December is always a great month to buy lenses, and this year is no different. Here are three great deals on optics that I can easily vouch for, having used them extensively.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 Prime for $319

Even though this optic has been around for years, it's still a top performer for me. It focuses fast, takes great pictures wide open, and isn't too hefty. It looks great on any Canon DSLR, and for the great price of $319, it is a steal. Highlights include:

• Aperture Range: f/1.8-22
• Ultrasonic Focus Motor
• Internal, Rear Focusing System
• Distance Scale
• Minimum Focus Distance: 2.8'
• 58mm Filter Thread Diameter

Offer ends: Dec 17, 2016 at 11:59 PM.

The Olympus ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO Lens for $699

This is the best price ($300 savings) that I've ever seen on this outstanding, pro caliber, zoom. Its fast, constant aperture and pin-sharp focusing lives up to the pro branding. Plus, it's weather resistant. Highlights include:

• Micro Four Thirds Mount
• 24-80mm (35mm Equivalent)
• Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
• 1 Aspherical ED & 2 Aspherical Elements
• 1 DSA, 2 ED, 1 HD, 2 HR Lens Elements
• High-Speed Imager AF with MSC
• Linear Motor Drive System
• Manual Focus Clutch
• Dust, Freeze and Drip-Proof Construction
• 7-Blade Circular Diaphragm

This special $699 price is available right now.

Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 Asph. Zoom for $698

If you prefer the Panasonic pro zoom with optical image stabilization built in, it is also available right now for $300 off. This has been my go-to pro zoom for photojournalism and event coverage, and it's never let me down. Highlights include:

• 12-35mm Zoom (Equivalent to 24-70mm)
• Micro 4/3 Mount
• Nano Surface Coating Reduces Flare/Ghost
• POWER O.I.S. Image Stabilization
• Splash- and Dust-Proof Design
• UED Lens Minimizes Chromatic Aberration
• Circular Aperture Diaphragm
• Constant f/2.8 Maximum Aperture
• Lightweight--10.8 oz
• Compact--2.9x2.7"

This special $698 price is available right now.

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #562, Dec. 13, 2016. Today's theme is "My Best (and Worst) Decisions in 2016." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

They are no cookbooks for entrepreneurs. Our recipes for survival consist or an alchemic mixture of ideas, guesses, bandwidth, finances, and luck. Over a 12-month period, I typically have two bad ideas to every good one... and that's a good year. So here's how I fared in 2016.

My Best (and Worst) Decisions in 2016

2016 was a challenge on many fronts. In addition to our cultural turmoil, business was nearly as volatile. In January, c't Digital Photography Magazine closed operations in North America, costing me my editor job. In September, Rocky Nook eliminated my contract position, all against the backdrop of change in my world of photography and writing.

I pride myself in reinvention before the fall. And I had already started working on new projects to shore up the losses. But like the Titanic itself, it takes time to turn these things around.

Here's a review of my ideas that worked, and of course, those that didn't.

• Good Idea: TheFilmCameraShop on Etsy - I was accumulating a lot of analog gear as part of The Film Project (book to come in 2017). And although I liked it all, it was practical to keep everything. So I built TheFilmCameraShop to pass on quality gear those who have an interest in analog photography. The shop is both efficient and it helps offset the costs of my projects related to film photography.
• Bad Idea: The Nimble Photographer 1-Day Workshops - After having a great success in June as part of Out of Chicago, I thought we could take our nimble show on the road. The problem is, it's hard to find dependable partners on the road. After a couple months of struggling, I decided to stroll off into the sunset with this idea.
• Good Idea: The Apple Photos Book for Photographers - Despite the momentum against this app by older photographers, younger shooters seem to appreciate the value of the cloud-integrated application. I too see the promise in Photos and have jumped in with both feet, writing this book for Rocky Nook Publishing, and creating in-depth video training for lynda.com. Currently Photos is responsible for my most popular titles on lynda, and the book is off to a solid launch.
• Bad Idea: Reinvent the Wedding - I closed down this website in 2016, and no one noticed. I thought wedding photography was primed for a new, more nimble approach. I couldn't be more wrong. What people really want is free wedding photography. And you don't need a website to give away your work.
• Good Idea: Patreon and the Inner Circle - I love this podcast and want it to have a long, creative future. And for those of us who have share this sense of community, Patreon has proved to be a win/win way to help keep the show on the air. The service is run professionally, it has lots of features for both patrons and artists, and most important, we have a water cooler now to gather around.
• Bad Idea: Partnering with Other Podcast Networks - Generally speaking, I think business partnerships can help you get to the next level, provided they are prepared to be a fully functioning, committed partner. I was approached on two occasions to move The Digital Story to a new home. One I considered (and did due diligence) and the other I didn't. As it turned out, both were bad ideas. I learned that no one cares about your creations as much as you do. I'm better off to go it alone with this show.
• Good Idea: Increase My Photography Assignments - Shooting my commercially and for personal projects is still the bedrock of my business. Not only does it produce a revenue stream, it is the source of ideas for my other projects. When photography is my focus, good things seem to happen in my life.
• Bad Idea: Looking for Work via Online Services - It's so tempting trying to find a good part time gig to supplement the other projects. But the problem is, most available work these days in my world is entry level and low paying. And the fact of the matter is, just one new good idea can generate as much revenue as a year of soul-crushing part time work for an uncaring employer.

In the News

Lightroom Gets an Update - There are two main new features in the Dec. 2016 update: (1) Some things are now faster (sweet!). According to Adobe, "...You should notice improvements in image editing responsiveness when background tasks (such as Preview Generation) are running, moving files between folders, running catalog backups." (2) The ability to choose any image as a "Reference Image" (an image that you need to post process to look like a another image). Then, you can open an unprocessed image right beside it, so you can edit this photo live while using the other photo as a reference. This will make more sense when you see it (below). Thanks to Scott Kelby's Lightroom Killer Tips.

Recipients of the Signed Copy of the Apple Photos Book for Photographers

I have 3 signed copies of The Apple Photos Book for Photographers that I will send to the following virtual camera club members who tweeted about the book: Scott Katzenoff, Mark Malter, and John Davis (ladies, where were you?!)

Updates and Such

Big thanks to all of our Patreon members! I was able to pay for the podcast server and the backup system from last month's pledges. Your contributions are making a positive impact.

The 2017 Workshop Season is posted. I've sent responses to those who signed up on the reserve list. If you haven't received a confirmation yet, please send me mail at derrick@thedigitalstory.com. Reservation forms for the SF Workshop are going out soon.

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

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

See you next week!

More Ways to Participate

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

Podcast Sponsors

MindShift Gear - MindShift Gear is a group of committed professional photographers and product designers who support conservation and protection of our natural resources and planet.

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

The Nimbleosity Report

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

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

Maybe it's because Capture One Pro has so many sophisticated tools that enthusiast photographers overlook the handy (and simple) Auto Adjustments option. But in my experience, I've found it quite helpful.

Look for the "Big A" in the top toolbar. If you click on its smaller down-pointing arrow, you can selected the adjustments that will be included in the Auto fix. I use the top four: White Balance, Exposure, High Dynamic Range, and Levels, as shown in the illustration above.

To apply these all at once, just click on an image, then click on the Big A button. Presto, your image is adjusted. You can see what Capture One did by checking the Tools panel on the left. You can fine tune any of the sliders that you wish. If you don't like the new look at all, click CMD-R to Reset.

Auto Adjust can also by applied on Import. Check the Auto Adjustments box in the Adjustments brick in the Import dialog box. Capture One Pro will apply the changes as it generates the previews.

In general, I've found that using Auto Adjust saves me time, especially when processing a big shoot that was captured in a non-controlled environment. If you haven't tried this feature yet, take it for a spin. You might like where you end up.

More Capture One Pro Tips and Techniques

Improve your skills by watching Capture One Pro Essential Training now available on lynda.com. More than 5 hours of tips, tricks, and techniques. Plus many free movies using advanced techniques.

I've also created a dedicated Capture One Pro Training page on The Digital Story. You can follow all of the tips and techniques that I publish in one convenient spot.

Thinking About Making the Transition from Aperture or Lightroom? - Download my free eBook titled, Rocky Nook's Guide to Moving to Capture One Pro. I show you the steps to create a test library, then build the foundation for a smooth transition to Capture One Pro.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

When you're working with macOS apps such as Notes and Mail, you can edit your images on the fly using App Extensions. You may not know about this functionality, but once you do, you'll most likely tap it often.

Choosing an Editing App Extension in Notes.

I'll use Notes for my example, since I just published a companion article about connecting Notes to Photos. If you mouseover the upper right corner of an image in Notes, a "down arrow" in a white box appears. Clicking on it reveals the App Extensions that are available.

I've been using Fhotoroom X that supplies two extensions: Fhotoroom and Fhotoroom HDR. Fhotoroom enables sliders for exposure, brightness, contrast, temperature, tint, highlights, shadows, sharpen, and more. And the HDR version does amazing single-image dynamic range expansion.

Using Fhotoroom HDR in the Notes app.

Once you've made your improvements, just click on the Send button, and your image is updated in Notes. This also works very well with attached images in Mail. Let's say that you're just getting ready to send one off, and you notice that the picture doesn't look as nice as you though. No problem. Just choose Fhotoroom from the popup, make a quick adjustment, then send it off. No need to go back to your image editor for the fix.

Pixelmator also made their amazing Repair Tool available as a Photo Editing App Extension. So you can even remove offending parts of the image on the fly. Don't like that beer can in your hand for the snapshot that you're sending to Mom? Pixelmator Repair to the rescue.

If you have additional App Extension tips to share, please comment on this post on our TDS Facebook page. These little image editing helpers can be real time savers.

Are You a macOS Photographer?

Explore the world of modern photography with my The Apple Photos Book for Photographers that features insightful text and beautiful illustrations.

And if you'd like to cozy up to a video at the same time, watch my latest lynda title, Photos for macOS Essential Training

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

Apple Notes in macOS Sierra has evolved into a very useful app for those who like checklists, reminders, and journals. And its integration with Photos for macOS has added a welcomed visual component that's seamless to use.

Images in your Camera Roll and in Photos for macOS can be easily added to an existing note, or used to create a brand new entry. They can be annotated with the Markup Tool, shared, and of course are propagated across all of your devices. Here's an short video that walks you through the steps (and possibilities).

My typical workflow starts with taking a picture with my iPhone, sharing it to Notes, then annotating the entry for future reference. I can use this system for field notes, reminders, and ToDo lists.

And the best part is, all of this data is automatically backed up via iCloud. So you'll never lose another vital piece of information. (Consider it your second, more reliable brain!)

Book or Videos: Photos for macOS

Explore the world of modern photography with my The Apple Photos Book for Photographers that features insightful text and beautiful illustrations.

And if you'd like to cozy up to a video at the same time, watch my latest lynda title, Photos for macOS Essential Training

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #561, Dec. 6, 2016. Today's theme is "8 Software Updates That You Should Know About." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Image editing is the other half of the creation process. We have one set of fleeting thoughts when we press the shutter button and record the composition. But later, on our computers, we have the opportunity to refine our vision. This week I talk about the latest developments in that second part of the equation, imaging software.

8 Software Updates That You Should Know About

It may feel quiet on the software front, but there's actually been a fair amount of activity. We'll start with a new release from Phase One, and take it from there.

• Capture One Pro 10 - This new release has more to do with under the hood than the paint job. The two headlines are the High Performance Engine and the 3-Step Sharpening Tool. I was happy to see a RAW profile for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II. (Mac and Windows)
• Luminar 1.0.2 - In addition to some nice refinements, such as Touch Bar support in new MacBook Pro and the F-key shortcut to go full screen mode, Macphun has also tweaked a number of its adjustments such as better highlight recovery and improved performance for Lightroom photographers using the the Luminar plug-in. I use it most often as an editing extension for Photos. (Mac only)
• Photoshop CC 2017 - Not exactly a barn-stormer, but the latest update to Photoshop does include In-App Searching: Quickly search Photoshop tools, panels, menus, Adobe Stock assets, Help content, and tutorials from within the app using a new search panel that's right at your fingertips. Adobe also touts better performance, plus improved Creative Cloud integration, including the managing of your assets. (Mac and Windows)
• Polarr Photo Editor 3.3.0 - This terrific and affordable image editor now has a text and shapes tool. I tested it just this week, and it's very nice and quite useful. Polarr runs on both Mac and Windows, and I tap it most often as an editing extension for Photos.
• DxO Optics Pro 10 - Not a lot has been going on with this app in recent history. Version 10.5.4 did fix a nVidia web driver problem, and new RAW profiles have continued to be added to this app. (Mac and Windows)
• Pixelmator 3.6, on the other hand, is a substantial update that makes it fully compatible with macOS Sierra and includes Touch Bar support for MacBook Pro users, plus adds Tabs to manage Pixelmator windows more easily, adds a content-aware Smart Refine feature, and plenty more. (Mac only)
• The big news from Affinity Photo is that its Photoshop-challenger app that's been so popular on the Mac is coming to the Windows platform in March 2017. Even if you are exclusively a Mac user we hope you agree this is a positive step. With the Windows versions basically being replicas of what we have done on Mac, including 100 percent file compatibility, it should improve adoption and file sharing ability for everyone in the future. And importantly we've done this with an entirely separate team of Windows developers so it's not compromising progress of the Mac versions (as it happens we've got a couple of great updates to Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo for you in the works right now). You can sign up for the beta right now.
• And finally, the Lightroom developers have been busy releasing plenty of new features in Nov. 2016. At the top of the list is RAW file development in Lightroom Mobile. But they also introduced Lightroom for AppleTV, plus Split View and Slide Over multitasking features while adjusting color, tone, or brightness in your photos on the iPad Pro.

In the News

Metz mecablitz M400 compact wireless flash unit now available - German flash manufacturer Metz has launched a new compact sized flash unit that offers wireless TTL control and coverage to match 24-105mm lenses. First announced at Photokina, the Metz mecablitz M400 has a guide number of 40m/131ft at ISO 100 at the 105mm zoom setting, along with a tilt and swivel head for bouncing the light. The gun is compatible with Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Micro Four Thirds, Pentax and Sony multi-interface cameras and offers TTL metering with each. The Metz mecablitz M400 is available now and costs $280.

Free Signed Copy of the Apple Photos Book for Photographers

I have 3 signed copies of The Apple Photos Book for Photographers that I want to give away over the next week. If you'd like a chance to have me send you one of them, all you have to do is tweet something to the effect that the book is now in print and use the hashtag #ApplePhotosBook. Then let me know that you tweeted by sending me your email address to derrick@thedigitalstory.com. On Monday, we'll randomly select 3 from those tweets and notify them.

Updates and Such

Big thanks to all of our Patreon members! I was able to pay for the podcast server and the backup system from last month's pledges. Your contributions are making a positive impact.

The 2017 Workshop Season is posted. I've sent responses to those who signed up on the reserve list. If you haven't received a confirmation yet, please send me mail at derrick@thedigitalstory.com. Reservation forms for the SF Workshop are going out soon.

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

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

See you next week!

More Ways to Participate

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

Podcast Sponsors

MindShift Gear - MindShift Gear is a group of committed professional photographers and product designers who support conservation and protection of our natural resources and planet.

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

The Nimbleosity Report

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

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

This is the moment I've been waiting for. I had been sitting on hundreds of RAW files from my Iceland test of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, and I wanted to see how those images really looked. And now I know... Stunning.

RAW file from Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II with 12-100mm PRO lens processed in Capture One Pro 10. Photos by Derrick Story.

The combination of the E-M1's imaging pipeline, combined with the sharpness of the 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO Lens and the crunchy RAW processing of Capture One Pro 10, makes for quite a trio.

I'll be reporting on additional aspects of Capture One Pro 10 in upcoming posts. But I wanted you to see firsthand what this software does with RAW files from the E-M1 Mark II.

More Capture One Pro Tips and Techniques

Improve your skills by watching Capture One Pro Essential Training now available on lynda.com. More than 5 hours of tips, tricks, and techniques. Plus many free movies using advanced techniques.

I've also created a dedicated Capture One Pro Training page on The Digital Story. You can follow all of the tips and techniques that I publish in one convenient spot.

Thinking About Making the Transition from Aperture or Lightroom? - Download my free eBook titled, Rocky Nook's Guide to Moving to Capture One Pro. I show you the steps to create a test library, then build the foundation for a smooth transition to Capture One Pro.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

The latest version of Photos that shipped with macOS Sierra is the iceberg of imaging applications: simple elegance above the waterline, and a heavyweight beneath it. And if you join me for Photos for macOS Essential Training, I'll take you on a deep dive to explore its many wonders.

And now that we have robust editing extensions, such as Luminar, wireless file transfer using Cascable, and seamless iCloud connectivity for sharing our images across all devices, Photos has evolved into an essential app, especially for mobile photographers.

Here's the introduction movie to give you an overview of the course.

Set aside some time to learn how you can incorporate Photos for macOS in to your photography life.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

Here's what motivated me to find out more about the Rokinon 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye Lens...

The client escorted me into a large ballroom that in a few days would be filled with more than 350 people and said, "We want a group shot of everyone, and you have 7 minutes to take it."

I replied, "Great. I'll be ready."

There were a few ways that I could approach this assignment, but my research led me to using the Rokinon 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye Lens on my Olympus E-M5 Mark II. The optic had good ratings, was affordable, and covered the 180 degrees that I would need to make this shot. I would stand on the stage and use the fully articulated LCD to compose the shot. And the f/3.5 maximum aperture would let me shoot at a reasonable ISO 1600.

So I went for it. And I'm now the happy owner of a very nice fisheye lens.

A few mornings later, I got my rig together, recorded RAW for maximum latitude, processed the group shot in Capture One Pro so I could adjust the distortion, and finished off the image in Luminar. The final shot looked great. The client is happy. And I now have a new lens to experiment with. (I can't show you that shot, because it's proprietary. But I have one just as good to share.)

The specs for this optic are impressive for its $249 price tag.

• 180 degrees angle of view
• 9 elements in 7 groups
• Aperture range f/3.5-f/22
• Minimum focusing distance of 0.295ft
• Approximately 1.9 inches long
• Manual focus with click-stop aperture ring

Here's the scoop about the shot I can show you...

I took it out for a spin the night before my assignment so I could get a feel for how it performed. Here's an image from inside Oracle Arena using the Rokinon at f/3.5 on the OM-D E-M5 Mark II. (Processed in Capture One Pro and finished in Luminar.)

"Oracle Arena Pregame" by Derrick Story - Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, Rokinon 7.5mm lens at f/3.5, ISO 3200, 1/5th of a second, handheld.

What a blast! So much so, that I only shot with the fisheye all night. As for lens performance, there is some softness on the corners at f/3.5, and that's about the only nit I can come up with. Some reviewers have complained about the stiffness of the manual focus ring. I kind of like it. For most of my work, I'm setting the focus to just off infinity and leaving it there. I like the the focus ring doesn't move on its own after I set it.

And the bottom line is, I've captured two photos in two days that I could not have recorded otherwise. The Rokinon 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye Lens is available on Amazon for $249. I wish I would have bought this one long time ago. (Plus it looks great on my E-M5 Mark II...)

More Capture One Pro Tips and Techniques

Improve your skills by watching Capture One Pro Essential Training now available on lynda.com. More than 5 hours of tips, tricks, and techniques. Plus many free movies using advanced techniques.

Luminar for Finishing Touches

Whether I'm starting the workflow in Capture One Pro, or in Photos for macOS, I'm often finishing my favorite images with Luminar, the most exciting image editor I've used in years.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #560, November 29, 2016. Today's theme is "Thoughts from 5 Conservation Photographers." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

On November 15 and 16, I spent two days in the company of some of the best conservation photographers in the world. During that time, I photographed them, recored segments from their talks, and even sat down for an interview at the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington D.C. And today I'm going to share highlights from those two days with you, so you too can be a part of this amazing conference called WildSpeak 2016.

This show is supported in part by MindShift Gear, who proudly sponsors the iLCP in their mission to protect our planet and it's resources through photography.

Additional funding was contributed by Red River Paper, who supports The Digital Story from California to the East Coast, and everywhere in between.

And a special thanks to members of our Inner Circle, who have pledged through Patreon, enabling me to bring shows like this to all of our listeners.

Thoughts from 5 Conservation Photographers

Today's show features thoughts from seven important conservation photographers: Amy Gulick, Chris Linder, Daniel Beltra, Sandesh Kadur, and Robin Moore. Audio and interview were recorded at WildSpeak 2016 at the Carnegie Science Center in Washington D.C. I hope you enjoy the show.

See you next week!

More Ways to Participate

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

Podcast Sponsors

MindShift Gear - MindShift Gear is a group of committed professional photographers and product designers who support conservation and protection of our natural resources and planet.

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

The Nimbleosity Report

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

Want to Comment on this Post?

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