You don't need a diving rig to enjoy taking pictures around water. And by the same token, water photography isn't just for that once a year vacation to Hawaii. Much in the same way that macro and panorama photography can add new dimensions to your image catalog, so can water pictures.

Looking for a new way to get great kid shots? Put them in a pool and jump in with your camera. How about children playing in the surf zone at a beach? Or maybe a canoe trip on the local lake? Splashing in the gutter on a rainy day? There are lots of opportunities for water shots.

You will want the proper equipment, however. Underwater housings, such as the Canon WP-DC5 are affordable and work great. Olympus and other brands also make housings for their digital cameras. And they protect your investment topside (in the rain for example) as well as in the pool.

This week's podcast talks about water photography and provides you with tips on how to get started. Maybe it's time you got your feet wet...

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Water Photography" You can download the podcast here (30 minutes).

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, The Digital Story

With the release of Lightroom Beta 4 and Aperture 1.5, I felt it was time to check in with these two premier applications to see how they were evolving. Back in January, I published Lightroom vs Aperture round 1. Today we go at it again.

Much has changed in 9 months. Lightroom is now available for both Mac and Windows. Aperture runs in Intel-powered Macs as well as PowerPCs. Lightroom's Develop module has grown up into one of the most elegant image editing tools I've ever used. Aperture's performance has improved dramatically, to the point I can do serious photo editing on my 17" MacBook Pro without the need for a desktop computer.

There's lots to discuss, so you might want to spend the next half hour with me as we explore the highlights of these two revolutionary applications.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Lightroom vs Aperture Revisted." You can download the podcast here (31 minutes).

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, The Digital Story

Are you a photographer in search of money? Sounds like an ad you'd find in the back of a trade magazine. But many serious shooters could use a few extra dollars to upgrade their equipment and pay for incidental expenses associated with their photography.

In this podcast, I talk about my own money making adventures plus tips I've gathered from other shooters. Here's the deal: if you only need to augment your income with photography, chances are good you'll be successful. If you want to generate all of your income with a camera, you'll probably have a rougher road to travel. That isn't to say that you can't make your living with photography. With enough talent, luck, and determination you can. But this show is more about adding income to your day job through photography. I think this is a great way to test the waters. Listen in and see if this discussion stirs your creative business juices.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Money Making Tips." You can download the podcast here (28 minutes).

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, The Digital Story

Some things you just have to learn by experience. In this week's show, I share tips from working pros who can't afford to miss a shot. These gems are invaluable for all photographers, because let's face it, none of us want to miss an opportunity to make a great photograph.

Also, I want to note that this is the 50th Digital Story podcast. So fire up your iPod, put in those earbuds, and check out this sage pro advice I have to share.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Inside Pro Tips." You can download the podcast here (30 minutes).

See It in Person

If you're in Northern California on the weekend of October 7, stop by the Macintosh Computer Expo and sit in on my iPhoto 6 Tips and Tricks session. It's free, and I'll show you this tip plus lots of other cool iPhoto goodies. For those who really want to dig into some shooting techniques, stick around another day and sign up for my Digital Photography Made Amazing half day workshop on Oct. 8. But sign up early because seating is limited.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, The Digital Story

Sooner or later, every photographer is asked to take a group shot. In this podcast, I explain the ins and outs of this type of assignment so you can get satisfying results every time. I've also publish a blog post titled, Tips for Great Group Shots that complements this podcast.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Great Group Shots." You can download the podcast here (32 minutes).

Photo of Larry Lessig speaking at an O'Reilly Conference by Derrick Story.

See It in Person

If you're in Northern California on the weekend of October 7, stop by the Macintosh Computer Expo and sit in on my iPhoto 6 Tips and Tricks session. It's free, and I'll show you this tip plus lots of other cool iPhoto goodies. For those who really want to dig into some shooting techniques, stick around another day and sign up for my Digital Photography Made Amazing half day workshop on Oct. 8. But sign up early because seating is limited.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, The Digital Story

My interview with James Duncan Davidson covers the ins and outs of event photography. This type of assignment is challenging on any level. James is a professional photographer who specializes in big conferences such as those organized by O'Reilly Media and Apple's WWDC. But all of us can apply the lessons of pro level event coverage to our own assignments. Weddings, graduations, anniversaries, and other common assignments present many of the same challenges as big conferences.

James and I cover both the technical aspects and the human relations required for success. Yes, you need to be able to work with the clients and assure them that everything is going well. But there is also a bit of a knack to helping attendees feel comfortable while you photograph them in action. We cover it all in this podcast.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Event Photography." You can download the podcast here (30 minutes).

Photo of Larry Lessig speaking at an O'Reilly Conference by Derrick Story.

See It in Person

If you're in Northern California on the weekend of October 7, stop by the Macintosh Computer Expo and sit in on my iPhoto 6 Tips and Tricks session. It's free, and I'll show you this tip plus lots of other cool iPhoto goodies. For those who really want to dig into some shooting techniques, stick around another day and sign up for my Digital Photography Made Amazing half day workshop on Oct. 8. But sign up early because seating is limited.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, The Digital Story

The Custom White Balance setting is one of the most powerful features on your camera. Yet it is seldom employed because we're not sure how to use it. In this podcast, I describe the value of using custom white balance and techniques for putting it to work.

You can use something as simple as a plain sheet of paper, a coffee filter, or my personal favorite, the ExpoDisc. If you want to learn more about how to use the ExpoDisc, see my article on O'Reilly Digital Media.

Regardless of how you employ custom white balance, it will save you post processing time and improve the look of your images.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Custom White Balance" You can download the podcast here (28 minutes).

See It in Person

If you're in Northern California on the weekend of October 7, stop by the Macintosh Computer Expo and sit in on my iPhoto 6 Tips and Tricks session. It's free, and I'll show you this tip plus lots of other cool iPhoto goodies. For those who really want to dig into some shooting techniques, stick around another day and sign up for my Digital Photography Made Amazing half day workshop on Oct. 8. But sign up early because seating is limited.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, The Digital Story

Among my many eye-opening experiences in Iceland, I had a revelation about printing while participating in the reception at the Reykjavik Apple Store that final Friday. Instead of mounting our stacks of 13" x 19" prints and properly hanging them on the wall, we used removable Scotch tape and placed them haphazardly on the giant glass windows that illuminated the room. We also left some in stacks on counters where visitors could shuffle through them at their own pace.

These choices helped transformed what could have been a somewhat staid event into one of artistic immersion. People would pull the prints off the glass, hold them, show them to others, take them to the photographers for signing, and ultimately cart one or two home. We weren't just looking at photography, we were touching it. You could hold the image at any angle you wanted, look as closely as you dared, and feel the texture of the paper while doing so.

We had worked hard to output these snapshots of Iceland on Epson R2400s supplied by Epson as part of their generous sponsorship. But I don't think any us imagined the reaction to the images as they disappeared off the windows, through the doors, and into the Reykjavik night.

I've brought this experience home to my own studio. Now, instead of putting barriers between my images and those who view them, I'm going to leave them laying around for anyone to touch. They only cost a few dollars each to make, and I can always output more if necessary.

I learned many things in Iceland. But this one was a surprise. It seems so logical now -- letting people touch your prints brings them closer to your artwork.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "The Impact of Prints." You can download the podcast here (31 minutes).

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, The Digital Story

Setting up a model shoot can be easier than you think. In this podcast, I interview Maggie Hallahan as she describes how she put together the model shoot in Iceland. We had our chat the morning before the event, so neither of us knew how it was going to turn out. By many accounts, it went quite well.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Setting Up a Model Shoot." You can download the podcast here (18 minutes).

Technorati Tags: digital photography, podcast, The Digital Story

Here are 10 tips that you'll want to keep in your back pocket the next time you wander into the great outdoors. I've been using these tips for years, but had a chance to refine them a bit on my recent adventure to Iceland. The goal of field photography is to capture great images, enjoy nature, and do no harm to yourself and others. This list will help you accomplish the first goal.

1. Chase the light.
2. Photograph where you are.
3. Get out of the car.
4. Know where your equipment is.
5. Walk around the subject.
6. Take food and water.
7. Shoot high quality.
8. Isolate your subjects.
9. Take a polarizer.
10. Learn from what you've shot, then shoot it again.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity about these tips, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "10 Tips for Great Field Photography." You can download the podcast here (26 minutes).