Postcards present great advantages. In a mailbox full of bland envelopes, postcards radiate like desert flowers. They're easy to send: stick a 32-cent stamp on...
Recently in Photography
The folks at Imaging-Resource.com have published an excellent image comparison test with the Canon G1 Xand a batch of its competitors, including the Canon...
Curious about what the Mac App Store has to offer for photographers? You might want to take a look at the Apps for Photographers collection....
The new Lowepro Event Messenger is a good looking shoulder bag that holds your DSLR, Compact System Camera, lenses, and laptop or tablet computer. It...
For the Dec. '11 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters looked close to home for exploring the theme Family. One of the things I enjoy most about...
You have to wonder how secure manufacturers feel right now as they release the barrage of new compact cameras in a declining market for...
I've had a chance to work with Lightroom 4 public beta and publish an article about it for Macworld Magazine. That release has led to...
I keep waiting for the charm to wear off. But it hasn't. My favorite camera when heading out the door for a walk is...
Creative exercise is much like physically working out: it makes you stronger. And one of my favorite creative activities is focusing on a compositional...
The HP TopShot LaserJet Pro M275 multifunctional printer produces fast B&W or color output (17 PPM black & 4 PPM color), is network enabled including...
There are plenty of refinements and new features in the public beta of Adobe Lightroom 4, but the two tools that caught my eye are...
It was the craziest thing. I was out for a walk along the shore, and I saw these talking deer. But because of the...
As you look at this picture, what to you see? Ocean, sky, rugged shoreline? Those were the elements that I noticed as I hiked by....
This is ingenious. A compact, machined-metal, ball head, tripod that you can leave mounted on your camera, yet, it doesn't get in the way....
When I travel, I'm impressed with the exercise bikes I see in modern hotel gyms. They have a complete multimedia setups that help pass the...
Photographers and other creatives can help connect with others by understanding the benefits of social media. I think the best approach is "be yourself."...
When I first picked up the Polaroid Z340at CES, the sensation was more old than new. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Even though the...
I'm back from Las Vegas, and my "travel light" system worked! This week, I talk about small planes, hotel life, and highlights from CES. Lots...
I found a motorized "lazy Susan" in the garage the other day, and asked myself, "What could I do with this?" I had just seen...
This field report, including photos, is contributed by TDS member, Ed Shields. I also took a look at the GX1 while at CES, and enjoyed...
When you watch people and technology collide, have your camera ready. It's a playing field for interesting photography. As expected, 3D was a major theme...
The question that surfaces in nearly every conversation here at CES is, "Have you seen the Samsung booth?" Not only is it amazing in terms...
You'd be surprised at what you can discover at an electronics event. For example, in the North Hall at CES there's an entire car show...
The Nimble Photographer takes to the air! Here's the challenge: I'm flying to Las Vegas to cover the CES event, but I'm using my local...
FujiFilm announced the Fujifilm X-Pro1, and it's exactly what many of us were hoping for. The beautiful styling of the X10 combined with the...
You knew Canon would respond to the large sensor compacts and CSCs recently introduced. And to their credit, they've offered photographers yet another option:...
How would you like to sharpen your off-camera flash skills (and have a blast while doing so)? Coming this February, I'm conducting a two-day workshop...
The 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) begins on Tuesday, Jan. 10 in Las Vegas. It is one of the biggest technology events of the...
Developing a short list of favorite portrait locations is a terrific asset in your photography arsenal, especially when a potential subject asks, "So, where should...
A New Year, and a fresh set of opportunities to improve our photography. In this week's podcast, I present six goals for 2012. Each one...
For the Nov. '11 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters got their grayscale on while exploring the theme Black & White. The imagery in this huge gallery...
The past year showed us how priorities are shifting in the world of photography. New DSLR announcements were at a premium -- in part...
As 2011 comes to a close, and we begin to think about our goals for 2012, improving our photography will be on many lists....
I just watched a terrific video by Lee Morris of FStoppers about improving the audio for your DSLR videos. I was expecting a complicated...
I was scouting a location yesterday afternoon, when I noticed the beautiful graphic design created by winter shadows. I found a high vantage point and...
2011 was a busy year for photographers and tech fans alike. In this week's podcast, I review a dozen of the topics that I discussed,...
Monta Ellis scored 26 points and led the Golden State Warriors to a 99-91 victory over the visiting Chicago Bulls last night at Oracle Arena...
For your next event shoot, say a pro basketball game, which would you rather have: a 280mm f/4 on a 21 MP body, or a...
As the New Year approaches, I like to get organized. One of the best ways to store and transport camera gear is with a professional...
I bought my Canon 85mm f/1.8 EF USM lens for wedding work well over a decade ago. At the time, I was shooting film...
When you're a photographer, spending time and money on your WiFi network is like having to buy tires for the car. You need them,...
Lowepro is sponsoring a 1-Day Photo Workshop with SF Giants Staff Photographer Andy Kuno and yours truly on Dec. 28, 2011 in San Francisco,...
Once you begin to take notice of time lapse photography, you see it everywhere. And for good reason. This style of video adds spice to...
You can securely mount an iPad 2 to your favorite tripod for movie recording and time lapse photography. All you need are a few...
Earlier in my career, I used to shoot a lot of physician portraits. And it seemed that I was constantly dealing with reflections in...
If you've purchased a Kindle Fireas a gift, and want to set it up before the official unwrapping, I have a few tips for...
You want to give something special to your close friends and family, but you don't have a lot of time. Sound familiar? Here's an idea...
Accessible time lapse photography is a gift of the digital age. And now, thanks to Boinx Software, it's easier than ever to create stop motion...
When we're very busy (as most are this time of year), it can be difficult to adhere to your formal archiving plan. Even I struggle...
Nimble photography isn't just for still photos. Our nimbleosity can extend to movie making too. This week I cover iMovie for the iPad and...
I like to set the Drive Mode to "continuous" when shooting animals, children, and people in general. Yes, you take up a bit more space...
I packed the new Olympus 45mm f/1.8 prime lens for a high school basketball game to see if could keep up with the action. The...
DP Review reports that Instagram and Snapseed are the Apps of the year for the iPhone and iPad respectively. The apps are part of Apple's...
I was working on a project last night at the Golden Gate Bridge north of San Francisco, when I noticed these two photographers in the...
It's not often that you get to sit down with a Sports Illustrated photographer and learn about life in the end zone. But on Monday,...
Things are sometimes better in threes. Three flashes on one lightstand; three exposures on one frame. Yes, this week I'm talking about multiples. I...
One of my favorite features on the Pentax K-5is the multiple exposure setting that allows me to integrate up to 9 images on one frame....
Now that we're smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, many of us want to finish off our gift list. Here are...
For the Oct. '11 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters worked the angles while exploring the theme Side Lighting. The imagery in this gallery is quite...
Your Apple ear buds with remote can also serve as a cable release for the iPhone. I've just tested this with my iPhone 4S, and...
In these early days of iCloud, the Photo Stream component is far from perfect. But the concept is good. So it's really a matter of...
Beth Wald has fulfilled national and international assignments for editorial clients that include National Geographic, Smithsonian, The New York Times, National Geographic Adventure, Outside, Men's...
Photography is a balancing act. You give a little here and get a bit there. One of the areas this comes in to play is...
If you want to improve your image editing skills in Adobe Camera Raw 6, download the free PDF guide (2.6 MB) authored by Francesco...
Is it possible to explore the world of macro photography without a tripod? And when it's time to make a movie, could you frame...
When I've worked events with a Gary Fong Lightsphere mounted over my flash, I've had people ask me if that was Tupperware on my...
There's a good list of 16 photography apps for the iPad on photography talk.com. I like many of these selections. Serious shooters should consider...
There are good deals... and then there's free. Over on the Lowepro Facebook fan page they are conducting a special Free Bag Friday where...
The new Olympus PEN E-PM1is a camera that I've been toting for the last couple months with good results. DP Review has now put it...
I love working with disc reflectors, but I don't always have an assistant to hold them for me. I found the Flashpoint 24" Triangular...
It's that time of year when some families take a deep breath and decide to spend time together. If you're the photographer for these brave...
What to get that favorite photographer in your life? In this week's podcast I have a dozen great ideas. The bulk of the gifts are...
The iPhone 4S has a built-in HDR option that works quite well. But, by using the following technique, you can maximize its potential, taking your...
I don't always want to look the part of the photographer. Sometimes I'm just hanging out with friends, having a good time. That doesn't mean...
From day one, I've wanted to print from my iPad and iPhone as easily as I can from my Mac. And for those who have...
Canon USA published a press release discussing the availability of three professional lenses. One of those included, the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS is...
No matter how digital I get, there are a few cameras that I will never part with. Today's analog favorite: the Hasselblad 500C with...
One of the most common complaints I hear from photo subjects is that the photographer doesn't communicate during the shoot. I can see both...
Professional travel photographer and teacher Rick Sammon is conducting a free webinar on Nov. 17, 12:00 - 1:00 PM PST. You can reserve your seat...
We spent Sunday afternoon at the TDS Workshop creating prints from the edited images we had been working on. During this session, I helped...
Our crew of photographers wrapped a full day of classroom instruction and shooting on Saturday during the November TDS Aperture Workshop. One of three model...
Apple released Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 3.9 that provides support for 11 new cameras, including the Canon S100, Nikon 1, Sony NEX 5N, and...
I ran across this article, Panheads Vs Ballheads, and it got me thinking about how my preferences for tripod mounts has swung back and forth...
Michelle Vinay will be the featured model this weekend for the Aperture Intensive Workshop in Santa Rosa, CA. Attending photographers will have three sessions...
Some people vow to shed weight or drop an undesirable habit when the New Year rolls around. As 2012 approaches, I think this is also...
Photo Stream is iCloud's free picture service that shares your mobile pictures with computers and iOS devices. Like many Apple products, this first version works...
Journalists are starting to get their hands on the new Panasonic GX1 CSC camera, and it's a beauty. I like the gunmetal grey version myself....
I recently came across one of my favorite photos of Steve Jobs. I took this shot in Oct. 2005 during the Apple event at the...
For the Sept. '11 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters worked with digits while exploring the theme Hands and Feet. The imagery in this gallery is clever...
Of the interviews I've done, this chat with Leo Laporte on TWiT Photo goes down as one of my favorites. Derrick Story (left) and Leo...
I'm going to be on the set of TWiT Photo today joining their great crew talking about photography. We'll touch on some of my favorite...
A big challenge for photographers these days is distinguishing themselves from others. A pretty landscape image just isn't going to do it. I have five...
I just spent a week on the road with the Gymbl case and tripod for my iPhone 4S. It's a clever combination of a...
You could call it: "time lapse photography made easy." I mounted an iPhone 4S on a Gymbl tripod and launched the Joby Gorillacam app to...
I saw this served across from me at Trattoria Dell'Arte, 900 7th Ave (between 56th and 57th st) in New York City. I think it...
It looks like that comfy soft canvas bag from a previous era, but the new Lowepro Pro Messenger 200 AW camera bag is anything...
When working in clear air, especially in the mountains, keep an eye on your sky when using a polarizing filter. Believe it or not, you...
In his latest book, The Passionate Photographer,Steve Simon presents 10 steps toward becoming great. For example, in Step 3, Work It: Don't Give Up...
Two big topics this week! I'm heading out to PhotoPlus Expo in New York and will talk about what's going on at that event. It's...
I packed a Pentax K-5DSLR on a recent trip to the Eastern Sierra to test its ruggedness and picture quality. In short, it impressed me...
I love the morning light. So as I'm heading out the door, I usually grab a camera for my walk. Today, I had the Olympus...
The first time I saw Brian Smith shoot, I realized how he makes those compelling portraits. Brian is like a sculptor. And with his...
Want to say "Thank You" to that office coworker who went the extra mile, school volunteer who helped your kids, or hair cutter who...
It's as light as a feather and as snug as a glove, and it mounts your iPhone to a tripod or serves as a...
Now, more than ever, your iPhone photos need to be incorporated into your photography workflow. With the 8 MP camera in the iPhone 4S,...
The upgraded camera is one of the major features of the iPhone 4S. But does it have enough horsepower to be your everyday compact camera?...
Apple's latest iPhone comes equipped with an overhauled camera that sports many useful features. Even though I give it an overall "thumbs up," I do...
One of the events during the TDS Oct. Photography Workshop was a visit to Safari West for a morning of wildlife photography. "I've got my...
Water is one of my favorite photo subjects, in part because there are so many things you can do with it. Recently I photographed...
While packing for my Eastern Sierra trip, I put the Olympus PEN E-PM1in my camera bag along with a couple DSLR bodies. Why? Because I...
No, it's not HDR. I used a Cokin A 121 Neutral Grad filter on a Pentax K-5 with stock 18-55mm zoom. The Cokin filter...
I recorded this on my way out the door to the Sierra to shoot fall color. On this short road trip I'll be testing a...
I'm a big fan of what Nik Silver Efex Pro 2can do for my B&W photography, so when I heard that they've just released Color...
The new Olympus PEN E-PM1, known as the "Mini" is exactly that. It's smaller than what I used to call a compact camera, such as...
If it hadn't been for Steve Jobs, you probably wouldn't be reading these words right now. Yes, I've always been a writer. But I've...
As I mentioned yesterday, Apple announced my next camera during their special event today. I had a good feeling that they were going to...
Do you know the varying degrees of warming filters in your white balance presets? Have you tried WB bracketing? Have you figured out how to...
For many, Apple's announcement of the 5th generation iPhone is the next step in mobile communications. For me, it's my next camera. The history...
For the Aug. '11 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters experimented with various surfaces exploring the theme Reflection. The imagery in this gallery is beautiful. And which...
Remarkably smooth. That's my first impression of Flickr's Photo Session. It's a new feature that allows you to share a set of images in real...
I'm speaking at the Mac Computer Expo in Petaluma, CA on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011. My talk, A Photographer's Workflow for the iPad is part...
When I noticed the latest iApp update from Eye-Fi, I tested it right away on my iPhone. Why such a hurry? Well, my super...
A good camera bag is the photographer's home away from home. These days, it often contains your shooting gear, a laptop or tablet, and a...
Filed under "why didn't someone think of this before," the folks over at Visual Departures have created microGAFFER, gaffer tape in convenient 1" wide...
When you look at the new DSLR Video Fastpack, you see a next generation backpack that's evolved from the original (and popular) Fastpack. With the...
This isn't just any adapter. The Redrock Micro LiveLens MFT is the first active lens mount to allow Canon EF lenses to be used...
I've been thinking about the Nikon 1 and trying to figure out why there isn't an APS-C sensor in that handsome body. Instead, as...
One of the biggest frustrations I see when people begin to take control of organizing photos on their computers, is what to do with all...
The GorillaPod Focus with Ballhead X is no chimp. At the top of the Joby product line, this tripod combines stability and flexibility in a...
Filterstorm Pro strives to solve a number of problems for the nimble photographer working on an iPad or iPad 2. It provides a true library...
As I look at the just-announced Canon S100, it has me thinking about this class of device in general. What factors would motivate me...
A lot has changed since this nimble photographer last wrote about using an Eye-Fi card with ShutterSnitch on an iPad. In short, everything is a...
Here in Northern California, I can already feel the approach of Autumn. The light changes. The air smells different. Fall color is around the...
I have plenty of serious shooting on my dance card. But sometimes I just want to have fun with a camera. I wanted to take...
An assignment that I was looking forward to this week was covering the Wine Country Big Q. Set against the rolling hills backdrop of Sonoma...
As powerful as the Develop Module is, there are times when you need to take an image from Lightroom and work on it in Photoshop....
I'm preparing for my upcoming workshop at Photo Plus Expo in New York City on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, Developing Revenue Streams to Sustain...
Adobe Carousel is a software system that enables you to access, manage, and adjust your pictures on a Mac and iOS devices such as the...
I found this article on DIY Photography that explains how pro shooter Richard Hill created a background projector for his studio photography using an...
Photographers should think carefully about the hard drives they choose to organize and archive their images. There are three basic aspects to consider: capacity, convenience,...
Fujifilm has found a formula that I think is going to sell a lot of cameras in the near future. With the announcement of the...
Congratulations to Richard Bulda who is the winner of the Lowepro Fastpack 100 filled with goodies. Richard, please send me your shipping information (including...
It's amazing what you can build with a few pieces of PVC pipe and a handful of shower curtain hooks. This week I talk...
In Organizing and Archiving Digital Photos, I cover basic organizational techniques in Lightroom, Aperture, iPhoto, and roll-your-own. In this short video, I discuss keywording...
Photo shoot during the TDS Sonoma Coast Workshop. Portraits indoors and out require a mix of craftsmanship and artistry. After two days of shooting...
I love this photo by Katherine Crosbie of Ashley Tuttle captured at the ongoing TDS Sonoma Coast Workshop in Santa Rosa, CA. Katherine is...
Organizing and Archiving Digital Photos is live in the lynda.com online library. It's about the concepts and techniques behind efficient photo management and backup....
How easy is this? All you have to do is "Like" the TDS Facebook Fan Page, or... follow me on Twitter, or... add me...
Here's a look inside the Printing Room at the TDS Studio in Santa Rosa, CA. This image was captured after a 3-day marathon session...
Creating a portfolio, electronic or print, helps you focus your work and develop a style. The process is almost as important as the final product....
How many times have you said, "There's got to be a better way to present my work on the iPad?" I have. Many times....
After a recent assignment shoot, I pulled a Lexar 8GB Pro SD card from my Canon 60D and inserted it into the MacBook Air,...
We know that the Olympus E-P3 is capable in the field (see the latest DP Review test). That's the first environment that most think of...
I've been testing the Epson Stylus Photo R2000 inkjet printer, using it for a variety of images from saturated color compositions on glossy stock...
There comes a point when photo management software, such as Aperture or Lightroom, just makes sense. In this week's podcast, I share my top 5...
I just read a helpful tip on Rick Sammon's blog about the Color Replacement Tool in Photoshop. I thought this would be a good...
Ever since I can remember, Aperture has had the same five templates for creating web galleries. But thanks to Themes for Aperture by Graphic Node,...
Here are 5 Tips That Will Save You Time in Lightroom 3 by Scott Williams. My favorite of the bunch is Copy and Paste...
If you shoot senior portraits, then you know there are just as many guys as gals. Yet, most articles focus on posing young women....
Recently I commented in one of my podcasts that I wasn't finding much of interest in the Photography category of the Mac App Store. I...
Matt Kloskowski has published his Insta-Lightroom Nashville-like Preset for Lightroom as a free download from the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Killer Tips blog. He writes, "Every...
For this shot of Danielle Winkler at San Buenaventura State Beach in Ventura, I set a Canon 320 EX on the ground pointing upward...
We're putting the finishing touches today on my latest lynda.com title, "Organizing and Archiving Digital Photos" (you can see my entire library here). We've been...
If I've learned nothing else over the years, I've grasped the concept that photography is an evolving medium. I think this is a good...
I learned about Going Candid: An Unorthodox Approach to Street Photography (PDF download, 8.6 MBs) via a post by its author, Thomas Leuthard, on...
It's been a while since we've had a visit from the Nimble Photographer, so I thought after being on the road for a couple weeks...
I always have a few model releases in my camera bag in case I capture a great portrait on the fly. One thing I've...
Adobe has created a CS5 Hidden Gems channel, hosted by Bryan O'Neil Hughes. Via a series of short videos, Bryan demonstrates helpful, interesting techniques for...
"Sharing a View" by Derrick Story. Click on image for larger version. Who says that man and animal have different sensibilities? In this case,...
"Junior Lifeguards" at San Clemente Beach, CA. Photo by Derrick Story. Click on image for larger version. These junior lifeguards are lining up for...
Olympus announced today that the Olympus E-PL3 will be available in September 2011 for $699.99 (with redesigned 14-42mm zoom lens). They also add a...
Bee in Cactus Flower: Mission San Juan Capistrano. Photo by Derrick Story. Click on image for larger version. This bee climbed into the cactus...
Google+ has great appeal for many photographers, and causes concern with others. After a few weeks of testing, I give my first impression on this...
"Kite on Doheny State Beach" by Derrick Story. Click on image for higher quality version. Canon 60D, EF-S 15-85mm zoom, and polarizer. When I...
I've always used external hard drives to store my Aperture 3 Vaults. And even though I work with a referenced library these days instead...
The third gallery of TDS Member Photo of the Day images is now complete and ready for viewing. Each photo includes commentary by me...
Apple's latest version of the MacBook Air combines good specification and excellent portability, making it an ideal machine for mobile photographers. One of the key...
I've been impressed with image editing on the iPad. For some reason, it seems more fun than on a regular computer. This is definitely...
The Epson Stylus Photo R2000 is a sophisticated photo printer that accommodates sheets up to 13" x 19", accepts roll paper, and even has...
This short video shows how two DSLRs are wired up to be controlled with a single remote. I'm not sure where the author got the...
One of the joys of taking photos with an iPhone is the ability to tap the touchscreen to choose the focus, then take the photo....
"So, what do you think of Google+?" That's been the question over the last couple weeks that we've been asking each other. Unless you...
One of the challenges in the studio when using off camera flash is getting the right balance between light on the background and your subject....
We were heating up Jiffy Pop popcorn (as much fun to make as it is to eat) over a camp fire the other night,...
When you go on a hike to take pictures, you might be thinking photography, but you're also an outdoorsman, whether you want to be or...
High ISO performance, sophisticated noise reduction, fast lenses... who needs a tripod for outdoor photography? Well, we all do -- at least some of...
One of the first questions I fielded when I published the article, Personal Cloud Storage for Photographers, was, "Can I access the contents of the...
With our August Sonoma Coast Workshop just around the corner, I'm thrilled that Alicia Miller will be there too, posing for our attendees. Alicia joins...
There are a variety of cloud services available these days, including Apple's new iCloud. But what if you wanted to create your own cloud? I've...
I've been testing the Buffalo Cloudstor with an eye toward it helping me better manage my photography content, both in the studio and while...
For the May '11 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters got their Eco on to create this gallery titled Shades of Green. Monotoned? No way. A...
Here's the problem when you click the new Olympus 12mm f/2.0 prime lens into place on the redesigned E-P3 body: You never want to take...
"This image was taken while strolling through Central Park in Manhattan," writes Kevin Miller. "The John Lennon memorial, 'Strawberry Fields,' was dedicated on what would...
I was standing among the giant balloons as propane burners brought them to life and crews steadied the crafts for hopeful liftoff. "Hot Air" was...
A gap in my photography software had been the ability to create professional videos from the content captured with my DSLR. Until recently, I depended...
Many people don't explore all of the personal settings in their Flickr photo sharing account, and end up using the default controls. But with a...
I mentioned to a friend of mine who doesn't work on a Mac that I was editing my first movie in Final Cut Pro X....
Olympus has launched a teaser website for the next generation PEN camera. I'll have coverage of the new gear once the embargo is lifted....
The second gallery of TDS Member Photo of the Day images is now complete and ready for viewing. Each photo includes commentary by me...
I have an LED flashlight in my camera bag, and you probably do too. Recently I read an article titled LED Flashlight Used as...
"Recently, my wife and her two nieces were doing the tourist thing at Ghirardelli Square," writes Gary Henry. "One niece ran up, grabbed me,...
One of the many things we learned as our workshop crew prepared to photograph the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Festival, was to have your...
3am and the iPhone is ringing. It's not a wrong number, but the alarm clock. What about Fathers' Day? Shouldn't the dads among us be...
onOne Software announced today the availability of Perfect Layers for Aperture and Lightroom at a special intro price of $99.95. I loaded up this plug-in...
Do you know who shot the last spool of Kodachrome that rolled off the production line? Steve McCurry ("Afghan Girl") had the honor, and he...
I've come to expect innovation from the brilliant folks over at Nik Software, and their latest creation, Snapseed for iPad easily meets my expectations. At...
After every major photo assignment, I take a few moments to review how effective my plan was, and try to note any lessons that I...
The rustling in the audience grew louder as we approached 20 minutes beyond the scheduled show time at the Paramount Theater in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia....
I had my best conversation with Antonin Kratochvil in New York last year after he had been mildly reprimanded for swearing during his presentation...
As part of my coverage of the LOOK3 Festival for Lowepro, I attended a presentation by George Steinmetz last night at the Paramount Theater in...
One of the joys of looking through the optical viewfinder on your DSLR is seeing the world with crystal clarity. Thanks to the diopter...
If the words "Zeiss Ikon Contarex" or "Minolta SR-1" bring a smile to your face, then I think you'll enjoy "Classic Cameras," a treasure that...
I saw an interview with a photography professor who commented that many of today's memories are being recorded on mobile phones, and those images often...
If you want to work with off-camera flash, but don't have a built-in system like with the Canon T3i, there are affordable alternatives to...
It's Free Bag Friday on the Lowepro Blog. This week you have a chance to win a Flipside 400 AW (use Code LP20 for...
Using the "Places" project in Flickr, you can type in a location and see interesting photos from that area. It's a great way to explore...
For the April'11 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters searched for the imperfect to create this gallery titled Broken. Fractured? Yes. But often beautiful too. And...
Those of us who were photographers in the Analog Age (pre-2000), have an inventory of 4x6 prints, negatives, slides, and enlargements. For months I've been...
Graduation season is underway, and it's an opportunity to capture memorable shots for sharing with family and friends. As with any photo opp, a little...
We've updated the TDS Podcast App so it now looks great on the iPad, as well as the iPhone and Android devices. The interface is...
Just when you thought you didn't have to worry about color calibration for your tablet, along comes SpyderGallery for the iPad to make you...
My default metering setting on all of my cameras is "pattern." Depending on the brand, this setting can be called evaluative, matrix, multi-segment, or some...
On May 21 and 22, I conducted an Aperture Intensive workshop at TDS headquarters in Santa Rosa, CA. Our goal was to sharpen our post...
I talk a lot about shooting great portraits, and your bag of tricks can include very simple setups as well as complicated ones. This week...
The first gallery of TDS Member Photo of the Day images is now complete and ready for viewing. Each photo includes commentary by me...
Editor's Note: An account about how good things can happen with your photography by TDS Member and SizzlPix winner Ken Latman. He wrote this piece...
Auto Lighting Optimizer is one of those features that we have on our newer Canon cameras, but we might not know exactly what it...
When you have a new camera that produces Raw files not immediately supported in Aperture (and iPhoto), how should you approach the situation? Here's...
You may remember Stephanie Scheetz from our Creative Output Series. She's an artist, photographer, and frequent model for TDS Workshops. We haven't worked together for...
The first consideration is color temperature. What type of lighting are you working in, and do you need to compensate for it? Then, the use...
I first read about the The DIY Ring Flash Kit on the Strobist blog. And I was intrigued by the possibility of having this...
When Theresa got to the top of the bluff, I said, "Don't move!" because I saw this shot instantly. Even for simple day hikes in...
We need the light for taking our pictures, but it can really work against us when it's time to review them on the camera's LCD....
I've used Canon flashes for a number of years, but none of them have delighted me like the new Speedlite 320EX($275 US). It's a truly...
Adobe released a handful of demonstration apps for the iPad to show off their new set of developer tools. I downloaded Adobe Nav for Photoshop...
I have new way to share the best of your photo contributions with our virtual camera club... and the world. We now have the TDS...
There are some good tablet discussions online about iPad 2 vs Android. My bottom line recommendation is, if you're using a Mac or an...
We now have The Digital Story on Facebook, and I think you're going to like it. The heart of this new site is your...
"While I wait for the train to pass," writes Conrado Gonzalez, "why not capture a grab shot?" What a great argument for having your...
I've mounted a Pinwide wide angle pinhole cap on my Olympus E-PL1 micro four thirds camera and have been shooting crazy shots. The first thing...
"Sunrise at Crescent Beach" Canon 60D with 15-85mm set at 85mm. F/5.6 at 1/125th. ISO 125. Photo by Derrick Story. Click on image for...
When I first posted the story about the M.I.C. CF Card Reader for the iPad, I received mail saying that it wouldn't work for a...
Macworld Magazine has published my full review of the Canon EOS Rebel T3i from a Mac perspective. In terms of base performance, this model is...
For the March'11 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters explored color with this gallery titled Blue. This hue never looked so good. And which one will...
Two surfers head home as the sun sets at Crescent Beach in Florida. The image was first processed using the Miniature Effect in the Creative...
The air was muggy outside Whitney Lab, off road 1A1 south of St. Augustine, Florida. But I had a freshly made chicken salad sandwich, and...
I join Frederick Van Johnson and crew for the This Week in Photo show titled, "Viva Las Vegas." Yes, the US Postal Service used...
The Pinwide wide angle pinhole cap for micro four thirds cameras (Olympus PENs and Panasonic G Series) gives photographers the traditional feel of pinhole photography...
Photography is a fantastic part time job. It can help pay for your equipment or supplement your regular income. A strategy I recommend for building...
We've been able to apply watermarks in Aperture since the beginning, but the problem is they usually don't look the way we want. Unless you...
onOne Software has borrowed one of Photoshop's most hallowed features, Layers, and created a plug-in for two of our favorite nondestructive photo management applications: Lightroom...
In addition to showing off your work on Flickr, you can become a museum curator and create galleries of images by other photographers. Each gallery...
I was thrilled to read that Eye-Fi has enabled a direct mode feature to its X2 series of cards. I had read in some of...
This project recorded with an Olympus XZ-1 and Canon T3i, both shot at 720p. The studio demo footage employed the Rode VideoMic Pro plugged into...
Exposure, color, and composition... the basics of photography. In this week's episode, we're going to review how the camera sees light, and how you can...
Canon offers the Rebel T3i with the EF-S 18-135mm IS Zoomas a step-up to the shorter 18-55mm lens (it's an actual kit at a...
Until recently, I had considered the Lowepro Versapack 200 AW as primarily a hiking backpack. But I've discovered it's terrific for biking too. Here's a...
I've had photographers tell me that they would patiently wait -- sometimes for an hour -- for people to clear out of a scene...
"I've been trying to capture a rocket launch from Vandenberg for almost a year now," writes Thomas Emmerich. "I finally got my chance tonight, and...
One of my favorite features in Adobe Camera Raw 6.3 (part of Photoshop CS5) is the Lens Correction tool. It's handy for correcting images from...
It happens a thousand times a day: a group of people want to commerate a moment together, and you're the person standing there with a...
As high-end compact cameras became, well, more compact, their optical viewfinders fell by the wayside. For me, this wasn't such a terrible thing since they...
The Canon EOS Rebel T3i(600D) is not your father's entry level Rebel. The latest consumer DSLR from Canon features a 3-inch articulated LCD, 18 MPs...
Both the Canon EOS 60Dand the Canon EOS Rebel T3i(600D) include the new "Soft Focus" Creative Filter that allows you to apply in-camera effects after...
When buying a new APS-C DSLR, it's a good idea to get a kit lens with it. They're great for resale value and are...
"I started out Sunday evening and took a drive until I found some water," writes Keith Burrows. At just the right moment, I stopped and...
Even though the Olympus PEN E-PL2has a pop-up flash, you're not stuck with it solely for advanced lighting techniques. You can slide an external flash...
In my Macworld review of the Samsung NX 100 ILC camera, I say that it's an innovative camera, but not always a practical one....
Black & White photography is beautiful, artistic, and easier than ever to create dynamic images. In this week's podcast, I first talk about Silver Efex...
If you want to show people what you've experienced on a bike, surfboard, skis, or just rambling down a hiking trail, then you should...
The first place I send my photos online is to the Digital Story Flickr site. But I have to admit, I haven't been sharing those...
Flickr has terrific search tools, but some folks don't realize that they can also tap the power of Google to find images within the Flickr...
For the Feb.'11 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters got personal and assembled an intimate gallery titled Loved One. These will touch your heart. And which...
There are very few plug-ins that I'd consider necessay. The editing tools in Aperture 3 and Lightroom 3 are so robust, that I can handle...
The Olympus XZ-1 provides most of the features you'd ever want in a compact camera - super bright f/1.8 lens, hot shoe, accessory port, and...
One of the most difficult things to do with off-camera flash is to put the light exactly where you want it, and nowhere else....
The fast, beautiful Olympus XZ-1has one of the most enticing lenses we've seen on a compact camera -- iZuiko f/1.8-f/2.5 4X zoom. With such a...
It's about time someone produced one of these: a CF card reader for iPad and iPad 2. It also includes a USB port, although...
I've been working with all three Rogue FlashBenders in the Rogue FlashBender Kit (bounce card, small and large positionable reflectors, $105) with great results....
The first two things that struck me about the new Olympus XZ-1 10 MP Digital Camera with f1.8 Lens was the large diameter of...
You might not have thought about using keyboard shortcuts with Flickr, but I can tell you, they are fun and efficient. My favorite is the...
Which paper surface will perfectly complement the image you're ready to print? Glossy, luster, matte? And what are the various characteristics that make each paper...
"I can't believe I'm actually taking these pictures!" exclaimed June H. when she looked at the LCD on the back of her camera. She,...
Much has changed in the Flickr universe since I released the original training title on lynda.com in 2009. So I went back into the...
So here's something written about me instead of by me. I had fun chatting with Cindy Maram at Dig In Magazine for this interview...
"Here's a black-and-white version of a photo I took of Alcatraz while playing tourist with my son during our recent visit to San Francisco for...
A challenging aspect of image adjustment for many photographers is figuring out what needs to be done, then choosing the right controls to do...
Want to learn Lightroom, Aperture, Photoshop, or practically any other major software title? The folks I teach for, lynda.com, offer a 7 Day Trial...
Packing your camera bag is art and science combined. You want to make sure you have the gear you need, but not too much. Your...
I stopped by the Canon booth at NANPA and chatted a bit with them about their announced Super-Telephoto Zoom Lens At The CP+ Event:...
They might not be the prettiest bird you've ever seen, but the Chachalaca in Southern Texas make up for it in personality. Chachalaca feeding after...
Glossy Ibis, originally uploaded by The Digital Story. Once the morning light broke through the clouds at Estero Llano Grande State Park outside of...
McAllen Texas is a changing city. I spent a couple hours this evening hanging out at the new convention center that has become a community...
Lots to cover this week, and I'll touch on as much of this as possible: iPad 2, Flash Benders portable light modifiers, Samsung NX 100...
Soon, you'll be hearing about the going-ons at the Nature Photography Summit in McAllen, Texas. This should be an interesting trip for a variety of...
A common question that I get from readers is: "which computer is the best for the traveling photographer?" Now's a great time to look...
For the Jan. '11 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters lowered their sights and assembled a rock solid gallery for Ground Level. This collection is outstanding! And...
Macworld Magazine has published my review of the Olympus E-PL2 micro four thirds camera. I've talked about this compact interchangeable lens device before, but...
With Spring around the corner, it's time to start thinking about photography workshops for the 2011 season. We have some great events lined up, and...
"While reading Red River's information on their new card paper, I clicked on your link about BOKAH taken in Las Vegas, and enjoyed the...
I was just reading a Canon advisory about peripheral AF points operation limitation with certain EF lenses, referring to eight older lenses released between...
There are a handful of applications that enable a connection from an iPad to your DSLR. But if you really want to control the camera...
Over the course of an event, such as WPPI 2011 in Las Vegas, I notice little adjustments along the way. Here's an example that made...
Out of Focus Car Lights - Las Vegas, originally uploaded by The Digital Story. This image was captured from an overpass on Las Vegas...
The Epson R3000 Inkjet Printer features high-capacity cartridges that hold 25.9 ml of ink each, more than most printers in this class. I was able...
Statue of Liberty, Las Vegas, originally uploaded by The Digital Story. As soon as the Expo Hall closes at WPPI, I head outdoors for...
I'm recording this podcast as I'm stepping out of my hotel room in Las Vegas for day 2 of the WPPI show at the MGM...
You don't have to be a guy to use a Lowepro S&F Technical vest, as proven by fashion photographer Vered Koshlano. In this Lowepro blog...
"This is an HDR shot with a Canon 60D using a Canon wide-angle 10-22mm at 10mm and the ISO set to 800," writes Keith Burrows....
I'll be in rocking Las Vegas next week for the WPPI Convention at the MGM Grand Hotel. In addition to helping photographers in the...
As we wait for large aperture prime lenses from Zeiss and Sigma for our micro four thirds cameras, we can still create those velvety soft...
Hiding pictures in iPhoto '11 is a helpful technique when you want to keep an image in your library, but you don't want others to...
By using B&W in a photo, you can help focus the viewer's eye to a particular area of the composition. In this shot for example,...
The ability to push the ISO up to 3200 for indoor sports makes everything easier. I can stop down the aperture a bit to give...
The just announced Olympus SZ-10 is a compact featuring a 18x super telephoto 28-504mm lens, 3" 460K-dot LCD monitor, 720p HD video recording, 3D photo...
I started working for a local newspaper when I was in high school, and for the next 25 years my photography was defined, in large...
One of the most tempting combinations in the micro four thirds universe is mounting the Panasonic 7-14mm f/4.0 zoom lenson a new Olympus E-PL2 body....
I was happy when I could mount sexy Panasonic lenses on my Olympus PEN. But the Micro Four Thirds party just got a bit more...
Even though the just-announced Canon T3i DSLR looks great, it was an accessory for it that got me excited. The Speedlite 270EX II for...
Some of the most frustrating mistakes occur when we forget to change our settings back to default after a shoot. I just had such an...
I've been looking for a good compact condenser mic for my video work on location. When I saw the announcement for the Rode VideoMic...
Congratulations to John Farnan for his winning entry, Impressions of NYC for the Jan. 2011 Blurb Book Page of the Month. "Impressions of NYC" by...
"The photo was taken in Lower Antelope Canyon (Utah) and shows the detail of Navajo sandstone," writes Chris Cornelis. "Wind and water have carved out...
Full screen mode isn't just for editing anymore. You can take advantage of every pixel on your Mac for just about any task in iPhoto....
Rain Clouds over Power Lines, originally uploaded by The Digital Story. If you change your camera's resolution, remember to change it back. During a...
What's the best way to share images with clients and subjects after a photo shoot? I recommend putting up an online gallery. But you may...
Who cares if the weather outside is terrible? This month TDS shooters prove that you can stay inside and still get great shots. Check out...
When the sky is unsettled, it pays to have your camera next to you on the front seat of the car. As I headed down...
During my teaching at Macworld SF, I was able to sneak away to SF MOMA to view the Henri Cartier-Bresson exhibit. Cartier-Bresson is credited...
Building movies in Aperture 3 that combine still images and video snippets is a great way to improve your presentations. There are two simple...
Smart folders are intelligent ways to pull together virtual collections of your images. The great thing is that smart folders are living creatures that continue...
The iPad is great for viewing pictures, but it can help you take them too. I've been playing with an app called SoftBox Pro ($1.99)...
One of the most creative tools I use in Aperture isn't in the Adjustments panel. It's Versions. I make virtual copies of a selected image,...
I love traveling light, yet still having all the tools I need to capture, process, and upload images. It's what I call "The Nimble Photographer."...
There are now two ways to learn and have more fun with iPhoto '11: my iPhoto '11 Essential Training ONLINE at Lynda.com, and the...
There are a lot of nifty tools stashed away in Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 (Win/Mac)that can help you improve your final output. I've been playing...
We started conducting photography workshops in 2010, but last week we had our first Aperture Intensive Workshop at TDS Headquarters in Santa Rosa, CA. The...
I've had my Epson R2400 since 2006, and it's still doing the job. But there are features on the latest model, the R3000, that are...
I want the R3000 to be my next photo printer. I've been using my trusty Epson R2400 since 2006, and it's still churning out...
"I spend a lot of my time as an amateur photographer taking photos of my two grandboys," writes Michael Cortina. "They are my favorite...
I've reviewed the Canon EOS 60D extensively, both on this site and for Macworld Magazine. I felt that this $999 DSLR body is a...
I've been shooting with the new Olympus E-5($1,699 street price) with the fantastic Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens($899 street price). Talk...
The just announced PENpal Bluetooth accessory for the Olympus PEN E-PL2 allows photographers to send images via Bluetooth to a variety of devices. This includes...
The best way to make a living is doing something that you love. For many of us, photography is that passion. The tripwire in...