This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,043, March 17, 2026. Today's theme is, "No Matter Where Your Photos Are, This App Can Display Them." I'm Derrick Story.

On my MacBook, I have Aperture libraries, Capture One catalogs, Lightroom collections, thousands of images in Photos for macOS, and a bunch of file folders. I can search across all of those proprietary catalogs, find what I want, and export to my desktop. How? Using a magical application called Peakto. I'll explain how, and its latest updates, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

No Matter Where Your Photos Are, This App Can Display Them

I've talked about Peakto on this show before, but it has evolved tremendously since my last discussion.

Just to refresh: Peakto is an AI-powered, Mac-only software by CYME that centralizes, organizes, and searches photos and videos scattered across multiple drives and editing apps like Lightroom, Capture One, and Apple Photos. It provides a unified view, automatically analyzes media for content-based searching, identifies duplicates, and supports cloud-free collaboration.

For someone like me, who has everything from old Aperture libraries, to Capture One Catalogs, to Nitro, Luminar, and Photomator, Peakto is a godsend because I can see all of those photos, regardless of where they reside, in one place.

New Features That I Love

Plus now, there are new features that further increase its value to me. Those include:

• Workspaces for Apps that interact with images edited in DxO PhotoLab, Luminar Neo, Nitro, and ON1 Photo RAW.
• Peakto Connect is a service built-in to the app that enables me to share my content within my local network or externally, via a web application.
• Albums and Smart Albums that span my entire catalog of images, regardless of the app, and allow me to create albums across all of that content.

A note about Aperture Libraries, Peakto supports libraries from Aperture version 3.4.2 or later. Libraries older that will need to be updated with Aperture. If a library is compatible with Peakto, you don't need Aperture on your hard drive to access those images.

AI Search

I'm terrible at keywording. It's boring and I rarely apply them to my shots. Fortunately, AI search using object recognition, gives me a second chance to find images I'm looking for.

When you point Peakto to any set of images, it goes through a multi-step process to ingest that information. One of those steps uses AI Object Recognition. As a result, you can search for broad categories, such as "birds," or get more specific such as "red birds."

As with most AI-powered searches, it's not perfect. But I've found that the tool gets me close enough to what I'm looking for within a short period of time.

Of course, if you do use keywords, text descriptions, etc., this feature gets turbo-powered. Plus, all of the other markers are available too, such as EXIF data and star ratings.

Bringing It All Together

There are tons of other features with Peakto. Things like Aesthetic Rating where the AI scores an image based on technical and aesthetic aspects.

The bottom line is that for many photographers, the notion of being tied to just one photo management app for the duration of your career isn't practical. Things change. Apps come and go. Our personal preferences evolve.

Peakto helps us manage that evolution over the years. It allows us to experiment and change our minds. We don't have to be tied to a single photo management app if we don't want to. And for folks like me who like to experiment with workflows, it's a blessing.

PS: If you want to know more about how I use Peakto, plus screenshots of what I discussed in the podcast, check out my article, How to Bring Multiple Photo Libraries Together in One Place on Live View.

This Week in the News

'Sinners' DP Autumn Durald Arkapaw Makes Oscar History as First Woman to Win Best Cinematography as featured on Variety.com

I'm Back Teases APS-C Digital 'Film' Roll That Entirely Fits in a 35mm Camera as featured on PetaPixel.com

Peak Design Slide Lite review - still one of the very best camera straps you can buy as featured on AmateurPhotographer.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.

Since the demise of Aperture, I haven't been able to settle on a single photo editing/managing app for my work. The closest I've come to a groove is using a combination of Capture One and Lightroom for my pro assignments, and Photos with its wonderful editing extensions for my personal work.

You may be thinking, "Why Photos? It's just a consumer app for iPhone-toting snap shooters, right?" Well, if you haven't looked at it for a while, there's more going on there than you might realize.

Photos is wonderful for my travel, family, and creative photography. Since I use iCloud backup, I never have to worry about losing a shot. My Photos library is constantly updated on all of my devices. And there are lots of great tools for editing and sharing.

That last point is where many photographers might pause. Stay with me for a minute. My view is that the Photos workflow, which includes a few choice Editing Extensions, is robust enough for enthusiast photographers. And it's fun. Very fun.

Let's start with those Editing Extensions.

Editing Extensions

Photos is an extensible app. That means it plays nice with other software, yet maintains a consistent user interface. I take advantage of this design and depend on a handful of Editing Extensions to provide the functions that are not available in the basic Photos app. My favorite Editing Extensions are:

• Nitro - A well-rounded image editor that stays current with RAW profiles from new cameras, plus has RAW fine-tuning, great selection tools, and a wealth of editing adjustments.
• Luminar Neo - Fantastic for creative image editing, featuring a wealth of AI-powered tools, filters, and effects.
• ON1 Effects - Amazing collection of presets for landscape, portrait, and urban photography. Each effect can be customized or combined with others. Plus a great slate of adjustment filters.
• ON1 Noise AI - Powerful AI-powered noise reduction and sharpening.
• Markup - Built-in Apple extension for adding text and shapes to pictures.

Choosing an Editing Extension from within the Photos app.

Enabling an Editing Extension is easy. Download the software, then launch the Photos app. Select a picture from your library, go to Edit mode, then click on the 3 dots (...) in the upper right-hand corner. Choose the Editing Extension you want from the pop-up menu.

Your image will then be transported to the new editing environment, where you have options available via that app. Make your enhancements, then click the Save Changes button. Your improved picture will be returned to the Photos library.

You can continue editing with the Photos adjustment tools, share the image, or, if you want, revert to original. You can see the before and after versions of the picture by pressing the M key.

Editing Extensions provide you with a host of cutting-edge tools while still enjoying the benefits of the Photos workflow.

Hiding and Showing Screenshots

The good news is that every picture you take with your iPhone goes into your Photos library. But that's the bad news as well, right? If you're like me, your iPhone is a screen-capturing beast recording receipts, notifications, memes, and more. Screenshots are handy, but boy, they can sure clutter up a pretty Photos library.

Fortunately, you can tame the screenshot beast. Start by going to View > Screenshots and uncheck it. This hides screenshots from your browsing library, so all you see are your pretty pictures.

Managing screenshots in Photos.

But fear not! Your screenshots are still readily accessible. Go to the left column > Media Types > Screenshots and click. Presto! All of your screenshots are captured in one easy-to-browse gallery.

Object Recognition Searches

Here's a question for the class: Raise your hand if you love keywording your pictures. OK. I see a few hands, but not many.

I'm hands down on this one. There are better things to do with my time.

Thanks to an ever-improving object recognition engine in Photos, we can find pictures in our libraries by simply typing what we're looking for.

If I want to find a picture with an American flag in it, I go to the Search box in the upper right corner, type "flag," and hit return.

A host of flag shots will appear. I scroll through the images and pick the one I want.

Sometimes I don't get the results I'm looking for. Recently, I wanted to see the black & white pictures in my library. So I typed "black & white" in the Search box.

I was aghast by the terrible results! Then I realized that maybe I need to think more like a computer. So I tried again, this time typing "monochrome" in Search.

Bingo! All of my black & white pictures appeared.

Searching for black & white photos via the term, "monochrome."

The lesson for me was that if I don't get what I want on the first try, rethink the search term, and try again.

It's kind of fun, actually. And for me, far more enjoyable than keywording.

Create a Memory Movie and Export It

When Memories first appeared in Photos, many of my photographer friends said, "Yeah, that's cute. But it's not really useful for me." Apparently, Apple didn't pay attention to those sentiments because they kept evolving Memories into something that is useful. Case in point: Memory Movies.

These one-minute gems on a topic of your choosing can be quite heart-warming, illuminating, or shocking (depending on the subject). And they can be saved and shared or embedded in other slide shows and movie presentations.

Try creating one now. Go to File > New Memory Movie. Enter a descriptive word or phrase, such as "sunsets." Photos will comb your library for interesting images on that topic, build a movie, add music, and play it for you.

Describe the memory you want, and Photos will create a movie of it.

If you prefer a different soundtrack than what Photos selected, you can choose a different one by clicking on the music note icon in the lower left corner. You can also add filters or bring in additional frames.

Then go to File > Export > Export Memory Movie to create a standalone video that can be shared or embedded in other projects.

I'm telling you... These are fabulous.

Removing Duplicates from Your Library

The only thing more boring than keywording is hunting down duplicates in your library and extinguishing them. Thank goodness Photos will do that for you.

Start by locating the Utilities folder in the left-hand column, then click on Duplicates beneath it. You'll see all of the duplicate images that Photos has identified in your library.

There are two basic types: exact copies, or pictures that appear to be the same, but have different resolutions or other variables. If you Select All (CMD-A), Photos will ask you if you want to consolidate the exact copies only or all of the images that have been identified.

Here's what I suggest. On the first pass, choose Merge Exact Copies. Those are safe, and they will greatly reduce the number of pictures in your Duplicates album. Then, I would review the remaining pairs individually and decide to either merge them or leave them alone.

Merging duplicates in a Photos library.

Photos will choose the higher quality version with the highest resolution. The lesser version will be moved to the trash, and it will be held in limbo for 30 days before final discarding. You can review your trash at any time to either save a photo or get rid of it permanently.

Tidying up your duplicates is the digital version of spring cleaning. And it feels just as good.

Final Thoughts

The not-so-hidden agenda with this article was to encourage you to take a closer look at the Photos app, especially if you haven't done so for a while. In addition to the features I've discussed here, I'm confident you'll unearth more hidden gems.

Happy hunting!

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,042, March 10, 2026. Today's theme is, "Is It Time to Reconsider the Bridge Camera?" I'm Derrick Story.

Last week I talked about small sensor cameras in general and how they can pack a big punch in a small package. This week I want to reintroduce you to the high magnification bridge camera that leverages small sensors to a 600mm extreme and beyond. You'll be amazed at the images you can create with them. All of that, plus industry news, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

Is It Time to Reconsider the Bridge Camera?

You may have photographic gem stashed in the back of your closet right now, and not even realize it.

Bridge cameras were quite popular a decade ago for their compact size and impressive telephoto reach. But as larger sensor mirrorless cameras became more capable and sophisticated, most companies stoped producing the super telephoto compacts.

Why? Because those smaller sensors could not compete with the likes of full-frame mirrorless. But as I discussed last week, advances in AI-powered software have breathed new life into bridge cameras.

Last month, Rob and I were talking about this very topic as a alternative rig for our upcoming Costa Rica workshop. For Rob, shooting with a full-frame sensor and already owning far-reaching telephotos, the bridge alternative wasn't a practical consideration.

But for me, one who likes to experiment, I was curious. So I found a Panasonic LUMIX FZ300 on the used market and started testing. After a couple weeks of shooting, I thought you might be interested in the results. First a little bit about the FZ300 itself.

When Panasonic introduced the LUMIX DMC-FZ300 in July 2015, Camera Labs wrote it was an, "attractive proposition for anyone looking for a higher-end super-zoom without breaking the bank." And when they said super-zoom, they weren't kidding. The FZ300 featured a 25-600mm constant aperture f/2.8 Leica lens... for less than $600.

In addition to that Leica glass, the FZ300 featured 5-axis image stabilization, 4K video, 4K photo, a high performance electronic viewfinder, high-speed autofocus, 1cm macro, weather sealing, and a lot more. All this technology squeezed into a body that was only 5" wide and weighed a mere pound and a half. Sounds like a dream machine come true.

So why don't we see them today? That demur 1/2.3" 12-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor lacked the image quality and high-ISO performance of the emerging wave of full-sensor wonders.

The irony was... those small sensors were the very thing that made the seemingly impossible 600mm reach of the compact FZ300 possible. To achieve that magnification with a full-frame camera would require optics much larger and more expensive.

So the cameras with small sensors that "bridged" the transition from smartphone photography to DSLRs fell out of favor. And Panasonic never released a successor to the FZ300.

Why Bridge Cameras Could Make Sense Again

The evolution of hardware technology contributed to the demise of bridge cameras, but changes in software may lead to their comeback. The issue of image quality and pixel count from small sensors is real, no doubt. Compared to a modern full frame sensor, a chip smaller than your fingernail just can't compete.

Yet, somehow, the images from our smartphones with their minute chips are nothing short of amazing. How is this so? The answer is software combined with clever merging techniques can help compensate for lack of chip size.

Much of this technology is available to us today through software applications such as Lightroom, DxO PhotoLab, Photomator, Nitro, Luminar, and others. AI-powered noise reduction and resolution enhancement can bring those 12MP photos up to reasonable size and quality. And even though those same technologies can be applied to full-frame cameras, that's a level of quality that many of us don't need.

Some of us still like the idea of a compact camera with exceptional reach and reasonable image quality. Software to help those cameras compete with large sensor cameras wasn't readily available in 2015, but it is today. So let's see what we can do with those bridge camera pictures.

Lots of Light for Small Sensor Cameras

A logical place to start is to understand the shooting conditions that are favorable for the FZ300 and its comrades. In short, outdoor daylight produces the best images. In fact, great images. Small sensor cameras can go toe to toe with the big boys on sunny days. And to be honest, those are the conditions that we most often are using 400-600mm telephotos.

I've made those results even better by adding a combination diffuser plus polarizer filter. My favorites are the PolarPro Everyday Shortstache and the K&F Concept 1/4 Black Diffuser plus circular polarizer. Both of these accessories seem to bring out the best for my FZ300.

Once you retreat indoors or evening conditions, then you'll need supplemental light, such as from the flash, or time to reach for a larger sensor camera. I don't push the FZ300 past ISO 800.

Shoot RAW+Jpeg

Jpegs are great for immediate sharing or for applying in-camera effects such as film simulations, but RAWs are important for squeezing as much quality as possible from the small sensors.

The RAW editing tools in DxO PhotoLab, Nitro, and Photomator are amazing for extracting detail from these RAW files while helping to control noise. In PhotoLab there's DxO ClearView Plus DeepPrime. Photomator features Super Resolution and Denoise. Nitro includes RAW Tuning. And Luminar supports a variety of AI-powered adjustments.

Combining this post-production muscle with RAW files enables us to refine images from small-sensor cameras like never before.

See for Yourself

In my Live View article, How Bridge Cameras Got Lost in the Shuffle, I've posted a number of wildlife pictures captured with the FZ300, and processed with the software I've been talking about. The article is free for our podcast listeners.

Will they blow away a Sony full frame camera? No way. But do this images make good prints and render well on a computer screen? I think they do. And the entire rig only weighs about a pound and a half and is a mere 5" wide.

Now, I wouldn't dare travel all the way to Costa Rica with only the FZ300. But, I will have it in my bag along with my standard gear for those nimble moments when I want the reach of a super-zoom, but the weight of a compact.

I'll let you know how it goes.

This Week in the News

A Camera's Dynamic Range Is Interesting but Not That Important as featured on PetaPixel.com

This woman invented the solution to lens flare - you've probably never heard of her, but every photographer should thank her as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com

The Importance of Embracing Imperfection as featured on FStoppers.com

Jeff Bridges unboxing the camera he's been developing is pure joy 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 1,041, March 3, 2026. Today's theme is, "5 Tips for Small Sensor Photography." I'm Derrick Story.

I just returned from a trip where my large-sensor camera was an OM-3 Micro Four Thirds, and it got smaller from there with a TG-7 and iPhone 17 Pro. And I love the pictures! So I thought it would be fun to talk about techniques for shooting confidently with a small sensor camera. All of that, plus industry news, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

---

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

5 Tips for Small Sensor Photography

I just returned from a trip to the coast where the only cameras I had were the OM System OM-3 Micro Four Thirds mirrorless, the OM System TG-7 compact, and the iPhone 17 Pro.

We all know that the MFT sensor is quite a bit smaller than an APS-C or Full Frame chip. And the 1/2.3" sensor in the TG-7 is even smaller. Why would anyone endeavor the capture the beautiful California Coast with this gear?

Well you can. The shots will look great for sharing and printing. And unless you're a pixel-peeper, you'll probably be thrilled with the shoot.

That being said, there are a few tricks to maximizing image quality and beauty from your photos. Here are 5 things that I do when working with smaller sensors.

• Pay Attention to Shutter Speed and Aperture - Even though all my cameras have built-in image stabilization, I try not to over-depend on it. For handheld photography I keep my speed at 1/30th or faster and aperture stopped down 1-2 stops.
• Use Good Shooting Technique - Holding the camera with a steady grip and lightly pressing the shutter does make a difference.
• Record in RAW+Jpeg - Sometimes the Jpegs are absolutely amazing, and other shots require my working the RAW file. Of the 15 images gallery I'm sharing in the Show Notes, 12 shots were processed as RAW, and 3 were Jpegs. That ratio varies from shoot to shoot, but I'm always glad to have both.
• Photomator Super Resolution and Denoise - Once I've cropped and edited the image, I run my favorites through Photomator Super Resolution to increase pixel count, and if necessary, Denoise to clean things up. There are many other apps that do this as well. Take advantage of the technology that's available.
• Image Enhancing Filters - My favorite filter for small sensor cameras is the K&F Concept Diffuser 1/4 & Circular Polarizing in-1 for $22.99. This filter on a small sensor camera renders the images more photographically without the digital look that sometimes appears. Plus, quite frankly, there is less image editing in post.

Simple techniques, yes. But together they can help you travel super light and come home with satisfying images that will impress those who see them.

Creative Photography Techniques with Rob Knight

Rob's Becoming a More Creative Photographer Online Workshop begins this Thursday, March 5th. For those of you who haven't signed up yet, you might be interested in this conversation with Rob about this very cool workshop. Listen in to hear what he has to say.

This Week in the News

The 8 best cameras for travel in 2026 as featured on DPReview.com

The Best New Photo Gear Announced at CP+ 2026 as featured on PetaPixel.com

The Leica Leitzphone is back - and this time it's going global as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com

Why Physical Media Is Making a Comeback Among Younger Generations 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.

We now have the dates set for the Hot Air Balloon Classic and Micro Brewery Photography Workshop that begins on July 17th and ends on July 20th. We'll go behind the scenes at the Balloon Classic for an inside look at how these beautiful aircraft are designed, maintained, and piloted. We'll photograph the Dawn Patrol launch, the big bash, and even rise up in a balloon if you want. We'll also explore the vibrant Micro Brewery culture in Sonoma County, home for Russian River Brewery, Lagunitas, and more. And if you add on to your adventure, there are days and days of photographic opportunities from majestic redwoods, to rugged coasts, to hillside vineyards. What a wonderful getaway. Place your deposit today!.

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 1,040, Feb. 24, 2026. Today's theme is, "Snapseed Sprouts a New Camera, and It's Beautiful" I'm Derrick Story.

Just when you think it's dead, Snapseed springs to life with additional editing tools, a refreshed UI, and a new camera app. And just like with some of our favorite mirrorless brands, we can capture images choosing from a variety of film simulations. And just like that Snapseed is relevant again. More about that, plus other interesting stories, on today's TDS Photography Podcast.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

---

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

Snapseed Sprouts a New Camera, and It's Beautiful

I think we'll start out by taking a look at this article on PetyaPixel.com, titled, Snapseed's New Built-In Camera Has Film Simulations, Including Portra and Superia by Jaron Schneider. He provides an excellent overview. Then I will dig in with my own experiences using this latest version of Snapseed.

Sky Replacement Follow Up, What Our Listeners Say

In last week's podcast, Is Sky Replacement OK If It's Your Sky?, I said that I was going to pose this question to our Inner Circle Members. Here's what they had to say.

• 36 percent said: For artistic images, I'm fine. But I use my sky pictures.
• 26 percent said: No problem at all. I will use whatever I can find.
• 21 percent said: I'm against it, and I would never engage in such activity.
• 15 percent said: I've never really thought about it much.

Some comments included:

"I don't have any problems with sky replacement using personal or 3rd party asset... go for it, use what you like. But I think the photographer should disclose the modification, if/when selling the image. I would refer to the modified photograph as photo art. Similar to the 60s/70s photo art that was created by artists that painted highlights on monochrome photos. I have not done any sky replacement, might give it a go one day." Darin.

"I think it's fine if you want to do it, but I feel strongly that it needs to be labeled as such - as a photo collage, or something similar. To not mention that your image is a composite of multiple images is deceptive in my book." Lawrence.

"I have used it once, to replace a blank sky on a drone shot of a mountain valley. My instinct is not to use it, but if I do, I would use whatever appropriate sky I could find. That's mainly because I haven't made a collection of my own. In theory, it's hard to find a logical reason to be against it. Landscape painters have always been free to interpret all aspects of an image, and we alter the other aspects of photographic landscapes unrealistically all the time ( white balance, contrast, dodging and burning), so why draw a line here? Yet most of us do. A conundrum." Michael A.

"I don't think I've ever replaced a sky in my personal/ artistic work. I think of a photo as capturing a particular moment, and I work with what was there. I don't have any particular judgement about the process, it's just not something I do for my images. Commercial work is another story... for real estate, advertising, etc, anything is fair game. The final product for the client is the point, and I use all the tools at my disposal to get the desired results. Replacing the sky can mean the difference between a drab exterior shot of a house and a dramatic image that stops buyers in their tracks." Rob

"I have numerous opinions and thoughts on this, but the one that I keep coming back to lately is this.... If I have to think about replacing the sky to make a photo more interesting, perhaps that photo is not worth the effort and I should just work on making a better photo, or at least figure out what my subject really is and compose for that." Michael B.

This Week in the News

Tamron's latest F2.8 zoom resurrects an idea from the 90s as featured on DPReview.com

The Depth of Field Advantage No One Mentions About Micro Four Thirds as featured on FStoppers.com

Zeniko ZA12 Dual Dial Flash review - clever auto metering for any camera as featured on AmateurPhotographer.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.

We now have the dates set for the Hot Air Balloon Classic and Micro Brewery Photography Workshop that begins on July 17th and ends on July 20th. We'll go behind the scenes at the Balloon Classic for an inside look at how these beautiful aircraft are designed, maintained, and piloted. We'll photograph the Dawn Patrol launch, the big bash, and even rise up in a balloon if you want. We'll also explore the vibrant Micro Brewery culture in Sonoma County, home for Russian River Brewery, Lagunitas, and more. And if you add on to your adventure, there are days and days of photographic opportunities from majestic redwoods, to rugged coasts, to hillside vineyards. What a wonderful getaway. Place your deposit today!.

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 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 1,039, Feb. 17, 2026. Today's theme is, "Is Sky Replacement OK If It's Your Sky?" I'm Derrick Story.

The Sky AI tool in Luminar Neo is sooo tempting to tap. With it, you can replace the drab no clouds background in your landscape images with any type of heavenly image. The question is: should you? I'll answer the question with an another question: Is it OK if it's your sky you're using to replace it? I'll grapple with this nebulous issue in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

Is Sky Replacement OK If It's Your Sky?

Let's start out by setting a few ground rules. First, we're not talking about photo journalism, documentation, or any type of realistic representation. In those instances, sky replacement is a no-no, as is any other type of replacement.

But what about artistic endeavors? If the goal is to create a pleasing images that viewers will respond to, is sky replacement still frowned upon. Indeed, this is a hazy area. And to puff up the issue even more, is it more acceptable if you use sky images that you personally photographed?

I'll give you a few minutes to mull over the options while I describe how the Sky AI feature works in Luminar. You can access this tool in the standalone version of the app, or as an editing extension for Photos.

In Edit mode, Sky AI is near the top of the right-hand panel of tools. Click on it and your first task is to choose a look from the available options. Click on Sky Selection and Luminar shows you all of the available options. You can click on the drop down menu for various categories such as Blue Sky, Dramatic Sky, Sunset, etc. You can buy collections from Skylum and add them to your list of options.

Once you choose a look, the app uses its intelligence to place it via a sophisticated mask in the proper area of your composition. At this point, you have a number of options that include Sky Orientation, Mask refinement, Scene Relighting, Reflection, and Sky Adjustments. Using those tools, you can tailor the sky to the rest of the photo making it look very natural.

If you've been collecting your own shots of interesting skies, those can be added here as well. Choose Show Custom Skies and copy your own JPEG files into the folder that opens. Skylum recommends that you limit your additions to 50 to maintain good performance. I have more than that now, and everything is still running fine. Once you've added your new sky, you can keep editing the image as you normally would.

The difference can be incredible. For example, we had outstanding fall foliage color during last year's Eastern Sierra Workshop, but mostly plain blue skies. I enhanced a few of those images with my own skies, and it was transformative. Still the same location, trees, and lakes, just with a few lovely clouds added.

If this is interesting to you, I have a few suggestions:

• Comb through your current library and gather up a collection of interesting skies to add to Luminar, or whatever app you use for this type of editing.
• As Spring approaches, begin taking pictures of pure skies that you can add to your library.
• Pay attention to light direction and other elements in your composition when adding a sky. Luminar can help you adjust these elements for a natural looking, including adding sky reflections to lakes.

So what's your verdict? As you can probably tell by now, I'm fine with sky replacement when I've photographed all elements in the composition and have tried to maintain a realistic rendering of the scene.

If you're in that camp as well, I highly recommend playing with Sky AI in Luminar Neo. It's beautiful.

This Week in the News

AI Has Made It Absurdly Expensive to Capture and Store Your Photos as featured on PetaPixel.com

The Most Disruptive Photography Company of 2025 Isn't Who You Think as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com

OM‑3 Astro: OM System's classic body gets a cosmic upgrade 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.

We now have the dates set for the Hot Air Balloon Classic and Micro Brewery Photography Workshop that begins on July 17th and ends on July 20th. We'll go behind the scenes at the Balloon Classic for an inside look at how these beautiful aircraft are designed, maintained, and piloted. We'll photograph the Dawn Patrol launch, the big bash, and even rise up in a balloon if you want. We'll also explore the vibrant Micro Brewery culture in Sonoma County, home for Russian River Brewery, Lagunitas, and more. And if you add on to your adventure, there are days and days of photographic opportunities from majestic redwoods, to rugged coasts, to hillside vineyards. What a wonderful getaway. Place your deposit today!.

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 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 1,038, 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.

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 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 1,037, 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.

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 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 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 1,036, 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.

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 pancake prime lens. (BTW: the Olympus LC-37C auto lens cap works on this optic as well).
• Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 compact telephoto.
• Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mm EZ zoom lens.

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 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 1,035, 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.

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 - With Focus Stacking, the TG-7 will process the stack in-camera and provide you with a final result that has an extended depth of field. In the Menu settings, you can choose between 3 and 10 frames for your stack, and set a short delay too. For Focus Bracketing, you can choose more frames, but you have to process them later on the computer.
• Art Filters and Monochrome Mode - The TG-7 includes 16 Art Filters, such as Instant Film, Dramatic Tone, Soft Focus, and Vintage. Plus, it has a full-blown Monochrome mode. All of these options are in the Picture Mode menu.
• Full HD 120 FPS and 4K 30p Movie Recording - Yes, it captures slow motion video and 4K with just a press of the red button on the back of the camera.
• Mount Filters with the Optional CLA-T01 Adapter - Accepting 40.5mm filters using the handsome CLA-T01 Conversion Adapter ($37) or the affordable JJC Conversion Lens Adapter Ring ($9). I like adding the K&F CONCEPT 40.5mm Black Diffusion 1/8 Cinematic Effect Filter for a more photographic look to my images. But just about every filter is available in this size, including polarizers.
• Infrared 720nm Photography with Stock Camera - Speaking of filters, add a GREEN.L 40.5mm IR 720nm (R72) Filter for $27, adjust your Custom WB settings and capture impressive color and B&W IR shots at the 25mm focal length.
• One-Touch Digital Compass, Thermometer, and GPS Readout - Press the Info button once when the camera is turned off and you'll be greeted with an impressive readout screen that would make a pilot smile. Long-press the Info button and activate the LED for an emergency flashlight.

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 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!

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