Most photos that are submitted to The Digital Story lack important metadata, such as author name and copyright. We have many good tools to help us identify our work so others know who the photographs belong to. For example, using EOS Utility, software that came with my Canon DSLR, I can add identifying metadata to the image at the point of capture. The first screen shot show me setting up the camera, and the second screenshot shows how the information is displayed in the Preview application for the Mac.

Top image: shows where I enter my personal metadata in EOS Utility so it will be included in the EXIF data of every shot I capture. Bottom image: here's how it appears in Preview after upload to my computer.

In this week's podcast, I talk about the value of personal metadata and cover ways that you can add it to your images.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Street Shot is the February 2009 Photo Assignment. Time to hit the pavement and discover the interesting moments of life that happen all around you. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Feb. 28, 2009.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Mark Your Photos" 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

-

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

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

-

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.