printing your favorites! as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com Belkin's camera grip power bank is a few upgrades away from being a must-have as featured on TheVerge.com Virtual Camera Club News Workshops! The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques. This week I want to feature the Mobile Photography with the iPhone, iPad, and Mirrorless Camera. The iPhone, combined with a compact camera, is a powerful tandem for on-the-go photography. In this online workshop, we will explore how to pull together these devices to build a robust and enjoyable workflow. We start on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today. And don't forget... This coming Saturday we have our first webinar of the year: How to Make the Most of Your Workshop Experience. 9am Pacific/12 noon Eastern. Only $10 for this event (sign up using the link on our workshops page) or free for Inner Circle Bold Members (send me an email to get on the list). Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me. Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view. If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com. The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear. Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout. The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address. Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an...

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,032, Dec. 30, 2025. Today's theme is, "The Irish Coffee Incident." I'm Derrick Story. We had a tremendous opportunity this holiday season to gather family members from all over to meet at my brother-in-laws house on Christmas Day. To help with the festivities, we all contributed to the event. My job: To set up and run an Irish Coffee bar after the meal. I took my job seriously, but one can't foresee every ramification. And that's what led to a near historical disaster. I'll explain all in the first story of today's podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1032 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In The Irish Coffee Incident In the first segment, I tell the story of the Irish Coffee Incident and our family gathering of 18 at Christmas. This Week in the News I Finally Bought the Peak Design Travel Tripod - My first impressions. Kodak was the unexpected camera comeback king in 2025! as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com Whatever happened to Casio cameras? as featured on AmateurPhotographer.com Brightin Star 35mm F1.4 Full-Frame Large Aperture Manual Focus Lens as featured on BrightenStar.com Virtual Camera Club News Workshops! The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques. This week I want to feature the Mobile Photography with the iPhone, iPad, and Mirrorless Camera. The iPhone, combined with a compact camera, is a powerful tandem for on-the-go photography. In this online workshop, we will explore how to pull together these devices to build a robust and enjoyable workflow. We start on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today. Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me. Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view. If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com. The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear. Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout. The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address. Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation. Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs. See you next week! You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for...

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,031, Dec. 23, 2025. Today's theme is, "More Realistic Film Simulations with a Dash of Grain." I'm Derrick Story. Film simulations by Fuji, Nikon, and OM System are great for color and tones, but there's a missing ingredient when compared to actual analog shots: grain! This week we're going to explore the virtues of a few dashes of grain and learn how to apply it for more realistic film simulations. All of that, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1031 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In More Realistic Film Simulations with a Dash of Grain Author's Note - I've published an article on Live View that includes lots of photo examples to accompany the text. You can read it for free here. This all started with Firmware Update 3.0 for my Nikon Zf. There were all sorts of great new features including on they called Film Grain Options. I had to check this out. It features six intensity levels and three grain sizes. Generally speaking, I select intensity level 2 or 3 and small for the size. Combined with a film simulation setting, such as Tri-X or Kodacolor, the results are much closer to real film than anything I had previously rendered from a digital camera. It was the missing ingredient! The new Film Grain Options is located in the Camera Menu about two-thirds the way down. Remember, you have to upgrade your firmware to V3.0 for it to appear. I recommend shooting RAW+Jpeg when working with grain and simulations. The settings will be applied to the Jpeg, and the RAW remains a pure capture without the effects. Nail the exposure, and you can use the Jpegs right out of the camera. The RAWs are there if you need them. For extra fun, I recommend using a vintage Nikon lens with the FTZ II adapter to further enhance the analog look. If you use an AI-S optic, such as the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AI-S with the FTZ II, you'll still retain a lot of camera functionality, such as Aperture Priority, but get closer to that classic Nikon look. Don't forget to add the lens to the Non-CPU Lens Data option in the menu. By doing so, its information will be listed in the EXIF metadata of your shots. The OM System OM-3 Film Grain Option The Nikon Zf isn't the only camera that provides this feature. I continued my research and discovered that the OM System OM-3 has its own grain implementation. I love shooting B&W with this camera via the MONO setting on the front creative control dial. What I discovered was that after I choose the MONO 1 setting, I can fine tune its rendering. The options include highlights/shadows, shading effect, sharpness, and yes, Film Grain Effect. OM System provides four grain choices: Off, Low, Medium, and High. I started with Medium for MONO 1, and loved the results. Why didn't I figure this out earlier? FujiFilm X100V Offers Film Grain Too Surely Fuji, with all of its great film simulations, wouldn't pass on this opportunity. And even though their implementation isn't as flexible as Nikon's, it's available. On my X100V, Grain Effect is listed in the IQ menu with two parameters: Roughness and Size. Each parameter has options. For Roughness, there's Strong, Weak, and Off. For Size, we can choose between Large and Small. I combined Strong with Large and selected the Acros film simulation. And just like my experience with the Nikon Zf and the OM-3, adding film grain to the Acros simulation enhanced its analog-like rendering. This option was also available on the GFX100S medium format camera, so I'm guessing that it's there for all Fujifilms. Comparing Film Grain Renderings to RAW Files As much as I like creating Jpegs that I can use right out of the camera, I still capture RAWs as well. There are scenarios when I don't want the effects and would rather start from scratch with a RAW file. Plus, the RAWs are also great...

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,030, Dec. 16, 2025. Today's theme is, "My 5 Favorite Photo Purchases of 2025." I'm Derrick Story. I'm lucky enough to be able to test loaner gear for my podcasts and articles. But sometimes I like something so much that I buy it with my own money and incorporate it into my workflow. Today, I will share my five favorite purchases in 2025 - plus some industry news as well. All of that, and more, on Today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1030 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In My 5 Favorite Photo Purchases of 2025 Here are my top 5 photo purchases for 2025 in reverse order, David Letterman style. Lowepro Trekker Lite BP 150 AW Backpack (Gray, 18.5L) Canon PIXMA G620 Printer Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8 Z Lens for Nikon Z OM System OM-3 Mirrorless Camera Body iPhone 17 Pro 256 GB This Week in the News Joel Meyerowitz: How I Make Photographs review: Learn from one of street photography's greatest photographers as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com Why Printing Still Matters and How It Separates Authors From Image-Makers as featured on FStoppers.com Michele Singer Reiner, Wife of Rob, Was an Accomplished Photographer as featured on PetaPixel.com Viltrox is adding versatility to the viral fixed-lens camera as featured on DPReview.com Virtual Camera Club News Workshops! The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques. Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today. Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me. Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view. If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com. The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear. Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout. The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address. Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation. Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs. See you next week! You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,029, Dec. 9, 2025. Today's theme is, "Year-End Organizing Checklist for Photographers." I'm Derrick Story. It's easy for photographers to be distracted by holiday sales as the year closes. Black Friday discounts and Cyber Monday deals are indeed tempting. But instead of focusing on acquiring new gear, this is a great time of year to manage what we already have. And that's what we're going to talk about on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1029 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Year-End Organizing Checklist for Photographers Over the course of the previous 11 months, many of us bought new accessories, cameras, and lenses. Most likely we traveled to beautiful destinations and filled our SD cards with thousands of images. And if we're lucky, we even made a few dollars along the way. December is the perfect time to organize and account for all of that activity. Have you documented the serial numbers for your new gear? Is your backup system up to date? Do you know where your receipts are? Do you have any plans for next year? This podcast can serve as a handy checklist to make sure your photography-house is in order as we prepare to embark upon 2026. Let's start with image backup and archiving. Protect the Work You've Done I think in terms of calendar year when organizing my images. In part, this is how my brain works. So I soon will be closing out 2025 and starting anew with 2026. This year's images have been backed up along the way. But December is the time to test your system to make sure it's as robust as you believe it is. And that's item one on our checklist: Test Your Backup System. I have my images organized on an external RAID drive and on a portable SSD. My favorite shots are saved in iCloud as an additional layer of convenience and protection. I can access my Cloud account from any of my devices as long as I have an internet connection. For the connected drives, I use Peakto to account for them and provide a friendly user interface for managing the shots. I like it because it brings everything together from various locations into one easy-to-view location. I put my system to the test by creating a list of shots that I want to find, and then search for them. This is a strict Pass/Fail activity. If I don't recover 100 percent of the photos I have on my list, then I troubleshoot the system until I reach perfection. Serial Numbers and Updated Insurance Riders It doesn't do any good to insure equipment that you've sold. December is the time to review your insurance riders to delete items that you no longer own, and to add gear that you've acquired over the year. In addition to the policy itself, I keep an inventory list separately as well. Is your accounting woefully out of date? Shore it up now. It feels great to have everything itemized. Plus now you have a platform to add additional information such as purchase date, price, and even a photo of the item with a short description. If you experience theft, fire, flooding or some other loss, your inventory will help facilitate a fast recovery. Print Your Best Pictures We have no idea what the future has in store for us. Hard drives and computers could go the way of the dodo bird. A massive solar storm or cyber attack could erase everything. AI bots could go rouge. I know this sounds very sci-fi, but we just don't know. Archival prints are immune from all of this. We don't need a device to view them. They have a long shelf life. And they are beautiful. If you were to make six prints every year of your best stuff, chances are good that you would have an entire exhibit archived by the time you retire. Think about it... if you wanted, you could erase every device you own and still have a collection of images left for posterity. Start this year by making at least 6...

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,028, Dec. 2, 2025. Today's theme is, "Catching Up on the Latest Photo News." I'm Derrick Story. We've been so busy with workshops and gift guides that I haven't been able to share the latest interesting news stories in our space. Well that changes today! I have the DP Review Camera of the Year, the Leica Photo of the Year, and the scoop on what really killed Minolta. All of that, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1028 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Catching Up on the Latest Photo News Here are the stories this week... The DP Review 2025 Product of the Year as featured on DPReview.com The Leica Picture of the Year 2025: Joel Meyerowitz's street photography masterpiece captures the magic of New York as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com What Really Killed Minolta? A Post-Mortem as featured on FStoppers.com 113 Years Ago, the US Tried to Outlaw Fake Photographs as featured on PetaPixel.com Virtual Camera Club News Workshops! The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques. Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today. Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me. Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view. If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com. The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear. Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout. The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address. Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation. Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs. See you next week! You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,027, Nov. 25, 2025. Today's theme is, "The 2026 Photography Workshop Season." I'm Derrick Story. The 2026 workshop season features more events than ever! We have informative webinars, online intensives, and in-person explorations to exciting locations. I'll go over the entire lineup today, and then chat with Rob Knight who is leading some of the events. It's going to be a great year of photography! Digital Photography Podcast 1027 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In The 2026 Photography Workshop Season In the coming year we'll be exploring the beautiful Maine coastline, magical Utah landscape, a hot air balloon festival, and Route 66. Plus we have online events covering backyard bird photography, mastering Lightroom, creative photo techniques, and inkjet printing. You can view the entire lineup, plus reserve your spot, by visiting the The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page. So let's take a closer look at these offerings. Jan 10 -- Webinar -- Make the Most of Your Next Photo Workshop (DS & RK) When you attend a photography workshop, you want to maximize your shooting time and get the most value for your hard-earned money. This program is full of tips, techniques, and ideas to help make the most of your time in the field. Rob Knight and Derrick Story have been leading photography workshops for the last sixteen years, and working hard to ensure his clients have great workshop experiences. There are a few things that can make the difference between a good workshop and a great one. He will share what he has learned from his observations leading workshops and stories from some of his colleagues to help you have a good time, save you stress in the field, and make sure that you come back from your next photography workshop with amazing photos, and even better stories! Online Workshop - Real-world Adobe Lightroom -- Jan. 8-29 -- (RK) Adobe Lightroom Classic and Lightroom desktop provide industry standard image organization, editing, and finishing. Join Adobe Certified Expert Rob Knight and learn to take advantage of all the great tools Lightroom has to offer. Whether you are a Lightroom beginner, or you are an experienced user looking to up your game, Rob will make sure you don't miss a trick. Webinar -- Feb. 21 -- Backyard birds and beyond (DS & RK) Wildlife photography, and birds in particular, can be a daunting discipline to explore. The long lenses and specific camera settings require a bit of study and a LOT of practice to master. This 2 hour webinar will begin with the basics for photographing birds and wildlife. Host Rob Knight will go over equipment considerations, camera settings, shooting modes, auto focus, and more. Online Workshop -- Jan. 28-Feb. 18 Mobile Photography with the iPhone, iPad, and Camera (DS) The iPhone, combined with a compact camera, is a powerful tandem for on-the-go photography. In this online workshop, we will explore how to pull together these devices to build a robust and enjoyable workflow. Online Workshop - March 5-26 - Becoming a More Creative Photographer (RK) It's easy to study the technical aspects of photography to improve your camera skills. There are endless books, videos, classes, etc that cover aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, but what about creativity? What techniques can we employ in order to create more compelling and expressive photos? Online Workshop -- Creative Photo Techniques (DS) Four weeks... and a different creative technique each session! We'll explore B&W techniques, Infrared, HDR, long exposure, and more. Do you feel like you're taking the same photos over and over? Climb out of that rut with our creative camera techniques workshop, and discover your inner artist. May 14-17, 2026 - Coastal Maine Photo Workshop (RK) Hit the road with Rob Knight for a classic American road trip to explore the iconic towns, lighthouses,...

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,026, Nov. 18, 2025. Today's theme is, "Photographer's Gift Guide 2025." I'm Derrick Story. Over the course of a year, I test many cool photo and camping accessories. Most of these would make affordable, excellent gifts for the photo enthusiast in your life. This week I'll share my favorites, just in time for the holiday season. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1026 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Photographer's Gift Guide 2025 Each of the items I discuss today are listed in the show notes, complete with descriptions, pricing, and links. So don't worry about taking jotting down details during the podcast. Just sit back and relax, then hit the show notes afterward. K&F CONCEPT 67mm Black Diffusion 1/4 & Circular Polarizing in-1 Filter Pro Mist Cinematic Polarizer Effect Filter with 18-Layer Coating - $29.99 - Combines black diffusion 1/4 and polarizing filters to soften highlights and reduce reflections in various shooting conditions without causing vignetting. CNC-designed trapezoidal pattern for easy grip and rotation, paired with sandblasted anti-glare treatment to minimize stray light interference. Comes with 3 vacuum-sealed cleaning cloths for added protection. Godox iT32 TTL Mini Flash with X5O Trigger Kit $98.90 - One Modular System, Built for All - Offering auto TTL, Manual, Stroboscopic flash compatibility, and Godox's 2.4 GHz X wireless system, the iT32 TTL Mini Flash enables diverse lighting setups when paired with a separately available X5-series unit. Users can choose or switch between the X5C, X5N, X5F, X5O, or X5S to respectively find compatibility with a wide range of Canon, Nikon, FUJIFILM, Olympus/Panasonic, or Sony cameras; which means you can use a single iT32 flash body and opt for different hot shoes with wireless flash trigger capability. A compact and versatile lighting tool, this flash features an adjustable power range from 1/128 to 1/1 with fine-tuning options, 1.5 sec recycling, HSS support, a color touchscreen, and a convenient LED modeling lamp. The iT32 operates using a built-in USB-C rechargeable battery to provide up to 510 full-power flashes and still has a lightweight individual body at just 6 oz. Apple AirTag 4 Pack - $79.88 - Keep track of and find your items alongside friends and devices in the Find My app. K&F CONCEPT 4 Pack Camera Lens Pouch Set - $24.99 - Our Lens Pouch Set equipment within 4 sizes range from S to XL, Size S accommodating lenses: 2.75" x 3.93"(*H); Size M for 3.14" x 5.5"(Dia*H); Size L for 3.54" x 7.08"(Dia*H); Size XL for 3.93" x 8.66"(Dia*H), which fit most DSLR/mirrorless lenses. Equipped with a side belt strap for convenient hand carrying or a hook to attach it to any bag, backpacks, or tripods for portable convenience. Lowepro Trekker Lite BP 150 AW Backpack (Gray, 18.5L) - $149.88 - The gray, 18.5L Trekker Lite BP 150 AW AW Backpack from Lowepro has a soft structure, separate compartments, and customizable inserts. The pack accommodates a Sony a6000 or similar-sized camera with an attached lens, two additional small lenses, or a charger and a battery. Alternatively, it will hold a DJI Mavic Air 2 or similar small drone. A dedicated sleeve stores a 13" laptop, and there's extra room for a small tripod and personal items. You can easily configure this bag to meet your needs when traveling. It has a removable camera insert with strap kit and large grab handles on the top, side, and front. The rear of the pack has a hideaway strap system and a separate laptop sleeve. This backpack is essentially three products in one: an accessory strap kit, an everyday travel backpack, and a photo gear insert. BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 Portable Power Station, 288Wh Solar Generator, 600W AC Outlets (Power Lifting 1500W), Fast Charging LiFePO4 Battery - $189 - With a 600W AC inverter, 288Wh LiFePO4...

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,025, Nov. 11, 2025. Today's theme is, "Using Motion to Enhance Mood." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue The first day of our Autumn Workshop was exploring the Sonoma Coast. It was a gray day, perfect for experimenting with mood-enhancing techniques. I slowed the shutter to 1/2 second to create a somber, peaceful environment. That technique, plus more about our workshop on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1025 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Using Motion to Enhance Mood As I watched the waves roll to shore, one after another, I knew that I want to incorporate that motion into a series of images. My approach was to juxtapose people against this backdrop. In the first segment of today's show, I explain how I did it. DxO PhotoLab 9 with the OM System OM-3 As I had mentioned a couple weeks ago, I was pairing the OM-3 with PhotoLab 9 for our Sonoma County Fall Workshop. Here are my impressions after the event. Camera Industry News Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news. Canon's latest F1.2 lens is surprisingly fast, shockingly inexpensive from DPReview.com. Panasonic is Shuttering Its Lumix Pro Services in Europe from PetaPixel.com. Virtual Camera Club News Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view. If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com. Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us. Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me. The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear. Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout. The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address. Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation. Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs. See you next week! You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,024, Nov. 4, 2025. Today's theme is, "My Favorite New Features in Lightroom 9." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Lightroom Desktop continues to vie for the hearts of enthusiast photographers who aren't already locked in to Lightroom Classic. And for those of us who want a more flexible solution, the terrific tweaks in version 9 bring it steps closer to becoming a total photo management and editing solution. I'll cover new features for both Classic and Desktop in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1024 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In My Favorite New Features in Lightroom 9 When Adobe added local file management to Lightroom Desktop in October 2023, I became far more interested in tapping it for photo shoots. The Local tab makes it far more practical for those of us who prefer to organize our photos in the Finder instead of the Cloud. Lightroom Desktop 9, just announced at Adobe Max, continues to meld cutting edge AI tools with common sense file management. The five new features that I'm most impressed with has a little AI with a dash of workflow sweetness. Here are the new tools I've started using right away. Assisted Culling (Classic and Desktop) Wedding and portrait photographers are going to love this. But honestly, anyone who takes lots of people shots, like parents of toddlers, are going to appreciate this timesaving feature. Whether you're in Cloud mode or Local viewing, Assisted Culling is now near the top of the lefthand column. Click on it to open your options, check the boxes that are important to you, and Lightroom goes to work. First time through, I turned on everything on. Under Select I checked: Subject Focus, Eye Focus, and Eyes Open. I enabled them all for Reject too: Documents and Receipts, Misfires, and Exposure Issues. Lightroom marks the proposed selects with a green check and the rejects with a red X. You can copy your selects to the cloud, or apply batch actions such as ratings and labels to both the select group and the rejects group. All of this filtering work is accomplished in seconds, saving a huge amount of time. It's likely that more options will be added over time, enhancing its usefulness for other types of photography such as landscape. But even in its present Early Access state, it's a great addition. Show Subfolders in Local Storage (Desktop) Subfolders are a great organizational tool for photo shoots that have different locations or components. If I'm photographing landmarks in Arizona for a week, I don't want every shoot lumped into one giant folder. I prefer something more like "Arizona 2025" with subfolders containing the different locations. Now in Lightroom 9, if I toggle on the Include Subfolders switch at the top of the interface, and see my entire week of shooting my clicking on the master folder. I find this particularly helpful when I'm rating all of the images from the week. But I still have my subfolders for organization. It's the best of both worlds. Color Labels (Desktop) Speaking of organization, color labels are now available in Lightroom Desktop 9. This goes hand in hand with being able to label an entire shoot at once in addition to star ratings. I use color labels to indicate things like images that I pulled for an article, pictures that I've printed, or for marking client favorites. Color labels are a wonderful complement to star ratings, and I'm happy to see them in Lightroom 9. Batch File Renaming (Desktop) The practical tools hit parade continues! I can now build custom templates to rename my photo files. Not only is this helpful in Lightroom itself, but the app also applies those new names at the Finder level. So instead of being stuck with IMG_2048, IMG_2049, I can rename those files to include practically any bit of information I want, such as...

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,023, October 28, 2025. Today's theme is, "The OM-3 Plus DxO PhotoLab 9 for My Upcoming Workshop." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue One of the things I really like about next week's Sonoma County Fall Workshop is the sheer variety of subject material. Every day is something new - perfect for the versatile OM System OM-3. And I'm pairing up my mighty MFT with some serious processing software: DxO PhotoLab 9.1. The workflow is a lot easier than you'd think. I'll explain why on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1023 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In The OM-3 Plus DxO PhotoLab 9 for My Upcoming Workshop For the first segment, I'll start with the OM System OM-3 and the lenses I'm packing for the workshop. Then I'll move into why I'm using DxO PhotoLab 9.1 for the processing of those files. BTW: If you purchase any DxO software, you can use coupon code:DIGITALSTORY for a 15 percent discount. Camera Industry News Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news. From Hollywood to handmade: Jeff Bridges revives a panoramic film camera classic from DPReview.com. DxO PhotoLab 9.1 vs PhotoLab 8: Is the Upgrade Really Worth It? from PhotoFocus.com. Real Estate Agents Are Using AI Images Instead of Actual Photos from DPReview.com. Lomography made a new film camera that charges with USB-C from TheVerge.com. Virtual Camera Club News Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view. If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com. Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us. Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me. The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear. Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout. The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address. Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation. Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs. See you next week! You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,022, October 21, 2025. Today's theme is, "How I Lost My Shirt on a Wedding Photo Assignment." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue We all know that wedding photo assignments can be challenging, but you shouldn't lose your shirt in the process. Here's one such story that happened last week. Plus, DxO FilmPack 8, Annie Leibovitz, and more. All waiting for you on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1022 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In How I Lost My Shirt on a Wedding Photo Assignment Here's the story of how I lost my shirt during a wedding photo assignment in San Francisco, CA. And you can read the companion article here. Camera Industry News Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news. Exciting News: DxO FilmPack 8 Has Arrived! from PhotoFocus.com. Annie Leibovitz Is the WPPI 2026 Keynote Speaker from PetaPixel.com. Springsteen, James Dean, Bardot - own a portrait of a legend for less from DPReview.com. Comparing the MacBook Pro M5 with the MacBook Air M4 from Apple.com. Virtual Camera Club News Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view. If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com. Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us. Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me. The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear. Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout. The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address. Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation. Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs. See you next week! You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,021, October 14, 2025. Today's theme is, "7 Techniques for Bending Reality in the Sierras." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue We're back from the Eastern Sierra! One discussion topic that ran through the entire week was "Keeping It Real or Going Surreal." Our photographers embraced a variety of approaches to create their own unique images, and I will share those with you on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1021 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In 7 Techniques for Bending Reality in the Sierras The deep blue of the high mountain lakes, the vibrant yellows and oranges of the Aspens and Cottonwoods, the weathered wood of Bodie, and the surreal tufa at Mono Lake - you would think this would be enough to fill the eyes of any photographer. But many of us wanted to further transform these amazing scenes into our own works of art. We wanted to go beyond postcard and calendar shots in search of a look that was unique. And that's what we did. Here are seven techniques that our workshop photographers experimented with during our week in the Eastern Sierra. Soon I will be posting a gallery on DerrickStoryOnline where our Inner Circle Members and workshop participants can see examples of these techniques. Camera Industry News Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news. Ricoh and Realme are working on a smartphone camera with a film-like aesthetic for people tired of perfect photos from DigitalCameraWorld.com. Sales Charts Show the Ricoh GR IV Is Picking Up Where the GR III Left Off from PetaPixel.com. iPhone 17 Pro camera upgrade: is it worth leaving your 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 Pro behind? from DPReview.com. Kodak launches Kodacolor 100 and 200 to feed the film resurgence from TheVerge.com. Virtual Camera Club News Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view. If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com. Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us. Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me. The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear. Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout. The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address. Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation. Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs. See you next week! You can share...

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,020, October 7, 2025. Today's theme is, "5 Tips to Improve Your Photo Headshots." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Last week I talked about AI-generated headshots, but what about those of us who still prefer photography? Well, this podcast is for you. Today I'll share my five favorite tips for compelling photo headshots. All of that, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1020 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In 5 Tips to Improve Your Photo Headshots Here are the five tips I'm going to talk about in the first segment. Camera Industry News Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news. OM-3 photographers can now download user-created Creative Recipes from DPReview.com. Why hasn't any camera brand licensed Kodak film stocks for digital simulations? from DigitalCameraWorld.com. Affinity Stops Selling its Photo Editing Software in Preparation for 'Big Changes' from PetaPixel.com. Virtual Camera Club News TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP. Route 66 Photography Workshop - Oct. 14-17, 2025 - Join photographer and Route 66 explorer Rob Knight to explore the "mother road" this October 14-17. The stretch of Route 66 through northern Arizona contains many of the most iconic spots that still exist from the heyday of American car culture. We will visit towns along Route 66 like Seligman, Oatman, and Williams, Arizona. Along the way we will explore and photograph the roadside attractions that made Route 66 so legendary, like motels, gas stations, and more. The workshop will combine field work and exploration with lab sessions to make sure you come home with some iconic shots. Rob has been exploring and photographing Route 66 for 13 years, and he will make sure you are in the right place at the right time for the best light and photographic opportunities. Meet the group in Las Vegas, then head south where your days will be filled with exploration, learning, and great photography. Sonoma County Autumn Adventure Workshop, led by Derrick Story, starting on Nov. 4, 2025. You can reserve your place of each of these events by visiting our Workshops Page. Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us. Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me. The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear. Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout. Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view. If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com. The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film...

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,019, Sept. 30, 2025. Today's theme is, "The Rise of AI-Generated Headshots." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue I just had an encounter with a potential client who opted for an AI-generated headshot over an in-person session. I did get to see the result, and it prompted me to do some research on this very popular alternative to photography. That experience, and what I learned, is the top story of today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1019 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In The Rise of AI-Generated Headshots Image from headshotpro.com In the first segment I tell the story of a client who opted for an AI-generated headshot, and what my follow-up research taught me. Here are a couple articles that I mentioned. I Tested 30+ AI Headshot Generators. Here are the Best 17 Tools Ranked for Realistic Results. The Hidden Dangers of AI-Generated Headshots: What You Need to Know Camera Industry News Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news. New Digital Art Restoration Method Can Save the World's Dying Artworks from PetaPixel.com. What is the Kodak Charmera? A camera with just 1.6MP of resolution taking Instagram by storm from AmateurPhotographer.com. Why I 'upgraded' to a film camera that's older than I am from TheVerge.com. Virtual Camera Club News TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP. Route 66 Photography Workshop - Oct. 14-17, 2025 - Join photographer and Route 66 explorer Rob Knight to explore the "mother road" this October 14-17. The stretch of Route 66 through northern Arizona contains many of the most iconic spots that still exist from the heyday of American car culture. We will visit towns along Route 66 like Seligman, Oatman, and Williams, Arizona. Along the way we will explore and photograph the roadside attractions that made Route 66 so legendary, like motels, gas stations, and more. The workshop will combine field work and exploration with lab sessions to make sure you come home with some iconic shots. Rob has been exploring and photographing Route 66 for 13 years, and he will make sure you are in the right place at the right time for the best light and photographic opportunities. Meet the group in Las Vegas, then head south where your days will be filled with exploration, learning, and great photography. Sonoma County Autumn Adventure Workshop, led by Derrick Story, starting on Nov. 4, 2025. You can reserve your place of each of these events by visiting our Workshops Page. Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us. Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me. The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear. Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout. Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view. If you're interested in writing for Live View,...