Weekly digital photography podcasts, photo tips, reader submitted pictures, equipment reviews and more.

The March 2008 Photo Assignment was "Paper," and we have a spacious selection of images to show you -- 17 photos submitted by Digital Story members who demonstrate their ability to identify artistic uses of paper in the world around them. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment... read more

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Posted by dstory on April 21, 2008 | Comments (0)

The February 2008 Photo Assignment was "Empty," and we have a spacious selection of images to show you -- 17 photos submitted by Digital Story members who demonstrate their ability to explore the open spaces of their environment. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment here. The March... read more

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Posted by dstory on March 23, 2008 | Comments (0)

The January 2008 Photo Assignment was "Edge," and we have a sharp selection of images to show you -- 23 photos submitted by Digital Story members who demonstrate their ability to cut through the croft and present these excellent shots. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment here.... read more

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Posted by dstory on February 29, 2008 | Comments (0)

The December 2007 Photo Assignment was "Water," and we have an excellent selection of images to show you -- 27 photos submitted by Digital Story members who demonstrate their ability to see and capture the various states of water. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment here. The... read more

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Posted by dstory on January 27, 2008 | Comments (0)

The November 2007 Photo Assignment was "Light and Dark," and we have an excellent selection of images to show you -- 15 photos submitted by Digital Story members who demonstrate their ability to capture both the highlights and shadows of the world around them. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this... read more

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Posted by dstory on December 28, 2007 | Comments (0)

The October 2007 Photo Assignment was "Close Up," and we have an excellent cross section of images to show you -- 25 photos submitted by Digital Story members who demonstrate their ability to get up close and personal. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment here. The November... read more

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Posted by dstory on November 21, 2007 | Comments (0)

The September 2007 Photo Assignment was "Duotone," and we have an excellent cross section of images to show you -- 35 photos submitted by Digital Story members who demonstrate their ability to abstract a scene and render it with minimal color. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment... read more

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Posted by dstory on October 23, 2007 | Comments (0)

The August 2007 Photo Assignment was "Intersection," and we have an excellent cross section of images to show you -- 16 photos submitted by Digital Story members who demonstrate their keen eye for composition. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment here. The September assignment is "Duotone." Start... read more

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Posted by dstory on September 12, 2007 | Comments (0)

The July 2007 Photo Assignment was "Pattern," and we have some absolutely striking images to show you -- 24 photos submitted by Digital Story members that demonstrate their keen eye for composition. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment here. The August assignment is "Intersection." Start working on... read more

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Posted by dstory on August 15, 2007 | Comments (0)

The June 2007 Photo Assignment was "Before & After," and we have double the pleasure this month -- 56 images submitted by Digital Story members that demonstrate their image editing skills. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment here. The July assignment is "Pattern." Start working on your... read more

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Posted by dstory on July 9, 2007 | Comments (0)

The May 2007 Photo Assignment was "Slender," and we have a stylishly thin gallery -- 25 images submitted by These Digital Story members that demonstrate skills of observation and craftsmanship. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment here. The June assignment is "Before & After." Start working on... read more

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Posted by dstory on June 17, 2007 | Comments (0)

The April 2007 Photo Assignment was "Window to the Soul," and we have quite the introspective gallery -- 25 images submitted by These Digital Story members that demonstrate skills of observation and craftsmanship... and sometimes provide a glimpse into the photographer as well as the subject. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can... read more

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Posted by dstory on May 13, 2007 | Comments (2)

The March Photo Assignment was "Self Portrait," and we have quite the diverse gallery -- 33 images submitted by The Digital Story members demonstrate the creativity and craftsmanship of our virtual camera club shooters. These are photographers who you just want to get to know. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view... read more

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Posted by dstory on April 15, 2007 | Comments (2)

The nooks and crannies of The Digital Story mailbox has yielded more outstanding photos from last month's Photo Assignment: "Texture". These images are too good to languish in a stuffy old inbox, so I'm running a follow up here so you too can enjoy them. And don't forget that this month's assignment is "Self Portrait." That's right, we're asking you to get in front of the camera and share your personalty with other members in the Digital Story virtual camera club. I guess you could call this a virtual ice breaker! If you've never entered a photo assignment before, just... read more

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Posted by dstory on March 23, 2007 | Comments (0)

The February Photo Assignment was "Texture," and we have quite the tactile gallery -- 35 images submitted by The Digital Story members demonstrate the creativity and craftsmanship of our virtual camera club shooters. These are shots you just want to touch! To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment... read more

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Posted by dstory on March 12, 2007 | Comments (1)

The January Photo Assignment was "Glimmer," and we have a sparkling gallery for you -- 21 images submitted by The Digital Story members demonstrate the creativity and craftsmanship of our virtual camera club shooters. These shots shine! To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment here. The February assignment... read more

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Posted by dstory on February 6, 2007 | Comments (0)

The things you find in the depths of your inbox. In this case, discovering Landon Michaelson's unpublished entry for Pool of Light was like discovering a $20 bill. I just couldn't leave it behind. So I asked him to tell me a bit more about the image so I could publish it. "The idea came on quickly," said Landon, "but execution took some thought. I surrounded him in black fabric to keep everything dark. I gave him the device and allowed him to just look at the screen. This is hand-held, as he does not sit perfectly still, ever.... read more

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Posted by dstory on January 11, 2007 | Comments (5)

The December Photo Assignment was "Pool of Light," and we have a thrilling gallery for you -- 17 images submitted by The Digital Story members demonstrate the collective keen eyes of our virtual camera club shooters. Many of these pictures are stunning. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo... read more

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Posted by dstory on January 7, 2007 | Comments (1)

The November Photo Assignment was "Juxtaposition," and we have quite a gallery for you. Twelve images submitted by The Digital Story members demonstrate the collective keen eyes of our virtual camera club shooters. These images are downright clever. To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment here. The December... read more

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Posted by dstory on December 11, 2006 | Comments (0)

The October Photo Assignment was "Reflection," and we have quite a gallery for you. Twenty six images submitted by The Digital Story members demonstrate the reflective qualities of our virtual camera club photographers. These images shine! To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment here. The November assignment is... read more

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Posted by dstory on November 8, 2006 | Comments (4)

The September Photo Assignment was "Circle," and we have quite a gallery for you. Sixteen images submitted by The Digital Story members illustrate a bounty of creativity and craftsmanship. In other words, they look great! To produce the gallery, the pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server. You can view this month's photo assignment here. The October assignment is "Reflection."... read more

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Posted by dstory on October 9, 2006 | Comments (0)

The August Photo Assignment was "Red," and we have quite a gallery for you. Nineteen images submitted by The Digital Story members illustrate a bounty of creativity and craftsmanship. In many aspects, this may be our best gallery yet. Due to the number of excellent submissions, I switched to a new format. The pictures were first loaded into Aperture. I then added the accompanying stories to the IPTC caption field and combined it with the EXIF data from the photograph. The final step was to create a web gallery in Aperture and upload it to the Digial Story server.... read more

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Posted by dstory on September 4, 2006 | Comments (3)

This month's Photo Assignment displays the work of 4 participants from The Digital Story community. The following shots are their interpretations of the theme, "heat." This assignment must have prompted many of our readers to break out into a sweat, because we had fewer participants than in previous months. But I think you'll enjoy the steamy shots presented here. Derrick Story "Iceland Steam." Many people imagine Iceland as this cold, barren place. But much of the country is powered by geothermal steam. While I was staying in Nesbud, I discovered this creek of flowing 90 degree C water... too hot... read more

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Posted by dstory on August 13, 2006 | Comments (3)

Eight featured slideshows that are as distinctive as the artists themselves... One photographer used this medium to bring his heritage to life, while others relived vacations or captured the rhythm of everyday events. One entrant created a movie to promote his photography studio. Still others shared life's drama, such as a balmy evening of boxing in Texas, or a garage band's road to local fame. These are just a few of life's tales vividly captured in the entries featured in the FotoMagico Slideshow Showcase. You can watch each of these presentations, read about the techniques and software the artists... read more

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Posted by dstory on June 26, 2006 | Comments (8)

This month's Photo Assignment displays the work of 13 participants from The Digital Story community. The following shots are their interpretations of the theme, "vertical." This assignment was a tall order, but our crew was up to the task. Maarten Sneep "The Road to Nowhere." You can learn more about this shot, and the others that he took for the vertical assignment by visiting his website. Technorati Tags: digital photography... read more

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Posted by dstory on May 1, 2006 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (4)

Photographer Geoff Hankerson says, "What signifies friendship more than sharing?" He captured this shot with a Canon PowerShot A70, then converted to B&W using the channel mixer in the GIMP. Geoff's shot is one of eleven featured in this month's TDS Photo Assignment titled "Friends." You can see all the entries by clicking on the Read More link. The Photo Assignment for April 2006 is "vertical." If you'd like your shot considered for publication, send it in by April 30. For more information, see our Submissions page. ==================================== Technorati Tags: digital photography... read more

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Posted by dstory on April 1, 2006 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

This month's Photo Assignment displays the work of 10 participants from The Digital Story community. The following shots are their interpretations of the theme, "fur." Great job with a difficult assignment. Nelson Charette Took Patches' picture in my home studio, She jumped up on my new black background. (Well so much for not having any cat hair on my background.) Shot with a Nikon D-70 at 1/25 sec f 16.0 iso 200, used to White Lightning lights. Maarten Sneep I bought a Tamron Macro lens (90 mm f/2.8, focusses to 1:1). For this shot I used an indirect flash and... read more

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Posted by dstory on March 5, 2006 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (2)

This month's Photo Assignment displays the work of 11 participants from The Digital Story community. The following shots are their interpretations of the theme, "ice." Terrific work, all of you! Maarten Sneep I had no idea you were going to do this assignment when I made the shot. While on vacation in Switzerland, we went to a glacier at the end of a valley (this is the Roseg glacier). Some peices of the glacier had broken off, and were floating in the lake in front of the glacier. The shot was taken at iso 100, f/4.5, 1/100 of a second... read more

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Posted by dstory on January 31, 2006 | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

If you tuned-in to my last podcast, you know we've been kicking around an idea called "Photo Assignment." Well, we're kicking no more. It's a go. You can always refer to the details on our Submissions page. But I'll provide the skinnies here too. Each month you can participate in a photo assignment with other members of The Digital Story audience. The topic for the assignment will be revealed in the first podcast of the month. Then all you have to do is photograph your interpretation of that theme, and send it in via email. Title your subject line:... read more

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Posted by dstory on January 2, 2006 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)