I can't remember the last time I spent three days at home doing nothing more than watching sports, harassing the cat, and enjoying the company of my family. Oh, and I also played with the camera a bit as well.

Derrick with Sylvester. Fujifilm X100V using the CamRemote app to take the picture.

I wanted to grab a few snapshots of Sylvester and me, so I used the Fujifilm X100V with the CamRemote app. Between the moving cat and the herky-jerky app, it was more humorous than anything. But I love these kind of goofy shots.

My sister-in-law gave us all Bombas slippers for Christmas. We wanted to send her a thank you text, so I captured this fun snap with the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Zach and Max enjoying Christmas Day taco bar. iPhone 12 Pro Max.

We had a taco bar for Christmas Day lunch (of course, it's California!). Was a colorful opportunity to catch a grab shot of the boys.

I hope you had a bit of fun with your gear over the holiday. If not, maybe you'll get a second crack at it this weekend for the New Year celebration.

Wishing you the happiest of holidays.

Derrick

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.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

---

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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.

Dewy mornings are great for spider webs. This one was close to the ground with soft overcast lighting - a photo-worthy subject indeed.

Because the ground was damp, I flipped-up the LCD on the Fujifilm X100V so I wouldn't get my knees wet while I composed the shot. I wanted a super soft background, so I opened up the aperture all the way to f/2.0. I figured the web was a flat plane. It would be sharp and everything else would be lovely soft.

When I returned home and viewed the shots on my MacBook, I discovered that I had grossly miscalculated. Yes, the right side of the web was beautiful - strings of pearly dew hanging from a twig in a pattern that only a spider could design.

But the left side was out of focus! I thought for sure that I had lined up the composition so the web was parallel to the camera, ensuring that everything would be sharp. But I was wrong.

If only I had stopped down to f/4 or even f/5.6, I would have a bit more depth of field to compensate for the angle and would have rendered the subject perfectly. The background is going to be out of focus no matter what. It was way back there. The was no need to open up to f/2.0. What a dumb mistake.

There are days when I need to fall out of love with wide open aperture. Clearly, this was one of them. The moral of the story is, when you're very close to a subject, you need to stop down a bit to make sure it is sharp.

Maybe next time...

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 #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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Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

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.

Curious about Live Text? Want to know more about using your iPhone camera as a personal assistant? I explain all of this, and lots more, in my latest LinkedIn Learning title, Photos for macOS Monterey and iPhone Essential Training.

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 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.

There are lots of other goodies in this training as well, such as importing one Photos library into another (new in Monterey), enhanced object recognition for search, and more.

If you enjoy iPhone photography and want to get the most out of your smartphone, then take a look at Photos for macOS Monterey and iPhone Essential Training. I think you will find it both entertaining and helpful.

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!

---

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

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.

When I first get to a hotel room, I pull back the curtains, survey the scene, and decide if there are any photo opportunities. I love the unique perspective that tall buildings provide.

Some of the best possibilities are twilight shots. These usually involve long exposures, especially if I want to capture some movement from the city below.

San Jose at Twilight - Fujifilm X100V, ISO 160, Aperture Priority at f/4, Exposure 2 seconds. Photo by Derrick Story.

My set up is simple. In this case I used a Fujifilm X100V with a lens hood. I position the camera on a tripod with the edge of the hood flush against the window (this prevents any room reflections from polluting the image). A cable release or self-timer trips the shutter.

Since I have the camera stabilized, I'm not that concerned with the exposure setting. But I do like to keep the ISO as low as possible and maybe stop down the aperture a bit. The low ISO helps control noise, and using f/4 instead of f/2 gives me a bit more sharpness.

A lot of times we think "wide open" for night photography. That makes sense on one level, to let as much light as possible through the lens. But if the camera is secured, it's OK to go to f/2.8 or f/4. We don't have to worry about the longer exposure.

The settings for my twilight hotel room shots usually are: Aperture Priority Mode at f/2.8-f/4, ISO setting to 160 (take it off Auto ISO), and self-timer on (if I forgot the cable release).

These subtle adjustments can make a big difference in the final picture.

PS: One "cool" bonus tip is to set the while balance to Tungsten for a lovely bluish effect that helps offset the overly warm tones of the city lights.

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 #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!

---

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.

Even though all of my cameras can record impressive panoramas, my favorite device is still the iPhone because of its ease of use and image quality. My only problem with it is remembering to switch to Pano when standing before an expansive scene.

Panorama of the Oregon Coast captured with an iPhone 12 Pro Max. Photo by Derrick Story. Click on image for larger view.

I think we've all remarked at one time or another, "It looked so much bigger than this," when showing pictures of our travels. Part of the reason for that is that our eyes are taking in so much more information than our camera is recording, even when using a wide angle lens.

Take a look at the photo below, captured from the same location as the panorama above.

Oregon Coast captured with a wide angle lens.

It's a nice photo, for sure, and I'm glad I took it. But if I wanted to show a more complete description of the location to someone else, then it's good to have both photos - the bog picture and the more detailed view.

I don't think anyone would want to see a slideshow of just panoramas. They have their place in the mix just like everything else. By the same token, you don't want to forget to record a few panos in locations that have compelling big pictures.

I use panos for simple things as well, such as to show the view from the back patio of a vacation location. Again, it tells more of the story and better represents what my eyes were taking in at the time.

Back patio pano.

My takeaway photo tip this week is to remind you to capture a pano or two alongside the other pictures you take when in beautiful locations. They will help you tell a complete story about your adventures.

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.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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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.