This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,026, Nov. 18, 2025. Today's theme is, "Photographer's Gift Guide 2025." I'm Derrick Story.

Over the course of a year, I test many cool photo and camping accessories. Most of these would make affordable, excellent gifts for the photo enthusiast in your life. This week I'll share my favorites, just in time for the holiday season. I hope you enjoy the show.

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Photographer's Gift Guide 2025

Each of the items I discuss today are listed in the show notes, complete with descriptions, pricing, and links. So don't worry about taking jotting down details during the podcast. Just sit back and relax, then hit the show notes afterward.

K&F CONCEPT 67mm Black Diffusion 1/4 & Circular Polarizing in-1 Filter Pro Mist Cinematic Polarizer Effect Filter with 18-Layer Coating - $29.99 - Combines black diffusion 1/4 and polarizing filters to soften highlights and reduce reflections in various shooting conditions without causing vignetting. CNC-designed trapezoidal pattern for easy grip and rotation, paired with sandblasted anti-glare treatment to minimize stray light interference. Comes with 3 vacuum-sealed cleaning cloths for added protection.

Godox iT32 TTL Mini Flash with X5O Trigger Kit $98.90 - One Modular System, Built for All - Offering auto TTL, Manual, Stroboscopic flash compatibility, and Godox's 2.4 GHz X wireless system, the iT32 TTL Mini Flash enables diverse lighting setups when paired with a separately available X5-series unit.

Users can choose or switch between the X5C, X5N, X5F, X5O, or X5S to respectively find compatibility with a wide range of Canon, Nikon, FUJIFILM, Olympus/Panasonic, or Sony cameras; which means you can use a single iT32 flash body and opt for different hot shoes with wireless flash trigger capability.

A compact and versatile lighting tool, this flash features an adjustable power range from 1/128 to 1/1 with fine-tuning options, 1.5 sec recycling, HSS support, a color touchscreen, and a convenient LED modeling lamp. The iT32 operates using a built-in USB-C rechargeable battery to provide up to 510 full-power flashes and still has a lightweight individual body at just 6 oz.

Apple AirTag 4 Pack - $79.88 - Keep track of and find your items alongside friends and devices in the Find My app.

K&F CONCEPT 4 Pack Camera Lens Pouch Set - $24.99 - Our Lens Pouch Set equipment within 4 sizes range from S to XL, Size S accommodating lenses: 2.75" x 3.93"(*H); Size M for 3.14" x 5.5"(Dia*H); Size L for 3.54" x 7.08"(Dia*H); Size XL for 3.93" x 8.66"(Dia*H), which fit most DSLR/mirrorless lenses. Equipped with a side belt strap for convenient hand carrying or a hook to attach it to any bag, backpacks, or tripods for portable convenience.

Lowepro Trekker Lite BP 150 AW Backpack (Gray, 18.5L) - $149.88 - The gray, 18.5L Trekker Lite BP 150 AW AW Backpack from Lowepro has a soft structure, separate compartments, and customizable inserts. The pack accommodates a Sony a6000 or similar-sized camera with an attached lens, two additional small lenses, or a charger and a battery. Alternatively, it will hold a DJI Mavic Air 2 or similar small drone. A dedicated sleeve stores a 13" laptop, and there's extra room for a small tripod and personal items. You can easily configure this bag to meet your needs when traveling. It has a removable camera insert with strap kit and large grab handles on the top, side, and front. The rear of the pack has a hideaway strap system and a separate laptop sleeve. This backpack is essentially three products in one: an accessory strap kit, an everyday travel backpack, and a photo gear insert.

BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 Portable Power Station, 288Wh Solar Generator, 600W AC Outlets (Power Lifting 1500W), Fast Charging LiFePO4 Battery - $189 - With a 600W AC inverter, 288Wh LiFePO4 battery, and 9 outlets, it weighs only 9.5 lbs, making it an excellent companion for outdoor camping, road trips, or home emergencies. 1500W power lifting, which can easily power small electric heating appliances such as kettles and toasters, greatly extending usage possibilities. Elite 30 V2 supports 8 charging methods, including AC charging, solar charging and car fast charging. With super fast charging, it goes from 0% to 100% in just 70 minutes, without damaging the battery.

Stoke Voltaics Electric Kettle, 120V Portable Water Boiler - $99.99 - This portable 500W electric kettle brings water to a boil in just 5 minutes--perfect for daily use at home, in the office, or while traveling. Reliable performance wherever hot water is needed. Perfect for more than just boiling water, from tea and coffee to instant noodles and hot chocolate--designed for all your hot drink and quick meal needs, anytime and anywhere.

Anifurry Wood Camping Chair with Wood Tray - Mohave - $137.99 - Experience the ultimate in comfort and portability with the Foldable Camping Chair, meticulously crafted for the outdoor enthusiast. Featuring a lightweight beech wood frame for easy handling and durability, this elegant camping chair combines a soft, textured top layer made of wool with a robust bottom layer of 900D Oxford fabric for exceptional durability. Designed for mobility, the chair quickly disassembles for easy transport, making it ideal for any adventure. from campsites to outdoor concerts, Whether you're relaxing at a picnic or enjoying an evening under the stars, the Camping Chair offers a perfect blend of sophistication, comfort, and practicality, ensuring it's the only chair you'll need for your outdoor activities.

FUJIFILM INSTAX Mini EVO Hybrid Instant Camera Black + Fuji Instax Film 20 Sheet + Custom Case & Album 32GB Micro SD Memory Card Accessory Bundle - $324.99 - Capture and instantly print photos from this Hybrid instant camera or print directly from your smartphone or tablet using its Bluetooth connectivity. Add some excitement by selecting from a variety of 10 lens effect options and 10 film effect options, giving you up to 100 different ways for more printing fun. Bundle pack accessories that include 20 film print exposures , 32gb micro memory card, USB memory card reader, fitted camera case and a photo album.

Ultra Thin Studio Edge Flapjack Light, 18''/45.5cm 70W Dimmable Portrait Light with AC Adapter/2.4G Wireless Remote - $159.99 - 70W LED video light is a new design with round shape, aluminium shell, ultra-slim panel (with thickness only 1.5 inches/3.8 centimeters), using a backlight and distribution technology in the guarantee of creating beautiful softer lighting; Cooling effect is also increased; Comes with a 2.4G remote control (indoor 50m barrier-free) to adjust the color temperature, brightness and channels. ou can adjust the brightness between 0-100% and color temperature from 3200k to 5600k steplessly based on how bright you have it. It can realize accurate color rendition and clear photographic images for its 95+ High CRI.

DxO Black Friday Sale - Save Up to 27 percent with Discount Code: DIGITALSTORY - PhotoLab 9 regular $239, $189 with discount code; NIK Collection 8 regular $169, $132 with discount code; FilmPack 8 regular $149, $123 with discount code.

TDS Workshop Gift Certificate - I'll send you a handmade gift certificate that can be used for any upcoming online or in-person workshop.

Virtual Camera Club News

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us.

Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

Our final in-person photography workshop of the season featured a variety of visual opportunities - from rugged shoreline to colorful vineyards to African animals at Safari West.

Here are a few of those images, and some comments, from the photographers who attended and created such beautiful work.

Linda Jackson - Seabirds at North Salmon Creek

"I'm excited about all the locations you mentioned in your email. The California coast looks amazing! I decided to leave my infrared camera at home and bring the 12-100, 40-150 + 1.4 TC, and 100-400 lenses along with the OM-1 And the OMD 1 MKIII. And oh yes, if we do some street photography, I've tucked in the 17mm prime lens (also good for some coastal shots - such as nice lens!)."

Match Grun - Beautiful Bloom at the Marina

"Thank you for a fabulous workshop. I enjoyed the company of all photographers. A different format to previous workshops that I have attended. I look forward to seeing your offerings for next year."

Dave Kinnear - Maple Leaf in Redwood Grove

"I am looking forward to the workshop. The fall colors have ended here, so I am looking forward to a second chance at the season!"

Michael Alford - Forest Path in Armstrong Woods

"It was terrific spending four days with you all. That was a great workshop. Everything was so varied, and we got some really nice pictures. For all my frustration with the redwoods, I still want to go back. We sure don't have anything like that on this coast. I hope we meet again at a workshop next year."

Rich Bahl - Waning Grape Leaf (Captured with his Leica)

"I have been watching the weather and noticed the rain in the forecast. I had been planning on using my M11 for some of the workshop. The Leica rangefinders and their lenses aren't sealed against the rain. Should I leave it home? Will there be opportunity to use it? Honestly it is my favorite camera to use. I will have other gear as well."

Derrick Story - Cape Buffalo at Safari West

"I think Safari West is unlike any wild animal park I've explored. Our photographer guide did a great job of getting us in position for compelling images (while keeping us safe in the process)."

Match Grun, Derrick Story, and Michael Alford hanging out at the Pacific Air Museum. Photo by Linda Jackson.

Michael Alford has published an insider's take on the Sonoma County Fall Workshop, titled, A Photographic Pentathlon: Five Events, Four Days. Lots of insights and more pictures!

Our 2026 Photography Workshop Season will be announced on November 25th. We will have a great lineup consisting of in-person events, online workshops, and webinars. Stay tuned here! I hope you can join us in 2026.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,025, Nov. 11, 2025. Today's theme is, "Using Motion to Enhance Mood." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

The first day of our Autumn Workshop was exploring the Sonoma Coast. It was a gray day, perfect for experimenting with mood-enhancing techniques. I slowed the shutter to 1/2 second to create a somber, peaceful environment. That technique, plus more about our workshop on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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Using Motion to Enhance Mood

As I watched the waves roll to shore, one after another, I knew that I want to incorporate that motion into a series of images. My approach was to juxtapose people against this backdrop. In the first segment of today's show, I explain how I did it.

DxO PhotoLab 9 with the OM System OM-3

As I had mentioned a couple weeks ago, I was pairing the OM-3 with PhotoLab 9 for our Sonoma County Fall Workshop. Here are my impressions after the event.

Camera Industry News

Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news.

Canon's latest F1.2 lens is surprisingly fast, shockingly inexpensive from DPReview.com.

Panasonic is Shuttering Its Lumix Pro Services in Europe from PetaPixel.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us.

Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,024, Nov. 4, 2025. Today's theme is, "My Favorite New Features in Lightroom 9." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Lightroom Desktop continues to vie for the hearts of enthusiast photographers who aren't already locked in to Lightroom Classic. And for those of us who want a more flexible solution, the terrific tweaks in version 9 bring it steps closer to becoming a total photo management and editing solution. I'll cover new features for both Classic and Desktop in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

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My Favorite New Features in Lightroom 9

When Adobe added local file management to Lightroom Desktop in October 2023, I became far more interested in tapping it for photo shoots. The Local tab makes it far more practical for those of us who prefer to organize our photos in the Finder instead of the Cloud.

Lightroom Desktop 9, just announced at Adobe Max, continues to meld cutting edge AI tools with common sense file management. The five new features that I'm most impressed with has a little AI with a dash of workflow sweetness. Here are the new tools I've started using right away.

Assisted Culling (Classic and Desktop)

Wedding and portrait photographers are going to love this. But honestly, anyone who takes lots of people shots, like parents of toddlers, are going to appreciate this timesaving feature.

Whether you're in Cloud mode or Local viewing, Assisted Culling is now near the top of the lefthand column. Click on it to open your options, check the boxes that are important to you, and Lightroom goes to work.

First time through, I turned on everything on. Under Select I checked: Subject Focus, Eye Focus, and Eyes Open. I enabled them all for Reject too: Documents and Receipts, Misfires, and Exposure Issues.

Lightroom marks the proposed selects with a green check and the rejects with a red X. You can copy your selects to the cloud, or apply batch actions such as ratings and labels to both the select group and the rejects group. All of this filtering work is accomplished in seconds, saving a huge amount of time.

It's likely that more options will be added over time, enhancing its usefulness for other types of photography such as landscape. But even in its present Early Access state, it's a great addition.

Show Subfolders in Local Storage (Desktop)

Subfolders are a great organizational tool for photo shoots that have different locations or components. If I'm photographing landmarks in Arizona for a week, I don't want every shoot lumped into one giant folder. I prefer something more like "Arizona 2025" with subfolders containing the different locations.

Now in Lightroom 9, if I toggle on the Include Subfolders switch at the top of the interface, and see my entire week of shooting my clicking on the master folder. I find this particularly helpful when I'm rating all of the images from the week. But I still have my subfolders for organization. It's the best of both worlds.

Color Labels (Desktop)

Speaking of organization, color labels are now available in Lightroom Desktop 9. This goes hand in hand with being able to label an entire shoot at once in addition to star ratings. I use color labels to indicate things like images that I pulled for an article, pictures that I've printed, or for marking client favorites. Color labels are a wonderful complement to star ratings, and I'm happy to see them in Lightroom 9.

Batch File Renaming (Desktop)

The practical tools hit parade continues! I can now build custom templates to rename my photo files. Not only is this helpful in Lightroom itself, but the app also applies those new names at the Finder level. So instead of being stuck with IMG_2048, IMG_2049, I can rename those files to include practically any bit of information I want, such as custom names, dates, sequences, and yes, the original file names too.

Using this feature, I went from ZF1_5373.jpg to ZF1_5373-Coco-2025-09.jpg - adding a custom name (Coco) and a date (2025-09).

Even if you don't use Lightroom Desktop for anything else, you can point it to a folder and have it rename all of the files in that folder for you.

Remove Dust Spots (Classic and Desktop)

The AI-powered Dust Removal feature in the Distraction Removal panel automatically detects and removes dust spots in a photo, created by dust on your camera's sensor.

Click on the Remove icon on the right side of the interface, go down the panel to Distraction Removal, and you'll see we now have a Dust option in addition to People and Reflections. Click Apply under Dust, and Lightroom detects and removes that pesky sensor dust marks. Talk about a time saver!

The Evolution of Lightroom Desktop

Lightroom Desktop is evolving into a powerful, flexible image management and editing application. It's free of the database mechanism that's embedded in Lightroom Classic, and it's no longer handcuffed to the Cloud either.

I can simply point Lightroom Desktop to my nicely-organized file system, and it provides the tools to help me manage it.

This latest round of new features enhances this experience. Simple things, such as subfolders and color labels, are very helpful. And then to add AI-powered culling and dust removal to the mix is a great bonus.

All of this is available right now to Adobe Photography Plan subscribers. Go to your Creative Cloud account, update to Lightroom 9, and get to work.

Camera Industry News

Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news.

Lightroom has a new slider - and it's a game-changer for fixing red skin. Meet the new Color Variance tool from DigitalCameraWorld.com.

Pentax Bet Everything on Photographers Coming Back to DSLRs. Now What? from FStoppers.com.

Affinity Going the DaVinci Resolve Route Is Brilliant and a Proven Success from PetaPixel.com.

Healthy upgrade: Nikon Zf firmware v3.0 adds grain from DPReview.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us.

Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,023, October 28, 2025. Today's theme is, "The OM-3 Plus DxO PhotoLab 9 for My Upcoming Workshop." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

One of the things I really like about next week's Sonoma County Fall Workshop is the sheer variety of subject material. Every day is something new - perfect for the versatile OM System OM-3. And I'm pairing up my mighty MFT with some serious processing software: DxO PhotoLab 9.1. The workflow is a lot easier than you'd think. I'll explain why on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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The OM-3 Plus DxO PhotoLab 9 for My Upcoming Workshop

For the first segment, I'll start with the OM System OM-3 and the lenses I'm packing for the workshop. Then I'll move into why I'm using DxO PhotoLab 9.1 for the processing of those files.

BTW: If you purchase any DxO software, you can use coupon code:DIGITALSTORY for a 15 percent discount.

Camera Industry News

Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news.

From Hollywood to handmade: Jeff Bridges revives a panoramic film camera classic from DPReview.com.

DxO PhotoLab 9.1 vs PhotoLab 8: Is the Upgrade Really Worth It? from PhotoFocus.com.

Real Estate Agents Are Using AI Images Instead of Actual Photos from DPReview.com.

Lomography made a new film camera that charges with USB-C from TheVerge.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us.

Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,022, October 21, 2025. Today's theme is, "How I Lost My Shirt on a Wedding Photo Assignment." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

We all know that wedding photo assignments can be challenging, but you shouldn't lose your shirt in the process. Here's one such story that happened last week. Plus, DxO FilmPack 8, Annie Leibovitz, and more. All waiting for you on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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How I Lost My Shirt on a Wedding Photo Assignment

Here's the story of how I lost my shirt during a wedding photo assignment in San Francisco, CA. And you can read the companion article here.

Camera Industry News

Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news.

Exciting News: DxO FilmPack 8 Has Arrived! from PhotoFocus.com.

Annie Leibovitz Is the WPPI 2026 Keynote Speaker from PetaPixel.com.

Springsteen, James Dean, Bardot - own a portrait of a legend for less from DPReview.com.

Comparing the MacBook Pro M5 with the MacBook Air M4 from Apple.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us.

Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,021, October 14, 2025. Today's theme is, "7 Techniques for Bending Reality in the Sierras." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

We're back from the Eastern Sierra! One discussion topic that ran through the entire week was "Keeping It Real or Going Surreal." Our photographers embraced a variety of approaches to create their own unique images, and I will share those with you on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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7 Techniques for Bending Reality in the Sierras

The deep blue of the high mountain lakes, the vibrant yellows and oranges of the Aspens and Cottonwoods, the weathered wood of Bodie, and the surreal tufa at Mono Lake - you would think this would be enough to fill the eyes of any photographer.

But many of us wanted to further transform these amazing scenes into our own works of art. We wanted to go beyond postcard and calendar shots in search of a look that was unique. And that's what we did.

Here are seven techniques that our workshop photographers experimented with during our week in the Eastern Sierra.

• Custom Color Profiles, Film Simulations, and Art Filters
• Slow Shutter Speeds with NDs and Polarizers
• Infrared - both Monochrome and Color
• B&W - Both In-Camera and in Post
• Intentional Camera Movement (ICM)
• Reflections
• Shooting Into the Sun

Soon I will be posting a gallery on DerrickStoryOnline where our Inner Circle Members and workshop participants can see examples of these techniques.

Camera Industry News

Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news.

Ricoh and Realme are working on a smartphone camera with a film-like aesthetic for people tired of perfect photos from DigitalCameraWorld.com.

Sales Charts Show the Ricoh GR IV Is Picking Up Where the GR III Left Off from PetaPixel.com.

iPhone 17 Pro camera upgrade: is it worth leaving your 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 Pro behind? from DPReview.com.

Kodak launches Kodacolor 100 and 200 to feed the film resurgence from TheVerge.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us.

Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,020, October 7, 2025. Today's theme is, "5 Tips to Improve Your Photo Headshots." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Last week I talked about AI-generated headshots, but what about those of us who still prefer photography? Well, this podcast is for you. Today I'll share my five favorite tips for compelling photo headshots. All of that, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

---

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

5 Tips to Improve Your Photo Headshots

Here are the five tips I'm going to talk about in the first segment.

• Use an 85mm equivalent lens.
• Lighting is one soft box slightly off center and one reflector. If the shoot is against a white background, add lights on the background. A hair light adds a professional touch.
• Get the color balance right. Plus I like the use the Nikon Portrait color profile.
• Have the subject stand, never sit.
• After you get the first flattering shot, show the subject on the viewfinder.

Camera Industry News

Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news.

OM-3 photographers can now download user-created Creative Recipes from DPReview.com.

Why hasn't any camera brand licensed Kodak film stocks for digital simulations? from DigitalCameraWorld.com.

Affinity Stops Selling its Photo Editing Software in Preparation for 'Big Changes' from PetaPixel.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP.

Route 66 Photography Workshop - Oct. 14-17, 2025 - Join photographer and Route 66 explorer Rob Knight to explore the "mother road" this October 14-17. The stretch of Route 66 through northern Arizona contains many of the most iconic spots that still exist from the heyday of American car culture. We will visit towns along Route 66 like Seligman, Oatman, and Williams, Arizona. Along the way we will explore and photograph the roadside attractions that made Route 66 so legendary, like motels, gas stations, and more.

The workshop will combine field work and exploration with lab sessions to make sure you come home with some iconic shots. Rob has been exploring and photographing Route 66 for 13 years, and he will make sure you are in the right place at the right time for the best light and photographic opportunities. Meet the group in Las Vegas, then head south where your days will be filled with exploration, learning, and great photography.

Sonoma County Autumn Adventure Workshop, led by Derrick Story, starting on Nov. 4, 2025.

You can reserve your place of each of these events by visiting our Workshops Page.

Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us.

Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,019, Sept. 30, 2025. Today's theme is, "The Rise of AI-Generated Headshots." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

I just had an encounter with a potential client who opted for an AI-generated headshot over an in-person session. I did get to see the result, and it prompted me to do some research on this very popular alternative to photography. That experience, and what I learned, is the top story of today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

---

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

The Rise of AI-Generated Headshots

Image from headshotpro.com

In the first segment I tell the story of a client who opted for an AI-generated headshot, and what my follow-up research taught me. Here are a couple articles that I mentioned.

Camera Industry News

Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news.

New Digital Art Restoration Method Can Save the World's Dying Artworks from PetaPixel.com.

What is the Kodak Charmera? A camera with just 1.6MP of resolution taking Instagram by storm from AmateurPhotographer.com.

Why I 'upgraded' to a film camera that's older than I am from TheVerge.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP.

Route 66 Photography Workshop - Oct. 14-17, 2025 - Join photographer and Route 66 explorer Rob Knight to explore the "mother road" this October 14-17. The stretch of Route 66 through northern Arizona contains many of the most iconic spots that still exist from the heyday of American car culture. We will visit towns along Route 66 like Seligman, Oatman, and Williams, Arizona. Along the way we will explore and photograph the roadside attractions that made Route 66 so legendary, like motels, gas stations, and more.

The workshop will combine field work and exploration with lab sessions to make sure you come home with some iconic shots. Rob has been exploring and photographing Route 66 for 13 years, and he will make sure you are in the right place at the right time for the best light and photographic opportunities. Meet the group in Las Vegas, then head south where your days will be filled with exploration, learning, and great photography.

Sonoma County Autumn Adventure Workshop, led by Derrick Story, starting on Nov. 4, 2025.

You can reserve your place of each of these events by visiting our Workshops Page.

Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us.

Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,018, Sept. 23, 2025. Today's theme is, "Fall Color Just Around the Bend." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Spring is beautiful, summer is energetic, but autumn can be spectacular. And in just a few weeks fall color will kick into high gear. We'll take a look at how nature creates this magical display, then talk about where and when to go to photograph it. All of this and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

---

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

Fall Color Just Around the Bend

Here are the links for the Fall Color Maps I discussed in the first segment.

Fall Foliage Map 2025

Fall Foliage Prediction Map 2025

Camera Industry News

Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news.

8 Lightroom Hacks Every Outdoor Photographer Should Know from Outdoor Photographer.

7 AI Tools Every Photographer Should Actually Be Using from FStoppers.com.

Meta Unveils First Ray-Ban Smart Glasses with Built-in AR Display from PetaPixel.com.

8"I believe artists should suffer." Photographer Sally Mann's comments on rejection, grief and passion are a must-watch for any struggling creative from DigitalCameraWorld.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP.

Route 66 Photography Workshop - Oct. 14-17, 2025 - Join photographer and Route 66 explorer Rob Knight to explore the "mother road" this October 14-17. The stretch of Route 66 through northern Arizona contains many of the most iconic spots that still exist from the heyday of American car culture. We will visit towns along Route 66 like Seligman, Oatman, and Williams, Arizona. Along the way we will explore and photograph the roadside attractions that made Route 66 so legendary, like motels, gas stations, and more.

The workshop will combine field work and exploration with lab sessions to make sure you come home with some iconic shots. Rob has been exploring and photographing Route 66 for 13 years, and he will make sure you are in the right place at the right time for the best light and photographic opportunities. Meet the group in Las Vegas, then head south where your days will be filled with exploration, learning, and great photography.

Sonoma County Autumn Adventure Workshop, led by Derrick Story, starting on Nov. 4, 2025.

You can reserve your place of each of these events by visiting our Workshops Page.

Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us.

Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.