Many mobile workflows focus on compact or mirrorless cameras. But you can use your beloved DSLR too. One of the challenges for DSLR shooters is how to handle the RAW files. In my latest article for Techhive, Share photos from your DSLR, no computer required, I discuss some sample workflows that might be a good starting point for you.

The essence of the article is this: shoot RAW + JPEG, find a way to separate the JPEGs from the RAWs in the field, only work with JPEGs on your mobile device, upload the RAWs to your computer when you get home. And yes, it can work quite nicely.

Another option, not mentioned in the article, is to shoot RAW only, then make JPEG copies in-camera of the shots you want to use. Transfer those JPEGs to your mobile device, and deal with the RAWs later.

There are plenty of variations on all these themes. My guess is, that in there somewhere, a workflow is just right for you. Hopefully, my TechHive article will help you find it.

iPad for Digital Photographers

This is the kind of stuff I write about in iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks format.

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Bryan Davis produced this movie in Final Cut Pro X as his project for the TDS Movie Making for Photographers Workshop where we covered the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic. Bryan's production is quite good, and I like how he incorporated a time-lapse clip at the end captured with a GoPro.

2013 Sonoma Hot Air Balloon Classic from Bryan Davis on Vimeo.

I'll share more movies from the event in upcoming posts.

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Join me on my Instagram site as I explore the world of mobile photography. And now Instagram features 15-second movies too.

Do you have images on Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, or Instagram... or all of them? Have you cataloged pictures in iPhoto, Aperture, or Lightroom? Do you have these photos available to you anywhere, at anytime, using practically any device? I do. I'm using Everpix 2.0

Everpix 2 running on an iPad mini

Everpix is a cloud-based photo platform that provides storage, sharing, and enjoyment. It can aggregate the best versions of your images from practically any source and make them available to you on a computer or mobile device. It applies sophisticated under-the-hood science to understand your photos beyond EXIF data and presents them to you in an attractive, easy to digest user interface.

The essence of Everpix is this:

• Solves the "photo mess" - images scattered everywhere instead of aggregated in once central location. Yet, you still can continue to take shots with multiple devices and organize them in your photo management applications, just as you've always done. Just point Everpix to your various sources, and it will copy the images and eliminate the duplicates.
• Taps content from various devices including mobile phones, tablets, image libraries, and social networking sites. Everpix lets you bring this content together into one place. You can continue to capture and edit content anyway you want.
• Lets you view your Everpix library from just about any computer or mobile device. Want to see your Aperture, iPhoto, Lightroom, and Flickr images in one place? Everpix can do that.

You can learn more and set up a free account today at Everpix.com. Also, tune in to next week's TDS podcast on July 2, 2013, where I interview co-founders Pierre-Olivier Latour and Wayne Fan. They really get into the details of this impressive cloud-based service for photographers.

iPad for Digital Photographers

This is the kind of stuff I write about in iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks format.

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On the third page of its Sony RX100 II preview, DP Review shows a nice physical comparison of the latest Sony compact with the Fujifilm X20.

They write, "Though the Fujifilm X20 has a smaller sensor than the Sony RX100 II, the Sony manages a smaller body size. Of course the X20 also has an optical viewfinder and a manually zooming lens, and many users may prefer the more comprehensive set of controls spread over a wider area... Both represent different approaches to similar types of camera user, both of which seem to have found their fans."

In the world of serious compacts, these are two of the best. And they are so different.

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Join me on my Instagram site as I explore the world of mobile photography.

When Apple created the Unified Library structure for iPhoto and Aperture, they provided us with new options for managing our content. A common question that I'm asked is, "how can I combine multiple iPhoto libraries into one?" The short answer is, you'll need Aperture to do this. If that's OK with you, read on.

Since Aperture can open iPhoto libraries, you can use its Merge command to combine them. In a fresh Aperture library, choose File > Import > Library and direct the app to the location of your first iPhoto library (all apps and libraries need to be current). Repeat this process for as many iPhoto libraries you want to combine. Once you've finished, you can open the combined libraries back in iPhoto, or continue to work in Aperture.

You can also clean up your iPhoto libraries before merging. I highly recommend this. In this video I demonstrate how to export a cleaned up library.

More Aperture/iPhoto Tips and Techniques

To learn more about using Aperture and iPhoto together, visit my Using iPhoto and Aperture Together on lynda.com.

To learn more about Aperture itself, check out my Aperture 3.3 Essential Training (2012), also on lynda.com. In addition to that, 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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A common TDS Podcast listener question lately has been, "What type of cable release do you use for your Olympus OM-D E-M5? The answer is: Triggertrap Mobile for my iPhone.

Available in iTunes for free (as well as Google Play for Android), Triggertrap connects to the OM-D via a dongle designed for the camera that can be purchased online for about $30. Once you've made the connection, you can control the OM-D with the iPhone.

There are more than 15 different modes for the app, everything from a standard remote release to sound trigger and more. I've used Triggertrap with good success for the Live Time mode on the OM-D. It's a terrific app, and the dongle takes up very little room in your bag.

iPad for Digital Photographers

If you love mobile photography like I do, then you'll enjoy iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks versions.

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This week on The Digital Story: Taming Instagram 4, DSLR Movie Making Tips from the Pros, Lowepro Transit Sling for Nimble Photographers - All of this and more in today's photography podcast.

Story #1 - Instagram 4 - Lots of sprucing up with the latest version of Instagram (v 4.0.1) including 15 second video recording, image stabilization, 13 new movie filters, selectable cover frame for videos, and subtle UI refinements.

As a viewer, you might want to go to your Instagram Settings by tapping on your Profile icon, then tap on the Gear icon in the upper right corner. There you can turn off Auto Play Videos so that you're in control of the movies you watch.

As a creator, look for graphically strong content for your videos, and choose the most compelling frame for you cover image. This is what people will see as they scroll through the home page of their Instagram feed.

You can follow my Instagram feed that I post to regularly. I promise not to over use the video capability!

Story #2 - Interview with Louis Ekrem of Laughing Cat Films and Eric Michael Perez of Clicker Video. During this informal chat, we discuss some of the tips that we shared during the recent Movie Making for Photographers workshop that we led on June 15 and 16. We also explain why we think still photography is good training for filmmakers.

Story #3 - The Lowepro Transit Sling 250 AW is an excellent choice for nimble photographers who carry an iPad and shoot with a mirrorless camera or enthusiast DSLR kit. The Transit Sling has the design features of a top camera bag including tripod holder, all weather cover, fast access, discreet good looks, excellent craftsmanship, and versatility. I spend a few minutes discussing my experience with this bag over the last few months.

Reminder! - If you're going to purchase gear through Amazon or B&H Photo, please stop by the TDS home page first. Look for the "Products" box about half way down the page in the second column. There you will see display tiles for Amazon, lynda.com, and B&H Photo, in that order. By entering those sites through those display tiles, you help support The Digital Story.

Listen to the Podcast

In addition to subscribing in iTunes, you can also download the podcast here (35 minutes). You can support this podcast by purchasing the TDS iPhone App for only $2.99 from the Apple App Store.

Monthly Photo Assignment

The June 2013 photo assignment is Stylish.

More Ways to Participate

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

iPad for Digital Photographers

If you love mobile photography like I do, then you'll enjoy iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks versions.

Podcast Sponsors

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

Make Your Photos Sizzle with Color! -- SizzlPix is like High Definition TV for your photography.Special Offer! Anyone buying Derrick's new book, iPad for Digital Photographers, even at Amazon's or Barnes And Noble's discount, and putting the password for the Book Owners lounge in the comments space of their SizzlPix! order, will get 10 percent off their entire order -- the equivalent of more than a full refund for the book!

Need a New Photo Bag? Check out the Lowepro Specialty Store on The Digital Story and use discount code LP20 to save 20% at check out.

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I've been packing the Fujifilm X20 digital camera ($599) since its release earlier this year, and my overriding impression is that it's a photographer's camera. The design, control layout, lens, optical viewfinder, and creative capabilities are for those who love and understand the art of image making.

In my latest TechHive article, Feed your creativity with the Fujifilm X20 compact camera, I talk about using the X20's film simulation mode, in-camera Raw procession, pro focus for soft backgrounds, and infrared. Those happen to be on my list of top creative features of this gem of a compact.

Schulz Museum capture with FujiFilm X20 and an R72 filter. Photos by Derrick Story

My Top 5 Features for Creative Photographers

• In-camera Raw processing - you can shoot your "master files" in Raw, then process them in-camera drawing from the X20's feature set, including all of the film simulation modes and push/pull processing. Save the processed image as a high quality Jpeg and share online immediately (using my mobile workflow that I cover at the end of this post). No muss, no fuss.
• Pro Focus - in the Advanced Settings you have access to the Pro Focus mode that allows you to create soft backgrounds. This is especially helpful for portraits outdoors. It's very clever.
• Film simulation modes - if you've ever shot with Velvia or Provia emulsions, you know how important the subtle qualities in their rendering can be. Now you have that artistic control in the X20. Plus you have B&W film simulation modes too, which are quite beautiful.
• Infrared - some cameras accept the infrared R72 filter better than others. The FujiFilm X20 is one of those cameras. I love shooting infrared B&W with the camera.
• Macro mode - the X20 has an outstanding macro mode that lets you explore the details of your subjects. Getting super close is sometimes the ticket to an exciting shot.

And finally, having an high quality optical viewfinder on a compact camera with a fast f/2-f/2.8 is a photographer's delight.

Currently I'm using it with the Eye-Fi Mobi 16GB SDHC wireless card and sending pictures wirelessly from the X20 to my iPad mini for publishing immediately online. Here's an example from my wanderings yesterday. I used the B&W film simulation mode on the X20, sent the image to the iPad via the Eye-Fi mobi, processed it in iPhoto for iOS, then published the photo directly to Flickr.

iPad for Digital Photographers

If you love mobile photography like I do, then you'll enjoy iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks versions.

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When Instagram announced that it now supports 15-second video clips, I was curious about how this actually worked. The capture part is straight forward. You update your current iOS version to V4.0, tap the video icon in camera mode, hold down the record button, and capture. What happens after that is interesting.

Instagram lets you choose a filter from a new set designed for movies, then publish your video just like you would a still photo. It also saves a copy of the file to your Camera Roll.

An Instagram-captured video being edited in iMovie for iOS.

That file can be used by any app that has access to the Camera Roll, such as iMovie for iOS. What you're working with is a H.264 .MOV file with AAC audio. The size is 640x640 at 30 fps. The audio is single channel at 44.100 KHz.

This could introduce a whole new style of mobile movie making, beyond simply sharing your clips on Instagram itself. Just like the square format in still photography, this look presents a different view of the world compared to 4:3 or 16:9.

In the meantime, it will be interesting to see what Instagram users create with this new functionality.

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Join me on my Instagram site as I explore the world of mobile photography.

The Samsung GC110 Galaxy digital camera does take pictures. But to be honest, I've spent most of my time with it looking at the shots by others.

That's because it features a 4.8" HD Super Clear display that is both huge and gorgeous. Using the Galaxy to browse Flickr and Instagram is a treat for the eyes. Tap the Home button, and you also have access to the entire Web universe including using Chrome for browsing and Gmail.

Under the hood there's Android 4.1 Jellybean controlling a 1.4 GHz quad core processor with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. I've had no problems connecting to networks at home or on the road. Once I do, I have a large screen device with decent horsepower that can serve as either a large smart phone (without cellular) or a small tablet. Take your pick.

In the vertical position, it's not bad to hold because the zoom lens is at the top of the device and out of the way. When horizontally oriented, the Galaxy feels a bit clumsy to me, and I haven't found a comfortable way to hold it. So I'm in portrait mode most of the time.

The LCD is also command central for setting the camera. When you tap the Camera icon, the Mode icon appears on the right side. Tap it, and you're presented with 3 options: Auto, Smart, and Expert. Auto is self-explanatory; the camera takes care of everything. Smart is really your access to scene modes for macro, party, action, etc. For me, Expert is where the action is. Here I can access Program, Aperture Priority, Manual, and Shutter Priority modes to take more control of the camera. All of the usual suspects are located here, including aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation settings.

If you don't mind onscreen camera controls, these are logically placed and easy to use. But this is also where you'll feel that this is a different device. Other than a physical shutter button, zoom ring, and flash pop-up button, the Galaxy behaves more like your smart phone than a camera, albeit it one with a 21X optical zoom lens (35mm film equivalent 23-483mm) with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 on the wide end and f/5.9 on the telephoto side.

And as a camera, it gets the job done, both with 16 MP stills and HD video. It definitely has its quirks, however. For example, the Auto Screen Off control is very aggressive. Two minutes is the longest setting in Auto mode. I realize that the Galaxy has a big screen to power, but I had to turn Auto off all together and take my chances with the screen staying on. There are times when the camera becomes unresponsive. So I would have to go back a menu screen, then return to make the adjustment I wanted. And it does use micro SD (up to 64 GB) to augment its internal 8 GB memory. I know micro SD is the trend in super compacts, but the Galaxy is 5" long!

This all leads to trying to define exactly what the Samsung Galaxy GC110 really is. Since I'm primarily an iOS user (iPhone and iPad), the Galaxy is an opportunity for me to use a modern Android device without having to turn my iOS world upside down. I can test Android apps and see how things look and multiple platforms. It gives me a chance to learn and understand more about the Android ecosystem.

The large LCD is a pleasure to view, performance is good, and the entire Google Play store is available to me. I think that's what I really like about the Galaxy. It's a photography-oriented smart device. Not many smartphones or tablets have a 21X optical zoom lens.

The Samsung GC110 Galaxy digital camera is currently available on Amazon for $449. Since it's WiFi and Bluetooth, no contract is required for connectivity.

iPad for Digital Photographers

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Lightroom 5 has its share of headliner features as well as small improvements. In my Macworld Magazine article, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 presents an impressive and innovative upgrade, I cover the biggies, such as Smart Previews and Upright, as well as my favorite refinements.

The Radial Gradient Tool in Lightroom 5

My most-liked headliners are: Upright (to help straighten buildings and horizons), Radial Gradient (to draw attention to a specific area of the image), and Smart Previews (lossy DNGs that allow you to work offline with the masters at home). As for refinements, I'm thrilled that Adobe finally incorporated a true full screen view of an image (hit the F key).

As for cons, the Slideshow module continues to lag behind the competition. This surprises me considering that Adobe knows how to make great video editing software. And I think that the Library module needs some attention. Lightroom's photo organization isn't nearly as robust as its image editing ability.

Overall, Lightroom 5 is an excellent upgrade for current Lightroom users. Its lens correction abilities and gradient tools are particularly attractive.

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This week on The Digital Story: 3rd Party Camera Batteries, Joby Ballhead X, and Workshops Update. All of this and more on The Digital Story podcast.

Story #1 - 3rd Party Camera Batteries: Are They Worth Buying? I've been testing a variety of 3rd party batteries, including the Premium Tech 2 Pack Battery And Charger Kit For Olympus OM-D E-M5 ($25), Wasabi Power Battery for Canon LP-E6 ($15) for Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 6D, EOS 7D, EOS 60D,and the Power2000 (for the Canon NB-9L in the PowerShot N).

My overall experience has been good with them. In everyday use, I'm noticing comparable performance and drain times. The Wasabi cells for the 60D behave in the camera the same as those made by Canon, including menu status of percentage of power left and battery health. The Premium Tech cells for the OM-D do require their own charger, unlike the Wasabi that uses the standard Canon charger, but other than than perform as well as the original Olympus battery.

With typical cost savings well over half price, I see no reason why not to try the previously mentioned cells, especially for your backup batteries.

Story #2 - Joby Ballhead X - I originally used the Joby Ballhead X ($69) on the Joby Focus flexible tripod. But I liked it so much that I got a second head for the lightweight tripod I use for location work.

Ballhead X is compatible with Arca-Swiss quick release plates, holds up to 11 pounds of camera, is constructed of high quality machined metal, looks great, and includes a separate panning control allowing me to use it for video work. Plus it works great with the $20 Joby UltraPlate. I think it's a great value at $69.

Story #3 - Workshops Update - We had a great time last weekend during the TDS Movie Making for Photographers Workshop covering the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Festival. Upcoming events include the Advanced Workshop for the Big-Q BBQ competition in July, Sonoma Coast Workshop in August, and still a couple seats available for the Fall Photography Workshop on October 20-22. All reservation forms are out for the Fall Photography Workshop, so if you didn't get one, be sure to write me immediately. We're also having the Aperture Intensive Workshop on November 16-17. You can still get on the Reserve List for that one.

Reminder! - If you're going to purchase gear through Amazon or B&H Photo, please stop by the TDS home page first. Look for the "Products" box about half way down the page in the second column. There you will see display tiles for Amazon, lynda.com, and B&H Photo, in that order. By entering those sites through those display tiles, you help support The Digital Story.

Listen to the Podcast

In addition to subscribing in iTunes, you can also download the podcast here (23 minutes). You can support this podcast by purchasing the TDS iPhone App for only $2.99 from the Apple App Store.

Monthly Photo Assignment

The June 2013 photo assignment is Stylish.

More Ways to Participate

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

iPad for Digital Photographers

If you love mobile photography like I do, then you'll enjoy iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks versions.

Podcast Sponsors

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

Make Your Photos Sizzle with Color! -- SizzlPix is like High Definition TV for your photography.Special Offer! Anyone buying Derrick's new book, iPad for Digital Photographers, even at Amazon's or Barnes And Noble's discount, and putting the password for the Book Owners lounge in the comments space of their SizzlPix! order, will get 10 percent off their entire order -- the equivalent of more than a full refund for the book!

Need a New Photo Bag? Check out the Lowepro Specialty Store on The Digital Story and use discount code LP20 to save 20% at check out.

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Fans of the Toshiba FlashAir wireless SD card will be happy to see the Olympus Image Share app back in iTunes for iPhone and iPad.

In my latest book, iPad for Digital Photographers, I recommend Image Share as the easiest way to filter Jpegs from Raws and only upload the Jpegs to your iPad. The app left iTunes for a couple weeks, presumedly while it was being retooled, but now has returned with new features. And most importantly, the old features still work.

If you have an Olympus E-P5, you can now tap the new remote control and geotagging features in the Image Share app. Very nice. Those of us using the FlashAir card don't have access to those features. But we can still wirelessly transfer our photos from the camera to the iOS device.

ShutterSnitch Adds Eye-Fi mobi Support

In related news, the venerable ShutterSnitch app has added support for the Eye-Fi mobi wireless SD card. On first test, I could not get the two talking to each other, even after quitting the Eye-Fi app as instructed by ShutterSnitch. I'll keep testing. Once I get things working, I'll report my findings.

iPad for Digital Photographers

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The Movie Making for Photographers Workshop focused on the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic for its filmmaking subject. We spent portions of both Saturday and Sunday at Keiser Park in Windsor, CA capturing content for our work in Final Cut Pro X.

Close access to the action provided great content for our filmmaking.

The workshop crew then learned the ins and outs of setting up a project in Final Cut Pro X, organizing the vast library of scenes we had recorded, building an effective storyline, massaging audio, and best practices for outputting our finished product. We also covered how to move Final Cut projects from one drive to another and upgrading existing iMovie work to Final Cut X.

Two professional filmmakers joined us as co-instructors, Louis Ekrem of Laughing Cat Films and Eric Michael Perez of Clicker Video, who shared practical ways to tap the movie making functionality of our DSLRs.

Classroom session of TDS Movie Making Workshop. Photo by Eric Perez.

"I'm never going back to iMovie," remarked Ed Shields, one of the workshop photographers. "Once you get your bearings in Final Cut X, it's actually quite logical," added Craig Tooley, who also joined the group.

Balloon photos by Derrick Story.

Having such intimate access to the action at the Hot Air Balloon Festival was so important for our movie making. We were able to show the details of preparation as well as the sweeping big shots during liftoff. We're planning to do this workshop again next year. If you want to improve your movie making skills and witness firsthand the excitement of a hot air balloon festival, make June 2014 on your calendar.

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Join me on my Instagram site as I explore the world of mobile photography.

When Yahoo! released Flickr v2 for iOS, iPhone users had a more appealing experience than their Android counterparts. In late May, that discrepancy was diminished... for the most part.

Flickr for Android brings the visual beauty of the iOS version with much, but not all, of its functionality. Since I'm primarily an iOS user, I couldn't tell if the unevenness was my lack of understanding or Flickr's UI. According to others, such as PCMag.com, it's not me; it's the app.

But those few rough spots could be easily ironed out in future updates. And the app itself is beautiful. Like the iOS version, it has reenergized my enthusiasm for mobile Flickr when using Android.

If you haven't done so already, give the new Flickr for Android a try. And while you're at it, join the Digital Story Public Group. We have a talented community there. And selected images from that public group are featured on the TDS Facebook page as the TDS Member Photo of the Day.

iPad for Digital Photographers

If you love mobile photography like I do, then you'll enjoy iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks versions.

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When I'm working in an urban environment, I want to travel light, have fast access to my equipment, and carry a bag that doesn't scream "camera gear." Lately I've been packing my OM-D kit in the Lowepro Transit Sling 250 AW ($99) and feeling great, even during extended shoots.

The Transit sling has fast side-access allowing me to keep the Olympus OM-D tucked away when on the move, then able to grab it quickly when a shot presents itself. I have plenty of room for spare lenses, flash, an extra body, and snacks. There's a dedicated iPad pocket in the back that fits a 10" tablet or iPad mini. If I need a light tripod or monopod, I can use the tuck-away holder on the side of the bag. And just as importantly, I feel like I blend into the environment when working out of the Transit Sling.

Portrait of Alyssa

I used the Olympus OM-D E-M5 with the excellent Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm/F2.8 lens to create this portrait of Alyssa in the downtown area of Santa Rosa, CA. With the ISO set to 400, I shot at f/2.8 at 1/800th in Aperture Priority mode, exposure compensation set to -1.3. The focal length was set to 35mm. I then processed the image in Aperture 3.4.

Inside the Transit Sling 250 AW

Inside the Transit Sling I pack the OM-D with grip, Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 zoom, Olympus 75mm f/1.8 prime, and the Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens. Also stowed is an Olympus flash, Fujifilm X20 compact camera, filters, cable release, iPad (in the dedicated back pocket) and a snack. In the field, I can upload images directly from the camera to the iPad using a Toshiba FlashAir or Eye-Fi Mobi wireless card.

Regardless if I'm working on location, or processing images on the iPad in a coffee shop, the Tranist Sling 250 protects my gear and doesn't get in the way. I give it a very high nimbleosity rating.

iPad for Digital Photographers

If you love mobile photography like I do, then you'll enjoy iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks versions.

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Great minds thinks alike. In this case it's Canon and DP Review. But I like the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens too. And DP Review just honored it with Gold Award.

In their review, they write: The EF 40mm f/2.8 STM is a fairly unprepossessing little lens, and its tiny size and relatively low price might make you wonder whether significant compromises have been made in its design and construction. But the moment you start shooting with it and looking at the images it produces, any such thoughts rapidly disappear - it's actually a very fine lens.

And I couldn't agree more. When I'm feeling creative and want to just have fun shooting, the 40mm is one of those lenses I reach for. And for $149, how can you go wrong?

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Join me on my Instagram site as I explore the world of mobile photography.

The new Eye-Fi Mobi 16GB SDHC Wireless Memory Card does what I've always wanted an Eye-Fi card to do: easily connect my iOS device to my camera regardless of my location.

Once the card and camera are connected, the images flow from the camera to the iOS device, such as an iPad, where you can edit and share the pictures. The process is relatively simple.

• Insert the card in the camera and power up.
• Download the mobile app at www.eye.fi/mobi and enter the activation code that comes with the card.
• Take a picture with your camera to force the card to begin broadcasting.
• Open the Settings app on the iPad, tap on WiFi, and choose the Eye-Fi card that's in the list of networks.
• Return to the Eye-Fi app and watch the picture being transferred from your camera to the iPad.

In the Eye-Fi app, you can monitor the connection via the status button in the upper left corner. When it's green, the two devices are talking. When it's red, the Eye-Fi card has timed out and stopped broadcasting.

The Eye-Fi app on an iPad mini

This is where the system could use a little refinement. There's no control over how quickly the Eye-Fi card powers down in the camera. As it works out, it's just a couple of minutes. I understand why it does this, to save battery power. But once the card powers down, you have to prod it again to transmit, then go back to Settings on the iPad and log back in to the network.

I would like to have some control over the time period before the card powers down. I found myself having to log in to the card repeatedly, even during a single session of shooting.

Once the images are on the iPad, Eye-Fi creates a Photos Album to manage them. This is very convenient. You can access the Album via the Photos app, iPhoto app, or any other app that can read Albums. I also liked that transfer was swift. My medium-sized Jpegs loaded quickly and were virtually ready for use immediately after capture.

You can set up sharing to Facebook, Twitter, or via email within the Eye-Fi app itself. But since the images are automatically saved to your Camera Roll, you have access to them for publishing using your normal workflow. You can add multiple Eye-Fi Mobi cards to the app, and switch among them as needed. This allows you to have cards in all of your cameras if you wish.

The Eye-Fi Mobi is available in 16 GB ($75) and 8 GB ($50) capacities. Both versions are rated at a speedy Class 10. I anticipate refinements in how we can control the card's power management. But even in this first release, the Mobi is one of the best wireless card options currently available. Both versions are available on Amazon.com

iPad for Digital Photographers

This is the kind of stuff I write about in iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks format.

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This week on The Digital Story: Samsung Galaxy Camera, Eye-Fi Mobi, and the Olympus 75mm f/1.8 lens. All of this and more on The Digital Story podcast.

Story #1 - Samsung GC110 Galaxy Digital Camera - I've been testing this Android-based (4.1 Jellybean) 16MP camera with 21X optical zoom with 23mm on the wide end.

The Samsung Galaxy also sports a 1.4 GHz quad core processor, giant 4.8" LCD, and WiFi (no cellular with the GC110 model). It's selling on Amazon for $449. That's an investment for a compact camera that's on the large size. So what do you get for your money? I'll go into some detail about that.

Story #2 - The Eye-Fi Mobi 16GB SDHC Class 10 Wireless Memory Card addresses one of my biggest complaints about Eye-Fi cards, lack of easy direct connect. With the Mobi, and the iOS app for my iPad mini, I can shoot with any SD card compatible camera and have the images stream to the iPad.

The Mobi has some nice features that help with energy management and picture organization. The 16 GB SDHC model (class 10) is currently selling on Amazon for $75. I think it's worth it. And I'll discuss why in the second story.

Story #3 - The Olympus 75mm f1.8 Lens is now available in black. Yaay! I've been shooting with this beauty for a week now, and I have first impressions to share.

Reminder! - If you're going to purchase gear through Amazon or B&H Photo, please stop by the TDS home page first. Look for the "Products" box about half way down the page in the second column. There you will see display tiles for Amazon, lynda.com, and B&H Photo, in that order. By entering those sites through those display tiles, you help support The Digital Story.

Listen to the Podcast

You can also download the podcast here (32 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

The June 2013 photo assignment is Stylish.

More Ways to Participate

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

iPad for Digital Photographers

If you love mobile photography like I do, then you'll enjoy iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks versions.

Podcast Sponsors

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

Make Your Photos Sizzle with Color! -- SizzlPix is like High Definition TV for your photography.Special Offer! Anyone buying Derrick's new book, iPad for Digital Photographers, even at Amazon's or Barnes And Noble's discount, and putting the password for the Book Owners lounge in the comments space of their SizzlPix! order, will get 10 percent off their entire order -- the equivalent of more than a full refund for the book!

Need a New Photo Bag? Check out the Lowepro Specialty Store on The Digital Story and use discount code LP20 to save 20% at check out.

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Even though there are more than 50 new features in Lightroom 5, there are three in particular that I like. First, we finally have a true full screen preview mode. Now, when I press the "F" key, I get what I've always wanted.

Second, when using the Spot Removal tool, there's an option at the bottom of the screen called Visualize Spots. By checking the box, Lightroom creates a mask that makes it easy to see any flaws that I might want to remove.

Using "Visualize Spots" I can easily see areas that I might want to remove.

And third, the Upright tool, found in the Lens Corrections box, is terrific. It straightens out those lines making the buildings look less distorted. I've tested it with a series of architecture shots, and it has improved the image 9 out of 10 times. More often than not, using Auto mode for Upright is all you need.

Lightroom 5 is available now for download ($79 for upgrade, $149 for new users) and is part of Adobe Creative Cloud.

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Join me on my Instagram site as I explore the world of mobile photography.

With RAW Compatibility Update 4.06, your Mac (Aperture, iPhoto, and Preview) now supports the following new cameras:

• Canon EOS-1D C
• Canon EOS Rebel SL1 / 100D / Kiss X7
• Canon EOS Rebel T5i / 700D / Kiss X7i
• Hasselblad Lunar
• Nikon COOLPIX A
• Nikon D7100
• Nikon 1 J3
• Nikon 1 S1
• Sony Alpha NEX-3N

The update is for Mountain Lion (Mac OS X 10.8) users.

Use Aperture and iPhoto Together!

To learn about using Aperture and iPhoto together, visit my Using iPhoto and Aperture Together 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.

They hardly take up any space in your camera bag, yet they're often left behind. The cable release allows you to trip the shutter without jarring the camera, enabling you to capture sharper images.

Nikon "traditional" cable release on a Fujifilm X20

For my Fujifilm X20, I'm using the wonderful (and affordable) Nikon AR-3 Mechanical Release that's 12" long and runs $16.95. For all of my other cameras, I'm using the mandatory electronic releases.

I recommend always having one release for one camera in your bag. For night photography, low-light mood shots, and product work, they really come in handy.

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iPad for Digital Photographers

If you love mobile photography like I do, then you'll enjoy iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks versions.

The ability to create soft backgrounds is important for pros and serious enthusiasts. Some have shied away from micro four thirds cameras, such as the Olympus OM-D because its sensor is smaller than full frame or APS-C -- an important factor in creating soft backgrounds.

But the lens you put on the camera can help with this cause. And some lenses do an admirable job of providing us with creamy bokeh, while still lightening the load on our shoulders. An excellent example is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8 ($899 and now available in black as well as silver).

Cactus with Olympus 75mm at f/1.8, ISO 200

The Olympus 75mm has a quality that provides for high sharpness where the lens is focused, but falls off quickly creating a very appealing background. You can see from the image above, that fall off begins with the cactus in the back. Notice how smooth the green area is in the lower left of the frame.

The all metal Olympus 75mm is compact (2.7 x 2.5") and weighs a very reasonable 10.7oz. Its silent focusing also makes it a good choice for video work. I'll show you how it works for portraits in a future post.

Take a look at the Olympus Micro Four Thirds Gear Guide for an overview of cameras, lenses, and accessories.

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When our computers start acting doggie, we close down our apps and restart. Do you ever do that with your iPad? According to experts, it can help with misbehaving apps, but isn't necessary as a general maintenance procedure.

Closing apps on your iPad.

Shutting down a misbehaving app is easy, First double-press the Home button, then tap and hold on any of the apps that appear at the bottom of the screen. They will start to wiggle and display a red "-" button in the upper left corner. Tap on the red "-" button to close an app.

When you first do this, you might be surprised at how many apps you actually see on the task bar. Most of them are in a suspended state and not using resources. Once you've shut down any misbehaving apps, press the Home button once to stop the wiggling. Then press it again to return to normal working mode.

Now hold down the Power button until you get the "slide to power off" message. Go ahead and power down. After a few seconds, press the power button again to restart the device.

You've now essentially rebooted your iPad. Check your Settings to ensure you're connected to the correct WiFi network, then get back to work!

Follow Up Note - A few readers have interpreted that I'm suggesting that you close down all of your apps to improve performance or to conserve battery power. That's not my intention. The apps you see on the task bar in the App Switcher are the apps that have been open, but not necessarily open at the moment.

I usually only shut down apps that are misbehaving while I'm using them. And yes, I do restart afterwards. I am amazed at how many apps appear in the App Switcher when I do that. (I've apparently been doing a lot of stuff.) And I do notice improved performance when I remove a rogue app from the task bar and restart. The main point is sharing how to do so if needed.

iPad for Digital Photographers

This is the kind of stuff I write about in iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks format.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

This week on The Digital Story: Aperture on your iPad and a Lightroom 5 preview with Chris Orwig. All of this and more on The Digital Story podcast.

Story #1 - Serving Up Aperture on Your iPad - You can browse your entire Aperture library on an iPad, and even grab the photos you need, using the iOS app Plex ($4.99) and the free Plex Media Server for your Mac.

This clever software provides a variety of streaming options for photos, music, and movies. But it can also peer directly into your Aperture or iPhoto library, and serve up organized content on to your iOS device. I talk about it in the first story this week.

Story #2 - An Interview with Chris Orwig about Lightroom 5. I cornered Chris while working at lynda.com to discuss the upcoming release of Lightroom 5. Chris is a Lightroom expert, and had plenty to say about the new release.

Reminder! - If you're going to purchase gear through Amazon or B&H Photo, please stop by the TDS home page first. Look for the "Products" box about half way down the page in the second column. There you will see display tiles for Amazon, lynda.com, and B&H Photo, in that order. By entering those sites through those display tiles, you help support The Digital Story.

Listen to the Podcast

You can also download the podcast here (38 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

The June 2013 photo assignment is Stylish.

More Ways to Participate

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

iPad for Digital Photographers

If you love mobile photography like I do, then you'll enjoy iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks versions.

Podcast Sponsors

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

Make Your Photos Sizzle with Color! -- SizzlPix is like High Definition TV for your photography.Special Offer! Anyone buying Derrick's new book, iPad for Digital Photographers, even at Amazon's or Barnes And Noble's discount, and putting the password for the Book Owners lounge in the comments space of their SizzlPix! order, will get 10 percent off their entire order -- the equivalent of more than a full refund for the book!

Need a New Photo Bag? Check out the Lowepro Specialty Store on The Digital Story and use discount code LP20 to save 20% at check out.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

Can you shoot quality natural light portraits with a standard zoom lens? I recently put the Sigma 17-70mm f/ 2.8-4 Contemporary zoom to the test during a photo session to see what kind of results we could produce together.

Because it is a general purpose zoom, I've been using the Sigma 17-70mm for a variety of tasks, including close up photography work that I wrote about in the post Macro Mode on Sigma's 17-70mm Enthusiast Zoom. The lens is also getting pretty good marks on the optical bench, such as this review at SLRGear.com. But natural light portrait photography is its own beast. It tests an optic in different ways that outside in broad daylight.

Sigma 17-70mm on Canon 60D, ISO 1600 for this existing light portrait. f/3.5 at 1/125th. Photo by Derrick Story. Click on image for larger version.

One of the aspects of the lens that I found helpful for portrait photography was its relatively fast maximum aperture (f/2.8-f/4), especially for a standard zoom that costs $499. In this series of images, I used natural light in aperture priority mode, keeping the lens wide open. Its optical image stabilization allowed me to drop to longer shutter speeds if necessary.

Sigma 17-70mm on Canon 60D, ISO 1600 for this existing light portrait. f/3.5 at 1/200th. Photo by Derrick Story. Click on image for larger version.

Autofocusing was fast and accurate, even in this dimly lit environment. The lens balances well on the Canon 60D, making the combination very comfortable to hold, even on extended shoots. Already, after just a couple months of testing the Sigma, I have a lot of confidence in the shots it will help me produce.

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Join me on my Instagram site as I explore the world of mobile photography.

You can browse your entire Aperture library on an iPad, and even grab the photos you need, using the iOS app Plex ($4.99) and the free Plex Media Server for your Mac.

This clever software provides a variety of streaming options for photos, music, and movies. But it can also peer directly into your Aperture or iPhoto library, and serve up organized content on to your iOS device.

The setup for Plex is literally a short series of clicks. You install the iOS app on your iPad. Download and launch the server on your Internet-connected Mac. Then you create an account on myPlex that enables remote access.

Aperture projects listed on an iPad

If you have Aperture or iPhoto loaded on the computer that's acting as the server, those channels are automatically added to your Plex library. Once enabled, you can browse your Aperture library on your local area network, or even remotely via the Internet.

Image captured off a Retina Display iPad via Plex using the system described in the article and applied here. (Click on photo to view full size.)

When you find a picture you want to save to your iPad, simply take a screenshot of it while in full screen mode (press the Home and Power buttons at the same time). Because of the high resolution of the Retina display on an iPad 3 or 4, the captured image will be 2048 x 1536 pixels - more than enough for sharing on Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, and blogs.

Plex is incredibly easy to use and performs quite well. It taps the preview files in your Aperture library. In my case, I have a older MacBook Pro laptop running at my studio with an archive Aperture library on it. If I need an image, let's say from 2010, I can browse the library on my iPad, capture the photo, and share as needed. Via this system, I have access to my Aperture library... anywhere.

Plex + Aperture is quite amazing.

Follow Up Note - Plex posted an update to the iOS app, v.3.2.1, that added a Save button in the upper right corner that allows you to save images from your Aperture library to your Camera Roll.

iPad for Digital Photographers

This is the kind of stuff I write about in iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks format.

Aperture Tips and Techniques

To learn more about Aperture, check out my Aperture 3.3 Essential Training (2012) 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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For the April 2013 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters captured the glory of manmade structures. See for yourself in our gallery, Architecture. And which one will be the SizzlPix Photo Assignment Pick of the Month?

"It's a cracking new building with lots of lovely lines and materials," writes Matthew Jeanes. "It was my first time chasing the light. I was there at 4:30 and took this one at about 4:50 am. I love the reflection of the rising sun in the glass and the warm tones on the skin of the building." See all of the great images from this month's assignment by visiting the Architecture gallery page.

Participate in This Month's Assignment

The June 2013 assignment is "Stylish." Details can be found on the Member Participation page. Deadline is June, 2013. No limit on image size submitted.

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 this month's assignment should be: "Photo Assignment: June 2013." 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.

Gallery posting is one month behind the deadline. So I'm posting April 2013 at the end of May., the May gallery will be posted at the end of June, and on and on.

Good luck with your June assignment, and congratulations to all of the fine contributors for April.

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iPad for Digital Photographers

If you love mobile photography like I do, then you'll enjoy iPad for Digital Photographers-- now available in print, Kindle, and iBooks versions.