Now that iPhoto '09 is shipping, I thought that I'd take a moment to address the question, "What to do about iPhoto?" Should you upgrade to the latest version? If you're just setting up iPhoto for the first time, what should you know? And if you want to migrate from iPhoto to a professional photo management application, what's the best way to go? I tackle these questions and more in this week's podcast.

Monthly Photo Assignment

About Face is the January 2009 Photo Assignment. Think about creative ways to make a portrait. It doesn't always have to be the "smiling into the camera" composition. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Jan. 31, 2009.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "What to do About iPhoto?" You can download the podcast here (29 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Follow me on Twitter

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SiteGrinder lets you take ownership of your websites. Effortlessly output pages right from Photoshop.

Red River Paper -- Try the $7.99 Sample Kit.

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

Learn what photographers need to know to organize and edit their images with Photoshop CS4. Take a look at The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers. It fits in your laptop bag and is very easy on your wallet.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

ISO 1600 is the new 400. The evolution of digital technology is changing the way we capture light. In this podcast, I provide a refresher course in managing your ISO settings. Things have changed, and they've changed for the better.

Monthly Photo Assignment

About Face is the January 2009 Photo Assignment. Think about creative ways to make a portrait. It doesn't always have to be the "smiling into the camera" composition. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Jan. 31, 2009.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "ISO." You can download the podcast here (27 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Follow me on Twitter

-

Learn what photographers need to know to organize and edit their images with Photoshop CS4. Take a look at The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers. It fits in your laptop bag and is very easy on your wallet.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

SiteGrinder lets you take ownership of your websites. Effortlessly output pages right from Photoshop.

Red River Paper -- Try the $7.99 Sample Kit.

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

Digital photography was a centerpiece topic at Macworld SF. In this podcast, I review the trends and conversations I experienced while teaching at the event, and when talking with other photographers. I learned a great deal about what to expect in the coming months, and share that in this broadcast.

Photo of Moscone Center by Derrick Story, captured with an iPhone.

Monthly Photo Assignment

About Face is the January 2009 Photo Assignment. Think about creative ways to make a portrait. It doesn't always have to be the "smiling into the camera" composition. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Jan. 31, 2009.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Macworld from a Photo Perspective." You can download the podcast here (28 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Follow me on Twitter

-

Learn what photographers need to know to organize and edit their images with Photoshop CS4. Take a look at The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers. It fits in your laptop bag and is very easy on your wallet.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

SiteGrinder lets you take ownership of your websites. Effortlessly output pages right from Photoshop.

Red River Paper -- Try the $7.99 Sample Kit.

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

Some of the most interesting portraits are captured from unique angles. In this podcast I explore portrait photography beyond the forward-facing pleasant smile variety. "About Face" is also the theme for the Jan. 09 Photo Assignment. Speaking of which...

Monthly Photo Assignment

About Face is the January 2009 photo assignment. Think about creative ways to make a portrait. It doesn't always have to be the "smiling into the camera" composition. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Jan. 31, 2009.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "About Face - Revisting Portraits." You can download the podcast here (21 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Follow me on Twitter

-

Learn what photographers need to know to organize and edit their images with Photoshop CS4. Take a look at The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers. It fits in your laptop bag and is very easy on your wallet.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

SiteGrinder lets you take ownership of your websites. Effortlessly output pages right from Photoshop.

Red River Paper -- Try the $7.99 Sample Kit.

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

Are you ready to have a productive 2009? Is your camera gear organized, do you have all of your registration numbers accessible, is your workflow in order? Then, once all of that is in place, have you set goals for 2009? This should be the year you finally build that website, or maybe put a show together to display at the local coffee shop.

At this moment in time, we can either look back or look forward. I'm most interested in planning for a productive 2009.

Monthly Photo Assignment

About Face is the January 2009 photo assignment. Think about creative ways to make a portrait. It doesn't always have to be the "smiling into the camera" composition. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Jan. 31, 2009.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Get Organized and Set Goals for 2009." You can download the podcast here (27 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Follow me on Twitter

-

Learn what photographers need to know to organize and edit their images with Photoshop CS4. Take a look at The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers. It fits in your laptop bag and is very easy on your wallet.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

Red River Paper -- Try the $7.99 Sample Kit.

You're headed out the door and realize you're one gift short. What do you do? Here are five last-minute gift ideas that you, the artful photographer, can assemble in 30 minutes or less. And the best part? The recipient will absolutely love it.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Group Shot is also this month's photo assignment. This is your opportunity to practice, then publish the results. I published a podcast on group shots if you need a quick refresher. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Dec. 31, 2008.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Five Emergency Gifts." You can download the podcast here (17 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Follow me on Twitter

-

Learn what photographers need to know to organize and edit their images with Photoshop CS4. Take a look at The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers. It fits in your laptop bag and is very easy on your wallet.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

Red River Paper -- Try the $7.99 Sample Kit.

Are there times when you want to capture both Raw and Jpeg at the same time? Absolutely! In this podcast, I go over five instances where I think it's to your advantage to record in both formats.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Group Shot is also this month's photo assignment. This is your opportunity to practice, then publish the results. I published a podcast on group shots if you need a quick refresher. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Dec. 31, 2008.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "5 Reasons to Shoot Raw + Jpeg." You can download the podcast here (23 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Follow me on Twitter

-

Learn what photographers need to know to organize and edit their images with Photoshop CS4. Take a look at The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers. It fits in your laptop bag and is very easy on your wallet.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

Red River Paper -- Try the $7.99 Sample Kit.

Oh, how time flies by. We launched The Digital Story in October 2005. Now, more than three years later, it's time to put a new coat of paint on the walls.

In this podcast, I go over the changes we have in store for the next version of The Digital Story. We're going to improve the user experience by updating the underlying technology (Movable Type 3 to Movable Type 4), clean up the navigation, add bigger photographs, add video, and create an entirely new area called Creative Output that focuses on printing and other fun projects.

But this is also your opportunity to let us know what you want. If you have a feature you'd like me to add, or if you have a comment on the features we have proposed, please add a comment to these Show Notes or send email to me (see the Submissions page for details).

I'm excited to bring the next generation Digital Story to our virtual camera club. I think it's a great way to kick off 2009.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Group Shot is also this month's photo assignment. This is your opportunity to practice, then publish the results. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Dec. 31, 2008.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Time to Update the Website." You can download the podcast here (22 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Follow me on Twitter

-

Learn what photographers need to know to organize and edit their images with Photoshop CS4. Take a look at The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers. It fits in your laptop bag and is very easy on your wallet.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

Red River Paper -- Try the $7.99 Sample Kit.

Now that we're smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, group shots are more important than ever. You may want to take one of your family to create your own greeting card. Or you my be the photographer behind the lens at a gathering trying to pull together a group shot. Either way, this podcast will help you get the best image possible.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Group Shot is also this month's photo assignment. This is your opportunity to practice, then publish the results. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Dec. 31, 2008.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Get Great Group Shots." You can download the podcast here (24 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Follow me on Twitter

-

Learn what photographers need to know to organize and edit their images with Photoshop CS4. Take a look at The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers. It fits in your laptop bag and is very easy on your wallet.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

Red River Paper -- Try the $7.99 Sample Kit.

Photographers aren't the easiest creatures to buy gifts for. Most things they need are either too expensive or they already have. So who better than a photographer to recommend holiday gifts for that special snap-shooter in your life?

The following list of suggestions are all priced under $100, and many are less that $30. And if you have a great idea that you think should be added to this line up, please post a comment.

So onward with our eight goodies. And remember, you can use these as suggestions to others for gifts for you...

1. Joby Gorillapod Flexible Tripod - $21.95 US: The Joby Gorillapod makes taking digital photos more fun than ever. Designed with self-timer photography in mind, the Gorillapod lets you mount your camera just about anywhere you want so that you can include everyone in your automatic shots. This model is for compacts, but they also make larger sizes for all types of cameras.
2. Dynomight Bottle Cap Tripod - $9.95 US: Now you can have a quick and convenient tripod ready for use on your next trip. This convenient bottle cap tripod has a universal camera mount with an adjustable angular design. The cap mounts to any standard bottle top and can easily be dismounted and unscrewed quickly to store in your bag. A fun stocking stuffer!
3. Photoshop Elements software (Mac/Win) - $64.99 (Mac)/$74.99 (Win) ($25 savings): This special offer from the Adobe Store includes free shipping for both versions. The Windows version also includes a Basic Membership to Photoshop.com. These prices are good from Nov. 24 9pm PT through Dec. 10 6pm PT. Photoshop Elements is an outstanding image editor with lots of workflow goodies included. If your favorite photographer is ready to move up to Photoshop, this is a great deal.
4. Gary Fong Lightsphere Universal System Cloud - $49.95 US: The Lightsphere Universal flash diffuser from Gary Fong delivers amazing light from your on-camera flash. You no longer need bulky flash brackets or umbrellas to enjoy incredibly soft, studio-quality lighting! If you've used the original Lightsphere or Lightsphere®-II, you'll find the Lightsphere Universal creates the same great soft portrait light that you love NOW with the addition of an innovative, patent-pending mount that is guaranteed to stay on. Yes, one Lightsphere now fits most flashes. This is a great accessory, and it really works.
5. Morris Mini DC Slave Flash II with PC Cord - $31.95 US: Lets you put a little extra light just about anywhere, yet it fits easily in your pocket. Inclues PC cord, tripod mount, and slave that triggers the flash with the flash on your camera. Very handy for the photographer who likes to add a little sparkle to their indoor shots.
6. The Digital Photography Companion - $16.49 US: The Digital Photography Companion gives you creative tips and technical advice for taking top-notch digital photos in a wide range of conditions. Fits easily in your back pocket or backpack. Covers camera controls and pro techniques. The official guide for The Digital Story Virtual Camera Club. Perfect for the beginning photographer or owner of a new Digital SLR.
7. National Geographic Tundra Monopod with Head and Quick Release Plate - $42.00 US: The NG Tundra Monopod provides support when you can't use a tripod. Simply attach your camera directly to the top platform and begin shooting. To make the monopod more compact, the ball head can be removed. This also allows you to attach the camera directly to the monopod. It only weights a pound, but extends to 61.4". Almost any photographer would appreciate this gift.
8. Sandisk Extreme USB 2.0 3 in 1 Card Reader - $84.95 US: The Extreme USB 2.0 Reader provides you with a complete digital solution for your photography needs. Its performs at up to 20MB per seconds sequential read and write, above the level needed for the high enthusiast photographer. It's designed with two slots and supports CF (Type I and II), SD, MS Pro, and MS PRO Duo. It supports USB 2.0 connectivity on both Windows and Macintosh Operating Systems. It plugs and plays with no external AC power. This is quite simply one of the best card readers you can get, and a definite upgrade for just about any photographer.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Whirlwind is this month's photo assignment. This can be taken so many ways: things happening quickly, life breezing by, an very energenic child. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Nov. 30, 2008.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Gift Ideas for Photographers." You can download the podcast here (25 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Follow me on Twitter

-

Learn what photographers need to know to organize and edit their images with Photoshop CS4. Take a look at The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers. It fits in your laptop bag and is very easy on your wallet.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

Red River Paper -- Try the $7.99 Sample Kit.