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The Digital Story Photography Podcast

Arts & Culture Podcasts

Where photography meets technology. Weekly podcasts, photo tips, equipment reviews, and more. Author and pro photographer Derrick Story shares his insights, experiences, and opinions.

Location:

United States

Description:

Where photography meets technology. Weekly podcasts, photo tips, equipment reviews, and more. Author and pro photographer Derrick Story shares his insights, experiences, and opinions.

Language:

English


Episodes

So Much Photography News This Week! - TDS Photo Podcast

3/12/2024
This is The Digital Story Podcast #938, March 12, 2024. Today's theme is "So Much Photography News This Week!." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Nikon buys RED, Lensrentals gobbles up Borrowlenses, the Princess of Wales gets caught with a sloppy Photoshop job, and a lot more - What a week in the news! So much so, that we are dedicating this week's podcast to the breaking stories in the photography world. Stay tuned! I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 938 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In This Week's Top Photography Stories Nikon to Acquire RED in Surprise Announcement on FStoppers.com. Actually, LENSRENTALS Won't Be Acquiring Employees from BORROWLENSES on ThePhoblographer.com. Edited Royal Family photo sparks major controversy on AmateurPhotographer.com 'Oppenheimer' Cinematographer Urges Filmmakers to Shoot on Analog in Oscars Speech on PetaPixel.com Has Leica just made its best camera ever? on DigitalCameraWorld.com Nikon's Z9 slated to go to the moon in 2026 on DPReview.com. Virtual Camera Club News 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. TDS Workshops! - You can sign up for available workshops by visiting The Nimble Photographer. Inner Circle Members receive a 10-percent discount on all events. 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 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.

Duration:00:30:09

Film Simulations - Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain - TDS Photo Podcast

3/5/2024
This is The Digital Story Podcast #937, March 5, 2024. Today's theme is "Film Simulations - Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Your first thought may be, "Why do I care about film simulations?" And that's fair if what you are after is the standard Jpeg processing included with your camera. But since electronic viewfinders can present a view of the world with our settings applied, film simulations can lead the way to more creative photography. I will explain more in the first story of this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 937 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Film Simulations - Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain The announcement of the new Fujifilm X100 VI with its 20 film simulations seems to have re-energized this conversation. Being a fan of these myself, I thought it would be worth a few minutes of our time. Basically, film simulations are merely alternative Jpeg processing formulas. Camera manufacturers have their default recipes, which are excellent, but if you want to get creative there are alternatives. These really became popular with mirrorless cameras because the EVFs allowed us to preview the effect of any film simulation we had applied. Often this encourages creativity. And they are just plain fun. Nearly every camera has a way to apply these. Fujifilm includes a library of simulations developed with their color science built right into the camera. Nikon also has their versions of this, called Picture Controls. They include their own, and then leave 9 slots open for you to add your own. Currently I'm using a set developed by an independent site called Nikon Picture Control Editor. I use these on my Olympus cameras as well. Just like the other brands, OM System includes different looks built into the camera. But, you also have access to all of the controls required to create your own recepies. Rob Trek Online, for example, has published some Fujifilm recipies that you can apply to your OM System camera. You can also apply film looks in post production. Adobe, DxO, Capture One, Photomator, RAW Power, and ON1 all have film looks available. Tips for Film Simulation Shoot RAW+Jpeg. The RAW will be RAW and the Jpeg will reflect the film simulation. Note in your metadata descriptions the film simulation you used. These are not typically captured by the camera. I'm building an album in Capture One Pro that shows all of the film simulations that I'm using for the Nikon Zf. You can always return to the camera manufacturer's profile in post. In Capture One Pro, for example, the Base Characteristics panel will let me switch back to a Nikon ICC profile if I decide I don't like the film simulation I used while shooting. You can see the differences if you switch back and forth between the RAW version (which will have a native camera profile) and the Jpeg version (which will show the film simulation). I find this comparison very instructive. Bottom Line Film simulations, one way or another, can be enjoyed with any mirrorless camera. I love the looks they create, both in B&W and color. With my Nikon Zf, I have seven different B&W simulations to choose from - 3 native, and 4 added. And they are all very different. The New Film Camera from Pentax is a Half Frame Compact You can read the entire article on CasualPhotoPhile.com. Infrared Photography Workshop - Online - June 2024 Do you feel like the world is looking like "the same old same old" through your camera's viewfinder? Have you felt your enthusiasm for photography waning? Then it's time for you to consider exploring infrared imaging. Suddenly walks you've taken a hundred times look completely different as you see them through your camera. Old familiar subjects burst to life with new vibrancy. IR photography can energize your creativity, not only for this...

Duration:00:31:39

Is Something Really Wrong, or Is It Me? Plus Photomator 3.1 - TDS Photography Podcast

2/27/2024
This is The Digital Story Podcast #936, Feb. 27, 2024. Today's theme is "Is Something Really Wrong, or Is It Me?" I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Even people who use electronics all the time can be baffled by them. You turn it on, get a warning light, and wonder, "Is something really wrong, or is it me?" It could go either way. And it's hard not to jump to conclusions. I've had a rash of these experiences lately. And I'll share a couple of them with you, if for no other reason, to demonstrate that we all fall into this trap. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 936 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Is Something Really Wrong, or Is It Me? I do admit, I push the envelope sometimes, especially if I can save a few dollars. In my mind, I am the king of repurposing. And for the most part, this works well for me. But every now and then I trip on my own shoelaces. My latest folly, which I have to admit makes me laugh at myself, is a story about the Nikon Zf, which comes with one battery and no charger. We all know that a happening photographer can not survive on one battery alone. And to buy a second would tack on $60 to the budget. So I examined an extra battery I already owned, the Nikon EN-EL15 that came with my aging D610 DSLR. It looked just like the EN-EL15c that came with the Zf with just a little less horsepower. And sure enough, when I inserted the EL15 into the Zf, everything worked normally. Problem solved! I checked this substitution online and Nikon officially states that the EL15 was not supported in the Zf. But it was working great. And to make things even better, the Nikon Battery Charger MH-25 that was also included with the D610 charged both the old and the new Nikon batteries. I was in frugal heaven. Life has been good since this discovery. I have two batteries for the Zf, and that's all I need for my everyday photography. I keep the newer one in the camera and pack the older one as a backup. Then on a Saturday Theresa and I had some errands out in wine country. The rain had subsided, and the forecast was fantastic. "I'm bringing the Nikon," I said to myself. I didn't have the battery charger at home. It was at the studio. "No problem," I thought. I can charge the Zf via a USB-C cable. So I dug around in my bag, found a nice substantial one, and connected the camera to a power source. The charging light started blinking, continued for 30 seconds, then went dark. "Hmmm," I thought. "Seems like it should stay on while charging." I checked the LCD screen and noticed that it was not charging. "That's odd," I thought. I'll try again. Same thing happened. 30 seconds of blinking then nothing. My next thought was shrouded in darkness. "Oh no! I have a defective camera." I took a deep breath. "Now hold on there cowboy. It's probably something simple. Maybe it's the cord or the power brick." So, I found another cord and another brick. Same result. I tried yet another tandem. No charge. At this point I had the contents of my equipment bag spread all over the couch, and a battery that was only 40 percent charged. When all else fails, read the owners manual. I found the PDF on my iPad and looked up charging. There was a note that stated when the light blinks for 30 seconds and goes out, it's a charging error. Excellent. I have the only Nikon Zf in California that won't charge via USB. I felt defeated. I repacked the contents of my cord pouch and stuffed it back in the backpack. "Might as well tidy up," I thought. Then I poured myself another cup of coffee and pondered my situation. "Why won't it work? Is it really broken?" Then I thought of one last-ditch effort. What if I switched batteries and tried charging the backup? Who know, right? I fetched the backup battery out of my backpack and switched it out with the one in the camera. Plugged everything ink, and waited. The charge...

Duration:00:30:45

How Do I Pick My Best Shot? (And the New Fujifilm X100VI) - TDS Photo Podcast

2/20/2024
This is The Digital Story Podcast #935, Feb. 20, 2024. Today's theme is "How Do I Pick My Best Shot? (And the New Fujifilm X100VI)" I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Breaking news! The Fujifilm X100VI. And... photographers tend to be too hard on themselves, or way too generous when evaluating their pictures. But there's a middle ground. To reach it, we need to honestly answer a few basic questions during the review process. In the first segment of today's TDS Photography Podcast, I'll let you know what those are, and how they can help you make better choices when selecting your images. Then we take you to Tokyo for the Fujifilm X-Summit. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 935 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In How Do I Pick My Best Shot? Have you ever opened up your laptop to show off a favorite picture, one that you worked very hard on, only to have the viewer rave about a different shot that you had passed by? "But I worked hours on this one to get it perfect!" you counter. "Oh, that one is nice too," the viewer says in a comforting voice. Photographers have many blind spots when evaluating their own work. One of the most common is, "If I spend lots of time working on a picture, it's better than the others." That may or may not be the case. But how do you know? You can move the odds more in your favor by analyzing your favorite photos using this process. It goes something like this. Let's apply this technique to a photo shoot you've just completed. Is the content of this photograph compelling? What I mean by that is, is there a clear center of interest and does it tell a story? Is the image technically sound? That is, is the exposure good and the sharpeness appropriate for the subject? Is there emotional appeal? Do you feel something when you look at the picture? Your best images will answer yes to all three questions. One of the things I've observed during lab sessions at our TDS workshops is that many photographers give too much weight to technical considerations and not enough to content and emotion. The irony is, if we had to live without one of the three, it would be the technical. Photos that have interesting content with emotional appeal will always outshine technically perfect images with general audiences. Once a person identifies your main subject and is attracted to it, the game is over. Pixel peepers may criticize image noise or a plugged-up shadow area, but if they are ignoring a great subject in the process, then they're missing the point. Try this four-step process on a recent photo shoot, and see if you're surprised by the winners. Maybe next time you open up your laptop to show off a picture, it will also be the favorite for the person you're showing it too. If you want more on this subject, check out my Live View article, How to Better Evaluate Our Pictures. This is a free link! Fujifilm X100VI Announced at X-Summit Tokyo Fujifilm photographers have their first X-Summit of the year on Feb. 20th in Japan. And they didn't have to wait long for the announcement of the new X100VI Digital Camera. The estimated ship date is Feb. 28, but you can preorder the X100VI now for $1,599. On today's podcast, you can hear directly from Fujifilm about their new compact camera. Infrared Photography Workshop - Online - June 2024 Do you feel like the world is looking like "the same old same old" through your camera's viewfinder? Have you felt your enthusiasm for photography waning? Then it's time for you to consider exploring infrared imaging. Suddenly walks you've taken a hundred times look completely different as you see them through your camera. Old familiar subjects burst to life with new vibrancy. IR photography can energize your creativity, not only for this medium, but for all of your artistry. Beginning June 5, 2024, join us for this 4-week exploration into...

Duration:00:36:06

The Temptation of Cheap Third Party Lenses - TDS Photography Podcast

2/13/2024
This is The Digital Story Podcast #934, Feb. 13, 2024. Today's theme is "The Temptation of Cheap Third Party Lenses." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue It's hard to resist the siren call of super-affordable Chinese-made optics. For the price of a polarizer, we can fill gaps in our lens library that we might not otherwise be able to afford. But even at a modest price, do these accessories provide the quality we need for our work? The answer is "yes," and "no." Find out why on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 934 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In The Temptation of Cheap Third Party Lenses There are lenses that we use all of the time - 24mm, 40mm, 85mm - and lenses that we use every now and then. For our everyday work, I recommend sticking with optics that we know we can depend on, usually manfactured by the camera brand they are being mounted on. But what about those lenses we only use some of the time? Should we pay a premium for those as well? I was looking for a super-wide for the Nikon Zf. I wanted an optic that could cover more ground than my current 24mm. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm S with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 has an overall rating of 4.9 and costs $1,046. It is 4.27" long and weighs just over a pound. It uses a 77mm front filter. The Viltrox 20mm Z has a maximum aperture of f/2.8, no star ratings yet on Amazon, and costs $158. It is 2.7" long, weighs 6.1 ounces, and uses a 52mm front filter. Lens construction differences between the two optics are different, but not as much as you might think. The Viltrox has 10 elements in 8 groups with 7 aperture blades. The Nikon has 14 elements in 11 groups with 9 aperture blades. Both optics have quiet AF and manual focus, and nano multilayer coating on the elements. And both work well on the Nikon Zf. We know that the Nikon 20mm performs well. But what about the Viltrox? I did a little testing with it mounted on the Nikon Zf. Here's what I found. So, right out of the camera, the Viltrox doesn't compete well against the Nikon. It's a stop slower, doesn't focus as fast, and doesn't perform its best wide open. But I worked the files a bit in Capture One Pro. Here's what I did. In Lens Correction, I selected the Nikon AF 20mm f/2.8 D profile. In that same panel, I increased sharpness and compensated for Light Falloff. In the Base Characteristics panel, I used the Nikon Zf Neutral profile. I then processed the image normally including a little devignetting. The finished RAW file looked very good. The bottom line here is if you're willing to spend a little time in post-processing massaging the RAW files, you can get good results from the Viltrox 20mm f/2.8. And if you only need a super wide on occasion, then the extra time might be worth it. However, if you want premium image quality and handling, then the Nikon Z is the superior way to go. The Viltrox 20mm f/2.8 is available in both Nikon Z and Sony E mounts for $158. Fujifilm and Skylum are Hosting 50 Free Photo Walks Across the U.S. You can read the entire article at Petapixel.com. Skylum, the company behind the Luminar Neo editing platform, and Fujifilm have partnered to host 50 free photo walks across the United States, giving photographers a chance to not only see their local cities in a new light but also try out new Fujifilm gear. The two companies say that this "experimental" new program was developed to inspire photographers to explore various metropolitan cities through their camera lenses on a series of guided photo walks where they will be surrounded by a like-minded community. As part of the experience, participants will be able to try out Fujifilm's latest cameras and lenses and get face-to-face time with personnel from both companies. "At almost every event in which Fujifilm participates, we look for an opportunity to...

Duration:00:32:05

Documenting What Makes You, You - TDS Photography Podcast

2/6/2024
This is The Digital Story Podcast #933, Feb. 6, 2024. Today's theme is "Documenting What Makes You, You." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue We have many more dimensions than most folks realize. Yes, in this community, we know each other for our photography. But each of us has far more going on than taking pictures. And we can use that skill to document - and share if we wish - the other areas of our life. Combining our love for photography with the things we enjoy. I will discuss one such example regarding me on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 933 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Documenting What Makes You, You I have lemon trees. Yes, multiple. At the studio, I have a miniature in a wine barrel on the back patio that is wildly prolific and produces the most delicious Meyers. At the house, we have two more small trees. And they seem happy as well. So this time of year I find myself up to my hip boots in fruit. I have already perfected the art of homemade lemonade using Xylitol as the sweetener. Delicious. Theresa incorporates our bounty into a variety of entrees that enhance their appeal. And yet, there are still more lemons. So I searched the Internet for interesting things to do with our harvest. And I stumbled upon a recipe for making Limoncello, an Italian liqueur traditionally served chilled as an after-dinner digestive. "That sounds good," I thought. So I endeavored to make a California version with my Meyers. The basic recipe involves soaking the lemon peels in grain alcohol for a few weeks, then straining, and finally adding simple syrup to sweeten. Limoncello is kept in the freezer and served in petite after-dinner liquor glasses. Now even though the basic recipe is simple, the proportions are very important. And being the type of guy who strives for the best Limoncello west of the Atlantic, I document everything I do as I evolve the recipe. This is where the documentation comes into play. For example: the first batch used 600 ML of Everclear 120 proof grain alcohol, the peels from 12 medium to medium-small Meyer lemons, and finished with 275 ML of homemade simple syrup. But without photographs to accompany my documentation, how do I know in the future what a medium-small lemon looks like? How much peel from each lemon? How do I filter the concoction after infusion? And on and on. So with each step, I photograph what's happening and label those images as part of Batch 1. And this part is as enjoyable as making the Limoncello itself. During the weeks required for infusion, I'm on the hunt for cute bottles that would be appropriate for such a delicacy. And since I'm going to be making lemonade with the juice of those lemons, I need to gather all those parts as well. This past Sunday, on a stormy day in Northern California, I finished the first batch, carefully placed the bottles in the freezer, and we sampled the finished product after dinner. Amazing! The second batch is already underway. For reference, I have photos of every step from version 1 to accompany my precise measurements. I love the pictures almost as much as the drink itself. So by now, you've probably figured out that I'm a hobby mixologist. I've created my own drinks from scratch, and have been able to copy others just by tasting them. I can now add Limoncello to my resume. And I have the pictures to prove it. Capture One Lays Off Staff Amid a 'Significant' Internal Restructure You can read the entire article at Petapixel.com. Capture One is undergoing what it characterizes as "significant changes" internally which has resulted in an unspecified number of layoffs at the company. It is at least the second round of turnover since it announced it was switching to a subscription model. PetaPixel first learned of the layoffs last week, but the company only confirmed them...

Duration:00:33:02

A First Look at the OM System OM-1 Mark II - TDS Photo Podcast

1/30/2024
This is The Digital Story Podcast #932, Jan. 30, 2024. Today's theme is "A First Look at the OM System OM-1 Mark II." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Just in case you were wondering, OM System is not sitting on its laurels with the OM-1 that was released in March 2022. They've followed up their compact marvel with the Mark II. And on today's podcast, I'm going to tell you all about its feature highlights and who I think this camera is for. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 932 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In A First Look at the OM System OM-1 Mark II When you first look at the OM-1 Mark II, you will notice two things. First, the crown badge now reads OM System and not Olympus. The second, practically nothing else has changed on the outside. And if you're an OM-1 owner, that's a good thing because all of your accessories will work on the Mark II, including the external battery grip. But underneath the hood there are upgrades and an intriguing new feature. Before we get to that, let's take a look at the spec highlights. Grad ND - A Fascinating New Feature This technology uses computational photography to replicate the effects of using a half-ND filter, allowing the photographer to control brightness and darkness within the image, much like an external graduated neutral density filter. Through Live GND shooting, photographers can adjust filter steps (GND2, GND4, or GND8) and types (soft, medium, or hard) in real-time through the EVF or rear LCD. This function allows for customization of the effect's position and angle. Without the need for physical filters attached to the lens, photographers can leverage half ND effects, even with lenses lacking filter threads. More AI Autofocus Developed using deep learning technologies, the AI Detection AF has been enhanced to recognize an extensive array of subjects, including humans, formula racing cars, motorcycles, airplanes, helicopters, trains, birds, and common animals such as dogs and cats. This integration enhances the well-established Face Priority/Eye Priority AF, significantly refining autofocus capabilities. It can accurately identify subjects, even when individuals are in profile, facing away, or obscured by hidden facial features. Subjects are tracked within the frame, ensuring they remain in focus. The OM-1 Mark II can follow intricate details like driver's helmets or the eyes of birds and other animals, going beyond what photographers could normally do on their own. Who Should Buy the OM System OM-1 Mark II? Wildlife and birding enthusiasts are at the top of the list. For example, combined with the new OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-600mm f/5.0-6.3 IS lens that provides effective focal lengths of up to 1200mm, and weighs just over 2,000 grams (4.4 lbs), photographers can easily work with this rig all day, no tripod required. And that's just one of the many telephotos available. The OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4 PRO provides an effective reach of 80-300mm and weighs a mere 382 grams (13.5 oz). The f/2.8 version weighs 760 grams (1.67 lb) and accepts both 1.4X and 2X matched teleconverters. Other top-tier options include the Olympus 300mm f/4 PRO and the Panasonic Leica DG Elmarit 200mm f/2.8. Macro photography is also a strength of this system. There are a variety of optics well-suited for this work. Add the increased depth of field resulting from the Micro Four Thirds sensor, and the OM-1 is a godsend for super closeup photography. Lens options include the OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm f/3.5, 60mm f/2.8, and the 30mm f/3.5 macro optics. Travel photographers and journalists would also benefit from this system. Rugged design, compactness, and versatility make the OM-1 Mark II perfect for those covering the world while traveling light. That's not to say this isn't an excellent system for general photography....

Duration:00:30:55

5 Upcoming Photography Conferences to Consider - TDS Photo Podcast

1/22/2024
This is The Digital Story Podcast #931, Jan. 23, 2024. Today's theme is "5 Upcoming Photography Conferences to Consider." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue In a recent edition of my Nimble Photographer Newsletter, I wrote about the dearth of photo announcements at CES 2024. But that doesn't mean there aren't other events that will cater to our desire to learn more and see the latest in imaging equipment. This week, I'll share with you 5 upcoming events that will stimulate your mind and tempt your pocketbook. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 931 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In 5 Upcoming Photography Conferences to Consider Sometimes it feels like all the cool photo shows have gone away. But that isn't the case. And if you'd like to get out among your peers, here are five upcoming events to consider. Imaging U.S.A. - Jan. 28-30, Louisville, Kentucky Imaging USA features classes, networking opportunities, and a huge trade show to help you feel inspired and ready to grow your photography business. This year we're bringing all the education and excitement to the Derby City. And to make your experience even more rewarding, pre-con classes are available in the days leading up to the conference. 90+ speakers, 130+ exhibitors Top Brands on the Expo Floor Three-day all-access pass is $459. Expo only pass is free. Camera & Imaging Photo Show CP+, February 22-25, 2024, Pacifico Yokohama, Japan "Nothing Stays the Same" - CP+ is an event where camera fans from all over the world gather to see, touch, and share the joy of photography and video with their friends! For four days from February 22nd (Thu) to February 25th (Sun), 2024, an on-site event held at Pacifico Yokohama and an online event distributed online will be held simultaneously. Anyone can enjoy it, from camera and photography enthusiasts to those who regularly take and edit photos and videos with their smartphones and enjoy their daily lives using SMS. 60+ speakers, 90+ exhibitors Top Brands on the Expo Floor Admission is free, but you must pre-register for onsite admission. WPPI, March 3-7, 2024, Las Vegas, Nevada For five days each year, portrait and wedding photographers and videographers come together in Las Vegas to be inspired. Be a part of this remarkable community - evolve your aesthetic, gain invaluable strategies to grow your business, connect with friends, be dazzled by stories from industry icons and create lasting memories. 130+ speakers, 80+ exhibitors Top Brands on the Expo Floor Four-day all-access pass is $199. Expo only pass is $49. The Photography and Video Show, March 16-19, 2024, Birmingham, UK From long exposure and layering, to business skills and incorporating AI into your workflow, your entry ticket will give you access to more than 350 seminars and live demos, with six stages and theatres to choose from. Led by experts and legends of photography, filmmaking and content creation, be prepared to learn new techniques and approaches; and be inspired to change your perspective on how you create! 100+ speakers, 200+ exhibitors Top Brands on the Expo Floor 48 pounds for a 4-day pass Shutterfest, April 2-4, St. Louis, MO. ShutterFest is an annual photography event that brings together thousands of professional photographers, photo enthusiasts, and industry experts from around the world. This event is unique in its approach to education and community building. Instead of focusing on traditional lecture-style presentations, ShutterFest offers hands-on classes, interactive experiences, and networking opportunities that help attendees develop their skills, build relationships, and grow their businesses. One of the things that makes ShutterFest so unique is its focus on creativity and hands-on learning. Rather than providing a one-size-fits-all approach to photography, the conference encourages...

Duration:00:29:52

Looking Back and More, Now 2024 - TDS Photo Podcast

1/16/2024
This is The Digital Story Podcast #930, Jan. 16, 2024. Today's theme is "Looking Back and More, Now 2024." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Every January I close out my personal photo library from the previous year and start fresh with an empty catalog. Not only is this a practical endeavor, it's also an opportunity to acknowledge the highlights of the previous year. Today, I share the benefits of this annual exercise. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 930 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Looking Back and More, Now 2024 Despite my trials and tribulations in the past with Apple's Aperture, I still create annual libraries and store the neatly bundled catalogs in my multi-level archival system. Why? It's just the way my brain works. I measure my life's journey signpost by signpost, year by year. Plus, I've discovered some additional benefits to this practice, a few of which I'm going to share today. The Technical Part By way of review, I maintain two personal libraries. The first, Photos, is totally automatic. I take a picture with my iPhone, it's added to my Photos library, backed up in iCloud, and that's that. But I also have a Capture One Catalog. Pictures from my OM-1, X100V, and Nikon Zf are stored and edited here. Compared to the iPhone catalog, these images are more measured, captured in RAW, edited with C1P's excellent adjustment tools, and organized using its catalog tools. Often, there is some topic duplication between the catalogs. And this is a good thing. Let's take our workshop in Sedona, AZ for example. My iPhone pictures go directly into Photos, while the images from the OM-1 are stored in Capture One Pro. If I want to locate a shoot from years past, I can rely on the A.I. object recognition tools in Photos to help me remember the month and year. Who knows, I might even have an image there that suits my needs. But if I want the more "serious" shots, I know exactly which Capture One Catalog to open. It saves me a tremendous amount of time. And it allows me to rotate off my laptop drive those big image libraries from previous years. The Fun Part So the technical part is all good and well. Every one of us has our own system for managing and retrieving pictures. But I've discovered an added benefit too. One that I hadn't anticipated. It's easy to forget how much cool stuff happens in just a single year. Sure, we may still be basking in the glow of an event from last week, or even last month. But a couple of seasons ago. Those can get buried beneath the rigors of day-to-day life. This short stroll down memory lane reminds me that 2023 was a better year than I realized. And it helps me appreciate the good fortune of my life. Want to join me for a quick trip? [review highlights from my 2023 catalog.] As a result of this exercise, I have a much more complete memory of my past year. Sure it had its challenges. There's a substantial 8-week lull when I was laid up with my recovery from the total joint replacement in my hip. But I still managed to take pictures around the house to maintain my sanity. We are so busy, so distracted, and at times, so frustrated with daily life. It's easy to lose perspective. But looking back on my past year in pictures adds balance to my view of 2023. And it helps me appreciate the good moments in life all the more. The Camera Accessory That Saved My Workflow? Peak Design Tech Pouch Review You can read the entire article on FStoppers.com If you're like me, you have a whole bunch of small photography bits--cables, connectors, SD cards, batteries, and more--in your camera bag. If you were to use a different bag, you'd have to take all of them out and transfer them over. That's how I lived for the first couple of years of my career, and it was awful. I would always be triple- and quadruple-checking to make sure I had everything, sometimes...

Duration:00:31:02

The Elephant in the Room - Nikon Zf vs Olympus OM-1 - TDS Photo Podcast

1/9/2024
This is The Digital Story Podcast #929, Jan. 9, 2024. Today's theme is "The Elephant in the Room - Nikon Zf vs Olympus OM-1." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Typically, Micro Four Thirds photographers aren't concerned by new full-frame camera announcements. They know what they have, and they like it. But the Nikon Zf seems to have upset the apple cart a bit. I've been getting mail citing reviews, defections, and the relevance of MFT photography in light of all this. So let's talk about it. Let's go head to head with the Olympus OM-1 and Nikon Zf. Today's top story on the TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 929 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In The Elephant in the Room - Nikon Zf vs Olympus OM-1 Let's set the stage a bit for this comparison. The OM System OM-1 was released in March 2022. It has a Micro Four Thirds sensor and is currently selling for $1,999. The Nikon Zf started shipping in October 2023, employs a full-frame sensor, and is currently available for $1,996. Even though the two cameras use completely different sensors, they are competitors. They cost about the same, appeal to serious enthusiasts, have appealing body designs, and are packed with the latest that imaging technology has to offer. But they are very different cameras in many ways too. So let's take a look at their respective strengths and compare them. OM System OM-1 Strengths Telephoto Muscle Macro Photography Inclement Weather Long Days Carry-On Air Travel Clever Technology More Lenses Nikon Zf Strengths Street Photography Low Light Situations Vintage Lenses Portrait Assignments Aestetics Why Switching Doesn't Make Sense I could never imagine a scenario when I would sell all of my Olympus gear to bulk up the Nikon Z system. For me, it would be like saying that I'm going to sell my pliers to buy a screwdriver. But depending on what type of photographer you are, you may feel that you need a little bit of both. I realize that this is a total luxury. But as long as I'm traveling for photography workshops, covering events, and working in the unpredictable outdoors, I will be using my OM-1 system. At the same time, I loved shooting with the Nikon Zf in San Francisco, capturing portraits with it for a recent article, and walking into a darkened haunted house, then emerging with incredible shots for the customer. I wouldn't recommend investing in pricy, hefty full-frame telephotos for the Z System. Compact wide angles and short zooms are a better fit. When it's time to go to Safari West this coming Autumn for a workshop, I'll be packing the OM-1 with 40-150mm f/2.8 zoom, and the 1.4X teleconverter. Now, I think OM System can quiet a lot of this chatter by releasing a great camera (or two) in 2024. In the meantime, if you own an OM-1 and are happy with it, ignore the switchers. And if your budget allows for another camera, I think the Zf would be a lovely complement to your existing system. Basic Lens Kit for Each Camera For the OM-1, I have a super-compact kit that includes the 14-42mm EZ Olympus zoom, Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 II, 45mm f/1.8 Olympus prime, and the 35-100mm Panasonic zoom. For the Nikon Zf I'm packing the 26mm f/2.8 pancake, 40mm f/2.0 SE, 24-50mm compact zoom, and the Nikon G 24-85mm zoom with the FTZ II adapter. How To Turn Your Apple Watch Into A Camera Remote And Timer You can read the entire article on SlashGear.com How many times do you use your iPhone camera in a day? If you're a photography enthusiast, content creator, or just someone who loves collecting snapshots of their favorite memories, you've probably answered "a lot." It's no surprise, though, considering the quality of the output and the many nifty photo editing features built into the iPhone. However, if you're using your iPhone camera a lot, then you're probably also familiar...

Duration:00:33:09

All Dressed Up with Nowhere to Go - TDS Photography Podcast

1/1/2024
This is The Digital Story Podcast #928, Jan. 2, 2024. Today's theme is "All Dressed Up with Nowhere to Go" I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue I have just taken my 100th portrait of the cat. All the blooms have fallen off the Christmas Cactus in the window box. As I sit here watching the rain outside, surrounded by all of this great camera gear, I'm jonesing for a photo adventure. But not today. How I plan to cope with my internment is the lead story in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 928 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In All Dressed Up with Nowhere to Go I feel like one of those guys with an electronic ankle bracelet, wandering around the studio with a Nikon Zf around my neck looking for something compelling to photograph. Now I know how the cat feels. I watch her explore every corner of the living room in search of something to play with. Sometimes she lucks out and finds an unlucky bug. Poor little bugger. His minutes are numbered. So I take a picture of the cat. She looks for spiders. And the rain keeps pouring down. Don't get me wrong. I'm thankful for the rain. It is filling our reservoirs and adding fresh water to my open barrels in the backyard. And sometimes I even take pictures in the rain. But it isn't really fun. And it doesn't last for long. I've figured out all sorts of cool things during my interment. I've adapted my favorite Pentax lens, the Pentax HD DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited Lens, to my OM-1. It's going to be fantastic for landscape and portraits with its 140mm equivalent focal length on my favorite all-time cropped sensor camera. But not today. I've been testing the amazing NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 pancake lens on the Nikon Zf. The combo is so addictive that I walk around the studio with it all day. But this thoroughbred needs to run. And today is not that day. I've reorganized both of my camera kits a dozen times. Should I include the 45mm f/1.8 or the 45mm f/1.2 with the OM-1? Is there enough room for both the 40mm and 50mm in my Nikon bag? Maybe I should start over. I even pulled out all of my tripods yesterday and started switching their heads. Now I have a Joby head on the Induro and the Induro head on the Manfrotto. Anything other than a Manfrotto head is an improvement. Finally, after this low point, I decided that I needed to do something meaningful. And fortunately, an opportunity presented itself. Theresa gifted me and the boys tickets to a Saturday Warriors game. I checked the weather report, and there's no rain that afternoon. So I got out my street photography black shirt, oversized jacket, and gray Warriors cap. I tucked the Zf with 26mm pancake into a softball-sized shoulder pouch that I could wear inside of my jacket, and put the iPhone 15 Pro Max in my front jeans pocket. I'll arrive in the City a couple hours before I'm to meet the boys and engage in some serious photography. Then I'll catch the Metro T down to Mission Bay to meet the boys. My super compact pouch meets the bag requirements for Chase Center, and the short lens won't get me in trouble. The three of us will then enjoy the game, and then I will reverse course back to the parking garage at the north end of The City, shooting pictures all along the way. If this plan works, I will have much to report next week. Stay tuned. (I'm totally excited!) Why One Photographer Prefers Micro Four Thirds You can read the entire article on FStoppers.com How Websites Have Become Practically Unuseable A short commentary. Virtual Camera Club News 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. TDS Workshops! - You can sign up for available workshops by visiting The Nimble Photographer. Inner...

Duration:00:19:18

The Fourth Ingredient in a Recipe for Success - TDS Photography Podcast

12/25/2023
This is The Digital Story Podcast #927, Dec. 26, 2023. Today's theme is "The Fourth Ingredient in a Recipe for Success." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue I was thinking about all of the great tools I have access to for my photography - sophisticated cameras, intelligent software, tons of information. And if I were only after good pictures, that's all that I would need. But what if I wanted something more? Special images require a fourth ingredient, and that's the subject of today's lead story. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 927 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In The Fourth Ingredient in a Recipe for Success This churn began a little over a week ago when I was out for a portrait shoot in a local park. It was a beautiful late afternoon with the sun hanging low in the sky. I was working with Victoria, who had helped me out back in the Lynda.com days. I needed illustrations for an article on Fill Flash that I was writing for Live View. I opted for the Nikon Zf and the Fujifilm X100V for the assignment. The X100 was going to be an example of cameras that have built-in flashes. And the Nikon was going to host the Godex Lux Senior external flash I had discussed a couple of weeks ago. The point of the article was that I could have taken all of the pictures with any camera or smartphone letting the device make all of the decisions, or I could intervene by adding flash and finding the perfect output that still looked natural, but smoothed out contrast and filled in shadows. I would start at each location by looking at the lighting and how it was illuminating Victoria, then ask myself, what could I do to make it better? In the case of the X100V, I used TTL flash, but dialed it down two-thirds of a stop. With the Nikon, I started with manual flash at half power, then increased or decreased output depending on how I liked the first exposure. As I worked each scene, it dawned on me how much I liked this process. I own four of the most sophisticated cameras in the world - iPhone 15 Pro Max, OM System OM-1, Fujifilm X100V, and the Nikon Zf. Each one of them is capable of producing perfectly acceptable photographs in auto-everything mode. And I love that technology. I would not give up a single feature in any of these cameras - subject detection, pro capture, sensor-based image stabilization, high ISO performance, film simulation, wireless communication, portrait enhancement, skin smoothing, and the list goes on and on. But what really excites me is that these tools are at my disposal for when I choose to use them. I make the creative decisions, not the camera. During that photo shoot in the park, I knew I didn't need to tap portrait enhancement or skin smoothing on the Nikon because of the lighting I had created, and Victoria's complexion didn't need it. With the X100V, I added the NISI Black Mist filter for a lovely rendering. The shots from the two cameras are different, and I like them both. The same is true during post-processing. A.I.-powered tools are my able-bodied photo assistants, but not the creator. I refuse to relinquish control. I decide when to apply AI Noise Reduction or any of the other options. I believe these are the best of times for photographers. We have access to 1) amazing gear, 2) sophisticated software, and 3) tons of information. But there's a fourth ingredient. Us. It's our contribution to the equation that makes a creation personal, something truly unique. Years ago I heard this story about a lady named Kate who went back to her butcher who had recently sold her a cut that she used for corned beef. She stood at the counter and explained how difficult the meal was to chew. The butcher respectfully listened to Kate tell her entire story. When she finished, he paused for a moment, then said, "But aye Kate, there's a little in the cookin' of it." The "cookin' of it" is...

Duration:00:22:19

5 Photography Things I'm Thankful for in 2023- TDS Photo Podcast

12/19/2023
This is The Digital Story Podcast #926, Dec. 19, 2023. Today's theme is "5 Photography Things I'm Thankful for in 2023." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue As we bring a tumultuous 2023 to a close, photography has once again been my island of sanity. It's the place where I can focus on the positive, create beauty, and share in the success of others. As I look back on the year, there are five things that stand out. And I'm going to discuss each of them on today's TDS Photography Podcast. Digital Photography Podcast 926 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In 5 Photography Things I'm Thankful for in 2023 Thank goodness for photography! I can't tell you how many times I've thought that over the past year. Here are five reasons why. The Launch of Live View Photography PublicationLive View The Full Return of In-Person Photography Workshopslearn more about our upcoming workshop season here Adobe Finally Opens Up Lightroom to Local Foldersread about all of the updates here Nikon Releases the Zflearn more about the Nikon Zf here The Blossoming of Our Online Communitysign up for the Inner Circle here There's more, of course, but these 5 things rise to the top. And it has not escaped my attention that this community is at the heart of much of this. Thank you so much! Luminar Neo Adds Generative Expand to Its Trio of New AI Tools You can read the entire article on FStoppers.com Skylum has completed its trilogy of new Generative AI tools with the addition of Generative Expand. The company has already released GenErase and GenSwap. The company says this new GenErase tool "empowers users to break free from traditional aspect ratios and add a new dimension to their original compositions. With GenExpand, you can effortlessly extend the boundaries of your photos, whether you're creating panoramic landscapes for vast mountain ranges, serene lakes, etc. or want to give your favorite images more breathing room to stand out against a beautifully balanced background." Adobe offers something similar in Photoshop, and before that, they had Content Aware fill that accomplished something similar, but without advanced AI, the result could often be unsatisfying because the technology repeated parts of images it found to complete the fill. In this example provided by Skylum, you can see a landscape expanded in width and the AI creates a believable topography expansion that matches well with the original photo. Now most photographers, myself included, would wonder why any photographer would shoot an original image that cramped and without context of the rest of the landscape, but there's no doubt the technology works can provide a believable expansion of the image at first glance. This technology seems interesting, but not very useable on higher resolution images. My image experiments were using a Sony a7 IV, and I saw these effects on multiple images mostly taken outdoors. Now, I'll repeat I was on a beta, and the release version may be better. If this review needs a follow up, I'll provide one. I also think part of this lower resolution problem is related to having potentially thousands of people hammering on rendering servers at the same time and companies limiting bandwidth. Still, that's a problem for the people who offer the feature to solve. If I'm going to use this technology on occasion, I want the best possible image quality. I would expect and hope that as the technology gets better we'll see better results. Luminar Neo is a capable image editor, and Skylum has their fair share of pioneering efforts. So, I don't mean to overly criticize Skylum. I use Neo all the time in my landscape work, and it's an excellent product. I appreciate their pushing the boundaries which they often do. I just don't think GenExpand is a home run yet, but it will be useful to some photographers in less demanding use cases. In my examples, the...

Duration:00:29:21

Make It Better with Bare Bulb Flash - TDS Photography Podcast

12/12/2023
This is The Digital Story Podcast #925, Dec. 12, 2023. Today's theme is "Make It Better with Bare Bulb Flash." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Last week I talked about holiday portraits and discussed the importance of good lighting. Many photographers these days opt for existing light snaps. They're fine, most of the time, but what if I told you about a brighter way to create pleasing portraits? I'm going to do exactly that on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 925 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Make It Better with Bare Bulb Flash Some photographers have moved away from flash photography because they don't like the images produced with shoe-mount strobes or those built-in to the camera. And often for good reason. The light can be over-concentrated on the subject leaving the background murky and off-color. But what if you could use a flash that evenly illuminated the entire scene, including your subject? Wouldn't that be better? There is such a technique. It's called bare bulb flash. And instead of focusing the light through a rectangular fresnel lens, you use an exposed flash tube that spreads the light everywhere. These used to be expensive and bulky units. But I've been testing the Godox Lux Senior Retro Camera Flash ($119) that is super compact, easy to use, works on practically any camera, and allows you to use bare bulb flash. Let me walk you through its features. Buit-In Reflector Is Foldable It's Not TTL, but Auto Works Well 7 Manual Output Settings 2 Optical Modes As Well Rechargable Lithium Battery In addition to getting great shots, the retro design is a real conversation starter. And the fact that you can use this flash with any camera you have, provides for lots of creative opportunities. No, You Don't Need To Buy The New M3 MacBook Pro You can read the entire article on FStoppers.com I spent over $4,000 on the new M3 Max MacBook Pro. It's amazing, but after directly comparing it to my M1 MacBook Pro, I've realized it's probably not worth upgrading. Two years ago, I made a substantial investment, parting with $2,700 for my M1 Pro MacBook Pro. At that time, it was a significant chunk of change for me, but what surprised me most was that it managed to lure me away from my beloved handmade Windows desktop PC. Fast-forward to the present, and I find myself contemplating an upgrade not because my current laptop falls short, but because the M1 Pro has set the bar so high. Now, with the advent of the M3 Max, the question lingers: is the upgrade worth the exorbitant cost? The M3 Max promises increased speed and efficiency, boasting impressive export times for both video and raw files. My first test was a simple video export in Premiere. The M3 Max outpaced my M1 Pro, rendering a 9.5-minute video in 4 minutes and 6 seconds compared to the M1 Pro's 6 minutes and 13 seconds. For my second test, I exported 100 raw files in Lightroom. The M3 Max finished the job in just 47 seconds, and the M1 took 78 seconds. These gains are impressive, but here's the real question: how often are you actually exporting files? Once or twice a day? How much are you willing to spend to save 5 or 10 minutes? In the grand scheme of things, for the majority of users, the marginal gains in speed may not justify the substantial dent in the wallet. Unless you find yourself in an industry where time is indeed money and rendering projects stretch into the realm of 24-hour marathons, the upgrade may not offer the revolutionary leap you're hoping for. As a photographer and videographer, my M1 Pro has been the best computer I've ever owned -- so good, in fact, that I really don't need to upgrade it. I imagine the majority of people reading this are in the same situation. If you can tell that your current computer is struggling to keep up with whatever tasks you...

Duration:00:33:39

The Reluctant Portrait and FindMySnap - TDS Photography Podcast

12/5/2023
This is The Digital Story Podcast #924, Dec. 5, 2023. Today's theme is "The Reluctant Portrait and FindMySnap." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue It's practically impossible not to take pictures during the holidays. If you're lucky, there are plenty of photo subjects in bright, colorful settings. But most folks don't like how photos of them look. Here's how to make them happy. Plus, I'll introduce you to an exciting new iOS app called FindMySnap. All of that, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 924 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In The Reluctant Portrait The reason why most folks don't like their picture taken is because they don't like the way they look in the photo. I can totally understand that. Holiday snapshots are notorious for bad looks - unflattering expressions, bad angles, and poor lighting. But if you overcome these obstacles, it's a brand new ballgame, and one that most people would be happy to participate in. Here are my 5 favorite tips to overcome reluctant portraits. Candids Can Be Cruel Find Good Lighting Get Permission, then Work Your Magic Show Them the Picture! Share Only Flattering Pictures After the Event When we look back on holiday photos, we want to see our subjects clearly and in a good light. With you intervening to create good photographs instead of just indiscriminately snapping away, you will capture memories that people will enjoy for years to come. And finally, don't forget the group shot! It is the single most important image of the gathering. Happy Holidays! Find Photos Lightning Fast with FindMySnap You can learn all about it at CYME How many pictures do you think you have on your iPhone? I'm guessing alot! In my case, I have about 31,000. And one of our favorite things to do during a conversation about travel, or anything else, is to pull out our smartphone, and find that picture that we can show the other person. Easier said than done, right? Not anymore with FindMySnap. This AI-Powered app indexes your entire photo library, then provides lightning-fast results when you query it. Search phrases I've used include: Mom Christmas, Cat Window, My Sons, and so many more. The results are truly amazing. Plus the app has a bit of fun built in as well. You can download and try the app for free. If you love it, you can purchase it for $1.99 a monty, $6.99 a year, or $34.99 for a lifetime license. It works beautifully on both iPhones and iPads. The 2024 TDS Photography Workshop Season Gift Certificates are available for all of our workshops! Just send me an email at dstory@gmail.com, and I'll send you a personalized certificate right away. You can see all of the workshops and reserve your spot at thenimblephotographer.com I've just announced six new workshops for next year - 3 online, and 3 in-person on location. All events are open for registration right now. Here's what's going on. Photo Critique and Building Your Portfolio - Online - Feb. 2024 Spring in Sedona, AZ - In-Person - April 2024 Infrared Photography - Online - June 2024 Inkjet Printing for Photographers - Online - August 2024 Durango, CO and Mesa Verde National Park - In-Person - Oct. 2024 Safari West and Wine Country Experience in Sonoma County - In-Person - Nov. 2024 Reserve Your Spot Today Most of our workshops currently have open seats. But typically that doesn't last for long. So if you want to join us in 2024, and I hope you do, visit the Nimble Photographer Workshops Page and reserve your spot. I hope to work with you in 2024! Harman Photo's Brand New Color Film is Called Phoenix 200 You can read the entire story on Petapixel.com Harman Photo, the company that manufactures Ilford-brand film, has announced a new color film: Harman Phoenix 200. The limited edition film, which has been teased by the company on social media...

Duration:00:26:15

An Alternative to Black Friday Gifts - TDS Photography Podcast

11/28/2023
This is The Digital Story Podcast #923, Nov. 28, 2023. Today's theme is "An Alternative to Black Friday Gifts." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue I'm not against Black Friday or Cyber Monday. But the last thing you probably need from me is another list of sale items and doorbusters. So I'm going to hang a U-turn and take you down a different road. I have this great idea for a gift that doesn't require your credit card, and it's one that could be cherished for years. And I'll tell you all about it on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 923 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In An Alternative to Black Friday Gifts Before we pull out of the garage, let me explain a bit of what I've packed for the trip. You see, we're going to need some pictures. Not just any old snapshot, but images that take us back one, two, even three decades. After last week's podcast, I'm hoping that you've been thinking a bit about the files you've backed up and how you might be able to retrieve them. If they are not readily accessible because of old hardware or propritary software, you might want to read my article titled, The Rescue Mission. You can read the story for free using this link. I think it might get your problem-solving juices flowing. If you already have access to those archives and friend and family photos from the past, you're ready to begin. The concept is to cull a batch of family photos and create a keepsake to give as a gift. A common approach is to print those images as 4x6s, then arrange them in an album. This is a good way to go for a single gift. I would consider special touches however such as "lick & stick" photo corners, and additional memorabilia such as report cards, certificates, and graduation programs to round out the photos. But what if you want to produce more than one gift with this content? How can you practically do that? My first suggestion is a hanging calendar with each month a featured photo from your family archives. This also works great for lifelong friends. Imagine the joy produced by a well-designed walk down memory lane. And once it's designed, you can produce as many as you want. Another approach that I think is really cool, is a set of fine-art greeting cards with great photos from the past featured in the collection. You should include envelopes with the set. But don't be surprised if one or two of the favorites end up in frames. Speaking of frames, digital photo frames have really improved over the years. You could load it up with an initial set of images, then add a new batch every month. Many of these frames allow you to do this via WiFi. And finally, I know it sounds corny, but you can make custom commuter mugs and coffee cups with these shots. We have one in our family that's nearly 20 years old, and it still makes me smile every time I see it. Family photographers are historians as well. And if we combine some of this great content we have in storage, with a little creative output, we can warm a few hearts this holiday season. The 2024 TDS Photography Workshop Season You can see all of the workshops and reserve your spot at thenimblephotographer.com I've just announced six new workshops for next year - 3 online, and 3 in-person on location. All events are open for registration right now. Here's what's going on. Photo Critique and Building Your Portfolio - Online - Feb. 2024 Spring in Sedona, AZ - In-Person - April 2024 Infrared Photography - Online - June 2024 Inkjet Printing for Photographers - Online - August 2024 Durango, CO and Mesa Verde National Park - In-Person - Oct. 2024 Safari West and Wine Country Experience in Sonoma County - In-Person - Nov. 2024 Reserve Your Spot Today Most of our workshops currently have open seats. But typically that doesn't last for long. So if you want to join us in 2024, and I hope...

Duration:00:31:24

Bad News Backup - TDS Photography Podcast

11/21/2023
This is The Digital Story Podcast #922, Nov. 21, 2023. Today's theme is "Bad News Backup." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue The task was simple. All I had to do was gather a few images from 2005 that were stored on one of my twin Drobo drives. No, it's not what you think. The Drobos were fine. But unbeknownst to me, the images on them were trapped. And what I thought was the key to unlock them no longer worked. On today's TDS Photography Podcast, I tell the story of the Bad News Backup. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 922 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Bad News Backup Author's Note: I've published a detailed account of this story on Medium.com titled, The Rescue Mission. You can read the story for free using this link. Quietly humming on my desk right now is a white-plastic 2009 MacBook laptop running Mac OS X El Capitan. It's connected to a 2012 Drobo 5D hard drive array with a flickering activity light. They are working together on a very important project. No, I am not a time traveler. Nor am I so nostalgic that I would nurse along decades-old hardware. I am on a mission. I'm determined to retrieve images from my life 20 years ago. To help me, I've enlisted the help of a few unlikely characters, a band of aging old has-beens. Apple has long since stopped supporting plastic MacBooks. Drobo isn't even a company anymore. And the captor of my images, Aperture, was jettisoned in 2015. I had never worried much about the safety of those memories because Apple had promised an escape key: Photos for macOS (Aperture's replacement). If I wanted to peer into an Aperture library, all I had to do was connect the Drobo to a current computer and open the catalog with the Photos app. That was the deal. Or was it? Here's what happened next... The 2024 TDS Photography Workshop Season You can see all of the workshops and reserve your spot at thenimblephotographer.com I've just announced six new workshops for next year - 3 online, and 3 in-person on location. All events are open for registration right now. Here's what's going on. Photo Critique and Building Your Portfolio - Online - Feb. 2024 Spring in Sedona, AZ - In-Person - April 2024 Infrared Photography - Online - June 2024 Inkjet Printing for Photographers - Online - August 2024 Durango, CO and Mesa Verde National Park - In-Person - Oct. 2024 Safari West and Wine Country Experience in Sonoma County - In-Person - Nov. 2024 Reserve Your Spot Today All of our workshops currently have open seats. But typically that doesn't last for long. So if you want to join us in 2024, and I hope you do, visit the Nimble Photographer Workshops Page and reserve your spot. I hope to work with you in 2024! Photographer Switches to JPEG and Is Impeached by Local Club You can read the entire story on FStoppers.com Seattle, WA: Local photographer Wyatt Jones recently decided to switch from shooting in raw to JPEG format in an effort to spend less time editing images. However, he soon discovered he was spending even more time explaining his decision to horrified fellow photographers who were developing negative opinions. "I figured JPEGs would be quicker - just shoot and share!" said Jones. "But when I told my camera club friends, you'd think I just kicked a puppy. They kept asking if I had gone insane." Outraged photographers immediately began cropping up, inundating Jones with reasons he must shoot raw: white balance adjustments, exposure recovery, the ability to re-edit years later, and most importantly, better shadow recovery. "Eric went on a 15-minute diatribe about how shooting JPEG was 'destroying your creative potential'," said Jones. "He said I may as well just be shooting on a Polaroid. But they're my family photos, not the next Avengers movie!" The pleas to switch back to raw fell on deaf ears. Later, Jones proudly posted a JPEG photo to...

Duration:00:29:58

The 2024 TDS Workshop Season Plus Sony a9 III Global Shutter - Photo Podcast

11/14/2023
This is The Digital Story Podcast #921, Nov. 14, 2023. Today's theme is "The 2024 TDS Workshop Season, Plus the Sony a9 III Global Shutter." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue The marque feature of the Sony a9 III is the global shutter. I interview Zach Sutton from Lens Rentals to discuss its significance. Then we roll right into the just-announced Photography Workshop Schedule for 2024. It's an exciting lineup of both online and in-person events. And you're going want to hear what we're up to. All of this on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 921 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In The Significance of the Sony a9 Global Shutter The Sony a9 III is an amazing camera. And at the top of the feature list is the global shutter. I interview Zach Sutton, the editor of the LensRentals.com Blog, and we discuss the importance of the shutter and the new camera. The 2024 TDS Photography Workshop Season You can see all of the workshops and reserve your spot at thenimblephotographer.com I've just announced six new workshops for next year - 3 online, and 3 in-person on location. All events are open for registration right now. Here's what's going on. Photo Critique and Building Your Portfolio - Online February 2024 - It's difficult for photographers to find constructive feedback for their images. And it's even more challenging to determine their strongest work on their own. In this workshop, participants will be able to present images each week to be reviewed by the group. Plus there will be tips on building a strong portfolio, entering photo competitions, and more. Spring in Sedona, AZ - In-Person April 2024 - TDS photographers return to Sedona, AZ, but this time during the Spring to view the landscape in a whole new way. We will explore iconic locations, picturesque landscapes, mysterious vortexes, and towns frozen in time from the mining days. What a great way to kickoff our 2024 workshop season! Infrared Photography - Online June 2024 - Do you feel like the world is looking like "the same old same old" through your camera's viewfinder? Have you felt your enthusiasm for photography waning? Then it's time for you to consider exploring infrared imaging. Suddenly walks you've taken a hundred times look completely different as you see them through your camera. Old familiar subjects burst to life with new vibrancy. IR photography can energize your creativity, not only for this medium, but for all of your artistry. Inkjet Printing for Photographers - Online August 2024 - This inkjet printing workshop will help you tame your printer, enabling you to create beautiful prints and fine art greeting cards. We'll cover paper stocks, printer setups, project design, and even how to choose the best inkjet photo printer for you. Weekly printing assignments with class support will help you hone your skills. If you're tired of being baffled by the fine art output process, and are ready to start creating artwork that you can physically share with others, this workshop is for you. Durango, CO and Mesa Verde National Park - In-Person October 2024 - Autumn in Colorado. This workshop will combine the beauty of Durango, located in the Animas River Valley and surrounded by the gorgeous San Juan Mountains, elevation 6,500 feet, with the archaeological wonder of Mesa Verde National Park. During the workshop, we will photograph stunning landscapes, explore ruins, and immerse in the town that features hotels, restaurants, and railroads dating back to 1887. Safari West and Wine Country Experience in Sonoma County - In-Person November 2024 - Referred to as the Sonoma Serengeti, Safari West is located on 400 rolling acres in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains and is home to hundreds of African animals, including exotic birds, mammals, and reptiles. We will explore this habitat in a...

Duration:00:34:00

How Lightroom Desktop Saved the Day - TDS Photography Podcast

11/7/2023
This is The Digital Story Podcast #920, Nov. 7, 2023. Today's theme is "How Lightroom Desktop Saved the Day." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Like most of you, I have the $9.99 a month Adobe Photography Plan that includes Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Lightroom Desktop, and Lightroom Mobile. And even though Lightroom isn't my primary photo management app, at times, I find it very useful. Over the last month was one of those times, and on today's TDS Photography Podcast, I'll share with you why. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 920 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In How Lightroom Desktop Saved the Day For the last few years, I've been using a combination of Capture One Pro and Photos for macOS to manage my pictures. Photos is great for my iPhone shots, and Capture One Pro works well for my professional assignment work. But I also maintain my Adobe Photography Plan because there are times I find it very useful. That became even more the case with the recent Lightroom Desktop update, V7.0, that allowed images to be stored locally, as well as in the cloud. I like Lightroom Desktop because it has most of the tools I need in an easy, uncomplicated interface. But having to wrestle with my Adobe Cloud account hindered its usefulness for me. When Adobe allowed for local storage as well, that thrilled me. Now I can point Lightroom Desktop to my organized picture folders on my hard drive without worrying about exceeding my Cloud storage limit. I can use its cool tools such as the new AI Denoise or Lens Blur for any RAW file on my hard drive. I was really thrilled. But, a turn of events made this even more important. RAW Files from the Nikon Zf When I was testing the Nikon Zf for my published review of it, of course I needed to see how its RAW files performed. At first, Capture One couldn't read them. I was using 16.2.2. Then I saw an update was available: 16.2.5. Right on! I downloaded it and added my perpetual license key. The updated version would not accept it and insisted that I needed to pay $200 for an upgrade to 16.2.5. Pay for an update to a dot release! I trashed the new version and went back to 16.2.2. And I decided that I was going to use Lightroom for working with the RAW files for the Zf. One of the really good things about Adobe is that they are on top of RAW file updates. This is really important when you test new cameras as I do. And since Lightroom Desktop was more flexible than before, this became my workflow for the Zf. I have 20 GBs of Cloud space to work with as part of my Adobe Photography Plan. Lightroom Desktop now allows me to load all of my Zf files locally, then decide which ones, if any, I send to Cloud storage. I do this for my favorites because then I can view them, and tweak if necessary, using Lightroom Mobile on my iPhone. It's the best of both worlds. Adobe Decoding of Nikon's RAW Files Over the last week, I was covering our Wine Country Photography Workshop with the Zf. We were in wine country at the peak of color, and it was amazing. The Zf did a great job of recording all of that beauty, and Lightroom Desktop decoded those files accurately. One of the things I really appreciated in Lightroom was the Profile options. I could go with the Adobe versions: Adobe Color, Adobe Landscape, Adobe Vivid, etc., or, under Camera Matching, I could tap the Nikon profiles that were in my camera: Nikon Flat, Nikon Landscape, Nikon Portrait, etc., plus I had all three Nikon Monochrome profiles available there too. If you don't know about these settings, you have to try them. Once I decided on the best profile for the images at hand, I used the Adobe adjustments to get the most from those RAWs. The editing was fast and effective. I was able to confidently report on the image quality of the Nikon Zf thanks to Adobe Lightroom Desktop. Some photographers might not realize...

Duration:00:31:21

Connecting a Camera to Your Smartphone - Has It Got Better? TDS Photo Podcast

10/31/2023
This is The Digital Story Podcast #919, Oct. 31, 2023. Today's theme is "Connecting a Camera to Your Smartphone: Has It Got Better?" I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Our smartphones and tablets have such beautiful HD screens and are so powerful. They are a natural companion to our mirrorless cameras. Yet, despite Bluetooth and WiFi, the whole process has been an exercise in frustration. Has it got any better? Find out on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 919 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Connecting a Camera to Your Smartphone: Has It Got Better? There are so many situations when I just want to see a photo on my iPhone or iPad without having to remove the memory card, put it in a reader, launch an app, and go through the entire uploading process. And I shouldn't have to. Every modern device has Bluetooth and WiFi. This should be easy. But it hasn't. Have things changed? With my iPhone 15 Pro Max in hand, I've tested the apps from Nikon, OM System, and Fujifilm. This should be a fairly good sampling of where we stand. So let's get to it. Nikon SnapBridge with a Nikon Zf Grade C - When everything works as it is supposed to, I can remotely control the camera with the iPhone, download pictures in a variety of resolutions from the Zf to the iPhone, automatically geotag pictures, and more. The Bluetooth side of the equation works well. Once you set up Auto Link and pair the devices, they find each other nearly instantly. This is particularly important when you want to automatically geotag pictures captured with the Zf. Things start to break down for remote photography and downloading images because those require a WiFi connection, which the Zf has a hard time maintaining. In fact, the WiFi can gum up the works so badly that you sometimes have to turn it off to use the Bluetooth. Once reestablished however, everything works really well. Nikon needs to make the WiFi side of the equation more stable. Once they do, this app could be rise to an A grade. O.I. Share with OM System OM-1 Grade B+ - The O.I. app has evolved steadily over the years, and its current version is the most stable and functional to date. Setup is fairly straightforward, having the smartphone scan a QR code on the camera back. Once the connection is made, you can remotely control the camera, import photos, including RAWs, edit pictures with all of the Art Filters available in post), add geotags, and even update the firmware for the camera and Olympus lenses. The Bluetooth and WiFi connections are stable. It does take a little time to fire up the WiFi when you want to download pictures or remotely control the camera, but once established, the connection is solid. The realtime geotagging has very much improved. One you turn on the feature in O.I. Share, you don't even have to launch to app for geotagging to engage. You can confirm that BT and geotagging is active via the icons on the camera's LCD. This tandem has really improved, and it deserves a solid B. Speeding up the WiFi connection process would move it to a grade of A. Fujifilm Xapp with X100V Grade B - Fujifilm photographers were not happy with the previous version of their smartphone app. So the software engineers went back to the drawing board and created an entirely program: Xapp. The Xapp provides a variety of functions including geotagging, importing pictures, remote control, backing up camera settings, and firmware updates. The Bluetooth connection works great. All you have to do is launch the app with the camera on, and the two see each other right away. Again, this provides fairly seamless geotagging of the camera images. WiFi is required for importing pictures and remote control. This works fairly well, but I have had to initiate the connection more than once to enable. I would say it's definitely more stable...

Duration:00:30:57