This is The Digital Story Podcast #519, Feb. 16, 2016. Today's theme is "Just 5 Frames." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

One of the interesting things that's emerged from The Film Project is the idea of shooting fewer pictures for any given subject. For a roll of 36 exposures, for example, I usually like to have 7 different topics. So I've been limiting myself to 5 frames at a time. I decided to move this concept over to digital too, and it's interesting the effect it's having on my photography. And that's the topic for today's show.

Just 5 Frames

When I get a roll of film back from the lab, one of the things I'm looking for is variety. What I don't want to see is an entire contact shoot of variations of the same subject. 35 frames of the same subject is something that I can easily do with my digital camera. And I don't think I always shot that way.

So, over the last few weeks, I've decided that for some of my subjects, I'll limit myself to 5 frames. Obviously this won't work for everything. But quite honestly, I sometimes just take too many pictures. I explore this idea in today's top story.

In the News

Ricoh celebrates 80th anniversary with limited edition silver GR II - covered by DP Review

If the stealth-black GR II isn't quite showy enough for you, then you may be interested in Ricoh's new 'Silver Edition' camera, which it created to celebrate its 80th anniversary. In addition to its new color, Ricoh has also diamond-engraved the lens' specs onto its front ring, added a custom on/off 'termination' screen and bundled a leather carrying case. Only 3200 of the Silver Edition GR II cameras will be sold worldwide, so get your order in soon. The compact GR II features a 16MP APS-C-size CMOS sensor, 28mm equivalent F2.8 lens, 1080/30p video and Wi-Fi with NFC. The GR II Silver Edition is priced at $699.

Night Photography Tip

I often switch my white balance setting to Tungsten for urban night photography to help offset the overly warm city lights. I can do this during capture, or play with the white balance during post. By doing so, I've discovered some wonderful shades of blue that look great and feel more appropriate for these subjects.

Member Quotes of the Week

Intelligent comments culled from The Digital Story Facebook page.

In regard to last week's Facebook Post: "Going from Lightroom or Aperture to Capture One Pro" we had some terrific comments that I want to share it with you now.

Michael wrote: "This podcast is (once again!) a model of clarity on a complex topic, thanks Derrick! It's hard to imagine how you could have done more to facilitate the transition for Aperture users.Do you have any thoughts on the stability or longevity of Capture One or its owner Phase One? While making predictions is dangerous (especially about the future, as Oscar Wilde warned us), it seems worth considering this before making the significant investment of time and energy that this transition will require. Keep up the great work."

And Mac added: "Another great show. I switched to Capture One in december. Since I usually run annual catalogues in Lightroom, it was easy. Just setup a new catalogue in Capture One, and done. The info you provided about importing old libraries to C1 is invaluable. Since I started with C1, it's a learning adventure. It works a little different than LR, which I had since v1. So I stumble through it. I can't wait for your Lynda.com course on it!!!"
And then I had to add this fun tweet from E74 Photo: "When is your Capture 1 course coming out? Assuming installer doesn't delete root folders..."

Post your thoughts on our Facebook page. Believe me, I read them.

Updates and Such

I'm testing the Olympus 300mm f/4 PRO lens this week, and I have to tell you, this thing is insane. It uses both optical image stabilization and sensor based at the same time. I shot a series of couples portraits at 1/60th outside, and they are sharp. The equivalent of 600mms at 1/60th. Think about it! More to report next week.

Pt. Reyes Photography Workshop - We have two rooms open at the Pt. Reyes Photography Workshop, Aug. 19-21 2016. If you want to hang out with us at Straus Ranch House and explore some of the most beautiful coastline in the world, visit the TDS Workshops page and put yourself on the reserve list.

Out of Chicago Update - The debut of The Nimble Photographer Workshop sold out on Friday, June 24. Because there is a wait list, we've added a second workshop on Thursday June 23. I hope you can join me in Chicago this coming June. There's still time for Early Bird pricing.

Gemini, the Duplicate Finder by MacPaw - Gemini's simple, fast, and safe to use, so make sure you give it a try. It's available at macpaw.com/gemini.

And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs. And a big thanks ImageFramer for also supporting this podcast.

See you next week!

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.

ImageFramer Take your photos to the next level with ImageFramer. Visit www.apparentsoft.com today.

MacPaw Creators of CleanMyMac 3 and other great software for Apple computers. Visit www.macpaw.com today.

The Nimbleosity Report

Do you want to keep up with the best content from The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer? Sign up for The Nimbleosity Report, and receive highlights twice-a-month in a single page newsletter. Be a part of our community!

Want to Comment on this Post?

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

Over the last year we've been talking about photo management software and how to cope with change. One question that comes up is "can I move my existing work to a new application?" It's a good question, and I have some helpful information for Lightroom and Aperture users contemplating a transition to Capture One Pro. And that will be the top story on today's show.

How to Move to Capture One

If you decide to try a different photo management app, or are forced to, how much of your previous library do you have to leave behind? To some degree, that depends on the amount of work that you want to invest in the project.

To help you make that decision, I'm going to outline the steps in today's podcast. At this point, you can just listen and think about what I'm saying. Because if you decide to make the move, I have a free eBook for you, titled: Moving to Capture One Pro. It has dedicated sections for both Lightroom and Aperture users, and it delves into the details of this type of transition.

So, for now, just sit back and listen. Then decide what's the best path for you to follow.

In the News

Instagram Finally Lets You Log Into Multiple Accounts - covered by PetaPixel.

If you have two or more Instagram accounts -- perhaps one for personal and one for business - Instagram has some great news for you this week: the company is finally rolling out multi-account support, which lets you log into multiple accounts in one app and quickly switch between them. This official announcement comes just weeks after some Android and iOS users began seeing the feature in their apps.

There are step-by-step instructions over on the Instagram Help page. And the Petapixel page features a short video that shows how easy it is to switch between accounts.

Oh Those Embarrassing Moments

I'm guessing that you may know that I have a journal on TheNimblePhotographer.com. So I thought I'd read you an entry today to give you a feel for what goes on over there. Today's story is an awkward incident from my trip to Austin, Texas.

Member Quotes of the Week

Intelligent comments culled from The Digital Story Facebook page.

In regard to last week's Facebook Post: "What is the Fascination with Retro>" we had some terrific comments, and I want to share one with you now.

Andrew wrote: "My recent interest in film cameras probably started more from a collector stand point. I started rebutting some of my camera history mostly for nostalgic reasons. Once you get these cameras back in your hands, they feel so good you just want to use them. I don' t think I would go back though - I like what digital photography gives me. It's just like I wouldn't relinquish word-processing for a typewriter - my brain is now rewired for digital. It doesn't mean I don't enjoy the occasional analogue "holiday". In fact, I am planning to make one day a month in 2016 as an analogue only day.

I don't think an interest in film is predicated on nostalgia. My son is of the "digital native" generation and he asked for a film camera for his birthday. He had been enjoying using OM lenses on his A7s and wanted the full OM experience.

Post your thoughts on our Facebook page. Believe me, I read them.

Updates and Such

The Digital Story Podcast is Coming to Google Play Music - Google has just published the last 15 TDS shows on its new Google Play Music Podcast service for Android devices. If you're a new listener turning in... welcome! More info at https://play.google.com/music/listen

Out of Chicago Update - The debut of The Nimble Photographer Workshop sold out on Friday, June 24. Because there is a wait list, we've added a second workshop on Thursday June 23. I hope you can join me in Chicago this coming June.

Gemini, the Duplicate Finder by MacPaw - Gemini's simple, fast, and safe to use, so make sure you give it a try. It's available at macpaw.com/gemini.

Are you using PROMO code: STORY to save 25 percent. You can apply that toward any wood print at www.inkdot.com.

And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs. And a big thanks ImageFramer for also supporting this podcast.

See you next week!

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

Inkdot.com - Specializing in wood prints and other artistic treatments of your imagery - visit www.inkdot.com.

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

ImageFramer Take your photos to the next level with ImageFramer. Visit www.apparentsoft.com today.

MacPaw Creators of CleanMyMac 3 and other great software for Apple computers. Visit www.macpaw.com today.

The Nimbleosity Report

Do you want to keep up with the best content from The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer? Sign up for The Nimbleosity Report, and receive highlights twice-a-month in a single page newsletter. Be a part of our community!

Want to Comment on this Post?

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

Now that digital cameras have reached a basic plateau of capability, I find myself buying "behind the curve" more often. What does that mean? Well, it's a bit like car shopping. Last year's model with a few thousand miles on it can be purchased at tremendous savings. And I'm finding the same is true with cameras. I'll explore this in greater depth in today's top story.

Gently Used, Please

My current favorite camera is the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II. I bought it last January with the half grip for $1,229. A year later I'm as pleased with it as the day I bought it. But it I were to purchase the exact same body right now, I could buy it new for $899 and used for $799. And I wouldn't feel one bit behind the times.

More and more, I find myself waiting for prices to drop or buying gently used equipment. I can do this because the technology itself has stabilized. So there isn't that much difference between current offerings and last year's models.

I shop used on Amazon, B&H, Adorama, Craigslist, eBay, and Etsy. And I've heard photographers talk about other sites too. In today's top story, I share some tips for buying used, and why you may want to consider doing so also.

In the News

Nikon apologizes for awarding prize to digitally altered photo - covered by DP Review

Last week, Nikon Singapore awarded a prize to an image that had been digitally altered, given away by the highly visible white square around an inserted plane's silhouette. As a result, Nikon has released this statement:

"We have heard your comments and feedback on this, and you are right - we should not compromise standards even for a casual photo contest. We have dialogued internally, with the community and with our loyal fans, and the photographer has also posted his own views on this issue. We have made an honest mistake and the rousing response from the community today is a reminder to us that the true spirit of photography is very much alive. Moving forward, we will tighten our image review process to avoid similar situations in the future. Thank you once again for all your responses today - for your humor and most of all, your candor and honesty. We hope not to disappoint you in the future and to continue to have your support."

Wood Prints Feel Like Art as Well as Look the Part

Print any photo from Instagram, phone or computer directly on wood. Blending the natural material wood with our professional print techniques every print is unique. Attention is given to every detail of our wood prints. From the crafted coved back, to the slotted hanging system allowing for simple hanging. Your print comes finished and ready to hang no frame is needed.

Wood Type: Baltic Birch
Thickness: 5/8"
Quality: Archival Quality Printing
Care: Moisture & UV Resistant

8"x8" is normally priced at $32. But you can get one for $24 using PROMO code: STORY. And in fact, you can get 25% off any wood print with that code at www.inkdot.com.

Member Quotes of the Week

Intelligent comments culled from The Digital Story Facebook page.

In regard to last week's Facebook Post: "A New Direction, The Olympus PEN-F" we had some terrific comments that I want to share it with you now.

Roger wrote: You've often made the point that in camera processing (jpeg and even special effects, art filters) have gotten to be really high quality and worth trying, and of course the raw is always there. I think it's worth also making the point that in camera processing, using it while you are shooting, changes your thought process while you're shooting. It's like putting on a prime lens instead of a zoom. The black and white film filters in this camera look like a lot of fun.

And Mike added: Great Podcast Derrick. It is an amazing camera and I can tell you for a fact that anyone interested in the San Francisco workshop should know I will have at least one there with me. The more you shoot the more creative you get is what I found over the last 3 months with it. It's hard to put down for me when I shoot in the streets.

Post your thoughts on our Facebook page. Believe me, I read them.

Updates and Such

Big News for the SF Street Shooting Workshop - Olympus has agreed to provide us with PEN-F kits for testing and Lowepro is kicking in a street shooting bag that each participant can bring home. As a result, I'm going to reopen the previously sold out workshop to one more person. If you want to attend, please send email to derrick@thedigitalstory.com. First come, first served.

Out of Chicago Update - The debut of The Nimble Photographer Workshop sold out on Friday, June 24. Because there is a wait list, we've added a second workshop on Thursday June 23. I hope you can join me in Chicago this coming June. There's still time for Early Bird pricing.

Gemini, the Duplicate Finder by MacPaw - Gemini's simple, fast, and safe to use, so make sure you give it a try. It's available at macpaw.com/gemini.

And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs. And a big thanks ImageFramer for also supporting this podcast.

See you next week!

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

Inkdot.com - Specializing in wood prints and other artistic treatments of your imagery - visit www.inkdot.com.

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

ImageFramer Take your photos to the next level with ImageFramer. Visit www.apparentsoft.com today.

MacPaw Creators of CleanMyMac 3 and other great software for Apple computers. Visit www.macpaw.com today.

The Nimbleosity Report

Do you want to keep up with the best content from The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer? Sign up for The Nimbleosity Report, and receive highlights twice-a-month in a single page newsletter. Be a part of our community!

Want to Comment on this Post?

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

You may not remember the innovative half frame Olympus camera of decades ago, but that form factor has returned in a premium mirrorless body. And I tell you about it in today's show.

Opening Monologue

I've been in Austin Texas for the last few days exploring this city with an Olympus PEN-F in hand. And what a combination! Colorful, friendly Austin captured in the viewfinder of this classically designed rangefinder. In this show, I'm going to talk about both... the photo opportunities in the capital city of Texas, and the newest premium digital rangefinder to record those images.

The Olympus PEN F

Here are some of the highlights of this just-announced camera.

• 20.3 Megapixel Four Thirds Sensor
• RAW and Jpeg capture at 5184 x 3888 pixels
• Innovative monochrome and color customization
• 5-stop, sensor-based, 5-axis, image stabilization
• Left-side positioned electronic viewfinder for street shooters.

I cover my shooting experience with this camera in the top story of today's show.

Photography in Austin, Texas

What a mix of photography opportunities! You can wander 6th Street at night to immerse yourself in the nightclub music scene, tour the State Capital, explore nature at Ladybird park, and enjoy Texas hospitality at fine restaurants and hotels. I talk about my explorations in the second feature of today's show.

• Sixth Street - Historic entertainment district.
• Rainey Street - Cool bars and entertainment, a bit less touristy than Sixth.
• The State Capitol - Free tour, and lots of interesting detail to photograph on the grounds.
• Hope Outdoor Graffiti Gallery - If you don't mind the fumes of fresh spray paint, this is a colorful diversion.
• Zilker Botanical Garden - Get your Zen on in this peaceful, but interesting sanctuary.
• Torchy's Tacos!
• La Condessa
• The Broken Spoke honky tonk restaurant and bar

In the News

Fujifilm Planning to Launch a Medium Format Digital Camera, Report Says - covered by PetaPixel

Fujifilm is reportedly planning to shake up the camera world by launching its own interchangeable-lens medium format digital camera. Fuji Rumors writes that it got this information directly from a "top trusted Japanese source." The source states that a digital medium format Fujifilm camera has already gotten the green light from company management, so it's already in development.

"Yep, the medium format Fuji will come," Fuji Rumors says. "And if priced somewhere between the Pentax 645D [$3,400] and the Pentax 645Z [$7,000] this camera could be a real winner for Fujifilm."

Gemini, the Duplicate Finder by MacPaw

OK, how many of you have duplicate images on your Mac?. Raise your hands please. And we all know that finding and removing them manually IS NOT the way to go. So instead, try Gemini by MacPaw, a duplicate finder that does the job within minutes.

Here are the best things about Gemini:

• Fast and accurate scanning algorithm that finds duplicate files and even folders.
• Built-in file preview and metadata information.
• Smart Auto Select that removes the copies and keeps the originals intact
• iTunes and iPhoto support.
• External drives and network volumes support.

Gemini's simple, fast, and safe to use, so make sure you give it a try. It's available at macpaw.com/gemini.

Member Quotes of the Week

Intelligent comments culled from The Digital Story Facebook page.

In regard to Saturday's Facebook Post: "Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream Lids Are Perfect 72mm Lens Caps" we had some terrific comments that I want to share it with you now.

Aaron: Of course it's not the cheap brand of ice cream. *Everything* in photography is expensive! :-)
Ken: Go ahead, but YOUR image will change.
Kim: Good to know to justify the ice-cream eating
John: Make sure you clean the top first! lol
Fred: The last job I did I lost my lens cap that was just that size! :-) Looks like it's time to go get a treat to fix the problem!
Ron: Now the rush starts to find all kinds of lids, for lots of lenses!

Post your thoughts on our Facebook page. Believe me, I read them.

Found Treasure

The registration forms have gone out to the reserve list for the Pt. Reyes Photography Workshop.

And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs. And a big thanks to www.inkdot.com and ImageFramer for also supporting this podcast.

See you next week!

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

Inkdot.com - Specializing in wood prints and other artistic treatments of your imagery - visit www.inkdot.com.

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

ImageFramer Take your photos to the next level with ImageFramer. Visit www.apparentsoft.com today.

MacPaw Creators of CleanMyMac 3 and other great software for Apple computers. Visit www.macpaw.com today.

The Nimbleosity Report

Do you want to keep up with the best content from The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer? Sign up for The Nimbleosity Report, and receive highlights twice-a-month in a single page newsletter. Be a part of our community!

Want to Comment on this Post?

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

What is the attraction to mirrorless cameras? I would argue that we liked this form factor in the film days, so our fondness makes sense in the digital age too. I take a closer look at the mirrorless phenomenon in today's show.

Opening Monologue

It's a good idea on occasion, to step back and revisit corners of our universe that have meaning for us. Today's corner today is mirrorless photography.

In part, I'm doing this because the deeper I fall into The Film Project, the more I'm reminded of why mirrorless photography is so popular. All you have to do is look closely at the Leica M rangefinder, Konica Hexar, or the Contax G series to realize that photographers have always loved this form factor.

Tell me that Fujifilm's brand new X-Pro2 doesn't delight the same senses as a Leica rangefinder. My Contax G1 35mm has virtually the same footprint as the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II that I love shooting with.

Why it took us so long to rediscover these aesthetics in digital form, I don't know. But what I do understand is that now that we have Fujifilm, Olympus, and others rekindling those flames from photography's golden era, there's no putting out the fire.

The State or Mirrorless

What are some of the features that make mirrorless cameras so popular today? Here are a few of my favorites.

• Smaller form factor.
• Incredible design.
• Sophisticated electronics.
• Compact lenses.
• Outstanding image quality.

Mirrorless design falls into two basic categories: retro and modern. Leading the way in the retro category is Fujifilm and Olympus. Fujifulm has their beautiful rangefinders (X-Pro2) with plenty of physical buttons and dials for a very tactile experience. And Olympus has returned to their DNA with both the PEN and the OM-D series.

Sony leads the pack with the modern approach. The alpha A7 has the sharp DSLR design that is efficient and angular. The Panasonic GH4 has more of a rounded, DSLR look, but maintains the compact form factor that many of us appreciate with mirrorless.

The there are those lenses. Imaging have the equivalent of a 600mm f/4 pro tele fit in the same space as a traditional 70-200mm, and be available for $2,500 (Olympus PRO 300mm f/4). Or a 28-84mm equivalent that's smaller than a hockey puck and captures beautiful images? The lenses are a big part of the mirrorless story.

So which one should you consider? I would start with a camera that's visually appealing to you. Then look at the lens offering, sensor technology, and price.

And what are my favorite mirrorless cameras? Just to name a few are the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5, Fujifilm X-T10, and the Sony Alpha a7R II.

In the News

Build an Olympus Mirrorless Camera Out of Paper - covered by PetaPixel

Looking for a fun little weekend craft project or some thrifty home decor? You can make yourself an Olympus mirrorless camera out of paper. Olympus has a special family-friendly webpage for kids, and one of the sections is for paper craft. There are two PDF templates you can use to print and put together your own camera model.

The first is for the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II and the other is for the smaller Olympus PEN Lite E-PL7.

Products We Love: Lexar 256 GB USB 3.0 SSD

The Lexar 256 GB USB 3.0 SSD is fast, very light, and reasonably priced at $133 including a cable. As for performance, the Lexar Portable SSD performs well. Read speeds up to 450 MB/s and write speeds up to 245 MB/s. I copied a Capture One Pro catalog from my Mac in just a few minutes, and then was able to access the data on the Lexar without any noticeable problems. Lightroom users should fare well too. Just remember to keep the format at ExFAT.

Wood Prints Feel Like Art as Well as Look the Part

Print any photo from Instagram, phone or computer directly on wood. Blending the natural material wood with our professional print techniques every print is unique. Attention is given to every detail of our wood prints. From the crafted coved back, to the slotted hanging system allowing for simple hanging. Your print comes finished and ready to hang no frame is needed.

Wood Type: Baltic Birch
Thickness: 5/8"
Quality: Archival Quality Printing
Care: Moisture & UV Resistant

8"x8" is normally priced at $32. But you can get one for $24 using PROMO code: STORY. And in fact, you can get 25% off any wood print with that code at www.inkdot.com.

Member Quotes of the Week

Intelligent comments culled from The Digital Story Facebook page.

In regard to Sunday's Facebook Post: "My 3 Photo Apps for 2016" we had some terrific comments that I want to share it with you now.

John P. Wineberg: As a former Aperture user I have had some frustrations with Lightroom and don't get me started where Photostein (Photoshop) is concerned. Looking at Capture One's subscription at $15 a month. Love their interface. I'm one of the few people that loved Adobe's mistake in changing the import features. Too bad they had to change it back.
Preston Turner: Capture One needs to bite the bullet and pay to license the ability to host Photoshop files, or program this feature in if that's what is needed.
Nils Eddy: Speaking of Photoshop alternatives I would add the outstanding Affinity Photo to your list.
John Mather: Adding plugins to Capture One would be great. Like all my old Nik, Topaz, & OnOne. I have losing that investment as much as Aperture. Also I second the idea of a Lynda course by you. The current one has way too many prejudices about things outside of the app.
Rafael Perini: My rant of the day: I wonder if anyone at Apple have the slightest idea how complicated they are making our photo processing experience. Have they lost their mind? Three software to poorly replace one? How difficult would be to continue working on Aperture? I guess they have so much money these days that they lost perspective and care for their users. It's sad.
Charlie Day: Actually Photos is not that bad of an App. It just need a few improvements. Mainly in rating images with star rating and color tagging. Also key wording needs to be work on to. With these few improvements I cloud probably completely leave Apeture behind and use Photos 100% of the time. Many of the plug inns to use with Photos make this a very good App.

Post your thoughts on our Facebook page. Believe me, I read them.

How to Pick a Frame and Matt for your Print

It's hard to visualize the best frame and matte combination for a print. That is, unless you have ImageFramer. Then, not only is it easy, it's fun. I explain in this segment of today's show.

Jacob has set up an ImageFramer Landing Page specifically for TDS listeners, with sweet discounts on the 3 different versions of the app. Please go over and take a look.

Found Treasure

The registration forms have gone out to the reserve list for the Pt. Reyes Photography Workshop.

And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

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

Inkdot.com - Specializing in wood prints and other artistic treatments of your imagery - visit www.inkdot.com.

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

ImageFramer Take your photos to the next level with ImageFramer. Visit www.apparentsoft.com today.

MacPaw Creators of CleanMyMac 3 and other great software for Apple computers. Visit www.macpaw.com today.

The Nimbleosity Report

Do you want to keep up with the best content from The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer? Sign up for The Nimbleosity Report, and receive highlights twice-a-month in a single page newsletter. Be a part of our community!

Want to Comment on this Post?

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

Opening Monologue

Now that the holidays are behind us, it's time to start thinking about the adventures that lie ahead. Today's show features three distinctly different opportunities for a photo adventure.

3 Photo Adventures

Having just returned from Las Vegas myself, I can attest to how invigorating it is to strike out into the world with camera in hand. See if any of these get the creative juices flowing.

San Francisco, April 15-17 - This event has it all. Street photography, nighttime shooting, urban exploration, and a few surprises. I can tell you right now, there will be new street shooting gear, film photography, and more. Olympus Trailblazer Mike Boening will be joining the faculty for this event. Check out the itinerary here - 2 seats open.

Out of Chicago, June 24-26 - I'm going to debut my The Nimble Photographer Workshop in Chicago this summer. This is a great event with a stellar faculty including Rick Sammon and many others. In addition to the workshop ($199), I'm teaching classes, joining panel discussions, and leading photo walks.

In the News

Apple patent describes dual-camera design - covered by DP Connect

Looking at a new Apple patent that has recently surfaced, it appears we might see a dual-camera setup in future iPhone generations. The design uses two camera modules, one with a wide-angle lens and another with a longer focal length. Throw some Apple software wizardry into the mix and you get yourself a smartphone zoom lens that should get close in quality to fully optical zooms and much better than existing digital zooms.

However, improved zoom may only one be of several applications of the design. The dual-camera could also be used to create 3D images or increase image quality in wide-angle images by adding additional detail that is captured with the longer lens.

How to Pick a Frame and Matte for your Print

It's hard to visualize the best frame and matte combination for a print. That is, unless you have ImageFramer. Then, not only is it easy, it's fun. I explain in this segment of today's show.

Jacob has set up an ImageFramer Landing Page specifically for TDS listeners, with sweet discounts on the 3 different versions of the app. Please go over and take a look.

Products We Love: Lume Cube LED Light

The Lume Cube can pump out 1500 Lumens, which is so bright that they have to include a warning notice reminding you not to look directly at the light when set to a high brightness level. The color temperature is a bit on the cool side, 6000K. The integrated battery is robust, and when it does need charging, use the included USB cable to connect to a power source for replenishing. The Lume Cube is also waterproof to 100'. So there's no need to worry about using it in adverse weather conditions.

Member Quotes of the Week

Intelligent comments culled from The Digital Story Facebook page.

In regard to Friday's Facebook Post: "Out of Chicago" we had some terrific comments that I want to share it with you now.

Ron Lawrence I'm glad that you are doing this, but why is it so hard to get people like you, to do seminars in the South? Places like Orlando, Atlanta, Charleston, Jacksonville, Tampa??? This part of the country is seriously ignored by almost the whole photo community except the birders.
William Booz Maybe Chris Smith will organize an "Out of Charleston" conference, Ron!
Chris Smith Or maybe Ron will! smile emoticon
Ron Lawrence Heck, no one would come take advice from me about anything photography but how to buy stuff!!!
Aaron Hockley Imaging USA, one of the two biggest photography conferences in the country, is happening over the next few days in Atlanta...
Aaron Hockley Also I know Rick Sammon does a workshop or two in Miami every year...
Ron Lawrence We could call it Do'in the Charleston, but that name's already taken.
Ron Lawrence Yes, I talked to Sammon. I don't want to have to sell a kidney to take one of his courses.
TheDigitalStory It's all about organization. Chris has created a platform for us to use, so we're able to fit it in to our schedules without having to figure out every detail. Workshops are a lot of work. These types of gatherings are attractive to speakers.

Post your thoughts on our Facebook page. Believe me, I read them.

Wood Prints Feel Like Art as Well as Look the Part

Print any photo from Instagram, phone or computer directly on wood. Blending the natural material wood with our professional print techniques every print is unique. Attention is given to every detail of our wood prints. From the crafted coved back, to the slotted hanging system allowing for simple hanging. Your print comes finished and ready to hang no frame is needed.

Wood Type: Baltic Birch
Thickness: 5/8"
Quality: Archival Quality Printing
Care: Moisture & UV Resistant

8"x8" is normally priced at $32. But you can get one for $24 using PROMO code: STORY. And in fact, you can get 25% off any wood print with that code at www.inkdot.com.

Found Treasure

The next edition of Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

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

Inkdot.com - Specializing in wood prints and other artistic treatments of your imagery - visit www.inkdot.com.

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

ImageFramer Take your photos to the next level with ImageFramer. Visit www.apparentsoft.com today.

MacPaw Creators of CleanMyMac 3 and other great software for Apple computers. Visit www.macpaw.com today.

The Nimbleosity Report

Do you want to keep up with the best content from The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer? Sign up for The Nimbleosity Report, and receive highlights twice-a-month in a single page newsletter. Be a part of our community!

Want to Comment on this Post?

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This week I peer into the future of technology at CES in Las Vegas and report on what I discover...

Opening Monologue

A new year tradition of recent years is to trek to Las Vegas to cover CES. Here's where I, and thousands of other journalists, have the opportunity to see firsthand the tech landscape for 2016. And that's the focus of today's show.

My 5 Favs from CES Las Vegas

I report from CES Unveiled at Mandalay Bay in this "Notes from the Field" segment.

In the News

Amazon's best-selling camera item this holiday was... film - covered by Imaging-Resource.

While there are some staggering results, such as Amazon shipping more than 200 million items via free Prime shipping this holiday season and over three million people joining Amazon's Prime service during the third week of December, perhaps the most surprising tidbit is that Fujifilm INSTAX Mini Instant Film was the biggest-selling item from Amazon's camera department. Following the INSTAX Mini Instant Film on Amazon's best-selling camera products this holiday season are the GoPro HERO4 Silver Edition and AmazonBasics Head Strap Camera Mount for GoPro.

Virtual Post Cards from Las Vegas

I'm on the road this week covering CES. So, since I'm in Las Vegas, I thought I'd try my hand at making a few virtual post cards for sharing images with others. ImageFramer is perfect to add the finishing touch.

Jacob has set up an ImageFramer Landing Page specifically for TDS listeners, with sweet discounts on the 3 different versions of the app. Please go over and take a look.

Products We Love: The Indigo Marble 15" Protective Camera Wrap

I've been testing the Indigo Marble 15" Protective Camera Wrap ($24.97), using it with a variety of shoulder bags while on the go. And what I like best about it is that I have the freedom to carry my gear anyway I want, and still have good protection while doing so. I explain more in this segment of the show.

Member Quotes of the Week

Intelligent comments culled from The Digital Story Facebook page.

In regard to Friday's Facebook Post: "Together we cross the bridge to 2016. Happy New Year! See you on the other side..." we had some terrific comments that I want to share it with you now.

Arron wrote: "And sometimes the path to new things looks wet and slippery, but we take it anyway :-)"
Michael added: " A very appropriate image Derrick - thanks for all your great work thru 2015 and I wish you all the very best for 2016."

Post your thoughts on our Facebook page. Believe me, I read them.

A Holiday Poem from Red River Paper

And as she made her final print,
The postman arrived in a sprint.
He had to finish his final run
Before going home for family fun.
She checked the card one last time
Just to make sure all was fine.
She had used Red River Paper
And learned to add water vapor
Because humidity helps when the air is dry,
Such as when it is cold and dampness too shy.
Her card did not curl and was perfectly flat,
A gorgeous image of a holiday cat.
Into the addressed envelope her personal card went,
And even the postman confirmed it was money well-spent.
When you need help learning all about inkjet printing,
Make Red River Paper your source from the beginning.

A thought from Red River Paper

See you next week!

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

lynda.com - Learn lighting, portraiture, Photoshop skills, and more from expert-taught videos at lynda.com/thedigitalstory.

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

ImageFramer Take your photos to the next level with ImageFramer. Visit www.apparentsoft.com today.

MacPaw Creators of CleanMyMac 3 and other great software for Apple computers. Visit www.macpaw.com today.

The Nimbleosity Report

Do you want to keep up with the best content from The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer? Sign up for The Nimbleosity Report, and receive highlights twice-a-month in a single page newsletter. Be a part of our community!

Want to Comment on this Post?

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 512, Dec. 29, 2015. Today's theme is "My Blunders in 2015." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

There's a lot of looking back this time of year. The highlights of 2015, the best of the best, and various great accomplishments. But I doubt that you would be that interested in the shining moments of my 2015. Plus, a lot of them are personal anyway.

But, how about those blunders? Now that's something that we all can learn from, right? And the theme for this week's show focuses on three business missteps that I made over the last 12 months. Now, that sounds intriguing, doesn't it?

My 2015 Miscalculations

So, I made 3 business choices this year that just didn't pan out. I'll tell you the story of each during the feature story of this week's episode.

Who Cares about Cuba? - My takeaway: A lot of people don't care about travel to exotic locations, especially those with a checkered past in terms of U.S. relations.
Don't Reinvent the Wedding - My takeaway: Apparently weddings don't need to be reinvented. Everyone seems fine with the agonizing process of hiring a photographer. And keep with warm, fuzzy names for these types of services.
No New Podcast After All - My takeaway: In all honesty, it's tough to depend on others who don't care about your art as much as you do. Give your power to someone else, and it's unlikely that you'll be happy with the outcome.

In the News

The First Leaked Photos of the Fujifilm X-Pro2 - covered by Petapixel

Fujifilm helped kick off the mirrorless camera revolution back in 2012 by announcing the powerful retro-styled X-Pro1 camera. Now it appears that a follow-up will soon be upon us: the first official photos of the new Fujifilm X-Pro2 have leaked. The camera will reportedly be officially announced on January 15th, 2016.

Virtual Matte Frames Directly from Your Printer

I've had a number of portrait shoots over the last couple weeks, and I've been printing out some of my favorites on Aurora Fine Art Natural from Red River Paper. And I've been creating custom custom mattes for these portraits in ImageFramer. And I can't describe how stunning they look, right out of the printer. I do my best to describe in this segment of today's show.

Jacob has set up an ImageFramer Landing Page specifically for TDS listeners, with sweet discounts on the 3 different versions of the app. Please go over and take a look.

Products We Love: Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader

Thanks to a recent iOS 9.2 update, we can now use the Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader ($29) with our iPhones. And how sweet it is! This is a welcome feature for those of us who shoot with older cameras, such as my Fujifilm X20 that doesn't have WiFi for quick image transfer on the go. I've gone into more detail about this process in my article, How to Upload SD Card Pictures to Your iPhone.

Member Quotes of the Week

Intelligent comments culled from The Digital Story Facebook page.

In regard to Friday's Facebook Post: "Merry Christmas to All Who Celebrate! And don't forget to take the group shot...," we had some terrific comments that I want to share it with you now.

Brenda wrote: "Always good when the photographer gets in the image. Merry Christmas Derrick. Looking forward to another year listening to your podcasts!"
Preston added: "Merry Christmas Mr. Story! You are photography's George Bailey!"
And Mike finished with: "Merry Christmas Derrick Story. Hope you had a wonderful holiday and yes, no one at my place touches a gift till we get the family pic."

Post your thoughts on our Facebook page. Believe me, I read them.

Print those Holiday Group Shots

Speaking of group shots, if you really want to preserve your memories you need to make a print. Your kids and grandkids will appreciate the effort. A thought from Red River Paper

Software Download - DxO Optics Pro for Photos

A new editing extension for Photos for OS X, DxO Optics Pro for Photos uses modules for many of the common camera/lens combinations, but presents the tools in a simplified format that's easy to use. DxO Optics Pro for Photos is currently on sale for $9.99 in the Mac App Store. You'll need Mac OS X El Capitan and a 64-bit processor to run either app.

See you next week!

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

lynda.com - Learn lighting, portraiture, Photoshop skills, and more from expert-taught videos at lynda.com/thedigitalstory.

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

ImageFramer Take your photos to the next level with ImageFramer. Visit www.apparentsoft.com today.

MacPaw Creators of CleanMyMac 3 and other great software for Apple computers. Visit www.macpaw.com today.

The Nimbleosity Report

Do you want to keep up with the best content from The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer? Sign up for The Nimbleosity Report, and receive highlights twice-a-month in a single page newsletter. Be a part of our community!

Want to Comment on this Post?

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 511, Dec. 22, 2015. Today's theme is "Breaking New Ground." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

In my mind, setting an important goal for 2016 is different than a New Year's Resolution. A resolution is typically to fix something that's wrong. "I'm going to lose 10 pounds in 2016 because I weigh too much." Setting a goal is enhancing one's life or career by endeavoring something new.

The theme of today's show is Breaking New Ground. I'm going to talk about ways in which we can become better artists, technicians, and business people though setting just one goal and working toward it.

Breaking New Ground

Every December I sit down and think about what I could achieve in the coming year. This isn't an exercise in fuzzy abstracts, such as, "I want to become a better person," or "This is the year I finally make it big." My goal is more concrete than that.

I figure if I can keep doing what I'm already doing, and add one more skill, product, or revenue stream, then I'm moving in the right direction. Think about how this can add up over the course of a single decade?

The goal I set for 2015 was to finally get my newsletter, The Nimbleosity Report, off the ground. I didn't finally launch until November (the latest I've ever achieved an annual goal). But I did make it happen, and I'm having a ball with it. I truly wish I had started it earlier.

I have some good possibilities for 2016. Some of them I can't share because they involve other companies, and I don't want to jinx myself. Others are very personal, such as finishing my book, "The Nimble Photographer," or publishing "The Film Project."

Regardless of which one I settle on - I still have a week to do so - it will most likely improve my working life. And that's really my bottom line: moving in the right direction.

I'll discuss this in more detail during the feature story of today's show."

In the News

Apple Has 800 People Working on the iPhone Camera - 60 Minutes covered by Petapixel

Apple is one of the largest companies in the world, the iPhone is Apple's biggest and highest-earning product, and the camera on iPhones is the device's most used feature. So, it makes a lot of sense that Apple would dedicate 800 "engineers and other specialists" toward making the iPhone camera as awesome as possible.

Apple reveals that there are 200 separate individual components in each tiny iPhone camera module. The camera's stabilization system uses 4 wires that are just 40-microns in width -- less than half a human hair -- to hold the suspension and stabilize the camera from hand shake. Finally, get this: each time you capture a photo with an iPhone, there are 24 billion operations that happen just for that one snapshot.

Meet ImageFramer's Jacob Gorban

A few weeks ago, I received this email from a Mac Developer named Jacob Gorban. I want to read you his note, then talk about the app he has developed.

"Hello Derrick, I'm the founder of Apparent Software and ImageFramer was the first OS X application I released, back in 2006.

I would love to know your opinion on it, as a professional photographer and fellow Mac user.

So, I did try Jacob's software, and I love it. So I'm going to spend some time over the next few week's discussing its array of features. I thought today I should start with creating frames for your holiday greeting cards.

Jacob has set up an ImageFramer Landing Page specifically for TDS listeners, with sweet discounts on the 3 different versions of the app. Please go over and take a look.

Products We Love: The Tenba Cooper 13 Slim

It's official, the Tenba Cooper 13 Slim is my camera bag of the year, winning over the much-discussed Peak Design Everyday Messenger. Why, because it's more nimble (hence the term Slim in its name), costs $20 less, and more professional looking (personal opinion). I've been using this bag on location, in rainy conditions, and around the studio, and it is the clear winner for my camera bag of the year.

The Screening Room

This week's Screening Room selection is Lightroom Insider Training: Mastering the Develop Module with Bryan O'Neil Hughes.

In this course, Adobe's Bryan O'Neil Hughes explores the Develop module in depth, stepping through each of the module's core tools and sharing insights on each along the way. The course concludes with chapters on essential time-saving tools, taking photos from Lightroom to Photoshop for further enhancement, and editing images on smartphones and tablets with Lightroom for mobile.

Member Quotes of the Week

Intelligent comments culled from The Digital Story Facebook page.

In regard to Sunday's Facebook Post: "Tenba Cooper 13 Slim - Exceptional Shoulder Bag," we had a great exchange between two virtual camera club members, and I want to share it with you now.

Bob wrote: "It looks promising. But I wish Tenba and the other bag makes would get away from the inserts, they waste a lot of room in the bag."
William replied: "And therein lies the problem for bag designers, Bob. I like bags with inserts and that you can remove them!"
So then Bob replied: "So you're the cause of the problem. I should have known :-)"
And William finished: "A man has to do what a man has to do!"

Post your thoughts on our Facebook page. Believe me, I read them.

Why Prints Are So Important

Photography has always been about preserving memories and history for the future. Today that means protecting images from the vagaries of technological change. Remember the floppy disk? How about the PhotoCD? Good luck easily retrieving data from either! Remember that today's file formats and storage devices may not always be available.

If you want to preserve your memories you need to make a print. Your kids and grandkids will appreciate the effort. A thought from Red River Paper

Found Treasure

Registration is open for The 2016 Street Photography Workshop in San Francisco. And I've posted the full preliminary itinerary on the Workshops page. And if you plan on ordering through B&H Photo or Amazon, please stop by the TDS site first, click on their respective ad tile, then place your order. That extra step helps support the site.

See you next week!

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

lynda.com - Learn lighting, portraiture, Photoshop skills, and more from expert-taught videos at lynda.com/thedigitalstory.

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

ImageFramer Take your photos to the next level with ImageFramer. Visit www.apparentsoft.com today.

MacPaw Creators of CleanMyMac 3 and other great software for Apple computers. Visit www.macpaw.com today.

The Nimbleosity Report

Do you want to keep up with the best content from The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer? Sign up for The Nimbleosity Report, and receive highlights twice-a-month in a single page newsletter. Be a part of our community!

Want to Comment on this Post?

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #510, Dec. 15, 2015. Today's theme is "Photo App Smackdown." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

So I've been promising everyone that I'm going to make a photo management decision by the end of the year. And true to my word, I have a trio of apps that will fill my toolbox in 2016. And that's what the focus of today's show will be.

Photo App Smackdown

It's difficult for me to replace Aperture with just one application. At the same time, this is an opportunity for me to broaden my horizons. My photography today is different than a decade ago, and weaving these three apps together satisfies my needs right now.

Core Management App: Capture One Pro 9 operating as a managed Catalog.

Cloud Based App and Video Organizer: Photos for OS X for backing up my iPhone photography, sharing online, video management, and plug-in fun.

Fast Turnaround: Exposure X for sorting through a memory card quickly, rating images, applying edits, and sending photos along their way.

I explain my reasoning behind all three of these apps in today's feature story.

In the News

FAA Announces Drone Registration Date - c't Digital Photography

Registration for unmanned aircraft begins Dec. 21, 2015, says the FAA in a recent press release. This new requirement applies to owners of small unmanned aircraft (UAS) weighing more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and less than 55 pounds (approx. 25 kilograms) including payloads such as on-board cameras.

The normal registration fee is $5, but in an effort to encourage as many people as possible to register quickly, the FAA is waiving this fee for the first 30 days (from Dec. 21, 2015 to Jan 20, 2016). The form is online and can be completed at www.faa.gov/uas/registration.

Clean Out the Cruft

I've been testing CleanMyMac 3, and I have to tell you, I love this app. Using the Smart Clean feature, I removed 20GBs of cruft from my MacBook Pro.

Glow QuadraPop Portable Softbox

I don't know if you saw my review of the Glow QuadraPop Portable Softbox, but this is a nifty lighting accessory sold by Adorama. The kit comes with an adapter ring that you insert the flexible aluminum rods into, then expand it to a full 24" wide by 34" tall - a nice surface area for waist up portraits.

I originally tested it with a strobe. But I've since figured out how to mount a LCD light inside, and I'm digging it even more. I'll use it again for an upcoming portrait shoot on Wednesday.

The Screening Room

This week's Screening Room selection is Photos for OS X Essential Training with yours truly.

In this title I show you the ins and outs of this maturing application from a photographer's point of view. I explain how to use the new and sophisticated geotagging function. And I demonstrate the editing extensions, which provide an open door to this application that third party developers are using to add powerful new features.

Member Quote of the Week

Intelligent comments culled from The Digital Story Facebook page.

In regard to Monday's Facebook Post: Our 10 Favorite Film Cameras of All Time (by Shutterbug Magazine) - Rob Costain wrote: "I moved from Kodak Instamatic to an Olympus OM-10 in 1981, but my favourite camera of all is still the used Olympus OM-2 that replaced my OM-10. The OM-2 is small compared to its contemporaries and you can see why the Olympus E-Mx series is such a hit. I don't use my OM-2 much anymore, but I still keep it loaded with film."

Post your thoughts on our Facebook page. Believe me, I read them.

Adobe Lightroom Notecard and Greeting Card Templates

If you use Adobe Lightroom, Red River Paper has a collection of Fine Art Card Templates that you can download and use to simplify creating your greeting cards. They're free, and there are even tutorials on how to use them.

Found Treasure

The next edition of The Nimbleosity Report comes out this Wednesday, Dec. 16. You don't want to miss this issue! Sign up today to get in on the action.

Registration is open for The 2016 Street Photography Workshop in San Francisco. And I've posted the full preliminary itinerary on the Workshops page. And if you plan on ordering through B&H Photo or Amazon, please stop by the TDS site first, click on their respective ad tile, then place your order. That extra step helps support the site.

See you next week!

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

lynda.com - Learn lighting, portraiture, Photoshop skills, and more from expert-taught videos at lynda.com/thedigitalstory.

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

inkdot Innovative printing output and accessories for the creative photographer. Visit www.inkdot.com today.

MacPaw Creators of CleanMyMac 3 and other great software for Apple computers. Visit www.macpaw.com today.

The Nimbleosity Report

Do you want to keep up with the best content from The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer? Sign up for The Nimbleosity Report, and receive highlights twice-a-month in a single page newsletter. Be a part of our community!

Want to Comment on this Post?

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.