What's the difference between "input" sharpening and "output" sharpening? Do you know when to use Adobe Camera Raw or when you should launch Photoshop? How would you like to learn a new way to convert to B&W in ACR that introduces less noise? Katrin Eismann, coauthor of the just released The Creative Digital Darkroom, shared many of her Raw processing secrets over the course of two days in Tampa.

In this podcast I highlight some of my favorite techniques that Katrin demonstrated, including my two favorites: how to better use the masking slider for input sharpening, and a new way to convert to B&W in ACR. These techniques also work in Adobe Lightroom.

You can get more goodies directly from Katrin and Sean by visiting their Creative Digital Darkroom web site.

Katrin Eismann (seated) holding court in the Adobe booth at Imaging USA in Tampa. Photo captured with a Canon G9 at ISO 400 by Derrick Story.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Edges is this month's photo assignment. Where does one thing begin and another end? How about the edges of the day, the mind? Lots of possibilities for this one. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Jan 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Katrin Eismann on ACR Sharpening, B&W and More." 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!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: Adobe Lightroom, digital photography, Technology, The Digital Story, Adobe Camera Raw

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

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

The start of a new year is a great time to get organized. In this podcast, I discuss pulling together the serial numbers for your camera equipment, registration numbers for you software, and just getting things together in general.

I also remind folks about the new New Baggage Restrictions for Li-Ion Batteries.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Edges is this month's photo assignment. Where does one thing begin and another end? How about the edges of the day, the mind? Lots of possibilities for this one. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Jan 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Getting Organized." 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!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, Li-Ion Battery, Photo Assignment, podcast, The Digital Story

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

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

Technorati Tags: digital photography, Li-Ion Battery, Photo Assignment, podcast, The Digital Story

I've discovered that I'm using burst mode much more than I used to, and I wanted to figure out why. As is turns out, there are a number of factors, including changes both on the camera side and in post production.

In this podcast, I extol the virtues of shooting in burst mode, then give tips for getting the most out of it.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Water is this month's photo assignment. It's time to work with all states of water, from vapor to ice. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Dec 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Burst Mode." You can download the podcast here (32 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!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: Adobe Lightroom, Aperture, digital photography, technique, Technology, The Digital Story

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

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

We've been good photographers who have embraced the concept of workflow, invested in software, and have tried to go about our business in an orderly fashion. So what's the payoff?

I had begun to wonder that myself. Oh, sure, there have been small victories here and there. For example, I wanted to find this photo that I call "Head Stomp." I had captured it back in Sept. 2006, and I needed it for a project. Thanks to my organizational software, it took me a matter of seconds to locate it, then export it in the size and format I needed. Nice.

But the real payoff appeared when I started working on my latest book, Digital Photography Companion, and had to organized hundreds of photos that I've captured over the last few years. I talk about that experience in this week's show.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Water is this month's photo assignment. It's time to work with all states of water, from vapor to ice. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Dec 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Payoff." You can download the podcast here (30 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!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: Adobe Lightroom, Aperture, digital photography, iPhoto, podcast, software, technique, Technology, The Digital Story

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

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

The first step in an accurate color workflow is ensuring your computer monitor is calibrated to printing standards. In this podcast, I cover some steps you can take right now with no additional equipment, then discuss the advantages of using a monitor colorimeter. Even affordable units, such as the Huey for less then $80, can lead to more accurate printing and web pages.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Water is this month's photo assignment. It's time to work with all states of water, from vapor to ice. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Dec 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Monitor Calibration." You can download the podcast here (26 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!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, equipment, Huey, ICC Profiles, software, Technology, The Digital Story

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

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

How do you protect your digital camera? Hopefully not by staying indoors when the weather gets interesting.

In this podcast, I discuss some of my favorite ways to protect my cameras in all sorts of weather conditions: from the depths of the ocean to a showery afternoon in the country. Often, these are the situations when you can find some of the most interesting shots.

Want to see what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot? Take a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Light and Dark is this month's photo assignment. It's time to work with shadows and pools of light. See how you can manage a composition that features interesting highlights and shadows. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Nov. 30.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Weatherproof Your Camera." You can download the podcast here (30 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!

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

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

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

Shooting in Costa Rica was a true adventure. The rain was pouring, so my uniform was Tevas, swimming trunks, and a mesh shirt. The Canon 5D performed great in the inclement weather. I had brought the SD700 IS in its waterproof housing, but it wasn't the right camera for people shots. The 5D was the king of the day.

In this podcast, I return home to catch up, share a few anecdotes, and get us all back on the right photography track. (I do make an error however and say that the photo assignment for Nov. is "water." That's wrong! The assignment is Light and Dark. Sorry about that. Still getting back in the groove.

Costa Rican Cyclist -- by Derrick Story, captured with a Canon 5D, 24-105 mm L zoom, ISO 640, Cloudy WB, 1/250 @ f-6.7.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Light and Dark is this month's photo assignment. It's time to work with shadows and pools of light. See how you can manage a composition that features interesting highlights and shadows. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Nov. 30.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Catching Up." You can download the podcast here (31 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!

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: Caribbean, Costa Rica, digital photography, podcast, Technology, The Digital Story

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

When out in the field, the goals are to capture great images, enjoy nature, and do no harm to yourself and others. In this Best of Podcasts #2, I share ten of my favorite tips for shooting outdoors.

This is an appropriate "Best of" for this week, because I'm in Aruba today with camera in hand. I'll be reporting on what happens while I'm in the field (and in the water) working.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Light and Dark is this month's photo assignment. It's time to work with shadows and pools of light. See how you can manage a composition that features interesting highlights and shadows. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Nov. 30.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "10 Tips for Great Field Photography." You can download the podcast here (26 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!

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, The Digital Story

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

This week, I reach down into the photo goodie bag and pull out a few treats for the Halloween season. Sweets include: adding metadata to your images so people know who took the photo and its copyright status, my camera gear kit for an upcoming trip to the Caribbean, an update on Mac OS X Leopard for photographers, and a few publishing notes for November.

File description fields in Photoshop that enable you to add metadata to your images.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Close Up is this month's photo assignment. Time to find that close up button on your compact or break out the macro lens for your DSLR. October is get close month, real close. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Oct. 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Trick or Treat." 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!

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, The Digital Story

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

Watson's work lined the gallery walls in the HP booth at PhotoPlus Expo 07, and he was the feature presentation on Friday night, "Albert Watson: Meet the Master." HP contacted me before the show asking if I'd like to interview Albert during my stay in New York. I immediately accepted and met with him Thursday afternoon in a conference room at Javits.

We began our conversation by discussing the wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, the only wedding he's ever covered. At first Albert was hesitant to talk about the event. But I wanted to know how a high profile fashion and art photographer prepares for a royal wedding, and this is where our conversation begins.

A few of Albert Watson's prints hanging in the HP booth at PhotoPlus Expo.

I recorded the podcast in stereo to give you a better feel for the room. Plus, I didn't want to push a microphone in Albert's face; rather, I wanted him to feel free to gesture and use his body to illustrate his points. I decided to leave the podcast in stereo (instead of sampling down to mono) to retain this ambience. The result is a bigger file, but one that I think puts you right there at the table with Albert Watson and myself. I jokingly call this the Special Headphone Edition of The Digital Story

Albert Watson annotations from a print in progress.

Special thanks to HP, who arranged the interview and were gracious hosts for both Albert and myself.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Close Up is this month's photo assignment. Time to find that close up button on your compact or break out the macro lens for your DSLR. October is get close month, real close. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Oct. 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Albert Watson, Photography Legend." 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!

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, The Digital Story

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