Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 walks a tightrope that balances cutting edge imaging technology with ease of use. It is designed for hobbyist photographers who want to manage, edit, and output pictures from their digital cameras. Elements 6 is the Windows version of the application. Photoshop Elements for the Mac will be out early next year.

My quest to learn more about this intriguing application led me to the doorstep of Mark Dahm, Adobe Senior Product Manager for Photoshop Elements. As you can imagine, Mark is passionate about this software, and he did a great job of highlighting its features and explaining many of Adobe's decisions around this product. I think both Mac and Windows users will enjoy what Mark has to say.

Photo of Mark Dahm by Derrick Story, taken on the 11th Floor of the West Tower in Adobe Headquarters in San Jose, CA. Captured with a Canon G9 in Wide View Jpeg mode using Face Detection for focus and flash exposure, processed in ACR 4.0.

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, "Mark Dahm on Photoshop Elements 6." You can download the podcast here (33 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.

iPhoto 08 is the best version of Apple's photo management and processing application. It is included on every new Mac sold, and can be purchased separately as part of the iLife 08 suite.

My personal view is that Mac photographers should become familiar with this imaging program, even if they're using other tools such as Aperture, Lightroom, and CS3. The combination of iPhoto's great user interface, powerful set of imaging tools, and wide variety of output options make this software an excellent addition to any photography workflow.

In this podcast, I show you some of my favorite features in iPhoto 08, plus share some handy tricks for working more efficiently in the application. I've just spent a week in the recording studio at Lynda.com working on an iPhoto title, so I'm reved up and ready to go.

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, "iPhoto 08." 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.

You can publish a book. Jennifer Sauer took an inspired idea and saw it through to her first photo-illustrated manuscript, The Way to Tea. It's an adventure guide to San Francisco tea culture, and it is beautiful.

In this interview, Jennifer explains how she conceived of the concept, pulled it together into pictures and words, and eventually signed a deal with Earth Aware Editions to publish and distribute the project. She provides excellent real world tips for succeeding in the current publishing environment, plus has many insights about the state of photography and her transition from film to digital.

The Way to Tea is a hard cover, 128 page book with 125 full color pictures. It shows you the most intriguing tea lounges and tearooms in the San Francisco Bay Area, introduces you to the world's top tea experts, explains how to judge quality teas, and explores tea cultures from around the world. The Way to Tea is available for $21.95 US.

Jennifer Sauer portrait by Derrick Story.

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, "Jennifer Sauer on How to Publish." 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.

To celebrate our 100th podcast, I'm sharing my list of Top 10 Photo Accessories for $100 or Less. I present them "David Letterman" style, starting with #10 and working my way up the list to my favorite photo goodie for $100. Oh the suspense as I inch my way up the list. No clues in the show notes. No links. Nothing. You have to listen to this podcast to find out my 10 favorites.

I will mention one thing here that I cover in the podcast... that's my gratitude to you, the TDS member, for sharing your work, your enthusiasm, and your passion for great photography. You are the one who powered us to #100, and we're going to keep going forward. Also a special thanks to Scott Sheppard of Inside Digital Photo. Scott has taken every one of these 100 shows under his wing, and added his secret sauce to help me deliver the best product possible.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Duotone is this month's photo assignment. This will be a fun gallery that lets us explore new ways to tone B&W images. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Sept. 30.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Top Ten $100 Photo Accessories." 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.

There are many "assignments for pay" that serious amateurs are qualified to do -- family portraits, local events, and special celebrations, just to name a few. There are a few keys to success however. First, you must be prepared equipment-wise to meet any challenge that is thrown your way during the shoot (this includes having backup equipment). Only take assignments that are within your skills as a photographer and can be accomplished with the equipment in your bag. Next, you need to communicate clearly with the client before the shoot so their expectations are in line with yours. Then put it in writing and both parties should have a signed copy. Finally, fulfill your responsibilities in the time frame you promised.

By following these basic steps, you're on your way to a rewarding second income. I cover these concepts and more in this week's podcast.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Duotone is also this month's photo assignment. This will be a fun gallery that lets us explore new ways to tone B&W images. Hopefully this podcast will help you prepare a great entry for the assignment. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Sept. 30.

Listen to the Podcast

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

Duotones and color monochromes are easier than ever to create. In this podcast, I discuss how to quickly create this look in Adobe Photoshop CS3, Apple Aperture, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, and Apple iPhoto 7.

Lightroom users who want to learn more may want to check out Angela Drury: The Lightroom Recipe Queen for her tips on creating this look using tools in the Develop module.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Duotone is also this month's photo assignment. This will be a fun gallery that lets us explore new ways to tone B&W images. Hopefully this podcast will help you prepare a great entry for the assignment. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Sept. 30.

Listen to the Podcast

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

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.

Raw+Jpeg might not be your default setting, but there are situations when you want to capture in both formats every time you click the shutter. One of my favorite Raw+Jpeg scenarios is when I want to use a compact printer sans computer, such as direct printing from the new HP Photosmart A626 Compact Photo Printer. You simply insert your camera's memory card into the printer, then choose the images you want to output on its LCD monitor. But this works only if you have Jpegs on the card. The printer, and other similar devices, can't read Raw files.

That doesn't meant that you should give up the advantages of Raw either. Later, when you're done printing snapshots, you may want to dig deeper into an image for large format printing and other uses. In this podcast, I discuss the times Raw+Jpeg make sense, and the times it doesn't.

Photo Caption: Do you capture moments like this in Raw, Jpeg, or both? Listen to the podcast to find out.

Monthly Photo Assignment

I also discuss this month's photo assignment, Duotone. This will be a fun gallery that lets us explore fun ways to tone B&W images. I'll be posting more about how to make duotones soon. So keep your eyes peeled. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Sept. 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Raw+Jpeg." 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.

Recently a reader asked for ideas to help him renew his creativity. Some of us chimed in with thoughts such as work with a different lens. But I've discovered that even a more powerful approach is to change aspect ratios. After working in 3:2 or 4:3, you'd be surprised how different the world looks in 16:9.

In this podcast I talk about using a Panasonic DMC-FZ8 in 16:9 mode, both for still files (Raw at that!) and for movies. I had a lot of fun, and it really got my creative juices flowing.

Photo of a school yard in Santa Rosa, CA shot in 16:9 with the FZ8, then cropped to 4x8 for printing in panoramic mode on a Canon CP-330 dye sub printer.

Monthly Photo Assignment

I also discuss this month's photo assignment, Intersection. Keep your eyes peeled for elements in life that bisect. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is August 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "16:9." 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!

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.

Key steps to building your workflow include uploading, adding metadata, photo editing, image editing, output, and archiving. In this podcast, I explain how you can build your own photography workflow... with the tools you already have.

To help you along the way, you can download my 28-page workflow guide titled, I've Taken Great Pictures... Now What?. This guide is Free to TDS members!

Monthly Photo Assignment

I also discuss this month's photo assignment, Intersection. Keep your eyes peeled for elements in life that bisect. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is August 31.

Listen to the Podcast

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

One of the toughest assignments in digital photography is to shoot in harsh light, especially portraits. There are things you can do at capture stage, such as shoot Raw, use fill flash, try reflectors, and zoom in tight when possible. We also have better tools in post production, such as Highlight and Shadow recovery. In this sample comparison here, I used the Highlight Recovery slider in Aperture to bring some skin tone back to these groomsmen.

In this podcast, I talk about surviving harsh lighting conditions and recommend techniques for coming away with professional looking images.

Monthly Photo Assignment

I also discuss this month's photo assignment, Intersection. Keep your eyes peeled for elements in life that bisect. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is August 31.

Listen to the Podcast

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