One of the things that came up while Mike Boening and I were talking quadcopters on a recent TDS Podcast, was the value of a landing pad for your drone. No, it's not a gimmick. It's a real accessory that I think you'll like once you try it.

"Why?" you may ask. "Dust" is the answer.

The AURTEC Drone Landing Pad is a collapsible landing disc that helps control dust when landing your quadcopter.

I spend a lot of time landing on dirt roads or on the edges of vineyards. All of these places are extremely dusty, especially when landing a drone with four spinning propellers.

To help combat this problem, I bought myself a 32" AURTEC Drone Landing Pad for $22 that provides a nice big target for my DJI Spark to touch down. The pad collapses to a mere 12", just like the reflectors that we use for portraits. It includes a case, four stakes, and even landing lights, if you need them.

In addition to keeping my quadcopter cleaner, it's also fun to practice landing on my own instead of using the auto-land feature of the Spark. And for $22, I have to say, not only is it one of my most affordable accessories, it's also one of the coolest.

More About the DJI Spark

The Right Drone for You - An Interview with Mike Boening - Photo Podcast 635

Elevated Panoramas with the DJI Spark

Use Your Spark's Gimbal on the Ground - The PolarPro Katana

DJI Spark: The Nimble Drone

Exporting a Single Frame from Video

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #635, May 15, 2018. Today's theme is "The Right Drone for You - An Interview with Mike Boening" I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Ever since I read about the new Mavic Air, I have wondered if I should replace my beloved Spark. To help me decide, I called up my friend and drone enthusiast Mike Boening to discuss the latest in quadcopters, their accessories, and a few important flying tips. I also recorded it to share with you on this week's TDS Podcast.

"The Right Drone for You - An Interview with Mike Boening"

Mike and I get to the bottom of the question: "Should I replace my DJI Spark with a new Mavic Air?

The Portfolio Project - Week 2 - Portraits of Women

The latest gallery that I added to my Portfoliobox project is Portraits of Women.

My thinking was that I have all these galleries that I've produced for these women, wouldn't it be fun to pick one image from each of my favorites, and build a Portfoliobox page with those shots? And the answer is: it was very fun.

As with my first gallery, the bulk of the work was deciding which shots I wanted to feature in the portfolio. Once I made those decisions, I put the gallery together in Portfoliobox in just a few minutes. I love using their service for these reasons:

• My images look great, both on my computer and on my mobile devices.
• It's easy to use. Without any instruction, I built my first two pages in under an hour. I will be adding a page a week throughout May.
• It's affordable. There's a free plan and a Pro version. The Pro version is only $82.80 per year or $8.90 per month USD, and that's before the 20 percent TDS discount.

Highlights with the Pro Plan

In addition to unlimited pages, you get a personalized domain name, web hosting, and up to 1,000 images.

Get Started Today

Just go to the TDS Landing Page to get started with your free account, or to receive the 20 percent discount on the Pro version. And if you want to see the page that I've begun, visit www.derrickstoryphotography.com.

Great Online Training Titles for Efficient Learning

I have some terrific photography titles on both LinkedIn Learning and lynda.com. You may want to visit my lynda.com Author Page or my LinkedIn Learning Author Page. Here's a look at some of the titles waiting for you.

• Capture One Pro 11 Essential Training
• Luminar Essential Training
• Photos for macOS High Sierra Essential Training
• Dropbox for Photographers
• Sharing Photos with Flickr
• A Photographer in Cuba
• High School Seniors Portrait Photography

Signed Print Giveaway - If you watch one chapter for any of my training videos on lynda.com or LinkedIn Training during the month of May, send me a notification after the viewing via the Contact Form on The Nimble Photographer. (You can sign up for a free trial on lynda.com.) Just say, "I watched a chapter on lynda.com or LinkedIn Learning!"

You name will be entered into a drawing for a signed print from the Maui Project. The lucky recipient will be announced on the June 5, 2018 podcast. (Promotion ends on May 31, 2018. Void where prohibited.)

Aerial Photography Workshop

Public registration is now open for the Sonoma Country Hot Air Balloon and Drone Photography Workshop, June 8-10, 2018. We're combining two very fun aerial activities into one workshop. Be sure to get on the Reserve List for this one!

Reservation Forms have been sent for the Burney Falls and Lassen Volcanic National Park Workshop

We have our cabin reservations secured for Sept. 27-29, 2018 for the Burney Falls and Lassen Volcanic National Park Workshop. I sent out reservation forms this last weekend. So if you are on the reserve list, you should have received an invite.

Updates and Such

You can become a member of our Inner Circle by clicking on this link or by clicking on the Patreon tile that's on every page of The Digital Story.

B&H and Amazon tiles on www.thedigitalstory. If you click on them first, you're helping to support this podcast. And speaking of supporting this show, and big thanks to our Patreon Inner Circle members:

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

See you next week!

More Ways to Participate

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our Flickr Public Group. And from those images, I choose the TDS Member Photo of the Day.

Podcast Sponsors

Red River Paper - Keep up with the world of inkjet printing, and win free paper, by liking Red River Paper on Facebook.

Portfoliobox - Create the site that your best images deserve by visiting Portfoliobox. And get a 20 percent discount by using our landing page!

The Nimbleosity Report

Do you want to keep up with the best content from The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer? Sign up for The Nimbleosity Report, and receive highlights twice-a-month in a single page newsletter. Be a part of our community!

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

As I mentioned in last week's podcast, I had allowed become caught up in social networks for sharing my photography, and I hadn't really established a portfolio site. When I finally stopped to think about it, I realized that this was a problem that needed to be fixed.

So I started working with the folks at Portfoliobox to build an online presence of my favorite images. My plan was to add a page a week for the month of May. The first week was "Cuba," and the second installment is Portraits of Women.

The Portfoliobox editor. Building pages, then adjusting them later, is a simple process with Portfoliobox.

In addition to the images, I also created a true About Me page that I like a lot better than the canned versions on Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social sites. This version is cleaner, better designed, and includes only the stuff that's important to me.

The next two pages that I have planned in this project are "Events" and "Street Photography." After that, I will add pages on a thematic basis. So for example, if I wanted a different group of images to represent my travel photography, I would turn off the navigation for "Cuba," create a new page such as "Iceland," and list it in the top menu. The links for all the pages I create would remain valid. It's just what would be featured in top navigation... sort of like a museum rotating its various installations.

After two weeks, I have to say that the Portfolio Project feels really good. I do like posting on social, and none of that is going to change. But having this portfolio site fills a different need, one that allows me to step back and curate some of my favorite images from over the years.

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

Among its many virtues, the DJI Spark has an excellent video camera with 2-way gimbal built in. It's obviously great for making movies from a high vantage point. But thanks to the PolarPro Katana DJI Spark Tray ($49.99), we can use our quadcopter on the ground as well.

The concept is simple and the execution is excellent. PolarPro designed a lightweight, balanced mount for both the Spark and a smartphone (up to an iPhone 8 Plus in size) that makes it easy to record handheld video using the Spark's 2-axis stabilized gimbal camera. The phone, which serves as the video monitor, can be mounted at either a 45 or 90 degree angle. The Spark is mounted securely beneath it using a cleverly designed harness. The entire rig can be set up in just a minute or two.

To use the tandem, fire up both the Spark and the phone, connect them via the DJI GO app, switch to video camera mode, and start recording. It's really that simple. The Spark's gimbal will keep your handheld movie as steady as a rock.

The Katana also works well as a steady grip for recording video with the iPhone itself. I found it much easier to capture footage with the grip than when trying to hold the iPhone by itself.

The PolarPro Katana is very light and only about a foot long. For easy storage in my backpack, I unscrew the phone mount and rubber band it inside the harness. That way, I always have it with me for video recording with both the Spark and the iPhone.

For the accompanying audio, I use an ultra-compact Instamic, then add the audio to the video when I'm editing in Final Cut X.

There are times that we can't fly our aircraft for various reasons. But if you have the PolarPro Katana with you, you can still capture great video footage.

More About the DJI Spark

DJI Spark: The Nimble Drone.

New DJI Spark Firmware.

Exporting a Single Frame from Video

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #634, May 8, 2018. Today's theme is "What's Your Online Gallery Strategy?" I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

If you're like me at all, you have your images spread across various sites online. At one time, you may have had a master plan - best shots go here, family stuff there, everyday life somewhere else. And chances are, as good as that plan was, it went out the door long time ago. So maybe it's time to revisit your portfolio site - a place for only your best shots, the ones that you would show to other photographers and potential clients. Creating such a place these days is easy and very satisfying. And that's the focus of today's show.

What's Your Online Gallery Strategy?

My original plan wasn't too bad. Instagram for everyday life, Facebook for news and conversation, Smugmug for client galleries, and Flickr for the photography that I wanted to show off.

The problem was, however, that Flickr is just so darn versatile. I started using its embed feature to publish photos on other sites, and the next thing I knew, it wasn't my best work. It was just my work. That's fine. But it left me without a true portfolio page. I knew it was time to do something.

As I was thinking about this, two other important things happened. First, I was contacted by the folks at Portfoliobox. They asked me if I would take a look at their product. Not long after that, I had a very interesting conversation with an upcoming photographer. I told him he could ask me anything he wanted. His question? "What should I do about an online portfolio?"

I don't believe these three events were coincidence. So I decided to investigate the best lead I had: Portfoliobox. More on that in a bit.

So why do we need an online portfolio?

• We need a place where our images look really good - By now everyone knows that Facebook makes your stuff look like crap. Flickr is better, but cluttered as well. When you open a real portfolio, one with paper and pages, the images are presented in the highest quality possible. So it's an opportunity to display our photography as we see it during creation. And we don't have to apologize for the quality.
• Our portfolio page is dedicated to great photography, and nothing more - Social network sites pull you into to fishing for likes, sharing, and posting everyday. A portfolio page is more like a fine wine that we craft over time. Forget about likes, just put up great images.
• It's a chance to tell a story - Photo essays can be powerful. But we need to be able to craft those stories without clutter and interference. A portfolio site provides the platform to do so.
• Custom Domain Name - Nothing fancy here, just www.derrickstoryphotography.com. But using your name or photo business name for your images establishes your credibility when people search for your work.
• Links to your other sites - Once you've established your creditability as a photographer, then people will look at your other sites in a more favorable light. Put those links on your about page.

By way of example, I've begun a portfolio page that you can view - www.derrickstoryphotography.com. I'll be adding to it weekly over the month of May, so together we can watch it grow.

Portfoliobox - A High Quality, Affordable Gallery Site for Photographers

As I mentioned earlier in the show, my quest for a gallery page let me to Portfoliobox, based in Stockholm, Sweden, with over 740K users from around the world. Here's what I love about this service.

• My images look great, both on my computer and on my mobile devices.
• It's easy to use. Without any instruction, I built my first two pages in under an hour. I will be adding a page a week throughout May.
• It's affordable. There's a free plan and a Pro version. The Pro version is only $82.80 per year or $8.90 per month USD, and that's before the 20 percent TDS discount.

Highlights with the Pro Plan

In addition to unlimited pages, you get a personalized domain name, web hosting, and up to 1,000 images.

Get Started Today

Just go to the TDS Landing Page to get started with your free account, or to receive the 20 percent discount on the Pro version. And if you want to see the page that I've begun, visit www.derrickstoryphotography.com.

Pour One Out for Casio: Pioneering Digital Camera Maker Pulls Out of Market

As reported on F-Stoppers:

"Casio, known today for rather pedestrian point-and-shoot compact cameras, wasn't always that way. In the late 1990s, they were at the forefront of digital imaging, but now, that's no more.

In the 1990s, it was so weird to frame up an image using an LCD screen. It just wasn't a thing. In fact, this was the first consumer digital camera to offer up a screen for composing and viewing photos, a fact that they even tout in the instruction manual. There was room for 96 images on the camera's built-in memory. The terminology wasn't even invented to describe using this whole process. Casio had to tell people to "think of camera memory like a 96-page album of the images you record," which sounds quaint today. The main way the manual suggested to save your images was to hook up to a TV and record the images onto a video tape."

Great Online Training Titles for Efficient Learning

I have some terrific photography titles on both LinkedIn Learning and lynda.com. You may want to visit my lynda.com Author Page or my LinkedIn Learning Author Page. Here's a look at some of the titles waiting for you.

• Capture One Pro 11 Essential Training
• Luminar Essential Training
• Photos for macOS High Sierra Essential Training
• Dropbox for Photographers
• Sharing Photos with Flickr
• A Photographer in Cuba
• High School Seniors Portrait Photography

Signed Print Giveaway - If you watch one chapter for any of my training videos on lynda.com or LinkedIn Training during the month of May, send me a notification after the viewing via the Contact Form on The Nimble Photographer. (You can sign up for a free trial on lynda.com.) Just say, "I watched a chapter on lynda.com or LinkedIn Learning!"

You name will be entered into a drawing for a signed print from the Maui Project. The lucky recipient will be announced on the June 5, 2018 podcast. (Promotion ends on May 31, 2018. Void where prohibited.)

Aerial Photography Workshop

Public registration is now open for the Sonoma Country Hot Air Balloon and Drone Photography Workshop, June 8-10, 2018. We're combining two very fun aerial activities into one workshop. Be sure to get on the Reserve List for this one!

Reservation Forms have been sent for the Burney Falls and Lassen Volcanic National Park Workshop

We have our cabin reservations secured for Sept. 27-29, 2018 for the Burney Falls and Lassen Volcanic National Park Workshop. I sent out reservation forms this last weekend. So if you are on the reserve list, you should have received an invite.

Updates and Such

You can become a member of our Inner Circle by clicking on this link or by clicking on the Patreon tile that's on every page of The Digital Story.

B&H and Amazon tiles on www.thedigitalstory. If you click on them first, you're helping to support this podcast. And speaking of supporting this show, and big thanks to our Patreon Inner Circle members:

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

See you next week!

More Ways to Participate

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our Flickr Public Group. And from those images, I choose the TDS Member Photo of the Day.

Podcast Sponsors

Red River Paper - Keep up with the world of inkjet printing, and win free paper, by liking Red River Paper on Facebook.

Portfoliobox - Create the site that your best images deserve by visiting Portfoliobox. And get a 20 percent discount by using our landing page!

The Nimbleosity Report

Do you want to keep up with the best content from The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer? Sign up for The Nimbleosity Report, and receive highlights twice-a-month in a single page newsletter. Be a part of our community!

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

One of the things that I like about catching a ride with Uber or Lyft is that I can enjoy a little photography along the way.

"Skateboarder with Dog" - Captured from the front seat of an Uber ride when leaving Haight Ashbury for downtown SF. Olympus PEN-F, 14-42mm EZ lens, processed in Photos for macOS with the Luminar 2018 editing extension. Photo by Derrick Story.

I've never had a problem taking a seat in the front with either Uber or Lyft drivers. This enables me to shoot both ahead, and to the side. I do ask before rolling down the side window, however.

As for the straight-ahead shots, I pay close attention to the reflections in the windshield. Many times, especially in big cities with tall buildings, they're not a problem. But when on the open highway in bright sun, they can present a challenge.

I typically use a compact zoom lens for this type of photography. My goal, besides getting the shot, is not to appear too serious or professional. I don't want to make the driver or the subjects uncomfortable. I'm just a tourist enthralled by the exciting sights and sounds of the city.

Letting someone else drive the car has so many advantages, including the bounty of photo opportunities. Maybe someday, when self-driving cars become the norm, this will become even easier.

Rock Luminar with my new Essential Training

That's how I processed this shot...

You learn all the ins and outs of Luminar 2018 via my Essential Training on lynda.com and on LinkedIn Learning. It's fun, and I promise, you will learn a lot.

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

It's amazing. With all of the great optics that I have access to, the one lens that I always have with me is the $98 Olympus Fisheye Body Cap 9mm f/8 lens.

It's about the size of an Oreo cookie, weighs 1 ounce, yet covers 140 degrees and incorporates 5 elements in four groups.

It's manual focus with 3 settings for infinity, medium range, and close up. You don't need anymore than that because of its tremendous depth of field thanks to the optical design, fixed f/8 aperture, and micro four thirds sensor. I use the "body cap" lens on all of my Olympus and Panasonic cameras.

When traveling, the fisheye allows me to capture images that I would otherwise have to pass on. For example, on the last day of our TDS San Francisco Street Photography Workshop, we celebrated our success at one of my favorite restaurants in Chinatown. I love the big round tables with a lazy susan in the middle. The food begins to arrive from the kitchen, and everyone shares in the bounty.

"Lunch in Chinatown" - We celebrated our workshop efforts, and I was able to capture it with my E-M1 Mark II and the $98 fisheye lens. Photo by Derrick Story.

That's when I pull out the fisheye (from my pocket in this case) and capture the moment. We have 9 people around the table and just as many entrees - no sweat for the 140 degree field of view with the Olympus lens.

There are certainly higher quality optics on the market. But how much space do you want to dedicate to a fisheye lens, and how much of your budget would you allocate? In this case, it's less than practically any other lens, and smaller too. And that's why I never leave home without my Olympus Fisheye lens.

TheOlympus Fisheye Body Cap lens has a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #633, May 1, 2018. Today's theme is "Street Photography 2.0." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Many people think of street photography as this stealthy activity that can lead to confrontation if the subject suddenly detects their being the unsuspecting target. But there's another approach, and it's one where the photographer openly integrates with the environment instead of hiding within it. I call this technique Street Photography 2.0, and it's the subject of today's TDS podcast.

Street Photography 2.0

I think some folks are nervous about street photography because of the way it's often portrayed online. But I think it can actually be a very fulfilling activity.

Stephanie Zhu attracting attention in Chinatown, San Francisco. Photo by Derrick Story.

Here's how:

• It's Not Us vs Them - The idea of going to battle and engaging in confrontation might appeal to some personalities, but that's not the way I do it. Everyone has something to do when in public: going to work, shopping, visiting friends, searching for shelter, etc. Our activity on this given day is to take pictures. We are part of the ecosystem.
• Know When to Hold Em; Know When to Fold Em - That being said, you have to have your finger on the pulse of the environment you're working in. There are times when you need to keep your gear tucked away and out of sight. And there are some people who you need to stay away from.
• Be Complementary - When you approach a potential subject, make a note of what you find attractive about them. Is it their wardrobe, an accessory, an attitude? It could be a smile. When your introduce yourself, complement them as well and say that you would like a portrait. That complement will go a long ways toward winning them over.
• Work Quickly - Have your camera configured for the shot before you approach the subject. Once they give you approval, complete the shoot within 20 seconds. Don't make them regret giving you permission.
• Be a Man or a Woman of Your Word - If they ask for a copy of the picture, then give them your card, tell them to email you, and you will reply with the photo. Follow through is very important to us maintaining our reputation on the streets.

By being genuine, smart, and respectful, you can capture wonderful images on the street without drama and deceit. At the end of the day, you'll like your pictures and yourself as well.

More on DxO Labs chosing to file for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

"We are very confident that this procedure, which should not last for more than a few more weeks, will not affect our customers in any way. In fact, we are pleased to announce the following upcoming product releases:

• In June, we will release a free update (version 1.2) of our flagship software, DxO PhotoLab. Recently awarded the TIPA 2018 Award for Best Image Processing Software, this latest version of DxO PhotoLab will include improved local correction features, and will add support for 7 cameras, including the Canon EOS 2000D and the Sony A7 III. This release will also be an opportunity for us to reiterate our commitment to the "perpetual license" model (as opposed to a subscription model) that allows our customers to update their products according to their needs, rather than in a constrained manner.
• In June, we will release the new version of the Nik Software Collection, which DxO acquired from Google at the end of 2017. Much awaited by the Nik software community, this first "by DxO" version focuses on fixing bugs that up until now could disrupt the user experience, as well as on ensuring full compatibility with the latest Mac OS and PC platforms.

Great Online Training Titles for Efficient Learning

I have some terrific photography titles on both LinkedIn Learning and lynda.com. You may want to visit my lynda.com Author Page or my LinkedIn Learning Author Page. Here's a look at some of the titles waiting for you.

• Capture One Pro 11 Essential Training
• Luminar Essential Training
• Photos for macOS High Sierra Essential Training
• Dropbox for Photographers
• Sharing Photos with Flickr
• A Photographer in Cuba
• High School Seniors Portrait Photography

Signed Print Giveaway - If you watch one chapter for any of my training videos on lynda.com or LinkedIn Training during the month of May, send me a notification after the viewing via the Contact Form on The Nimble Photographer. (You can sign up for a free trial on lynda.com.) Just say, "I watched a chapter on lynda.com or LinkedIn Learning!"

You name will be entered into a drawing for a signed print from the Maui Project. The lucky recipient will be announced on the June 5, 2018 podcast. (Promotion ends on May 31, 2018. Void where prohibited.)

Aerial Photography Workshop

Public registration is now open for the Sonoma Country Hot Air Balloon and Drone Photography Workshop, June 8-10, 2018. We're combining two very fun aerial activities into one workshop. Be sure to get on the Reserve List for this one!

Reservation Forms have been sent for the Burney Falls and Lassen Volcanic National Park Workshop

We have our cabin reservations secured for Sept. 27-29, 2018 for the Burney Falls and Lassen Volcanic National Park Workshop. I sent out reservation forms this last weekend. So if you are on the reserve list, you should have received an invite.

Updates and Such

You can become a member of our Inner Circle by clicking on this link or by clicking on the Patreon tile that's on every page of The Digital Story.

B&H and Amazon tiles on www.thedigitalstory. If you click on them first, you're helping to support this podcast. And speaking of supporting this show, and big thanks to our Patreon Inner Circle members:

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

See you next week!

More Ways to Participate

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our Flickr Public Group. And from those images, I choose the TDS Member Photo of the Day.

Podcast Sponsors

Red River Paper - Keep up with the world of inkjet printing, and win free paper, by liking Red River Paper on Facebook.

The Nimbleosity Report

Do you want to keep up with the best content from The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer? Sign up for The Nimbleosity Report, and receive highlights twice-a-month in a single page newsletter. Be a part of our community!

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

The Keystone correction tool can be found in the Capture One's Lens Correction tab, and it's definitely worth a look. It makes it easy to straighten both vertical and horizontal converging lines - the types of distortion that we often encounter when photographing buildings from ground level.

Generally speaking, I use it to correct vertical lines. In this short movie, you can see exactly how it works.

Straighten lines with Keystone Correction from Capture One Pro 11 Essential Training by Derrick Story

Not only does this tool work well, it's not difficult to figure it out. And just like everything else in Capture One Pro, it's non-destructive. So you can go back at any time to readjust the picture. And by using it, you can correct an everyday snapshot (such as the iPhone shot below) into a pretty nice photograph.

This video is from my new course titled, Capture One Pro 11 Essential Training on LinkedIn Learning. You can also tune in on lynda.com if you prefer your training there. Either way, I have four hours of entertaining education that will help you master this excellent photo management and editing application.

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #632, April 24, 2018. Today's theme is "Postcard Gravity." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

In my previous life as a cubical worker, we used to have this term for high-flying good ideas that were eventually pulled back to earth to meet their inevitable demise. We called this phenomenon, "corporate gravity." And believe it or not, it has an artistic sibling for photographers that I call that "postcard gravity." And the battle against it is the subject of today's show.

Postcard Gravity

Engaging in personal projects is one of the ways we can save our artistic souls as photographers. There are no bosses, committees, focus groups, or editors to shoot down our ideas. We come up with a concept, photograph it, then determine how we feel about its merits.

"Fishing, Lahaina" - Kodak ColorPlus 200 film - From the Maui Series by Derrick Story.

But sooner or later, even our personal projects find themselves in front of others for their opinions. And how many times have you heard them thinking, "Why can't you just take a pretty picture and leave it at that?"

To help you battle Postcard Gravity, I have five techniques that I'm going to share with you right now.

• Be clear on the concept of the project. Art for art's sake can lead you down some very weird alleys. But if you've thought through your project from start to finish, you have a better opportunity of creating something truly unique, and possible even appealing to the masses.
• Leverage all of your technical expertise. By combining craftsmanship and artistry, you can impress viewers who might not initially grasp the concept, but appreciate your skill.
• It's OK to explain what you're doing. You're asking a lot of your audience to perceive in seconds an idea that took you days, or even weeks to perfect. By letting your viewers know something like, "I wanted to create a very graphical look," helps them understand what you're doing.
• Don't argue with critical feedback. It doesn't do any good.
• But don't discount positive feedback either. This is especially helpful for a gallery of images. If people express a favorite, then consider showcasing it to promote the entire collection.

The main thing is to avoid becoming addicted to sugary likes. Everyone loves a sunset, but generally speaking, that is the artistic work of God, not the photographer.

Thomas Hawk Publishes, "My Thoughts on the SmugMug Flickr Acquisition"

In his Petapixel article, Thomas Hawk writes:

"First off, I have to say that I think that the acquisition news is very good for Flickr users and the Flickr community. While time will tell how this acquisition goes, I have much more faith in SmugMug running Flickr than I do Verizon."

"For SmugMug, I think what is probably most exciting is that they are getting a very large community of photographers by purchasing Flickr. I think that this will allow them to do even more with community, photowalks, meetups, etc. They will need to make sure Flickr is profitable (and it will be) but they will have a much larger group to build a bigger and stronger community with. While Google+ sort of became a place for the photographic community for a bit, before Google largely abandoned it, there really is not a good place for a larger community of photographers today and I think with the acquisition of Flickr, SmugMug hopes that it can build this and I think they have a pretty good chance at doing it."

I think both Thomas and I are excited about this announcement.

The Apple Photos Book for Photographers, 2nd Edition

The Apple Photos Book for Photographers, 2nd Ed is now available on Amazon. If you purchase the book, send me proof, and I'll send you an official book plate that you can print out on a standard 4"x6" sheet of photo paper. This offer is good until April 30, 2018. Use the Contact Form on The Nimble Photographer site. Also, feel free to post a review on Amazon once you've read the book. They're helpful to potential buyers.

Do You Have a Film Camera that Needs a Good Home?

Over the last year, I've received donations from TDS members who have film cameras that need a good home. What I do is inspect the items, repair and clean as I can, then list them in TheFilmCameraShop where I can find a good home for them. If you're interested in donating, please use the Contact Form on TheNimblePhotographer site. And thanks for you consideration!

Aerial Photography Workshop

Public registration is now open for the Sonoma Country Hot Air Balloon and Drone Photography Workshop, June 8-10, 2018. We're combining two very fun aerial activities into one workshop. Be sure to get on the Reserve List for this one!

Reservation Forms have been sent for the Burney Falls and Lassen Volcanic National Park Workshop

We have our cabin reservations secured for Sept. 27-29, 2018 for the Burney Falls and Lassen Volcanic National Park Workshop. I sent out reservation forms this last weekend. So if you are on the reserve list, you should have received an invite.

Updates and Such

You can become a member of our Inner Circle by clicking on this link or by clicking on the Patreon tile that's on every page of The Digital Story.

B&H and Amazon tiles on www.thedigitalstory. If you click on them first, you're helping to support this podcast. And speaking of supporting this show, and big thanks to our Patreon Inner Circle members:

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

See you next week!

More Ways to Participate

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our Flickr Public Group. And from those images, I choose the TDS Member Photo of the Day.

Podcast Sponsors

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