This gallery is bursting with creativity. The assignment for March 2010 was "Flash." Check out this glowing collection of images from members of the TDS virtual camera club. I promise, your eyes will be twinkling with delight.

The May 2010 assignment is "Fire." Start working on your contribution now. Details can be found on the Member Participation page. You can now submit photo assignment pictures up to 800 pixels in the widest direction.

Please follow the instructions carefully for labeling the subject line of the email for your submission. It's easy to lose these in the pile of mail if not labeled correctly. For example, the subject line for next month's assignment should be: "Photo Assignment: May 2010." Also, if you can, please don't strip out the metadata. And feel free to add any IPTC data you wish (These fields in particular: Caption, Credit, Copyright, Byline), I use that for the caption info.

Photo by Simone Brogini. (Click on it to see enlarged version.) You can read more about how Simone captured this shot, plus see all of the other great images on the March 2010 Gallery page.

Good luck with your May assignment, and congratulations to all of the fine contributors for March. It's a great collection of images.

Follow me on Twitter

-

Now Available! The Digital Photography Companion. The official guide for The Digital Story Virtual Camera Club.

• 25 handy and informative tables for quick reference.
• Metadata listings for every photo in the book
• Dedicated chapter on making printing easy.
• Photo management software guide.
• Many, many inside tips gleaned from years of experience.
• Comprehensive (214 pages), yet fits easily in camera bag.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, The Digital Story, Photo Assignment

The new HDR Toning feature in Adobe Photoshop CS5 allows you to apply HDR-like tone mapping to a single image. This means you can go back through your picture library, open a shot in CS5, and start playing with HDR Toning. No more having to shoot a series of images to play with HDR!

As cool as this technique can be, I think it's most effective as a layer to the image document instead of a standalone adjustment. But CS5 doesn't allow you to perform HDR toning to a layer. Fortunately, I learned a great workaround by watching this Chris Orwig video from his latest title, Photoshop and Bridge CS5 for Photographers New Features. The technique he recommends is to first duplicate your image in Photoshop (Image > Duplicate), then apply the HDR Toning to that picture. Once you have the effect you like, hold down the Shift key and drag the toned image on top of the original shot making it a layer. Now you have Opacity controls plus all of the other layer goodies giving you complete artistic freedom. He shows you how here:

I love the wild effects I can create with HDR Toning. And now, applying them as a layer allows me to revisit just about every image in my library.

More About Photoshop CS5

"Photoshop CS5" - Digital Photography Podcast 221

Follow me on Twitter

-

For those times when you need to stack lenses in a camera bag, but don't want them banging against each other possibly marring their surfaces, use a Rear Lens Cap Pad. You can make your own by getting an adhesive-back pad, cutting it to the diameter of your rear cap, and applying. (Click on image for an enlarged view.)

I use this technique for packing my Lowepro Fastpack 250. The 70-200mm zoom lens lays horzontally in the camera compartment, then my 50mm sits on top of the barrel with the Cap Pad so as not to scratch it. This method takes up less room than individual lens pouches, and it provides faster access too.

For more Do It Yourself projects, check out our DIY Projects page

Follow me on Twitter

-

The Eye-Fi Pro X2 is the latest incarnation of a clever memory card for SD compatible cameras that provides wireless uploading of images, geotagging, and a new feature called endless memory. I've tested a Pro X2 for a couple weeks, and I've found some interesting uses for it. In this podcast I discuss the Pro X2 and some of the ways I like to use it.

Listen to the Podcast

You can also download the podcast here (24 minutes). Or better yet, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes. You can support this podcast by purchasing the TDS iPhone App from the Apple App Store.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Curve is the April 2010 Photo Assignment. You can read more about how to submit on our Member Participation page. Deadline for entry is April 30, 2010.

More Ways to Participate

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

Follow me on Twitter

-

Red River Paper -- Try the $7.99 Sample Kit.

Make Your Photos Sizzle with Color! -- SizzlPix is like High Definition TV for your photography.

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

Dribble Drive, originally uploaded by The Digital Story.

It's funny sometimes when I cover indoor sporting events... There are usually a couple guys standing around me with really big lenses trying to cover the action. And then there's me, often depending on my Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens (or 85mm f/1.8) prime lens. The 50mm looks so, well, small.

But when you can get relatively close to the play, this affordable glass (usually less than $100 new) delivers big results. Here, it's mounted on a Canon T1i in Aperture Priority mode (with the 1.6x magnification on the cropped sensor, it's the equivalent to an 80mm lens). I set the f/stop to f/1.8 (wide open), the ISO to 1600, and shoot in burst mode. Because the walls were brightly painted in this gym, I also set exposure compensation to +1 so my subjects wouldn't be underexposed. You can see all of the metadata for this shot if you click on it to open in Flickr.

This image is right out of the T1i with no adjustments or cropping. It was uploaded to Flickr directly from my DSLR using the new Eye-Fi Pro X2. With this WiFi SDHC card, you can send pictures to your computer, social networking site, or even FTP server from your camera.

So, if you can get can get close to the action, the affordable 50mm can produce great results.

"Ukuklele Musician" Grab Shot 195, originally uploaded by The Digital Story.

"This is an image of Hirai Dai from the 16th Annual Honolulu Festival Friendship Gala held in Honolulu, Hawaii at the Convention Center," writes Ryan Sakamoto. "He is Japan's premier ukuklele musician at 16 years old." More images of the Honolulu Festival can be found at ryansakamoto.com.

Photo by Ryan Sakamoto.

If you have a candid you'd like to share, take a look at our Submissions page, then send us your Grab Shot. We'll try to get it published for you on The Digital Story.

And you can view more images from our virtual camera club in the Member Photo Gallery.

The Digital Story Podcast App is the best way to stream or download weekly TDS podcast episodes. No more syncing your iPhone or iPod Touch just to get a podcast. And there's more! Tap the Extras button for free passes and discounts and the current Grab Shot by our virtual camera club members. Each podcast episode has its own Extras button, too, that contains more goodies such as pro photo tips. And the best part is, The Digital Story Podcast App is your way to help support this show.Download it today!

Follow me on Twitter

-

Viewing Photos on the iPad, originally uploaded by The Digital Story.

In my recent Macworld article, Show Off Your Photos on an iPad, I explained how the iPad is an excellent portable portfolio for photographers wanting to show off their images. But what exactly does the iPad do to those pictures when you upload them from a Mac? Does it squish your shots the way an iPhone does?

I have good news and bad.

The bad news is that the iPad does "optimize" your high resolution pictures during transfer to the device. This "optimization" has had a negative connotation in the past because most iPhone users felt it's too heavy-handed. The good news for iPad users is that the optimized resolution is a fairly generous 2304 x 1536, with a file size of 1 MB or more, depending on the detail in the photo. (And the reduction is only applied if the image is larger than 2304 x 1536 to begin with.) Given that the resolution on the iPad itself is 1024 x 768, you can zoom in on any shot to examine detail more closely. (Zoom by double-tapping on the image with one finger, or by pinching outward.)

If you use Aperture to sync images with the iPad, then you can control how big of an image gets transferred via the Preview setting in Aperture's preferences. Any preview size up to 2304 x 1536 should be honored by the iPad. Images larger than that will be optimized.

The bottom line is that even though the iPad will optimize large images, it is less aggressive than what we're used to with the iPhone.

Photo of children huddled around an iPad. This is actually a screenshot from the iPad showing how the image looks in the Photos application.

The iPad belongs on a stand. Whether you're using it as a digital photo frame, or have it propped up while typing with a Bluetooth keyboard, a portable stand improves the situation. I've been using this simple wire display stand that costs around $2, folds up for easy transport, and is feather light.

An Apple iPad on a $2 wire display stand. Click on image to enlarge.

The steel wire is vinyl coated and the hinge washers are plastic so the stand will not scratch your brand new iPad. When you're on the go, this trio weighs in less than 3 pounds: iPad (1.5 pounds), keyboard (11.5 ounces), and stand (1 ounce).

Traveling Light! iPad, keyboard, and stand weigh less than 3 pounds. Click on image to enlarge.

More iPad Articles

Bluetooth Keyboard and iPad - A Powerful Combination

Turn Your iPad into a Live Camera

Lowepro Classified 160 AW is Perfect Bag for iPad Toting Photographers

Coolest iPad Apps for Photogs? Keynote and CameraBag

"iPad for Photographers" - Digital Photography Podcast 219

Follow me on Twitter

-

Ready to get serious about mastering Aperture 3? I have 10 free training videos that you can watch right now. And these aren't throw-aways. They tackle important functions such as using the new Curves tool or building complex slideshows. In this podcast, I describe what's available and how to get it.

All of this goodness flows from my latest Lynda.com title: Aperture 3 Essential Training. Free videos and much, much more are there waiting for you.

Listen to the Podcast

You can also download the podcast here (24 minutes). Or better yet, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes. You can support this podcast by purchasing the TDS iPhone App from the Apple App Store.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Curve is the April 2010 Photo Assignment. You can read more about how to submit on our Member Participation page. Deadline for entry is April 30, 2010.

More Ways to Participate

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

Red River Paper -- Try the $7.99 Sample Kit.

Make Your Photos Sizzle with Color! -- SizzlPix is like High Definition TV for your photography.

More Aperture Tips and Techniques

To learn more about Aperture 3, check out my Aperture 3 Essential Training on Lynda.com. Also, take a look at our Aperture 3 Focus Section. Tons of free content about how to get the most out of Aperture.

Follow me on Twitter

The addition of Curves adjustment to Aperture 3 gives us powerful tonal and color correction. In this 9:00 minute video that's part of my Aperture 3 Essential Training on Lynda.com, I show you how to get started with Curves in Aperture 3.

More Aperture Tips and Techniques

To learn more about Aperture 3, check out my Aperture 3 Essential Training on Lynda.com. Also, take a look at our Aperture 3 Focus Section. Tons of free content about how to get the most out of Aperture.

Follow me on Twitter

Everyone needs water. And if you're working in the field on a photo shoot, you should have your supplies readily available. I've discovered a great water bottle for photographers who hike, camp, or who are always on the go: the GSI Infinity DukJug.

The basic specs for the DukJug are good for a container that sells for less than $9. The 1 liter capacity bottle weighs 6.6 ounces empty. It's constructed of BPA-free Polypropylene, has a quick-release cap, sip-it lid, and a very nice silicone grip. One Amazon reviewer complained that his water had a chemical odor to it. I have not had that experience at all. I washed the bottle when I first bought it, and the water has tasted great ever since.

GSI DukJugs with gaffers tape wound around the recessed area, then the silicon grip reapplied. Click on images for larger view.

But what makes the DukJug different is that you can pull down the silicone grip, wrap gaffer's tape in the recessed area (or duct tape for non photographers who don't need a removable adhesive), and always have tape available for those 1001 situations that are hard to anticipate.

To set up your DukJug, just pull down the silicon grip, wind your gaffers tape evenly to keep the surface smooth, then reposition the grip. The tape adds very little weight to the bottle, but can be a huge lifesaver when you need to mend some fabric or hold a reflector in place. Not bad for less than $9.

Previously in Outdoor Gear for Photographers

Dependable Footwear for Photo Work in the Field

Day Tripping with the Lowepro Versapack 200 AW

Shelter on Location: REI Half Dome 2

String Monopods

"The Great Outdoors" - Digital Photography Podcast 218

Portable Camera Stability

Sunset Portraits

New Series on Outdoor Gear for Photographers

Follow me on Twitter

-

Are you ready to master Aperture 3? If so, then you'll definitely want to visit Lynda.com for my latest title: Aperture 3 Essential Training.

Here's a short video introduction to stir the embers:

And remember, if you have the TDS Podcast App, you have a free 24-hour pass to Lynda.com waiting for you when you click on the Extras button.

I'll be posting lots of interesting Aperture 3 content in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

More on Aperture 3

Portrait Retouching in Aperture 3 (Video, Free)

Curves Adjustment in Aperture 3 (Video, Free)

How to Build a Professional Slideshow in Aperture 3 (Video, Free)

How to Master Full Screen Mode in Aperture 3 (Video, Free)

Easy Photo Captioning in Aperture 3 (Video, Free)

"10 Free Aperture 3 Videos" - Digital Photogrpahy Podcast 222

Switching to Aperture 3 from iPhoto (and should you?)

"Show Focus Points" in Aperture 3

Amazing Auto Curves Adjustment in Aperture 3 (Article, Text and Photo)

Easy HD Video Frame Grab in Aperture 3

Noise Ninja 64-bit Plug-In for Aperture 3

Canon T1i Video Edited in Aperture 3

Switching Aperture to 32-bit Mode

Getting Started with Aperture 3 (podcast)

Photoshop Is My Aperture 3 Video Editor

Canon S90 Raw Processing - Aperture 3 vs Digital Photo Professional

Follow me on Twitter

iPad toting photographers should check out the Lowepro Classified 160 AW shoulder bag. It holds your DSLR, lenses, iPad, and Bluetooth keyboard, all in a discrete, compact, stylish all weather bag that goes anywhere. Perfect for urban shooters.

More iPad Articles

Turn Your iPad into a Live Camera

Bluetooth Keyboard and iPad - A Powerful Combination

Coolest iPad Apps for Photogs? Keynote and CameraBag

"iPad for Photographers" - Digital Photography Podcast 219

Follow me on Twitter

-

There's no camera on the iPad. But, thanks to these two 99 cent applications, there's a reasonable workaround.

The latest versions of Camera for iPad and CAMERA-A let you use your iPhone's camera to record images directly to your iPad. I've bought and tested both applications, and they work as advertised. Here's a little overview of each.

Camera for iPad (Updated for Version 1.1)

I downloaded the app from iTunes and installed on both my iPad and iPhone 3GS. Launch the app on both devices (make sure that Bluetooth is on or a WiFi network is available). The apps will look for the companion device and connect. Now point your iPhone camera anywhere, and tap the "Take a Photo" button on the iPad or on the iPhone. The picture is recorded and transferred to the iPad. This process takes less time when you're using WiFi communication.

Once the processing is finished, you'll have a 2048x1536 image in your Photos App on the iPad. That's more than enough resolution for a full screen image, and the pictures actually look pretty good.

Pros: Affordable, good picture quality, easy to use, has quality settings for picture, allows either Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity, can take pictures from either iPhone or iPad. Cons: Virtually none.

CAMERA-A

You pay your 99 cents and download CAMERA-A from the App Store, then download its free companion software, CAMERA-B for your iPhone. Launch both apps and they will search for each other. After a few seconds, they connect, and you tap the camera icon on the iPad to take a picture. After the photo snaps, you're asked if you want to save it. Tap "Accept" and the image is instantly added to your Photos App on the iPad.

CAMERA-A has the advantage of saving instantly compared to the transfer time with Camera for iPad. CAMERA-A also has a zoom slider on the iPad that allows you to zoom in as much a 6x. You can zoom in and out on the fly to help you compose the shot. The result is a 1004x768 image that displays nicely full screen on the iPad.

Pros: Affordable, good picture quality, easy to use, fast transfer times, zoom slider. Cons: No shutter button on the iPhone, lower resolution images than with Camera for iPad.

The Bottom Line

Both Camera for iPad and CAMERA-A work as advertised and let you record images directly to the iPad. CAMERA-A transfers faster, but provides a smaller file. Camera for iPad maximizes the resolution of your iPhone camera, and has a more advanced feature set. Both apps allow you to save the images to your iPhone too.

Since the Version 1.1 update for Camera for iPad, it is my preferred app.

More iPad Articles

Bluetooth Keyboard and iPad - A Powerful Combination

Coolest iPad Apps for Photogs? Keynote and CameraBag

"iPad for Photographers" - Digital Photography Podcast 219

Follow me on Twitter

-

In a recent article for Macworld Magazine titled How to move from iPhoto '09 to Aperture 3, I describe how to easily transition your images and work from an iPhoto library to Aperture 3. And because the two applications talk to each other so well, you even have the option of sharing the same library of images with both. If you use iPhoto now, I encourage you to read the tutorial.

Comparison of iPhoto 09 and Aperture 3 libraries after import from iPhoto to Aperture. Click on image for larger view.

OK, But the Real Question Is...

As often the case, showing someone how to do something invariably brings up the question: "But why should I do this in the first place?" It's a good question.

The answer depends on what you need to do with your photographs after you click the shutter. If you're a casual shooter who captures less than a thousand images a year, and shares them primarily through email, Flickr, or the occasional slideshow, then iPhoto is a good application for you. It's easy to understand, has the basic tools your need, and it is included on your Mac when you buy it.

But if you consider yourself an amateur or pro photographer, iPhoto has some real shortcomings. One area that I find particularly frustrating is how it handles metadata. I can't add standard IPTC fields such as author, copyright, etc. And keywording is less than robust. I also think image editing in iPhoto is just too limited for most passionate photographers. Yes, you get the basic tools, but really, anything beyond simple luminance and color adjustments just isn't there. And finally, iPhoto lacks the "Project based system" of organization that's the heart of Aperture 3. Having these flexible containers to organize your work is important for people who take a lot of photos.

This is not a knock on iPhoto. It does what it does well. But if you're getting better at your photography and want to see how far you can take your work, Aperture 3 is a better tool. You have control over your metadata, your image editing, organization, and output. For many photographers, the tools inside of Aperture are all they need. And most shooters don't even leverage the totality of what's available.

Here's the thing though: you're going to need a current Mac with a good graphics card and 4 GBs or RAM, plus at least one external hard drive if you're going to have a good Aperture experience. I'm using a 17" 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro with 4 GBs of RAM, and doing just fine with Aperture 3. Don't even try this with an early generation Intel MacBook with 2 GBs or RAM. You'll hate what happens.

The bottom line is, if you're feeling the limitations of iPhoto, and you like Apple's approach to software, then I would consider the upgrade to Aperture 3. It will give you the tools you need to take your photography to the next level.

PS: You may wonder why I didn't include Lightroom 3, Photoshop CS5, or other terrific software in this post. The main reason is, I'm talking about moving from iPhoto to the next level. In that case, Aperture is my recommendation. Other scenarios may lead to different applications.

More Aperture Tips and Techniques

To learn more about Aperture 3, check out my Aperture 3 Essential Training on Lynda.com. Also, take a look at our Aperture 3 Focus Section. Tons of free content about how to get the most out of Aperture.

Follow me on Twitter

The Lowepro Versapack 200 AW combines a fast access camera compartment with a handy personal storage area into a light, all weather backpack that's perfect for an afternoon outing.

My typical set up with this pack starts a 70-200mm zoom on a DSLR in the bottom, quick access area (it's quick access because you don't have to remove the pack to retrieve your camera, just reach around, unzip the pocket, and grab your camera). I keep a wide angle zoom in the top pocket, along with a jacket, protein bar, and whatever personal accessories I need. Maps and other papers store nicely in the front documents pocket. And if I'm on the trail, I hang a water bottle from the chest strap.

For such a light pack, the suspension system is very comfortable. I can literally wear it all day with no neck or shoulder strain. If rain is in the forecast, the hidden all weather cover can be pulled out to protect the entire pack. The two bottom straps work great for a tripod, ground mat, or rolled up jacket.

The internal foam protection dividers can be removed from the Versapack, allowing you to fold the entire unit flat to store in a suitcase for travel. When you get to your destination, insert the dividers, and you're ready to explore.

The Lowepro Versapack 200 AW retails for $99.95.

Previously in Outdoor Gear for Photographers

Dependable Footwear for Photo Work in the Field

Shelter on Location: REI Half Dome 2

String Monopods

"The Great Outdoors" - Digital Photography Podcast 218

Portable Camera Stability

Sunset Portraits

New Series on Outdoor Gear for Photographers

Follow me on Twitter

-

Photoshop CS5 brings a rebuilt HDR authoring tool, 64-bit Mac compatibility, Mini Bridge, content aware fill, improved noise reduction, and a host of other interesting features for photographers. The question is, are there enough goodies to move you to spend the $199 for an upgrade?

In this week's broadcast, I dive in to what I believe are the most important new tools for photographers. And hopefully I cover enough ground to help you make the right decision for you.

Listen to the Podcast

You can also download the podcast here (31 minutes). Or better yet, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes. You can support this podcast by purchasing the TDS iPhone App from the Apple App Store.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Curve is the April 2010 Photo Assignment. You can read more about how to submit on our Member Participation page. Deadline for entry is April 30, 2010.

More Ways to Participate

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

Follow me on Twitter

-

Red River Paper -- Try the $7.99 Sample Kit.

Make Your Photos Sizzle with Color! -- SizzlPix is like High Definition TV for your photography.

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

Adobe released Photoshop CS5 with some impressive new features for photographers. I'll cover them in more depth in tomorrow's TDS podcast. But here's a quick preview of what's hot in this latest version.

• 64-bit support for Macs, but you need to have an Intel Mac to run CS5.
• Paint on Sharpen tool gives you localized control.
• Content Aware Fill - really terrific for finishing off panoramas.
• Lens correction built in.
• Great noise reduction.
• Terrific new HDR Pro, really nice.
• New processing engine for ACR.
• Mini Bridge, provides image browsing in the Photoshop interface.

Prices for upgrade are $199 for Photoshop CS5 and $349 for Photoshop CS5 Extended.

We'll dig deeper into this latest version in upcoming weeks, but it looks like a much improved application for photographers.

When you're taking pictures in the great outdoors, your footwear is just as important as what's in your photo bag. The last thing you want is to be distracted by sore feet, or worry about your footing on uneven surfaces. I've tested some reasonably priced gear that you might want to consider for your next big outing.

Merrell Moab Ventilator Hiking Boots

The Merrell Moab Ventilator boots don't feel like traditional boots in terms of weight and comfort -- they are as light as many athletic shoes and feel just as good... except they provide wonderful support and traction on the trail. I've worn these shoes with backpacks, photo packs, up hills, down hills, crossing streams, and around camp. And I'm never in a rush to take them off.

The Moabs breath well to keep your feet at a comfortable temperature. I usually wear one pair of hiking socks, and that's all I need. If you like to wear very thick socks or double pairs, I would order up a size, or at least a half size for the Moabs. Merrells do not run large for their listed size. So if you normally buy size 12 in your training shoes, you might want to try size 13 for the Moabs.

The Merrell Moabs run about $85 retail. So they are a good value as well as a comfortable, versatile boot.

Keen Newport Leather Sandals

When you want total comfort, easy on and off, yet great tread in case you have to sprint off to grab a shot, you might want to look at these Keen Newport Sandals.

Typically, I wear these Keens around camp and, quite honestly, with shorts most of the summer. But I've also tested them on day hike with reasonable terrain, and they, along with my feet, have held up just fine. When I do day hike in them, however, I wear ankle socks for added comfort and to wick away moisture.

The Keen Newport Sandals run about $75 retail, but I've had a pair for well over a year, and they are definitely built to last.

Previously in Outdoor Gear for Photographers

Shelter on Location: REI Half Dome 2

String Monopods

"The Great Outdoors" - Digital Photography Podcast 218

Portable Camera Stability

Sunset Portraits

New Series on Outdoor Gear for Photographers

Follow me on Twitter

-

As we use more fast publishing tools, such as Eye-Fi, to quickly push images up to Flickr, there's a greater need to adjust them once they've been posted. In this video, from my training title Flickr Essential Training, I introduce you to Flickr's online editing tools.

If you haven't tried online editing, give it a whirl. You'll be surprised at how a few simple touch ups can jazz up your photos.

And if you want to see the quick intro to the Flickr Essential Training title on Lynda.com, here's me standing in front of the camera.

More Free Training Videos

Extend the Reach of Your Compact Camera's Zoom Lens

Compact Camera Scene Modes

Sunglasses Polarizer and other Compact Camera Tricks

Introducing and Analyzing Natural Light Portraits

Follow me on Twitter

-

I recently sampled the new Polar Pearl Metallic by Red River Paper, and I was very impressed by the image that emerged from my inkjet printer. So I thought it would be fun to sit down with Drew Hendrix, VP and evangelist for Red River, to get the inside scoop on the Metallic stock, his personal printing tips, and what we can expect in the future of personal printing.

Listen to the Podcast

You can also download the podcast here (34 minutes). Or better yet, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes. You can support this podcast by purchasing the TDS iPhone App from the Apple App Store.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Curve is the April 2010 Photo Assignment. You can read more about how to submit on our Member Participation page. Deadline for entry is April 30, 2010.

More Ways to Participate

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

Follow me on Twitter

-

Red River Paper -- Try the $7.99 Sample Kit.

Make Your Photos Sizzle with Color! -- SizzlPix is like High Definition TV for your photography.

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

The Apple Bluetooth keyboard can be paired to the iPad. By doing so, you open up a whole new world of input options for this device. In this video I show you how easy it is to navigate through a document, select text, copy, paste, and delete. You'll now love your iPad as much for productivity as you do for entertainment.

More About the iPad

"iPad for Photographers" - Digital Photography Podcast 219

Coolest iPad Apps for Photogs? Keynote and CameraBag

Follow me on Twitter

-

After two days of investigating photography apps in iTunes for the iPad, the two downloads that impressed me the most were Apple's own Keynote (rewritten for the iPad) and an iPhone favorite: CameraBag. Keynote is far and away the best presentation tool for building photo presentations on the iPad. And the developers over at Nevercenter.com have added some nice touches to CameraBag for adding effects to images in your iPad albums.

I've been adding images to the iPad from a couple different sources. The first from Aperture vla a Smart Album that iTunes can see during syncing. The second is using the download image option in Flickr. I've been saving my photos to Flickr at 1024 on the widest side, which works out great when I download them later to te iPad. I'll cover these two apps, and photo workflow on the iPad in more detail soon. But if you're working with the device right now, I would take a look at these applications.

When you first look at the specs for the Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D, you might think that Canon can't provide 18 megapixels resolution on an APS-C sensor and control high ISO image noise and price the body at $799 US. And you would be wrong, because that's exactly what they have done.

You know it's a serious camera when Digital Photography Review says in their exhaustive report on the T2i/550D, "The unavoidable fact is that to get the most out of the 550D's sensor you really need to pair it with Canon's better lenses, which is a considerable investment." Then go on to say, "That said, the bottom line here is that the EOS 550D offers excellent image quality in a range of different conditions, including exceptionally low light, thanks to its usable ISO 12800 setting. Image quality is equal or better than its predecessor the EOS 500D, and not noticeably inferior to the considerably more expensive EOS 7D. The 550D's video capability is excellent too."

Yes, so the upshot is for enthusiasts photographers with good glass, or pros looking for an affordable back-up camera that delivers high quality results, the new Canon EOS Rebel T2i is a pro tool with a consumer price tag.

Follow me on Twitter

-

When you're working in the field for a day or a week, having dependable shelter improves the experience. Photographers need a place to relax for short breaks, work on images, store gear out of the elements, and if necessary, sleep. I've been testing the REI Half Dome 2 tent ($179), and it has become an essential part of my outdoor gear.

This is a tent that has stirred lots of discussion. It earned a Backpacker 2010 Editor's Choice Award for great value, yet many readers on REI's own site panned its construction for condensation, difficulty to set up, or for just not liking the new design in general -- none of which ever crossed my mind when using it in the field.

I can set up the Half Dome 2 in just a couple minutes. I think the design is terrific for creating shelter in a hurry. I use the tent in two modes: with and without rain cover. When the weather is nice, I prefer without rain cover and let the mesh separate me from the insects. When it's time to add the cover, open the top vents, then pull the rain cover sides out and stake them. By doing so, you increase ventilation, and create two additional storage spaces outside the main cabin of the tent, but still under the rain cover. If rain is in the forcast, you may want to close the top vents.

I also bring a half dozen clothes pins and a few colorful bandanas. I pin a bandana to each tie line on the side of the tent so other campers don't accidentally trip over it. The "patio" created by this configuration is great for keeping your boots out of the elements, yet not having to store them in the main cabin. The Half Done 2 has doors on both sides of the tent, so you can have a "back patio" and still keep the entrance clear.

The floor dimensions in the main cabin are 88" x 52" and very roomy for one, but a little tight for two guys. Since the tent weighs-in at 5 pounds, I usually prefer to carry it just for me, even on backpacking trips. This means I have plenty of room for my long sleeping bag, my pack, and various pieces of gear. There are also four interior side pockets for small items, and two top loft compartments that I use for LED lanterns. This makes it easy to continue working long after the sun goes down.

If you're looking for an affordable, relatively light, practical shelter for outdoor work, I would put the REI Half Dome 2 tent on my short list of considerations.

Previously in Outdoor Gear for Photographers

String Monopods

"The Great Outdoors" - Digital Photography Podcast 218

Portable Camera Stability

Sunset Portraits

New Series on Outdoor Gear for Photographers

Follow me on Twitter

-