So many interesting visuals at sporting events. This image of backlit cheerleaders caught my eye at the game last night.

Captured with an OM-D with a Carl Zeiss 85mm f/2.8 manual focus lens.

Follow me on Twitter

When Apple announced the Fusion Drive for the iMac today, the first thing that I thought is that I want one for my MacBook Pro. It solves the comprise that we're currently facing with laptop computing: trading storage capacity for speed.

Essentially it's a hybrid, combining 128GBs of Flash memory with 1 or 3 TBs of traditional hard drive storage. What's unique about Fusion among hybrid drives is that the operating system will put the OS and most commonly used apps in Flash. And if your behavior changes, so will the allocation.

If you want to know more about his, check out the Ars Technical article, Apple Fusion Drive--wait, what? How does this work?. However, I think I already know that I want one.

Follow me on Twitter

The iPad mini is a fascinating device for nimble photographers. At 7.9" tall and 7.2mm thick, it will fit in most conventional camera bags.

Yet the mini includes a 5 MP camera, WiFi and cellular (cellular as an option), 1024 x 768 resolution display at 163 pixels per inch, a new media card reader accessory, and all of our favorite iPad photo apps will work perfectly on it.

You can get the base model for as little as $329, but most photographers will need the version that costs $559. So the question is, should you order one when they're available? That's what we'll examine in this week's podcast.

Listen to the Podcast

You can also download the podcast here (30 minutes). Or better yet, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes. You can support this podcast by purchasing the TDS iPhone App for only $2.99 from the Apple App Store.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Panorama is the Oct. 2012 Photo Assignment. You can read more about how to submit on our Member Participation page. Deadline for entry is Oct. 31, 2012. Note: We're making an exception this month for image size. Submit your panorama at the size you feel appropriate.

More Ways to Participate

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our Flickr Public Group. And from those images, I choose the TDS Member Photo of the Day.

Podcast Sponsors

Red River Paper -- Keep up with the world of inkjet printing, and win free paper, by liking Red River Paper on Facebook.

Make Your Photos Sizzle with Color! -- SizzlPix is like High Definition TV for your photography. Special this month, order one SizzlPix and get the second one for 50%. Put "TDS" in the comments field of your order.

Need a New Photo Bag? Check out the Lowepro Specialty Store on The Digital Story and use discount code LP20 to saven 20% at check out.

When working with lighting and portraits, it's easy to get caught up in the photo shoot and forget how you captured the shot. Like a good cooking recipe, you want to be able to repeat your performance if it turns out well.

Our lighting set up for an outdoor model shoot during the TDS Fall Photography Workshop.

During yesterday's model shoot at the TDS Fall Photography Workshop, I reminded our participants to step back and record the various lighting schemes we were testing. That way, when they nailed a portrait they really liked, they could duplicate the results another time with a different subject.

Camera phones are great for documenting photo shoots. You could have an assistant or friend snap some pictures during the session to capture the lighting set ups. As long as the datestamp on the camera phone and your DSLR match, you'll be able to see exactly how you got that great shot.

Follow me on Twitter

We were up early to catch the morning light for our adventure at Safari West on day 1 of the TDS Fall Color Workshop. With our own guide and vehicle, we had the entire area to ourselves.

The animals were out in the morning light. And the photography was terrific.

Day two focuses on landscape shooting and environmental portraiture with a professional model. More to report on that.

Follow me on Twitter

I went on a scouting mission this morning to evaluate my favorite spots in preparation for the Fall Color with Safari West Workshop that begins tomorrow at my studio in Santa Rosa, CA. The color is just beginning here in Northern California, and will continue to intensify over the coming weeks.

Healdsburg, CA. Photo by Derrick Story.

I still haven't decided where we're going for our Sunday morning landscape shoot. But I think this spot might be a contender.

Stay tuned for reports on the workshop, including images by participants.

Follow me on Twitter

If indeed Apple announces the iPad mini on Oct. 23, 2012, the device will have a big impact for nimble photographers. The current iPad is the largest surface area object in our "travel light" camera bags. Measuring 9.5" x 7.31", the iPad determines the type and size of transport we must carry to be fully functional while on the go.

Reducing that surface size to something in the neighborhood of 7.85" on the long side means that we can carry a Compact System Camera, iPad mini, and accessories in virtually any camera bag. But in order for this to work, the new tablet will need certain attributes.

• iPad Camera Connection Kit - Currently this kit -- that allows you to import images from a camera or memory card -- is only available as a Dock Connector model. We're pretty sure that the alleged iPad mini will use a Lightning Connector. Hopefully Apple will release an updated CCK so we don't have to use an adapter that could break because of the amount of leverage created. Also, there's no sure bet that the adapter will work with the current Connection Kit.
• Retina Display - One of the discussed goals of the iPad mini has been price competition with Amazon, Samsung, and Google. Apple may want to release a non-Retina display version of the device to keep it price competitive. If they do, I'm hoping that a Retina display model will be available also. Once you've had Retina, it's very hard to go back.
• HD Camera - I think the camera built in to the iPad mini is very important. This device will be much less awkward to take pictures with, yet still provides an HD view of the world. I'm hoping that we see a camera with the specs close to the unit that's in the iPhone 4S, or better.
• GPS - A good camera that can geotag images is vital to nimble photographers. There's no better time to add location information than when the image is recorded.
• Smart Cover This device needs to take up as little space as possible, and the Smart Cover we currently have for iPads is a great accessory. Would love to have one for the mini at launch.

Will we get these features? We'll know soon enough. The announcement is in less than a week (we think...).

Follow me on Twitter

With Aperture 3.3 and iPhoto 9.3, Apple introduced the Unified Library that allows both applications to share a single library container. Not only does this allow you to switch back and forth between iPhoto and Aperture seamlessly, but it introduces new options for your photo workflow.

How the Unified Library Works

First, however, here's a brief look at the Unified Library in action.

Since this movie was made, a new feature was introduced in Aperture 3.4 making this "switching back and forth" even easier. The command, File > Open in iPhoto streamlines the process of jumping over to iPhoto (and vice versa).

Managing Photo Stream with the Unified Library

Some people have asked me how the Unified Library affects my Controlling Photo Stream with iPhoto workflow. Well, it's actually made it easier.

I still can have only one library designated to manage my Photo Stream. I've set up an iPhoto Library specifically for that task. My iPhoto Preferences are configured to automatically download images from Photo Stream into this container.

So all of my pictures from the iPhone and iPad flow into this designated iPhoto library. Now, let's say, that I want to work on one of these shots in Aperture. I go to File > Open Library in Aperture, and the entire Photo Stream is there. I can edit anything that appeals to me with Aperture's extensive toolset, export finished pictures out to my Mac, or share them online. When I'm done, I switch back to my regular Aperture library and let iPhoto continue to manage the Photo Stream.

Easy! Needless to say, I'm lovin' the Unified Library.

Aperture Tips and Techniques

To learn more about Aperture, check out my Aperture 3.3 Essential Training (2012) on lynda.com. Also, take a look at our Aperture 3 Learning Center. Tons of free content about how to get the most out of Aperture.

The Digital Story on Facebook -- discussion, outstanding images from the TDS community, and inside information. Join our celebration of great photography!

With so many changes in the camera market, we have new options for configuring an arsenal that best suits our needs.

In today's podcast, I assemble four camera kits using everything from Nikon's D600 full frame DSLR to Canon's waterproof compact D20. In part, this is for fun. But it can also help us reexamine the tools we're using for our work.

I then introduce the first four workshops of the 2013 season. Plus, I have ideas for more events that I'd like your feedback on. All of this, and more, in this week's TDS podcast.

Sponsor Note: Both Red River Paper and SizzlPix have special notices for our audience. Be sure to check out the Sponsor blurbs in today's podcast show notes. (Scroll down the page...)

Listen to the Podcast

You can also download the podcast here (34 minutes). Or better yet, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes. You can support this podcast by purchasing the TDS iPhone App for only $2.99 from the Apple App Store.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Panorama is the Oct. 2012 Photo Assignment. You can read more about how to submit on our Member Participation page. Deadline for entry is Oct. 31, 2012. Note: We're making an exception this month for image size. Submit your panorama at the size you feel appropriate.

More Ways to Participate

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our Flickr Public Group. And from those images, I choose the TDS Member Photo of the Day.

Podcast Sponsors

Red River Paper -- You can win an Epson R2000 from Red River Paper during their 15 Year Anniversary Celebration.

Make Your Photos Sizzle with Color! -- SizzlPix is like High Definition TV for your photography. Special this month, order one SizzlPix and get the second one for 50%. Put "TDS" in the comments field of your order.

Need a New Photo Bag? Check out the Lowepro Specialty Store on The Digital Story and use discount code LP20 to saven 20% at check out.

It's already time to start thinking about the 2013 photography workshop season, and I have four events scheduled, with more to come. If you want to get on the reserve list for 2013, visit the TDS Workshops page and complete the Send Me Info box. It's going to be a great year!

Portrait of Alyssa by Gary Angelo at the 2012 Sonoma Coast Photography Workshop

Scheduled TDS Workshops for 2013

• April 2013: "iPad for Photographers" - Master the mobile workflow with Nimble Photographer, Derrick Story. We will pack our iPads and cameras and photograph interesting people and places, then perfect the mobile workflow with only our tablet computers. We'll cover capture, organization, editing, and sharing. Special sessions on time lapse photography and movie making. 2 full days, breakfast and lunch included, excellent swag, surprises - $475 (advance purchase price available through Feb. 2013)
• June 2013: "Movie Making for Photographers" - The camera gear we've invested in can do more than still photos. They are excellent HD movie making devices. In this workshop, you'll learn and practice storyboarding, filming techniques, audio recording, editing, and publishing. Designed for photographers who want to perfect their movie making skills. 2 full days, breakfast and lunch included, excellent swag - $475 (advance purchase price available through March 2013)
• August 2013: "Sonoma Coast Workshop" - One of the most popular events for 2011 and 2012. Roll up your pant legs and shoot portraits and landscapes on the rugged Sonoma Coastline. It's a treat for the senses. Classroom sessions at the amazing Bodega Bay Lodge "Library," and field sessions at our camp at Doran Beach. 2 full days plus pre-workshop reception, breakfast and lunch included, excellent swag, professional model - $550 (advance purchase price available through May 2013)
• October 2013: "Fall Color with Safari West" - Sonoma County has rolling hills covered in vineyards, beautiful trees, and gorgeous blue skies. What a prefect place to shoot Fall color and bolster your landscape library. But there's more. We include environmental portraiture with a professional model, and an exclusive African wildlife photo adventure at Safari West, led by a professional photographer, plus a few surprises. This is our premier workshop of the season. 2 full days plus pre-workshop reception, breakfast and lunch, excellent swag, professional model, Safari West adventure - all included for just $575 (advance purchase price available through May 2013)

Follow me on Twitter