I've talked a lot about daring to push your ISO setting up the dial. This month, TDS shooters proved that great imagery is possible in any light. Check out the High ISO gallery from members of our virtual camera club. And which one will be the SizzlPix Pick of the Month?

The Jan. 2011 assignment is "Ground Level." 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: Jan. 2011." 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 Mark Garbowski. (Click on it to see enlarged version; it gets even better.) You can read more about how Mark captured this shot, plus see all of the other great images on the November 2010 Gallery page.

Good luck with your January assignment, and congratulations to all of the fine contributors for November. I love this gallery!

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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

I've been playing with Camtastic on my iPhone 3GS. It's a fun camera app that provides scene modes, film choices, sequence shooting, and a variety of self-timer options. Once you take a picture, it sends the image to the "lab" for processing (shown below). When the image is finishing processing (it doesn't take long), you can send the picture to your photo library on the iPhone, to Facebook, or via email.

Two different film processes just completed in the virtual darkroom.

This is a real workflow difference with Camtastic; it doesn't send images directly to your iPhone photo library, but holds them in the "darkroom" until you decide to move them along (or not). At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about this. But now I kind of like making the final decision.

The film options are interesting, and unlike what we're used to in the digital world, you have to wait a few seconds for the image to develop in the darkroom before you see the effect. In way, it brings back that bit of anticipation from the chemical days.

I didn't find the scene modes quite as useful, and left the camera in auto mode most of the time. But I did like the self-timer options (2, 5, 10, 15, & 30 seconds) and the sequence shooting choices (1, 2, 4, 6, & 8). The built-in electronic level is also quite handy for lining up your shot.

Camtastic is available in the iTunes App Store for $1.99. I'm keeping it on my iPhone.

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When I published my original version of the Photographer's Survival Kit, I received lots of mail with terrific variations on that original theme. And in this case, Stefan Rusche sent me a movie detailing his version of the kit that he carries with him. He gave me permission to share his work with you. So, without further ado, from Hamburg Germany, here's Stefan.

"Photographer's Survival Kit" by TDS member and photographer, Stefan Rusche.

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The new Lowepro ILC Classic 100($49) and the Lowepro ILC Classic 50($39) are two rugged, stylish camera bags for your Olympus PEN, Sony NEX, and other interchangeable lens cameras (ILC).

Both bags are designed to protect your gear, yet are so light and compact that you can take them anywhere. You can see a quick tour in this short video featuring both bags in use with Olympus PEN cameras.

Another online tool to help you find the perfect bag is the Lowepro ILC Fit Chart that matches the right bag for your particular camera set up.

Video recorded with a Canon EOS 60Dwith a Canon 17-40mm f/4 zoom and an external lapel mic. I used iMovie '11(which is part of iLife '11) for titles, final production, and uploading to YouTube.

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Spend two days learning and practicing Aperture 3 in a comfortable classroom setting that includes WiFi, lots of work space, and even a kitchen. Meals are served to you while you practice what you've just learned. And the best part, class size is limited to 8, yet tuition is very affordable.

If this sounds good to you, then you might want to read on about the TDS Aperture 3 Workshop on Jan. 15 & 16, 2011 in Santa Rosa, CA.

Workshop Schedule

SATURDAY, Jan. 15
- 8:30 am - 10:00 am - A tour of the Aperture 3 interface and preferences. The choices we make here affect our entire workflow. Plus stratgies for organizing your library.
- 10:15 am - 10:45 am - Photo shoot at Schulz Museum. We're going to capture as many images as possible to work with in the next session.
- 10:45 am - 12:00 pm - Importing from camera memory card, hard drives, and existing iPhoto libraries. This is one of the most important steps in the Aperture workflow.
- 12:00 am - 12:45 pm - Lunch catered at TDS Headquarters.
- 12:45 pm - 1:30 pm - Rating images with stars and colors.
- 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm - Compare mode and Stacks
- 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm - Tethered shooting (hands on session)
- 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm - Break
- 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm - Smart Albums
- 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm - Image Adjustment Part I
- 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm - Open Q&A
- 5:30 pm - Dinner on your own (I usually coordinate a group dinner for those who want to participate.)

SUNDAY, Jan. 16
- 8:30 am - 10:00 am - Image Adjustment Part II
- 10:00 am - 10:30 am - Photo Shoot (shoot video too if you camera can)
- 10:30 am - 12:00 am - Hands-On Lab where you upload your shoot, organize the images, and image edit your picks.
- 12:00 - 1:00 - Lunch catered at TDS Headquarters.
- 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Working with Metadata
- 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Creating professional slideshows and movies
- 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Printing
- 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Hands-On Lab
- 5:30 pm A warm farewell to all!

The $495 workshop fee includes lunch both days.

We still have room for a few more. If you're interested, send email to me with the Subject Line: "Aperture Workshop" and I'll get you a registration form.

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"We were parked in a small cemetery up in Canada. I was throwing sticks for the dog when a light rain began to fall. I noticed the car window starting to fog up and saw my opportunity to capture an unorthodox portrait. I hope you enjoy this photo."

"Lady in Red" by Jimmy Brown. Click on image for larger version.

This is our 206th Grab Shot! Wow. If you want to review the collection that began back in 2006, go to our Grab Shots page.

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, iPod Touch, iPad, or even your Android phone just to get a podcast. And the best part is, The Digital Story Podcast App is your way to help support this show. Download it today!

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I think Smart Albums are still one of the coolest features in iPhoto. And after you watch this movie from my iPhoto '11 Essential Training, I think you might become a fan too.

There's more than four hours of training presented in a series of short movies that you can watch as many times as you want until you feel comfortable with each particular technique. It's truly learning at your own pace. Even if you've never used Lynda.com before, there are free movies that you can view right now: Working in Full Screen Mode, and Hiding Photos.

I receive lots of mail about how much people like learning software via my titles on Lynda.com. If you're ready to dig into iPhoto, or want to give a loved one the gift of knowledge, then take a look at iPhoto '11 Essential Training.

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Holiday photos are often the best and the worst entries in our image library. The best because we have pictures of those who mean the most to us. And nothing really tops that. But they can also be our least imaginative shots because we overlook many of the details that contribute to the visual landscape of the holidays.

Alongside the group shots and the present opening, consider taking a moment to enjoy and photograph some of the smaller details that can be memorable images too.

And while I'm on the subject, I want to wish you a safe and happy holiday season. It's ironic that the holidays are often the most stressful times of the year. I think one thing that photography does for me, is that it helps me stop for just a minute, look around, and see more clearly what's in front of me. That's a blessing in itself.

All the best to you and yours
-Derrick

In a recent podcast, I described my photographer's emergency kit. Everything fits in a 3.25" x 3.25" filter box. Now, you can watch the movie where I open up the box and show all of the contents.

So, what goes in your photographer's emergency kit?

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I've been testing the new Olympus E-5 Digital SLRthat has pro-level construction, but lots of creative features that you often don't see on this type of camera. One of those features is a complete set of art filters (pop art, soft focus, grainy film, pin hole, diorama, cross process, dramatic tone, and more).

The new Dramatic Tone art filter on the Olympus E-5 converts even a mundane image into something more interesting. Click on photo for larger version.

The capture process is straight forward. You pick one of the art filters from the menu, and the E-5 adds the effect in-camera. You don't have to do any manipulation yourself. I shoot in Raw so I get the original unadulterated image, and I get the Jpeg art filter version.

If you're shooting Raw, you also get the non-art filter version so you have access to both images.

There are interesting applications for art filters. I think they can help you explore the possibilities of a composition while you're still in the field. If you see something you like, you can further fine tune based on the "art filter preview" you've created. Art filters may also help photographers who don't enjoy post production manipulation add some spice to their catalog. And with the advent of the iPad, you can shoot something artistic and upload it easily right on the spot.

So, my question to you, would you use art filters on your DSLR? You may have them now and not even realize it. We're seeing them more than ever. Is that based on user feedback or are manufacturers trying to distinguish their hardware from others? Let me know what you think.

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How many megapixels do you expect for a top of the line DSLR? 12? 14? 18? 21? And what are the other factors that are important to you tied with sensor performance? We check-in with this ongoing topic today.

Listen to the Podcast

You can also download the podcast here (27 minutes). Or better yet, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes. You can support this podcast by purchasing the TDS iPhone App for only $2.99 from the Apple App Store.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Indoor Lighting is the December 2010 Photo Assignment. You can read more about how to submit on our Member Participation page. Deadline for entry is Dec. 31, 2010. Entries must be recorded with indoor lighting only.

TDS Summer 2011 Photography Workshop

We're making plans now for the Summer 2011 TDS Photography Workshop. If you want your name on the reserve list, just drop me a line.

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!

Podcast Sponsors

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

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

If you've just bought a Mac or upgraded iLife, and are ready to master the new features in iPhoto '11, then I think you'll enjoy iPhoto '11 Essential Training on Lynda.com. Here's a short introduction.

There's more than four hours of training presented in a series of short movies that you can watch as many times as you want until you feel comfortable with each particular technique. It's truly learning at your own pace. Even if you've never used Lynda.com before, there are three free movies that you can view right now: Working in Full Screen Mode, Hiding Photos, and Creating Smart Albums.

I receive lots of mail about how much people like learning software via my titles on Lynda.com. If you're ready to dig into iPhoto, or want to give a loved one the gift of knowledge, then take a look at iPhoto '11 Essential Training.

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The current release of PhotoBox by Boinx Software (V 1.1) brings a truly useful image review tool to photographers working in the field. Unlike the earlier version that had to copy lower resolution images to the app, you can now access the full resolution files, even if they're Raws. I recently tested it for an event shoot at a professional basketball game with an Olympus PEN E-PL1 in Raw mode. When shooting sports, one of the first things I look for is sharpness. With PhotoBox, you can upload a handful of images, browse them in the "lightbox" view, then zoom in to 1:1 for a close look at the detail. Being able to do this on location gives you confidence that your camera settings are on the mark.

Image displayed at 1:1 on PhotoBox. It looked great on my camera's LCD, but I could tell in PhotoBox that it wasn't quite as sharp as I would like. Click on image for original view.

The application includes some other helpful tools, such as luminance and RGB histograms, highlight and shadow clipping overlays, pixel dimensions, and file size. You can set your own tolerance levels for the highlight and shadow clipping in the preferences (gear icon in upper right corner of the app).

Once back home, you can enjoy even a closer look at your work by connecting the iPad to a VGA-compatible display and using PhotoBox as the driver -- a nice touch if you need it.

Boinx has overcome many of the limitations of the earlier iPad iOS to create a useful tool for discriminating photographers working in the field. This latest version (1.1) is definitely worth a look. You can buy PhotoBox for $4.99 in the App Store.

Oh, and one final note. You might see lower customer ratings for PhotoBox in the App Store than you would expect for the version I've described here. The previous version (1.0) wasn't as smooth or useful as what I've recently tested. Just something to keep in mind.

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As part of my work as the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro, I'm always seeking input from photographers about their gear. Recently I asked the Lowepro community, "What does your dream bag look like?"

What is the perfect bag for you?

Responses were posted on the Lowepro Facebook page, Twitter, and sent to me via email. I then posted an article on the Lowepro blog, summarizing the basic themes from the community. You might want to take a look if you like this stuff.

One of my favorite ideas was adding a second strap to sling bags, such at the SlingShot 202 AW, so you could wear it backpack style for longer treks. When you switched to shooting mode, the strap could be tucked out of the way allowing you to work sling style.

There's lots of great feedback in the post, including adding All Weather covers to the Fastpack series, what makes a great bag for student photographers, and more. It's fun to read what people share.

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Macworld Magazine published my formal review of the Canon EOS 60D with lab results. For those of you who heard my preliminary remarks on podcast 251, you know that I've enjoyed testing and learning about this latest DSLR from Canon.

In the Macworld review, I spend a fair amount of time covering what I call its "notable features," such as in-camera Raw processing and the articulated LCD. You might want to check out that list if you're considering the 60D. In short, however, my pros and cons are:

Pros

• Vari Angle LCD
• Wireless flash control built in
• Excellent movie recording with external mic jack and audio control
• In-camera raw processing and image resizing
• Extensive software bundle included
• Good battery performance
• Excellent image quality, even at higher ISO settings

Cons

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Looking to add a new lens to your DSLR kit? You might enjoy browsing a site called LensHero. To get started, you enter the type of camera you're using and the amount of money you have to spend (you may want to consult your spouse beforehand). Then pick the category of glass that interests you, such as macro, wide angle, telephoto, fisheye, low light, etc.

LensHero then presents you with lenses that meet your criteria, complete with specs, pricing, user reviews, and of course, a link to buy. I enjoyed just seeing what types of lenses were available for my Canon 60D, and how much they cost. I like the low light options myself.

So, for fun, or for serious shopping, you might want to visit LensHero.

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Here are 10 items that I keep in a 3" plastic filter box that are invaluable when I'm working on the go. It's my photographer's survival kit.

Photographer's Survival Kit - When you're in the field, many of these small items become invaluable. Listen to the podcast to learn why.

Note: TDS Podcast listeners (iOS and Android) have a movie waiting for them that shows me demonstrating all of the contents of this kit.

Listen to the Podcast

You can also download the podcast here (33 minutes). Or better yet, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes. You can support this podcast by purchasing the TDS iPhone App for only $2.99 from the Apple App Store.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Indoor Lighting is the December 2010 Photo Assignment. You can read more about how to submit on our Member Participation page. Deadline for entry is Dec. 31, 2010. Entries must be recorded with indoor lighting only.

TDS Summer 2011 Photography Workshop

We're making plans now for the Summer 2011 TDS Photography Workshop. If you want your name on the reserve list, just drop me a line.

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!

Podcast Sponsors

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

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

I've created a step-by-step guide for laying out fine art note cards in Aperture 3 and printing them with your inkjet printer using Red River Paper stock. A few things have changed since I published the original article for laying out cards in Aperture, so I recommend that Aperture 3 users follow the settings in this article.

Finished Custom Note Cards, originally uploaded by The Digital Story.

The biggest difference that I encountered using Aperture 3.1 and Mac OS X 10.6.5 with an Epson R2400 printer, was that creating a "custom paper size" befuddled the printer causing it to do nothing. To work around this problem, I designed a new template in Aperture 3 that is based on a standard Letter Size sheet (8.5" x 11"). By doing this, you should be able to print these 7" x 10" cards (folded to 5" x 7") with just about any photo printer.

Here are the steps I used:

1. In Aperture, create a custom theme
2. Turn on Show Layout Options
3. Create a photo box 5.75" x 4.25" and place it like this
4. Add a text box for the back of the card
5. Place your type and rotate it 180 degrees
6. You can choose a type style
7. Be sure to turn off page numbering
8. Now, all you have to do is print your card

I recommend that you turn on Aperture's Proofing Profile (View > Proofing Profile) for the type of paper you're using. It saves you from having to make test prints. Speaking of paper, there are a variety of surfaces to choose from in the Red River Card Shop. You can get high quality envelopes there too. I generally use #7163 for my card projects.

One finishing touch to consider is creating a handsomely designed 4"x6" insert for your note card. I print these in iPhoto '11 using one of the flat card templates. They look great!

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 Learning Center. Tons of free content about how to get the most out of Aperture.

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The Olympus E-PL1 is a good spectator camera for sporting events. It doesn't raise eyebrows from security officials, yet it packs a serious imaging punch. Normally, I use a prime lens, such as the Zeiss 135mm f/2.8 with adapter. But when the Miami Heat came to town to play the Golden State Warriors, I opted to try the Olympus ED 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6 zoom instead.

Monta Ellis swats away a Dwyane Wade shot during a recent visit to Oracle Arena. Photo by Derrick Story. Click on image for larger version.

My concern was the f/5.6 maximum aperture when zoomed out to 150mm, which is an equivalent 300mm because you double the focal length on micro four-thirds cameras. But the lens is so light and compact, making it quite tempting for these casual outings.

At ISO 1600, I was able to squeeze out a 1/250th shutter speed at f/5.6 to get shots like this during the game. The focusing was very accurate, and I got quite a few good images, even from the upper deck.

So, I'd have to say, "Yes," you can get terrific shots with the 14-150mm. You do have to deal with the slower maximum aperture, but the lens doesn't attract attention at the security gate, and it is capable of recording clean, sharp images.

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Often when I'm cleaning up around the studio, I wonder to myself why I keep so many older digital cameras. Then I have days like yesterday, and I remember why.

I wanted to shoot a time-lapse movie for a personal project I was working on. Nothing fancy, but time lapse was exactly what I needed. I looked at all of my current cameras that I'm using or testing, and not one had that function built-in. I would have to get some sort of accessory. We're talking about good cameras here: Canon S90, 60D, 5D Mark II, T1i, Olympus E-P1, E-PL1, E-5, E-30, and Sony T200. Not one had time lapse function built-in (that I could find anyway).

There was one exception (other than my iPhone): my trusty Canon G9. It has a time lapse option while in movie mode. I charged its battery, put in a fresh memory card, mounted it on a tripod, and recorded a nifty time-lapse movie that was exactly what I wanted. No post production. No fooling around.

I guess that camera won't be going anywhere, anytime soon...

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Red River Paper is offering 10% off on any inkjet printable greeting card purchase if you use the discount code STORYCARD10 with your order before Jan. 3, 2011. These are fine art cards, scored for easy folding, with matching envelopes available. They'll look great with your photograph printed on them.

Winners Announced

In other news, Red River has announced the winners of the Red River Paper greeting card drawing (I hope you entered to win and to show your support):

• Bob Reynolds won the Epson Artisan 50 printer / $100 GC
• JannJ2 won the Canon ip4820 printer / $100 GC
• and three others won $100 gift certificates

"The Digital Story / Red River Paper greeting card contest was a great success," comments Drew Hendrix. "Many thanks to the Digital Story readers and listeners who signed up."

You can still show your support by visiting Red River's Interwebs page. You'll get lots of interesting printing information in return. Also, be sure to check out the "Fan Offer" on their Facebook page.

Red River Paper is the longest running sponsor of The Digital Story. Be sure to thank them for helping to keep our weekly podcast on the air.

One of my favorite lenses is the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM that works great on both the 5D Mark II (full frame) and the 60D (cropped sensor). I don't use it everyday, but when I need it, nothing else will do.

I just read A Visual tour of Canon's 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM by Dave Powell on the Digital Photography School site. He includes lots of images from this lens. It's a great way to get a feel for its capabilities.

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I'm happy to report that the TDS Podcast App is now available in the Android Marketplace. You can download the app for $2.99, which helps support our weekly show.

If you want to know more about the podcast app, check out my article about its inception.

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Your old colorimeter might not be the best tool for color managing a new LED screen laptop. In this week's podcast, I tell the story of guilt (for not calibrating my new MacBook Air), perserverance (trying to calibrate the Air), and finally redemption.

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 for only $2.99 from the Apple App Store.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Indoor Lighting is the December 2010 Photo Assignment. You can read more about how to submit on our Member Participation page. Deadline for entry is Dec. 31, 2010. Entries must be recorded with indoor lighting only.

TDS Summer 2011 Photography Workshop

We're making plans now for the Summer 2011 TDS Photography Workshop. If you want your name on the reserve list, just drop me a line.

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!

Podcast Sponsors

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

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

If you're shooting with a Canon S95, Nikon D7000, or want to get the new Olympus E-5, then run, don't walk, to download Lightroom 3.3 or Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) 6.3. You'll need Photoshop CS5 or Photoshop Elements 9 to take advantage of ACR 6.3. Or, you'll need Lightroom 3.x to update to version 3.3.

You can use the built-in Adobe Application Manager (as shown here) or go to Products Update Page to download the latest versions.

Here's the complete list of newly supported cameras for both updates:

• Canon PowerShot G12
• Canon PowerShot S95
• Nikon D7000
• Nikon Coolpix P7000
• Nikon D3100
• Olympus E-5
• Panasonic DMC-GF2
• Panasonic DMC-GH2
• Pentax K-5
• Pentax K-r
• Samsung NX100
• Samsung TL350 (WB2000)
• Sony A560
• Sony A580

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While shooting in a high school gym this weekend, I noticed an odd color shift appearing in some of my images recorded in burst mode with the Canon 60D. Even though the gym lighting was consistent, this image inconsistency happened on a number of occasions.

Here's how I had the camera configured:

• Aperture priority mode set to f/1.8
• 50mm Canon lens
• ISO 3200
• Custom White Balance
• 1/1600 shutter speed
• Evaluative metering
• Raw only capture

The two frames shown here were sequentially recorded in high speed burst mode. I opened up the Raw files in Canon Digital Photo Professional, Aperture 3, Photoshop CS5, and Lightroom 3. The images had the same color differences in each application.

What's even stranger, it looks as though the camera optimized the shadows and highlights in the top image, but not the other. I scoured the EXIF data in DPP, and found no differences between the two shots.

I don't have an explanation for this, but wanted to pass it along to Canon shooters.

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I need your help with this one...

I've been using a Spyder 2 colorimeter *forever,* but its ancient software will not longer work for my new MacBook Air. So I need a new calibration device. The options I've been perusing include:

The X-Rite Eye-One Display 2 for $199. The reviews seem pretty good, but the price is a bit more than I wanted to pay.

Datacolor DC S3X100 Spyder 3 Express for $79 and seems to have pretty good reviews, and I like the price.

Pantone huey Pro for $84, which has pretty good reviews, but I didn't have that great of an experience a while back with the original Huey colorimeter.

So what do you recommend? If you've had experience with any of these, or have a better idea, please post a comment. I could use your help with this one.

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The crew over at Imaging-Resource.com took an informal poll of their personal favorite cameras of 2010. Since they test dozens of models annually, they have a good feel for how things stack up.

Leading contenders included the Nikon D7000 16.2MP Digital SLR with 3.0-Inch LCDand the Canon PowerShot S95 10 MP Compact with 3.0-Inch LCD. You can see their entire list by visiting Staff Picks for Best Camera of 2010.

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The world looks much different when viewing it on the LCD of an Infrared-modified camera. The sky darkens, clouds glow with intensity, and trees look like they belong on another planet. There are many applications for an IR-modified camera, including for law enforcement, but fine art photography is one of the most enjoyable uses.

I5 Rest Stop Exit - Captured with an IR-modified Olympus E-P1. Photo by Derrick Story. Click on image for larger version.

I've been shooting with an Olympus E-P1 modified by W.B. Hunt Co. in Melrose, MA. You can see a gallery of images captured with this rig on the TDS Flickr page. If you're interested in an easy and enjoyable way to shoot IR, you might want to look in to these modified kits. Prices for conversions range between $149.95 and $399.95, depending on the camera to be converted. You can find out more by contacting Stan Goldberg at W. B. Hunt. The phone number is 781-462-2319, or contact him via email, sgoldberg[at]wbhunt[dotcom].

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While testing the Canon EOS 60D, I wanted to see if I could go from Raw capture to online publishing without using a computer. As it turns out, I could.

I inserted an Eye-Fi Pro X2 8 GB SDHC Wireless Flash Memory Card in to the 60D, then checked its status on the Eye-Fi menu built in to the camera. (Many new cameras are adding this feature. The menus will vary depending on the model.)

The menu takes much of the guess work out of using the Eye-Fi card since you get information about access point, connection status, etc. Plus, you can enable or disable the card's ability to transmit -- a much appreciated feature in itself.

For my test, I took a picture of some Nasturtiums. I then processed the Raw file in-camera, followed by uploading the newly created Jpeg to Flickr. Here's what the image looks like right out of the camera without any further processing.

What a great team! In-camera Raw processing, built-in Eye-Fi menus, and the Eye-Fi card itself. No computers required.

If you want to know more about the Eye-Fi card, including how to set it up using Eye-Fi software, visit the Eye-Fi web site.

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