This is The Digital Story Podcast #823, Dec. 28, 2021. Today's theme is "What Are You Going to Do in 2022?" I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

For essentially 2 years we've had the opportunity to retool, learn new things, and break away from old habits that may not have been as productive as we wanted. Now, as we stand on the precipice of 2022, it's time to put our "new normal" into action. We are going to take a closer look at the pending possibilities on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

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What Are You Going to Do in 2022?

Here are the things that I'm discussing in this segment:

• Set goals for 2022. Mine include bringing back physical workshops, adding new topics to the online workshops, resume publishing on TheNimblePhotographer.com, reorganizing the studio, and more.
• Plan activities that are inline with your goals. For example, we will have a variety of online and physical workshops, set aside time to research and learn online, and spend time with others who have shared interests.
• Add organization to the mix. It's one thing to say you're going to do something, it's far better to build a plan with milestone dates.
• Build a budget. I like to create a separate account for projects and equipment that I want to fund.
• Make 2022 a "springboard year." Take all the adjustments that you've made over the past two years, shape them into goals that will further your growth, and fuel them with organization and capital. The net result can be personal growth that you haven't experienced in years.

In terms of workshops, I've updated our TDS Workshops page on thenimblephotographer.com. You might want to take a look. (Inner Circle members will receive discounts for all 2022 activities.)

How Infrared Photography Can Create Stunning Sci-Fi Night Photos

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.

Infrared photography is mostly used to create alternative and dreamy landscape pictures during bright days, giving nature specific hues from clear white to vivid yellow or red. But this technique has also a high potential in urban photography too, moreover at night.

Infrared photography requires specific gear such as a full spectrum camera (which sensor has been modified to bring back its initial sensitivity from ultraviolet to infrared light), an infrared filter, and a compatible lens. When it comes to shooting cityscape at night, a tripod is also required to deal with long exposure.

At this step, my advice is to choose an infrared filter with a low cut-off wavelength, like 550nm or 595nm. This way, the exposure time will not be too long (at night, infrared emission is only due to urban light and is far less important than IR sun emission) and you will observe a large range of colors in the different lights caught.

Personally, I use a full spectrum Canon RP, a Laowa 15mm f/4.5 shift, and a Kolari Vision 550nm filter in a drop-in mount. This association allows me to create large panoramas without any hotspot and with a reduced amount of flare.

This step is not specific to infrared photography, but if you are looking for futuristic pictures, you will need futuristic places. Modern financial hubs are full of buildings, headquarters, and offices made of glass and steel with impressive design. At night, they emit a lot of light and their look totally changes.

Do not hesitate to visit these places during the day: it will be easier for you to find interesting points of view and to test compositions that you will reproduce at night.

As infrared light will come from urban lights, road and subway networks are also great subjects to integrate into your compositions: at night, long exposures will create colored light lines in them.

Can the Cheapest MacBook Pro Keep Up With Professional Demands?

You can read the entire article on Fstoppers.

Apple's M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pros are mightily impressive, but their prices can grow quite quickly as you add more features and capabilities, with the top model tipping the scales at over $6,000. On the other hand, the base model comes in at less than half that price. Can it keep up with the demands of professional photographers and filmmakers, though? This great video review puts it through the paces to find out.

Coming to you from Potato Jet, this excellent video review takes a look at how the base model of the new 16-inch MacBook Pro performs under the demands of a professional creative, and no doubt, it looks like even the M1 Pro model with 16 GB of unified memory is a remarkable step forward over previous generations, providing performance that easily handles heavy loads that would have bogged down even tricked-out older models. What impresses me all the more is the computer's long battery life, even during these demanding editing sessions, making it easy to work on large projects no matter where you are. It is also nice to see that the base models come with 512 GB SSDs, ensuring you have plenty of storage. Check out the video above for the full rundown on the new model.

Photos for macOS Monterey and iPhone Essential Training

You can view the course here on LinkedIn Learning.

With the free Photos for macOS software from Apple, you can manage, enhance, and share photos in a variety of ways. In this course, photographer, author, and educator Derrick Story takes you on a detailed exploration of Photos for macOS.

Derrick gives you a tour of the interface and the headline new features, then goes into detail on the ways you can use Live Text to transform your camera into your personal assistant. He shows you how to search for pictures by object type, copy images from messages to Photos, use Quick Notes with Photos, and automate common tasks with shortcuts.

Derrick walks you through the improved importing process and gives you some useful tips on organizing and editing your pictures directly in Photos. Plus, he shows you where to find more tips and techniques for working with Photos for macOS.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts!

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 51 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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 #822, Dec. 21, 2021. Today's theme is "5 Reasons Why I Still Carry a Digital Camera." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

It's true, we live in the age of the smartphone. Then why am I so happy to pull my digital camera out of my backpack on a regular basis? I just returned from a road trip to Southern California where I used my X100V a number of times. I'm going to share 5 of them on todays TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

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5 Reasons Why I Still Carry a Digital Camera

Don't get me wrong, I used my iPhone all the time on a recent trip to visit my mom, including a fun selfie of the two of us sitting in her living room.

But man o man am I glad I had my digital camera with me too. Here are 5 reasons why.

• Digital Cameras Make the Best Webcams - I had a couple of workshop classes I had to lead while down there, and boy am I glad I had the X100V to serve as my webcam. The image looked great!
• Digital Cameras Save Your Back and Knees - When I want a really low angle shot, which seems to be often, that flip up screen on the X100V is invaluable.
• Crop, Crop, Crop! - Sometimes I don't find the best composition until way after the shot when I'm working on the MacBook. With a 26 MP sensor, I can crop, crop, crop and still have plenty of resolution.
• Did Anyone Say Film Simulations? - Let's face it, the filters in the camera app for the iPhone suck. And compared to what I can get on the X100V with those lovely film simulations, they really suck.
• True Flash Photography - Not only does the built-in flash on the X100V blow away that wimpy LED unit on the iPhone, but I can attach a true hot shoe flash as well.

There are also lots of other little things that I notice over time, such as real RAW files, click-stop aperture ring, more comfortable ergonomics, and more.

iPhones are great, but digital cameras rock my world.

And for a bit more about using a smartphone and digital camera together, take a look at Ditch the Bag, not the Camera on TheNimblePhotographer.com.

Tokina's second-generation 400mm F8 mirror lens is available in eight mounts for $260

You can read the entire article on DP Review.

Tokina has announced an updated version of its 400mm F8 mirror lens that tweaks the optical detain and adds a T-mount system that Tokina says improves the performance of the lens and enables the lens to be used with eight different camera mounts.

The Tokina 400mm F8 N II S mirror lens is a successor to the 400mm F8 N S mirror released back in July 2020. The updated lens is constructed of six elements in two groups--a departure from the six elements in five groups used in the original version. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 115cm (45.3"), has a 67mm front filter thread and measures between 82-112mm, depending on whether you get the SLR or mirrorless mount versions, as the mirrorless versions have a longer adapter to account for the short flange distance of mirrorless cameras.

The 400mm F8 lens is fully manual and features an integrated T-mount that uses the standard male 42x0.75 thread; by using various adapters, which are place on the lens before being shipped out, the lens will work with Canon EF, Canon M, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon F, Nikon Z, Pentax K and Sony E-mount camera systems. Naturally, the T-mount means the lens can easily be adapted from one mount to another with a different mount adapter.

As is the case with all mirror lenses, this lens features the signature 'donut' bokeh, which is usually considered less aesthetically pleasing than the bokeh of conventional optics, but is the price paid for getting longer focal lengths in a relatively small body. Below are the only two sample photos Tokina has provided at this time:

The Tokina 400mm F8 N II S mirror lens Is currently listed on Tokina's website for around $262, but it doesn't appear as though it's possible to actually place an order at this time. The first orders, when they go live, are expected to ship starting December 24, 2021.

Mastering Capture One Pro Online Workshop - Jan. 12, 2022

Jan 12 - Feb. 2, 2022

Are you ready to move to one of the best RAW processing digital asset managers available today? If yes, then this online workshop is for you.

Over the course of four sessions, you will learn to organize, process, enhance, and share your images with Capture One Pro 22, the state-of-the-art photo management platform for professionals and serious enthusiasts. This application runs on both Mac and Windows platforms, with an iPad version scheduled to be available in January as well.

You will also have access to our online workshop community, DerrickStoryOnline, where you can ask questions, share techniques, and show off your work. Your membership to our online community extends pass the workshop itself, so you can continue to share notes with those who share your particular interests.

Our weekly meetings during the workshop itself are via Zoom, with AM and PM sessions available so you can match this event to your busy schedule. Plus, we record each session and make them available to participants future reference.

This is exactly the type of learning environment that will accelerate your mastery of this powerful application. I hope you can join us!

You can sign up today at TheNimblePhotographer.com.

Attention Inner Circle Members: Be sure to visit our Patreon site for the discount code that will save you $15 for this very affordable online workshop.

Pixelmator Photo is a Powerful AI-Driven Photo Editor for iPhone

You can read the entire article on Petapixel.

Pixelmator has announced Pixelmator Photo for iOS, what it calls the most powerful editor ever designed for a mobile device. The company even goes so far as to call it "basically Aperture for iPhone."

Pixelmator Photo has been launched for iPhone (in addition to iPad) and features desktop-class color adjustments, support for over 600 RAW image formats -- including Apple ProRAW -- deep integration with the Photos app and iCloud Photos, tools powered by what the company calls groundbreaking machine learning technologies, and more.

The company says that Pixelmator Photo contains a collection of over 30 desktop-class color adjustments that allow editors to adjust the colors in a photo in a variety of ways. The app also features classic photography essential tools like White Balance, Exposure, Highlights, and Shadows adjustments, to more advanced tools like Selective Color, wheel-based Color Balance, photographic Grain adjustment, and others.

Pixelmator says that all the adjustments were designed using advanced image processing techniques that it says will preserve color quality and eliminate image posterization artifacts even when making "extreme" edits. All adjustments made in the app work directly and nondestructively with over 600 RAW image formats, including Apple ProRAW.

The app has what the company calls deep integration with the Photos app and iCloud Photos. To edit photos, users have to open it in the browser of the Pixelmator Photo app and when edits are finished, changes automatically sync with the photo library.

The app is free for existing Pixelmator Photo users but is available for $4 for new users (it will eventually increase to $8) It requires iOS 14 or later, and full iPhone requirements can be found on the company's website.

Photos for macOS Monterey and iPhone Essential Training

You can view the course here on LinkedIn Learning.

With the free Photos for macOS software from Apple, you can manage, enhance, and share photos in a variety of ways. In this course, photographer, author, and educator Derrick Story takes you on a detailed exploration of Photos for macOS.

Derrick gives you a tour of the interface and the headline new features, then goes into detail on the ways you can use Live Text to transform your camera into your personal assistant. He shows you how to search for pictures by object type, copy images from messages to Photos, use Quick Notes with Photos, and automate common tasks with shortcuts.

Derrick walks you through the improved importing process and gives you some useful tips on organizing and editing your pictures directly in Photos. Plus, he shows you where to find more tips and techniques for working with Photos for macOS.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts!

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 51 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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 #821, Dec. 14, 2021. Today's theme is "The Ultimate Holiday Gift." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

How could a blank picture frame be the ultimate holiday gift? Well, it depends on what you put in it. On today's show I'm going to share an idea with you that just might make that special someone in your life very happy. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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The Ultimate Holiday Gift

As photographers, we have the unique ability to make others very happy. Not only do we know how to make beautiful images, we understand how to present them as well.

All of this can come together as a wonderful gift for someone you care about. Here's the basic set up:

• Find a nice picture frame that can accommodate an 8.5"x11" print. Preferably this frame would look great on its own with nice mats and finish.
• On a fine art card, write a note that will accompany the frame. It can be something like: "This frame can hold any picture that you want. It can be a group shot of you with your children, a portrait of you and your pet companion, or a revitalized old family picture that you always wanted to hang on the wall. You tell me what you want in that frame, and I will make it happen for you."
• Wrap the frame and include the card. Ideally present the gift when you have a little time to talk with the recipient about what they want to go in the frame. At a favorite coffee shop over a peppermint mocha latte is ideal, but you may not get that chance. You get the idea however. The conversation, if possible, is part of the gift.
• Follow through on the gift as quickly as possible. If you're restoring an old family photograph, get to work. If it's a portrait session, get it scheduled.

The blank picture frame gift can be very special for the recipient, and gives you the opportunity to share your unique set of skills.

Happy Holidays!

Capture One Pro 22 Released

Capture One Pro 22 includes a very nice performance update for Windows users and wireless tethering for Canon users, but the headliners are panorama stitching, HDR merging, and AI-driven auto rotate.

As for the built-in pano stitching and HDR merge, I have a couple tips for you to improve your experience. The ideal overlap for panorama stitching with C1P is 30 percent. You don't need any more than that. Also, C1P is multi-row stitching capable. You can build an extremely high-resolution image in all directions, giving you a huge DNG file to work with that's fully editable directly in Capture One.

And for HDR merge, 3 frames will do it, exposing at -2.0, 0, +2.0. You don't need 5, 7, or more frames for a good merge.Then edit the resulting DNG file as you would any other RAW.

Test out Capture One 22 for yourself with a 30-day free trial; even if you've tested out Capture One before, you can still take a new trial round of Capture One 22. Get full access to all the latest features and see how it can transform your photography and enhance your storytelling.

The upgrade price for a perpetual license is $199, or $179 for a year's subscription.

Mastering Capture One Pro Online Workshop - Jan. 12, 2022

Jan 12 - Feb. 2, 2022

Are you ready to move to one of the best RAW processing digital asset managers available today? If yes, then this online workshop is for you.

Over the course of four sessions, you will learn to organize, process, enhance, and share your images with Capture One Pro 22, the state-of-the-art photo management platform for professionals and serious enthusiasts. This application runs on both Mac and Windows platforms, with an iPad version scheduled to be available in January as well.

You will also have access to our online workshop community, DerrickStoryOnline, where you can ask questions, share techniques, and show off your work. Your membership to our online community extends pass the workshop itself, so you can continue to share notes with those who share your particular interests.

Our weekly meetings during the workshop itself are via Zoom, with AM and PM sessions available so you can match this event to your busy schedule. Plus, we record each session and make them available to participants future reference.

This is exactly the type of learning environment that will accelerate your mastery of this powerful application. I hope you can join us!

You can sign up today at TheNimblePhotographer.com.

Attention Inner Circle Members: Be sure to visit our Patreon site for the discount code that will save you $15 for this very affordable online workshop.

Photos for macOS Monterey and iPhone Essential Training

You can view the course here on LinkedIn Learning.

With the free Photos for macOS software from Apple, you can manage, enhance, and share photos in a variety of ways. In this course, photographer, author, and educator Derrick Story takes you on a detailed exploration of Photos for macOS.

Derrick gives you a tour of the interface and the headline new features, then goes into detail on the ways you can use Live Text to transform your camera into your personal assistant. He shows you how to search for pictures by object type, copy images from messages to Photos, use Quick Notes with Photos, and automate common tasks with shortcuts.

Derrick walks you through the improved importing process and gives you some useful tips on organizing and editing your pictures directly in Photos. Plus, he shows you where to find more tips and techniques for working with Photos for macOS.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts!

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 48 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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 #820, Dec. 7, 2021. Today's theme is "The Pictures that Matter Most." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Most of us have thousands upon thousands of images in our photo libraries. And when life is normal and rolling along, they all seem relatively important. But at some point, for everyone of us, the world takes a turn. And often the most important things that remain are our memories and the pictures that accompany them. I'm going to share one such story on today's TDS Photography Podcast.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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The Story of Dibs the Cat

Those of you who follow the podcast may recall some of the many mentions of Dibs the cat who lived here at the TDS Studio. Her story is quite remarkable, and I'm so thankful that I documented it with photographs over the years. Here's why.

Photos for macOS Monterey and iPhone Essential Training

You can view the course here on LinkedIn Learning.

With the free Photos for macOS software from Apple, you can manage, enhance, and share photos in a variety of ways. In this course, photographer, author, and educator Derrick Story takes you on a detailed exploration of Photos for macOS.

Derrick gives you a tour of the interface and the headline new features, then goes into detail on the ways you can use Live Text to transform your camera into your personal assistant. He shows you how to search for pictures by object type, copy images from messages to Photos, use Quick Notes with Photos, and automate common tasks with shortcuts.

Derrick walks you through the improved importing process and gives you some useful tips on organizing and editing your pictures directly in Photos. Plus, he shows you where to find more tips and techniques for working with Photos for macOS.

Photo Geotagging is Magic

You can read the entire article on Medium.com.

From the article:

When I step back and think about this, I'm amazed by the technology. The iPhone in my pocket is triangulating my position on planet earth via satellites far above my head. It then wirelessly communicates that information to the digital camera in my hands so the data can be written in realtime to the picture I just captured.

You may have to experiment a bit with the settings to get them working just right. But it's worth the effort.

Mastering Capture One Pro Online Workshop - Jan. 12, 2022

Jan 12 - Feb. 2, 2022

Are you ready to move to one of the best RAW processing digital asset managers available today? If yes, then this online workshop is for you.

Over the course of four sessions, you will learn to organize, process, enhance, and share your images with Capture One Pro 22, the state-of-the-art photo management platform for professionals and serious enthusiasts. This application runs on both Mac and Windows platforms, with an iPad version scheduled to be available in January as well.

You will also have access to our online workshop community, DerrickStoryOnline, where you can ask questions, share techniques, and show off your work. Your membership to our online community extends pass the workshop itself, so you can continue to share notes with those who share your particular interests.

Our weekly meetings during the workshop itself are via Zoom, with AM and PM sessions available so you can match this event to your busy schedule. Plus, we record each session and make them available to participants future reference.

This is exactly the type of learning environment that will accelerate your mastery of this powerful application. I hope you can join us!

You can sign up today at TheNimblePhotographer.com.

Attention Inner Circle Members: Be sure to visit our Patreon site for the discount code that will save you $15 for this very affordable online workshop.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts!

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 48 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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.

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 #819, Nov. 30, 2021. Today's theme is "2021 - My Most Challenging Year of Photography." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

In large part, 2021 seemed like a year of talking about photography rather than actually taking pictures. But just like with any important relationship, anything that you can do to keep the embers glowing is worthwhile. Today I'll take a look back at the past 11 months and look forward to what could be different in 2022. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

2021 - My Most Challenging Year of Photography

I just spent some time looking back over my calendar for 2021. There was a lot of recording, 3 LinkedIn Learning titles, many Zoom meetings, and very few photo shoots.

I didn't buy any new cameras in 2021, nor new lenses either. I did purchases lots of accessories, in part because the photography took on more of a personal DIY approach. So I bought things like IR filters and lens adapters.

To stay motivated for my own personal work, I embraced infrared and black & white photography. Most of my photo shoots were local, inside Sonoma County, and often within walking distance from my house or studio.

I also noticed that I broadened my interests outside of photography. I became very involved in learning about electric vehicles. My music listening shifted to more Jazz. I bought vinyl records and relished the tactile experience of handling album jackets and putting the records on the turntable. I watched a lot of Netflix, Hulu, and Apple TV. And there were many home improvement projects including thinning out and cleaning two garages.

In late summer, the tide began to change a bit. I had sold the VW Vanagon and replaced it with the new VW ID.4. I was able to go camping again. Some of my physical photo work returned and I pulled gear out of mothballs to shoot commercially. And best of all, the Oregon Coast Workshop was right around the corner, my first physical event in 20 months.

Now, as I sit here in December looking toward the new year, I have some clarity about what has happened, and what I may expect in 2022. I thought you might be interested in those observations.

• Photography is a diamond with many facets. When we can't do what we normally love with it, explore other areas that are available to us.
• Zoom turned out better than I thought it would. I have been pleasantly surprised at how personable and connective our online workshops have been. Zoom has been a lifesaver in 2020.
• Gear and activity really are tied together. I've noticed that as I am shooting less, my desire to acquire new equipment has really decreased.
• My appreciation for the iPhone has grown. I've always like mobile photography, but my iPhone 12 Pro Max has become my favorite back up camera.
• We still need the physical events mixed in with the online classes. The Oregon Workshop in early November clearly demonstrated that we need a balance of events to keep our community happy and healthy.

This leads us to a very interesting 2022. Our core activities will continue to be the foundation of the community - weekly podcast, Inner Circle, and Facebook group. We will continue to explore the different facets of photography through our online classes. And we are going to have physical workshops as well, knowing that we can conduct them safely, even as the pandemic drags on.

I'm OK with all of this. I've come to terms that my portrait room is now a zoom studio, and that it probably will never go back. I realize that I will have to seek out more personal projects to help fill the gaps of my commercial work.

And once again, it's clear to me that adaption and reinvention will be the keys to a successful 2022 for our community.

Digital Camera Demand Booms in China as 'Live Commerce' Explodes

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel

Buying a new camera is about to get even harder, as exploding demand in China led by "live commerce" has led to increased supply issues on a system that already cannot meet demand.

Exports out of China have slowed due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and, as a result, domestic sales through what is called "live commerce" have exploded. To support it, the need for better quality cameras has followed suit.

Live commerce is the practice of demonstrating or selling products through live-streamed social media such as TikTok or Instagram. Mostly dominated by influencers who sell cosmetics, clothing, and bags, the method is now being leveraged by factory employees who sell anything from housewares to cars.

Typically, live commerce does not require significant effort to be put behind the quality of footage and generally relies on the front-facing cameras on smartphones. However, because certain products have fine textures that smartphones can't render properly or items simply look better in streams when a higher quality camera is used, dedicated digital cameras are growing in popularity. Most live commerce content creators realize that better footage has a direct impact on better sales. Nikkei reports that demand for cameras has leaped 20% in 2021 over the previous year, and manufacturers have not been able to keep up with demand -- an unfortunately familiar story.

In the West, camera availability has been a sore subject in 2021. Manufacturers have been struggling to keep cameras on shelves amid a boom in demand that coincided with the chip shortage that has brought most of the tech industry's ability to manufacture down to a trickle. With huge demand now growing in China and with that market expected to command hundreds of billions of dollars, it is very likely that camera companies will shift their focus to meet that demand given the potential profit to be made. While good news for the camera industry, it's not necessarily so for those who have been hoping to see cameras become more widely available.

Mastering Capture One Pro Online Workshop - Jan. 12, 2022

Jan 12 - Feb. 2, 2022

Are you ready to move to one of the best RAW processing digital asset managers available today? If yes, then this online workshop is for you.

Over the course of four sessions, you will learn to organize, process, enhance, and share your images with Capture One Pro 22, the state-of-the-art photo management platform for professionals and serious enthusiasts. This application runs on both Mac and Windows platforms, with an iPad version scheduled to be available in January as well.

You will also have access to our online workshop community, DerrickStoryOnline, where you can ask questions, share techniques, and show off your work. Your membership to our online community extends pass the workshop itself, so you can continue to share notes with those who share your particular interests.

Our weekly meetings during the workshop itself are via Zoom, with AM and PM sessions available so you can match this event to your busy schedule. Plus, we record each session and make them available to participants future reference.

This is exactly the type of learning environment that will accelerate your mastery of this powerful application. I hope you can join us!

You can sign up today at TheNimblePhotographer.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts!

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 46 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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!

Product Links and Comments

There are product links in this article that contain affiliate tags. In some cases, depending on the product, The Digital Story may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you.

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #818, Nov. 23, 2021. Today's theme is "Holiday Gifts Under $40 for Photographers." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Photographers aren't the easiest folks to buy for. They're picky about their gear, they already have more stuff than anyone realizes, and what they don't have usually costs a lot of money. But there are always a few hidden treasures that are bound to delight, and those goodies are the focus of this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

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Holiday Gifts Under $40 for Photographers

I have 7 very cool gifts for photographers, each one costs less than $40.

Haida Anti-Fog Belt / Lens Heater $20 - Haida has recently introduced an inexpensive USB-powered Anti-Fog Velcro belt that wraps around the exterior of a lens and keeps it warm, therefore preventing it from fogging as the temperature dips.

Think Tank TT737 Photo Lens Case Duo for DSLR/Mirrorless Lenses Cruz V2 Fresh Foam, 5 $21 - I've been using these for a couple years now, and I just love them. They come in different sizes, I like have the variety myself. This one is for mirrorless.

Moment iPhone 12/13 Multi-Threaded Cheese Plate Mount with MagSafe $30 - Increase your mobile mounting options with this iPhone 12 Multi-Threaded Cheese Plate Mount with MagSafe from Moment. The thin machined aluminum plate attaches to any iPhone 12 model, with or without a MagSafe-compatible case, via a strong (M)Force magnet array. When mounting without a case, the padded surface helps to prevent scratching. On the other side is a cheese plate with 5 threaded female connections. You get two standard 3/8" and three standard 1/4"-20 connections. This provides increased freedom in mount positioning, and in the types of tripods and mounts you can attach your iPhone to.

FRDM Vigor Lightweight Liner Gloves Touchscreen Hiking Running Fishing Photography Outdoor Activities, for Men and Women $30 - Touchscreen compatible e-tips and convertible slip-thru instant index finger and thumb access allows you to text, take the perfect photo, or adjust your music without removing your gloves.

Peak Design Travel Packing Cube (Medium) $36 - I'm already a huge fan of packing cubes, and these are the best I've seen.

Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Pole - Carbon Fiber Monopod Walking or Hiking Stick with Accessories Mount and Adjustable Quick Locks $39 - The Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Monopod is the perfect tool for amateur or professional photographers and hunters who seek adventure in the great outdoors. The carbon fiber shaft is lightweight and durable, making it easy to pack without dragging you down.

Gift Certificate from Local Camera Shop - If you're lucky enough to have a camera store in your town, purchasing a gift certificate is a great way to support them during the holiday season. Not only can you provide maximum flexibility for the gift recipient, you're helping to support local business.

FotoMagico 6 Makes Pro Slideshows a Snap

You can read the entire article on The Digital Story

Boinx Software has released FotoMagico 6, the latest version of their top-drawer slideshow authoring software. The bundle includes applications for both the Mac and the iPad, plus tons of extras including templates and royalty-free music tracks.

FotoMagico 6 features professional Image Effects that allows you to quickly customize the appearance of a frame or frames in the presentation with color correction, monochrome, and more. You can apply similar enhancements to words with Text Effects.

Plus you have iPad integration via iCloud so that you can start a project on one device, then continue working on it with another. All of your changes are saved regardless of where you made them.

And there are new templates and music tracks as well.

But my favorite new feature is Map Assist that lets you plot and animate your journey for a travel slideshow.

Availability and Pricing

You can download a free trial from the FotoMagico website and try out all the new features I covered here. If you want to purchase the software, it is available in the Mac App Store or directly from Boinx for $7.99 a month subscription or for $79.99 for a year.

If you want to create professional presentations for publishing online or in person, this is the most powerful and easy to use software available.

How Many Camera Bags Does a Photographer Need?

You can read the entire article on fStoppers.

Every photographer needs a camera bag. Preferably one that not only protects the equipment, but is also comfortable to use. It has to carry at least a camera and a couple of lenses, along with the necessary accessories. Unfortunately, there is not one camera bag that is perfect for every situation.

Camera bags come in all shapes and sizes. Every now and then a Kickstarter project comes up with a new bag that is said to be the ultimate solution for carrying your equipment. But what I discovered over the years is, that a perfect bag for every situation doesn't exist. What's perfect depends not only on the situation you're in, but also on personal preferences.

First of all, don't go cheap on a camera bag. Remember, it will carry the expensive equipment you own. It has to protect your camera and lenses while transporting it or during travels. The material has to be strong enough and durable. It doesn't mean a cheap bag is a bad bag. Just be careful when choosing one and don't get fooled when a perfect bag for everything is presented; It doesn't exist.

The author then goes into detail about the different kinds of camera bags.

So, how many camera bags does a photographer need? I think most photographers need at least two bags. One backpack and one shoulder bag. Do you agree?

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts!

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 46 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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.

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!

Product Links and Comments

There are product links in this article that contain affiliate tags. In some cases, depending on the product, The Digital Story may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you.

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #817, Nov. 16, 2021. Today's theme is "So, How Did It Go?" I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

When you've been away from them for a while, it's easy to forget the joy of an in-person workshop. That is, until you're all gathered there in a parking lot at a beautiful location getting your gear together for a short hike and a shoot. Then it all comes roaring back. This week we're going to look at the adjustments required, and the resulting rewards, of a physical workshop. And look ahead to 2022. I hope you enjoy the show.

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So, How Did it Go?

I rolled in to Florence Oregon about 5 pm the night before our event began. I had the VW packed with food for breakfasts and lunches for the first two days, plus my outdoor gear and cameras.

Our headquarters had a great kitchen with a large island that we used to prepare and pack our lunches each day before heading out to a beautiful location.

In order to keep everyone as safe as possible, we had to wear masks when entering HQ and working in the kitchen. The first order of business was to wash hands every time you entered. If you were closer than 6' to another indoors, masks were required, including for all car rides.

I know it sounds like a lot, but it was easy, especially compared to what we got to do together. We shared breakfast every morning at HQ, ate our sack lunches in the field during our shoots, and even had a dinner bash on Thursday night with food provided by Mo's Seafood and Chowder there in Florence. And yes, the chowder was delicious.

We had rain everyday. But we were totally prepared for it and the result was dramatic photography that we shared with one another during the final presentations.

For vehicles, we had a Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, and the VW ID.4. We took turns riding in the different cars.

After it was over, I gathered a couple of our Inner Circle Members, Dave and Michael, plus a few new folks, Cindy and Bill, to join Scott and me for a quick recap. Here's what they had to say.

Insert voice snippet from charging stop here.

On our TDS Facebook page, Kim added: "It was an awesome workshop, awesome fellowship, and awesome to be 'tested by the elements'!"

The thing that really jumped out at me was, how much I miss working with others in person. And now that we've got one under our belts, I'm ready to move forward with more in 2022.

So here's a preview of what I'm working on. I should have the schedule finalized by early December.

Humboldt Redwoods in April 2022 is a go.

Lassen Volcanic Park in July is going to be replaced with another physical event due to the extensive fire damage to the area.

Oregon Coast in October/November 2022 is a likely go at the moment. I'll know more about that in the coming weeks.

Patreon Members, stay tuned for an opportunity to suggest a location to replace the July workshop and possibly for a fourth event during the year.

We're also going to maintain a full slate of online events in 2022. That schedule will also be updated in December with new events added to our existing popular ones.

I am very excited about the prospects for the coming year for our photography community.

Nikon's new firmware updates for its Z50, Z5, Z6 and Z7 cameras improve AF performance

You can read the entire article on DP Review

Nikon has released minor firmware updates for nearly its entire Z mount mirrorless camera lineup. The Nikon Z6 and Z7 receive firmware version 3.40 while the Z5 and Z50 receive firmware versions 1.20 and 2.20, respectively.

All of the firmware updates also add support for Nikon's new FTZ II mount adapter and NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens. The updates are available to download today for their respective cameras.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts!

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 46 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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!

Product Links and Comments

There are product links in this article that contain affiliate tags. In some cases, depending on the product, The Digital Story may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you.

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #816, Nov. 9, 2021. Today's theme is "Can Electric Vehicles Cut It for Photo Road Trips?" I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Those of you who have been following the story about my transition from the VW Vanagon to the EV ID.4 for our official workshop transport, this is the week where the rubber hits the road. Is it too early to switch from ICE to EV? Tune in to this week's TDS Podcast to find out. I hope you enjoy the show.

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Can Electric Vehicles Cut It for Photo Road Trips?

It is 561 miles from Santa Rosa, CA to Florence, Oregon, the location of our Oregon Coast Photography Workshop that begins Tuesday morning. Adding in travel to destinations during the workshop itself, total mileage for the week will be more than 1,300 miles.

In the Audi A3, that would work out to around 54 gallons of gas. That car requires premium, which is over $5 a gallon throughout California. The bill for fuel alone would be at least $270, and probably more if I had to fill out in remote locations.

Using my free account with Electrify America for the long hauls, I will only have to top off in Florence, which I can do for $4 a session at the public utility. That should mean a $12 fuel bill for the entire trip.

Now the question is: will the car make it? And if so, how long will it take?

Going back to the Audi and gas, the estimated driving time for the trip is 9 hours, plus two 30 minute stops for refueling, bathroom, and leg stretching. 10 hours total if everything goes well.

Let's tackle the second question first. Based on my recent 900 mile road trip to Southern CA and back, I estimate I have to add an additional 15 percent for time with the ID.4 if things go as planned. My best guess is that it will extend my journey to around 12 hours.

As for the first question, will the car make it? Absolutely yes. Thanks to its room cabin, comfortable seats with massage, and advanced travel assist technologies, road tripping as more comfortable than ever. The car literally drives itself.

So it all comes down to recharging. Let's tune in to a refuel stop.

As for the viability during the week itself? I'll get some comments from workshop participants and share those in next week's show.

But on paper, here's what I'm looking at. 30 cubic feet of storage space in the back while seating 5 passengers. There's no floor hump, so the back floor is perfectly flat for the person sitting in the middle.

There are dual charging ports in the back as well as the front, providing a total of 4 USB-C outlets for passengers. Side door storage for everyone, plus dual pockets on the backs of the front seats. There's 38" of leg room and head room in the back, and even more of both in the front.

And finally, there is a full length panorama glass room on top with power sunshade if necessary. I think this will be a wonderful transport vehicle for participants.

Wish me luck. More on how it went next week.

OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 20mm f/1.4 PRO Lens

Olympus just announced the OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 20mm f/1.4 PRO Lens for $799 due to be released in December.

Highlight features include:

• 40mm (35mm Equivalent)
• Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
• 11 Elements in 10 Groups
• 1 Super ED, 3 ED, 2 Super HR Elements
• 2 Aspherical Elements
• ZERO Zuiko Extra-Low Reflection Coating
• Movie & Still Compatible AF System
• Weather-Sealed Construction
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
• Includes lens hood and lens wrap cloth

One feature that it's missing, that would push me closer to purchase is the snap focus option that allows the photographer to pull back the focusing ring to reveal a traditional distance scale with hard-stop infinity. This lens would be perfect for that, and why it's missing befuddles me.

If you don't already own the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7, this is a lens to consider.

Why I'm Not Packing Olympus in Oregon

After last week's podcast, some listeners asked me why I wasn't taking my Olympus kit to Florence. Here's the back story on that.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts!

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 46 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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!

Product Links and Comments

There are product links in this article that contain affiliate tags. In some cases, depending on the product, The Digital Story may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you.

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #815, Nov. 2, 2021. Today's theme is "Preparing for an Inclement Photo Shoot." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

In just a few days I leave for the Oregon Coast to co-lead a weeklong workshop. There are preparations on many fronts including travel route, photo gear, and apparel. As part of that process, I've noted that the long range weather forecast predicts plenty of precipitation. This definitely has an impact on my packing, and today I'm going to discuss how I prepare for a wet-weather photo shoot. I hope you enjoy the show.

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Preparing for an Inclement Photo Shoot

When I first started thinking about this workshop, I was leaning toward an entirely different backpack full of gear. But now that I see that rain is in the forecast, I've rethought all of my initial plans. Here are my priorities now.

Scale Back - Bad weather makes me want to travel even lighter than in good conditions. I want fewer moving parts a and smaller bag. As a result I'm taking much less.

Weather Resistant is King for the Backpack - Everything has to be able to take the rain. I'm starting with the relatively compact Lowepro ProTactic BP 350 AW that is weather resistant to begin with, plus has a built-in rain cover if conditions worsen. There is fast access on both sides and top so I don't have to open the entire bag to retrieve a camera or lens. So I can grab one thing and everything else stays dry.

Going with my Toughest Camera - My best bad weather camera is the Pentax KP with a handful of weather resistant lenses. I don't like working with rain covers and prefer just to have the camera in my hands, even in the rain. Pentax cameras are amazingly tough and reliable, as are their WR lenses. I put protection filters on everything so I can wipe them off quickly and often.

Absorbent Cloths and Big Microfibers - One of the most important things I learned shooting in Iceland was that you need extra cloths to wipe down your gear. Everything gets soaked fairly fast, so backups are required over the course of the day.

Appropriate Clothing - Start from the bottom up with shoes that provide great footing and are water friendly. I'll be sporting a pair of Merrell Men's CHOPROCK Sieve Water Shoes that have Vibram MegaGrip rubber outsoles with water-friendly mesh and woven uppers. Working upwards with rain repellant pants and layered uppers with an Eddie Bauer rain jacket with hood and ventilated sleeves.

Pack an Extra Baseball Cap - I wear one cap so that the hood doesn't go down over my eyes, then a second baseball cap in my bag to put over my camera when it's sitting on the tripod. Of all the covers I've tested over the years, a simple baseball cap is easiest to use.

Start a Week Ahead of Time - Over the course of time, you'll continue to remember little things that you want to add to your bag, such as a small first aid kit, rubber bands, headlight (with night-vision red), for example. Allow yourself the time to remember these.

Trekking Sticks to Help Maintain Balance - You want to feel confident to explore areas where great images may be waiting for you. In addition to proper shoes, I recommend a trekking stick that will help you maintain balance and can serve as a monopod if you get one with a camera mount. A nice one, for example, is the Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Pole - Carbon Fiber Monopod Walking or Hiking Stick with Accessories Mount and Adjustable Quick Locks for $39.

One of my favorite sayings is: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing," by Alfred Wainwright. So true for photographers! Starting getting your gear together and get out there in the rain to make some wonderful images.

Fujifilm Instax Link Wide Printer

Live life WIDE The exciting INSTAX LINK WIDE Smartphone Printer has landed. Creating the largest prints in the INSTAX product line-up, this wide-format Smartphone Printer is overflowing with 'must-have' features to make sure nothing is lost.

Connect your Smartphone to the printer wirelessly via Bluetooth, and you're able to add text to your photos, resize, apply a filter, play with the contrast - the options are endless. Swipe up on your Smartphone photo and print. Select your image preference. You can choose between two image color modes - INSTAX-Rich mode for rich colors and INSTAX-Natural mode for a natural image quality.

Personalize your photo and choose from over 30 editable templates to create greeting cards, invitations and much more. Apply a QR code to your photo to link to a URL, hear sounds you recorded and view secret messages and locations - just by scanning the QR code with your Smartphone. And that's not all! Be creative with the Sketch, edit & print feature to import text and sketches as you customize your photos. With the Collage Print feature, add multiple images together to create fun collages. Also, choose from over 1,600 "stickers" in the app to apply to your photo! Available in Ash White and Mocha Gray. Live life Wide

Note: The Link Wide printer is also compatible with Fujifilm's X-S10 mirrorless camera from last year, allowing you to print directly without a phone. Of course, you can print photos taken with other cameras by uploading them to your phone and then to the Instax Link app.

The Fujifilm Instax Link Wide Printer that prints 3"x5" photos is available now for $149.

Nikon and the Z9 Are the Photo Industry's Comeback Story of the Decade

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com.

When the Sony Alpha 1 was announced, I remember being really impressed but not surprised. Sony had been the brand to beat and had been continuously pushing the envelope. What Sony did was impressive, but not shocking. The Nikon Z9 has shocked me.

Nikon, the company that had been in third place behind Sony and Canon in the full-frame mirrorless market (and it wasn't a close third place), has not only caught back up but has outright passed them technologically by a considerable margin. My expectations for the Z9 were to at least compete, to just bring Nikon back up to par. That would have been good enough.

But the Z9 reads like a camera where "good enough" was not good enough. No, Nikon wanted to send a statement with the Z9 and that message has been received.

It's hard to fathom how Nikon did this, given how slow it was to shift from DSLRs to mirrorless all while Sony was dedicating huge resources to developing its own expectation-shattering cameras. It felt like Sony was driving an F1 and Nikon a Honda Civic, and Sony got to have a head start as well. That kind of gap is monumentally difficult to make up ground on, let alone surpass, and yet here we are.

Nikon and the Z9 are without question the comeback story of the decade in the camera industry. There is a new top dog, and for Nikon, it's a return to a seat that the company has not occupied for some time. Canon and Sony will see what Nikon has done and have to work just that much harder. Sony won't just sit idly by as Nikon surpasses them, and neither will Canon. The race is back on, and I could not be more excited.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts!

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 46 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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!

Product Links and Comments

There are product links in this article that contain affiliate tags. In some cases, depending on the product, The Digital Story may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you.

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #814, Oct. 26, 2021. Today's theme is "Inside a Live Photo Critique." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Have you ever wondered what actually goes on when a bunch of photographers critique the work of their peers? This week, you'll have that chance. I'm going to share a conversation from our recent class presentation for the Infrared Photography Workshop. Plus, I'm going to talk about Instagram and my favorite iPhone accessory. All of that, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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Inside a Live Photo Critique

This show was recorded inside my VW ID.4 on a rainy day in Southern California using a Zoom portable recorder and my iPad mini on a steering wheel tray.

The class presentation is the highlight of any TDS workshop, online or physical. The segment I'm going to play for you now is from our recent Infrared Photography Workshop. I think you'll find it entertaining and illuminating.

Instagram Now Allows Photo Upload from Desktop

I just posted my first IG image uploaded from the desktop of my Mac. The workflow isn't bad at all.

I started by going to my IG page via the Safari web browser. I then clicked on the new "+" icon that appears in the toolbar.

Once I selected the image I wanted, I had basic cropping options, some filters, and a few adjustments as well. I could add location and description too.

The upload went well, and the shot looks great on all my devices. A welcome addition to the Instagram workflow.

The Moment Multi-Threaded Mount - My Favorite iPhone Accessory Ever

You can read the entire article on The Digital Story.

I'm surprised at how often I want to connect an iPhone to some sort of tripod. Yes, it's a mobile device, but it's so good at so many things.

And if you're a photographer who appreciates the imaging athleticism of the iPhone 12 and 13, then you realize that their capabilities can stretch into areas that we traditionally used a tripod for, such as time-lapse, video interviews, panoramas, and night photography.

The problem was, until a week ago for me, that I hadn't discovered a satisfactory way to connect my iPhone 12 Pro Max to any type of 3-legged beast, large or small. That is, until I found the Moment Multi-Threaded Mount for MagSafe (best deal: $29.95).

This machined disc that feels like a slim hockey puck has a powerful magnet on one side that attaches to the MagSafe connector on the back of an iPhone 12 (or later), and an array of 3/8" and 1/4" female threads on the other. Now I can attach my iPhone to practically anything.

I can use the adapter with a MagSafe compatible case on, or just on the phone itself, making it the simplest and most versatile mobile photo accessory that I've to date. Just pop it on and it stays put.

In addition to attaching the phone to a tripod, I can also use the adapter to connect flash adapters, microphone holders, magic arms, and anything else that uses a 1/4" thread. I can even hitch the iPhone to a camera.

If you're serious about iPhone photography, then you'll want one of these on your pocket tripod.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts!

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 46 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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!

Product Links and Comments

There are product links in this article that contain affiliate tags. In some cases, depending on the product, The Digital Story may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you.

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