So, your telephoto lens isn't powerful enough? No problem. Just find a spotting scope, or any type of scope, and hook up a digiscoping rig. In the podcast, I explain how.

You can also download a PDF explaining everything you need to know about DIY digiscoping. It's from my "classic" photography book, Digital Photography Hacks.

You can also download another PDF about the Walking Stick Mount, which is another tip that I cover in this week's show.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Paper is this month's photo assignment. Writing paper, wallpaper, bathroom sheets, doctor's office, paper pushers, paper airplanes... lots of possibilities for this one. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is March 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Digiscoping and More." You can download the podcast here (29 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story Podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

If you only had one digital photography book, would this be it? My biased answer is a resounding "Yes!" The Digital Photography Companion is off the press and headed to bookstores everywhere as you listen to this show.

Because you're a member of this virtual camera club, however, you deserve a little inside information. And that's exactly what you're going to get in this podcast -- interesting tidbits about the book that you can't get anywhere else. I've also typed up my notes in the TDS post titled, "The Digital Photography Companion": Author's Release Notes.

And remember, this is the official camera guide of The Digital Story. It even has the TDS logo on the back.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Paper is this month's photo assignment. Writing paper, wallpaper, bathroom sheets, doctor's office, paper pushers, paper airplanes... lots of possibilities for this one. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is March 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Meet the Digital Photography Companion." You can download the podcast here (32 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story Podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

Cameras are useful for much more than just taking pretty pictures. They are sophisticated data capture devices that you can use to record important information. And because you always have a camera with you, even if it's a camera phone, you can use this functionality to make your life easier.

In this podcast, I discuss how I use compact cameras to never forget where I've parked, plus lots of other useful applications. This is handy stuff that will make your daily life better.

Parking garage sign recorded with an iPhone just after stepping out of the car. I'll never forget where I parked!

Monthly Photo Assignment

Paper is this month's photo assignment. Writing paper, wallpaper, bathroom sheets, doctor's office, paper pushers, paper airplanes... lots of possibilities for this one. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is March 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Camera as a Data Capture Device." You can download the podcast here (26 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story Podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

Compact cameras can deliver terrific video as well as stills. This week's podcast features a movie I captured at the Tampa Aquarium during an evening event sponsored by Kodak at Imaging USA.

The lights were on in the ray and shark pool, and I got down low with my G9 mounted on a Gorillapod to shoot the activity through the glass. You can hear conversations I have with passer-bys asking about the camera and its abilities.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Empty is this month's photo assignment. Empty spaces, empty containers, empty lives... lots of possibilities for this one. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Feb. 29.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's video show titled, "A Visit to the Tampa Aquarium." You can download the podcast here (2:21 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story Podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

iPhoto users looking for a more robust photo management system don't have to search any farther than the just-released Aperture 2. There are a number of reasons why this is a logical transition.

I think the best reason, however, is how easy Apple has made the transition from one photo management system to the other. In this podcast, I discuss some of Aperture's advantages over iPhoto, then cover a few strategies for moving up to Aperture, including:

• Transfer Single Images: In Aperture, go to File > Browse iPhoto Library. You can then drag the images you want into your Aperture library. (Aperture's iPhoto Library Browser is shown above.)
• Creating Referenced Files to Your iPhoto Masters: If you hold down Command+Option while dragging from the iPhoto Browser to Aperture, you'll reference the imported images... no duplication. So you get to use your iPhoto images in Aperture without making extra copies of them.
• Moving iPhoto Albums into Aperture: You can bring in entire iPhoto albums by using Aperture's Import command, choose Images from the pop up menu, and navigate to your iPhoto Library container. When you click on it, Aperture will show you all of your albums. Choose an album, and Aperture will import it and place it as an album within your selected project.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Empty is this month's photo assignment. Empty spaces, empty containers, empty lives... lots of possibilities for this one. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Feb. 29.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "iPhoto to Aperture 2." You can download the podcast here (28 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story Podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

At Macworld 2008, Adobe announced Photoshop Elements 6 for the Mac. It is schedule to ship in March, but you can preorder now for $89, or $69 for the upgrade.

Back in October 2007, I interviewed Mark Dahm about Elements 6 for Windows, so it's only fair that I revisit Adobe for his take on the Mac version. In this interview we cover all things Mac, and there's a ton of good stuff to talk about.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Empty is this month's photo assignment. Empty spaces, empty containers, empty lives... lots of possibilities for this one. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Feb. 29.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Inside Photoshop Elements 6 for the Mac." You can download the podcast here (26 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story Podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

PMA 2008 featured evolutionary products such as the Sony A350, Canon Rebel XS1, and Panasonic TZ3. I also saw groundbreaking equipment, such as the Casio EX-F1. In this podcast I cover my favorites from PMA 2008, including:

• Casio EXILIM Pro EX-F1
• Canon Rebel XSi
• Sony alpha A350
• Nik Software's Viveza
• Sanho Hyperdrive

Photo of PMA 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center by Derrick Story.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Empty is this month's photo assignment. Empty spaces, empty containers, empty lives... lots of possibilities for this one. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Feb. 29.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Favorite PMA Goodies." You can download the podcast here (27 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story Podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

Julieanne Kost is one of my favorite Lightroom evangelists. I sat down with Julieanne at PhotoPlus Expo in New York to talk about Lightroom, DNG, and organizing lots and lots of photos. Julieanne shares plenty of great tips in this interview. I think you'll enjoy it.

You can check out Julieanne's book, Window Seat on Amazon.com

Photo of Julieanne Kost at PhotoPlus Expo by Colleen Wheeler.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Edges is this month's photo assignment. Where does one thing begin and another end? How about the edges of the day, the mind? Lots of possibilities for this one. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Jan 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Julieanne Kost on Lightroom and DNG." You can download the podcast here (32 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story Podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

You can distinguish your work from others. If ten people are given an assignment to shoot a cityscape, you want your photo to be the one that stands out from the crowd.

In this podcast, I cover five reminders that will help your photos look different than those of your peers. No magic here. Just good photography technique. I provide sample images at the end of this post.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Edges is this month's photo assignment. Where does one thing begin and another end? How about the edges of the day, the mind? Lots of possibilities for this one. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Jan 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "5 Ways to Distinguish Your Photos." You can download the podcast here (29 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story Podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, technique, Technology, The Digital Story, tips

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.

What's the difference between "input" sharpening and "output" sharpening? Do you know when to use Adobe Camera Raw or when you should launch Photoshop? How would you like to learn a new way to convert to B&W in ACR that introduces less noise? Katrin Eismann, coauthor of the just released The Creative Digital Darkroom, shared many of her Raw processing secrets over the course of two days in Tampa.

In this podcast I highlight some of my favorite techniques that Katrin demonstrated, including my two favorites: how to better use the masking slider for input sharpening, and a new way to convert to B&W in ACR. These techniques also work in Adobe Lightroom.

You can get more goodies directly from Katrin and Sean by visiting their Creative Digital Darkroom web site.

Katrin Eismann (seated) holding court in the Adobe booth at Imaging USA in Tampa. Photo captured with a Canon G9 at ISO 400 by Derrick Story.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Edges is this month's photo assignment. Where does one thing begin and another end? How about the edges of the day, the mind? Lots of possibilities for this one. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Jan 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Katrin Eismann on ACR Sharpening, B&W and More." You can download the podcast here (25 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story Podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.

Technorati Tags: Adobe Lightroom, digital photography, Technology, The Digital Story, Adobe Camera Raw

Lowepro Bags for Photographers On the Go -- Lowepro gear for every type of camera rig, every type of photographer.

Add Magic to Your Slideshows -- FotoMagico presentations are so amazing that your audience will be asking how you did it.