For the November 2013 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters demonstrated their bravery while capturing these compelling portraits of four (or six) legged beasts. See for yourself in our gallery, Critters. And which one will be the SizzlPix Photo Assignment Pick of the Month?

"This little 'Critter' was shot during a photo excursion to Costa Rica," writes Don Zwicker. "I used a relatively short depth of field to isolate the frog in the image, while still capturing it in its natural environment." See all of the great images from this month's assignment by visiting the Critters gallery page.

Participate in This Month's Assignment

The Jan. 2014 assignment is "White." Details can be found on the Member Participation page. Deadline is Jan. 31, 2014. 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: Jan 2014." 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 Nov. 2013 at the end of Dec., the Dec. gallery will be posted at the end of Jan., and on and on.

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

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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.

This week on The Digital Story photography podcast: Top 10 Photo products of 2013; Nimbleosity Report - Hands on with the Olympus FL-300R electronic flash; Photo Help Desk: Exposure tips for mini studio product shots - All of this and more on today's show with Derrick Story.

Story #1 - Favorite products of 2013. It's been a great year for photo related tools. Certainly, however, a few standout as the best. Here are my personal award winners.

• Sony a7R full-frame 36.3 MP Interchangeable digital camera
• Canon EOS 70D 20.2 MP DSLR camera
• Apple iPad mini with Retina display
• Olympus M.ZUIKO 75mm f1.8 (Black) Lens
• Lowepro Urban Reporter 150 camera bag
• Fujifilm X20 12 MP digital camera
• Apple iPhone 5S
• Pentax K-3 DSLR 24MP camera
• Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM zoom lens for APS-C DSLRs
• Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GM1 Compact System Camera with 12-32mm silver lens

Story #2 - The Nimbleosity Report (www.thenimblephotographer.com): Hands on with the Olympus FL-300R compact flash. I used flash for the first time to cover my parents 60th wedding anniversary event at my sister's house in Huntington Beach California. Over the course of the day, I did both the bounce flash and direct flash with this little unit. I cover how it performed in the second segment of today show.

Story #3 - From the Photo Help Desk (www.photohelpdesk.com): Exposure tips for mini studio product shots. Collapsible many studios are great for small product shots. But sometimes those bright white backgrounds fool your camera's exposure meter, creating the old gray backgrounds instead of white ones. Here's how to clean things up in the third segment of today show.

Photo Assignment News

Photo Assignment for January 2014 is White.

BTW: If you're ordering through B&H or Amazon, please click on the respective ad tile under the Products header in the box half way down the 2nd column on thedigitalstory.com. That helps support the site.

Listen to the Podcast

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

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.

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At first, you wouldn't think that the iPhone would be a good portrait camera. Its lens is wide with no optical zoom. The LED flash is too weak for outdoor fill. And it doesn't come with a tripod mount.

And yet, you can capture surprisingly good portraiture with it... including selfies that look much better than the typical Instagram snaps.

In my latest Macworld Magazine article, How to shoot the best portraits with your iPhone, I share a half dozen proven tips for improving your people shots, including using your car window shade as a reflector. If you're toting an iPhone, you might want to check these out.

The iPhone has a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

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I'm traveling again, so that's the subject of today's The Nimble Photographer Journal entry, Notes from the Road.

And on Photo Help Desk, we help Barry control the tone of his mini-studio backdrop in the post, My White Has Turned Gray.

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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.

Celebrating the New Year typically involves good things to eat and drink. It's also a great time to capture ambiance images that go beyond the whacky portraits at the strike of midnight. So don't forget the food shots!

I usually start with an overview, such as the image above, then start to work closer on the individual offerings. Existing light food shots can be quite artistic. But you'll probably need to use a flash some too. I find that bounce flash is perfect for many of these subjects.

Then, once the party is over, send you favorite food shot or two to the chef or hostess with a thank you for the great evening. They will appreciate your artistry and consideration.

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

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When you see the Olympus FL-300R compact flash on a catalog page, it looks very tempting - especially for th modest $139 investment (modest in the world of flash photography). But does this wireless unit perform? I decided to put it through its paces with an Olympus OM-D E-M5 and E-M1.

Things I Liked

• Very compact and light. Uses 2 AAA batteries
• Tilts back for bounce flash and forward for macro
• Wireless capability with 2 channels
• Built-in diffuser panel that's effective
• Flash folds forward to stay out of the way when not in use
• Easy to operate
• Comes with protective pouch and off-camera stand

Things I Didn't Like as Much

• Can't use EVF in bounce position. Must use LCD for composition
• Only angles 60 degrees backwards, instead of full 90 degrees
• Flash can only be fired 10 times in succession at intervals of 6 seconds

The FL-300R On Camera

I liked that the flash slides directly into the hot shoe and doesn't require you to reveal the Accessory Port. I used Philips MultiLife 1000mah rechargeable AAA batteries to power the unit. The flash was ready for action just a few seconds after pushing the On/Off button, and it recharged quickly between firings.

Exposures were good on both the E-M5 and E-M1. I discovered that what is advertised as a Wide Panel (its switch is on the side of the FL-300R) is also an excellent built-in diffuser. When enabled, it lowered the contrast and softened shadows. I especially recommend it when working close to subjects. When in bounce position, however, don't use the wide panel setting because it does cut output a bit.

The FL-300R Off Camera

Even though the FL-300R is definitely an upgrade from the accessory popup flash that comes with the OM-D, don't toss it out. You'll need the pop-up to serve as the wireless controller for the FL-300R.

Once the popup is in place and the camera is fired up, all you have to do is move the RC switch on the back of the FL-300R to "A" and enable RC Mode in Menu 2 on the camera. Wireless performance was quite good, and it adds another dimension to your flash photography options.

You can hold the flash in your hand for on-the-go off-camera flash. Or you can use the supplied stand to position it on a table or shelf. The stand includes a threaded socket, so it can serve as an adapter for a light stand or tripod too.

The Final Word

Because of its capabilities and compact size, I do recommend the Olympus FL-300R Compact Flash for casual flash photography. It's not powerful enough for serious event coverage, but when you need to cobble together a quick lighting setup for a portrait or family gathering, you'll be happy to have this compact unit in your bag.

This product has a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

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This week on The Digital Story photography podcast: 5 holiday photo tips; on the Nimbleosity Report - Testing the new version of Camera+ for the iPhone; from the Photo Help Desk: long exposures - All of this and more on today's show with Derrick Story.

Story #1 - 5 Holiday Photo Tips - If you're lucky enough to be able to spend time with family and friends during the holidays, here are a few photo tips to keep in mind.

• Think portraits as well as activities. Yes, it's fun to photograph Uncle Bill opening his present, but get a portrait too. In the coming years, those informal, environmental candids will become more valuable.
• Reduce flash exposure. Most cameras emit too much flash indoors. Go to Flash Exposure Compensation and set it to -2/3 or even -1. Then increase your ISO to 400 or 800 to reduce dependency on the flash.
• Get a group shot. Yes, everyone will moan and groan. But group shots tell a big story in just a single frame.It's worth your while to set one up.
• Photograph food and decorations. Be sure to capture the food table before everyone digs in. Keep an eye out for decorations and place settings.
• Share your images. The more people in the family that you share pictures with, the better the chances they will survive the decades. Believe it or not, sending email attachments are often the most effective because the recipients don't have to do anything to receive them.

Story #2 - The Nimbleosity Report (www.thenimblephotographer.com): Camera+ for iPhone - There are many good camera apps for the iPhone. And the latest version of Camera+ should be counted among the best of them. Here's why it's one of my favorites.

Story #3 - From the Photo Help Desk (www.photohelpdesk.com): Holidays are a great time of year for long exposures. Be sure to pack a micro tripod in your kit. If your camera has built-in WiFi, you may be able to trip the shutter using a companion app on your iOS or Android device. If not, remember that the self-timer can serve as safe way to initiate the exposure without jarring the camera. And don't forget to keep the ISO low for long exposures...

Photo Assignment for December is High ISO.

BTW: If you're ordering through B&H or Amazon, please click on the respective ad tile under the Products header in the box half way down the 2nd column on thedigitalstory.com. That helps support the site.

Listen to the Podcast

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

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.

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You don't have to be an industry guru to know that the Sony Alpha a7R full frame mirrorless camera is disruptive technology. The feat of bringing large sensor photography to a diminutive camera is impressive.

Now that the a7 and a7R are available, where do we go from here? Do we sell all of our existing gear and jump on the bandwagon? Do all enthusiast photographers really need a full frame camera? I've recently read two excellent articles that help put this disruption into perspective.

Michael Reichmann, whom I met on a shoot in Iceland, published the essay, The Full Frame Myth. He writes:

"But Full Frame has now become a moving target, and Sony has just seriously moved the goal posts - to mix a couple of metaphors. Up until the release of the Sony A7 and A7r in late 2013 it would have been safe to say, or write, that the compromise for Full Frame's higher resolution was larger, bulkier bodies and also larger, heavier lenses. But the new Sonys knock that postulate into a cocked hat. These cameras are in fact as small and as light as some MFT cameras, let alone APS-C models."

Michael manages to put the Sony a7R in perspective while still acknowledging the excellence of other top cameras in the APS-C and Micro Four Thirds format. It's a good piece and worth the time to read it.

I also liked Roger Cicala's A Bit of A7R Sanity. He states, "The camera does some things very well at an excellent price. That will be enough to assure some people will learn how to work around those limitations. In another month or two the screaming will die down and some people will be using the camera regularly and making superb images with it. Because it's fully capable of making superb images. It's never going to work for action photography. It may (or may not) be a great walk around camera. But it will do certain things better than any camera out there at a price that's going to attract a lot of attention."

Roger is very practical in his evaluation of the a7's potential impact on the industry. And both his post and the essay by Michael Reichmann helped me sort out this situation in my head.

I'm one of those guys who doesn't need to shoot full frame all of the time. And when I do, I have my Canon and its arsenal of lenses. The rest of the time, I'm fine with APS-C and Micro Four Thirds sensors. So I don't need to start saving for the Sony a7R.

But your situation may be different. And reading these two articles will hopefully help you sort things out.

PS: the proper labeling of the camera is: Sony a7R.

This Sony a7R has a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

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After using Loom for a week to backup photos from my iPhone and iPad mini, I give the service high marks.

I particularly like using the iOS version of Loom. It's easy to navigate and create folders for organization.

The Timeline at the top of the organization panel shows all of your pictures in chronological order. Below that, each of your devices are listed where you can see the photos residing in each of them.

Then, there are the albums. You can create a new album and add virtual copies of pictures to it. I've created my usual Animals, People, Places, and Things collections. When 2014 rolls around, I'll create categories for the new year too.

As for the Web interface, I still haven't warmed up to it. Sharing images has been a challenge, and overall performance is clunky. It's almost as if the designers tried to port the iOS app to the computer browser. My hope would be that they revisit the web interface with fresh eyes.

Aside from that nit, I would say that I'm quite pleased with my first week of using Loom. If you need to augment your mobile photography backup solution, it's worth a look.

This product has a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

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The engineers at Flickr have been busy elves this season, and one of their latest goodies is the overhauled "embed" option for your photos. This is part of the new "photo experience" that's in beta. Unfortunately, for some sites, such as my Movabletype blog, it doesn't work.

To get to this option while viewing your photo (in the new experience), click on the Share icon, then click on the Embed graphic. You'll be presented with a variety of sizes as shown above.

Flickr cites in their blog post on the topic, "your photos and videos are displayed with their full title and your Flickr name, embed feature is only available for publicly shared photos, and embeds are contextual and interactive."

My advice is to sit tight for a bit and let them work out the bugs in the new code. In the meantime, you can opt-out of the new experience and use the old embed code.

Flickr Essential Training 2013 - I explore the entire Flickr universe, mobile and computer, in my lynda.com title, Flickr Essential Training. Stop by and take a look.

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The folks at Tap tap tap have just released Camera+ 5 for the iPhone ($1.99) with plenty of updates, including The Lab.

Not only is Camera+ a terrific app for capturing images with your iPhone (or iPad), but The Lab adds some dynamite features worthy of your attention.

• Clarity Pro
• Tint
• Soft Focus
• Film Grain
• Temperature
• Highlights and Shadows
• Vignette
• And many more...

I just gave the app a run-through from start to finish for this image of my Lowepro Urban Reporter 150 that I posted on Instagram.

When capturing the image, I took advantage of Camera+ controls such as image stabilization and self timer (I was holding a reflector in my other hand). In The Lab, I added a bit of Clarity, recovered some highlights, and used just a bit of vignette to draw the eye to the center of the frame. Capture, processing, and sharing all accomplished on the iPhone 5S.

If you're looking for a new camera app to help you expand your iPhone photography, I would certainly consider this latest version of Camera+. For existing users, the upgrade is free.

This product has a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

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We knew it was coming; just not sure when. Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 5.02 adds Raw processing for five cameras - all of them important: Nikon D5300, Nikon Df, Olympus OM-D E-M1, Sony Alpha 7, and Sony Alpha 7R.

My approach while waiting for such updates is to shoot Raw+Jpeg with a new camera. I upload both to Aperture, and work with the Jpegs until the new Raw processing is available. I keep the two formats in separate albums. Until the Raw processing is available, my thumbnails for the unsupported files look like this.

Once the update is applied, I go to the Adjustments tab in the Inspector, and click on any thumbnail. Aperture will process the file and present me with an image. I can use the right and left arrow keys to move through the images quickly and display the updates.

As for the Raw processing itself, it seemed very good for my OM-D E-M1 files. Initial previews looked spot on, highlight and shadow recovery was smooth, color was pleasing, and all controls behaved as I would anticipate.

If you're a Mac OS X Mavericks user, the update should be applied automatically. If not, you can download it here.

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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This week on The Digital Story photography podcast: Lightroom 5.3 Goodies, especially for those with new cameras; Nimbleosity Report - Automated Backup of Your Mobile Photos with Loom; Photo Help Desk: Car Windshield Shade Portrait Reflector - All of this and more on today's show with Derrick Story.

Story #1 - Photographers who have upgraded to the Olympus OM-D E-M1, Olympus Stylus 1, Nikon Df, or Pentax K-3 should be interested in the latest Lightroom update, version 5.3. Not only is there Raw support for these cameras, Adobe has also added:

• Tethered capture for Canon EOS Rebel T4i / EOS 650D / EOS Kiss X6i
• New Lens Profile Support for 19 new lenses, including a boatload of Sony glass
• Added Camera Matching color profiles (Natural, Muted, Portrait, Vivid) for Olympus cameras

Plus lots and lots of bug fixes. I talk about this substantial update in today's top story. (More information about the Lightroom 5.3 release is here).

Story #2 - On the Nimbleosity Report - Automated Backup of Your Mobile Photos with Loom. Now that Everpix is just a fond memory, I needed to find a robust backup solution for my iPhone and iPad pictures. I've been testing Loom, and I think it has potential.

One of Loom's most appealing features is the ability to create albums and move pictures into them. This really helps with organization. You can even create nested albums, but the procedure gets a bit more tricky doing this.

The Mac and iOS apps seem solid, you get 5GBs of storage for free, and you can increase your allotment to 50GBs for $3.99 a month or 250GBs for $9.99 a month. If you pay yearly, you can save: $39.99 and $99.99 respectively.

I think it's important to begin 2014 with a solid mobile backup solution, and I discuss the potential with Loom in the second segment.

Story #3 - From the Photo Help Desk: Car Windshield Shade Portrait Reflector. We might not always have our disc reflectors on us, but chances are you have a windshield shade in your car. Here's how it can save the day for a portrait shoot.

Listen to the Podcast

In addition to subscribing in iTunes, you can also download the podcast file here (31 minutes). You can support this podcast by purchasing the TDS iPhone App for only $2.99 from the Apple App Store.

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.

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.

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High school yearbook portraits are generally a mechanical process. With lots of students to photograph, and not much time to do it, it's understandable why the process can become a bit impersonal.

According to the students I've talked to, they get one shot in front of the photographer. There might be a second exposure if something went terribly wrong with the first. Otherwise, that's it. Next.

If your child decides that he or she doesn't like the image that was captured, offer to give them a second chance. After all, this is a photo they have to live with for a long time.

As photographers, we shoot portraits regularly. Yearbook shots are among the easiest to do. Simply look at the image that was supplied by the official photographer, find a comparable backdrop, and shoot a series of images.

That's right: a series.

Along the way, show the pictures you've already recorded to the subject. Ask which ones they like the best. Then shoot another series working that pose and expression. After just 15 or 20 minutes, you'll have a happy high school student, and you've put your skills to work for your family.

Aperture Tips and Techniques

If you have questions about portrait retouching in Aperture, or how to adjust the background color, take a look at Portrait Retouching with Aperture. You may want to check out my other Aperture titles, including Aperture 3.3 Essential Training (2012), Using iPhoto and Aperture Together, and the latest, Enhancing Product Photography with Aperture. 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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My appreciation of the new Olympus OM-D E-M1 increased over the last three days while shooting a high school basketball tournament. I relied on the fast 75mm f/1.8 lens for the bulk of the action, and I have to say, I very much enjoyed this tandem.

I would shoot the first half on the side of the court, usually from the first or second row of the stands. Then move to the end court for the second half. This provides a nice variety of angles. The tip off here, for example, was captured at 1/500th, f/1.8, ISO 1600. I then processed the Raw file in Lightroom 5.3

Speaking of Raw, the E-M1 did not bog down at all while shooting burst mode, even when I was capturing in Raw+Jpeg. This is one of its big improvements over its sibling, the E-M5. The fast processing combined with the swift autofocus makes the E-M1 the best micro four thirds camera, that I've shot with, for sporting events.

The lightness of my kit was also a big factor. I used the Lowepro Urban Reporter 150 all three days of the tournament. I was able to keep the bag on my shoulder the entire time. Not once did I feel tired or experience the need to set the bag down.

We've known for some time that micro four thirds cameras and lenses are good for travel and street photography. But this latest iteration of the OM-D is a serious action camera too.

This camera kit has a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

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Olympus Raw shooters have a new goodie under the Christmas tree: camera color profiles. I saw this note on DP Review and tested it myself. We're no longer limited to the standard Adobe color profiles for our Raw processing.

You can find the profiles under Camera Calibration in the Develop module. Cycling through them provides you with different interpretations of the image. Choose the one you like best as a starting point, then finish off the photo with your favorite editing tools.

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

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Adobe officially released Lightroom 5.3 that includes Raw processing for 20 new cameras. This is great news for Olympus OM-D E-M1 owners who haven't had many options for processing their .ORF files.

I did some testing this morning with Raw files from the E-M1 in Lightroom 5.3. The default profile by Adobe is comparable to the previews presented by Olympus Viewer 2. Editing tasks, such as recovering highlights and shadows also went well.

I do note that highlight recovery didn't seem as smooth (graduated) as with some of my other cameras, such as .CR2 files from Canon. In some ways, it felt more like trying to recover highlights from a Jpeg than a Raw file. This could have been just my eyes today (not enough coffee?), and I'm going to continue to test highlight recovery with OM-D E-M1 files. I will post an update if I discover something new.

Other areas, such as color and sharpness, responded well to the editing tools in Lightroom 5.3. And at the moment, I would say that this app is your best option for Raw processing if you shoot with the Olympus OM-D E-M1.

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PhotoHelpDesk.com is a down-to-earth resource for curious minded photographers. Submit your questions, and we'll post an answer.

One of the most popular tricks used by event photographers is to turn on the flash for outdoor portraits. I've used this successfully with DSLRs and compacts. But do you get the same magical benefit from the LED "flash" on the iPhone 5S?

Kathleen and I decided to test this during an assignment photo shoot today. First, I posed her against a bright background and turned on the iPhone flash. As you can see, she was wildly underexposed. With any of my standard cameras, this image would have turned out great.

Then I changed directions and used a shaded area as the background. I wanted to see if the LED could provide any benefit in this type of lighting. We shot with the fill flash on (left), and with the flash turned off (right).

Fill flash on (left); off (right)

At first I didn't think the flash was making much difference. But later, when I had a chance to compare the images on my Mac, I could see some of the benefits of the LEDs. The skin tones were warmer, eyes brighter, and overall, more glow.

Bottom line is this: with bright, contrasty backgrounds, your iPhone fill flash is like a pea shooter at a bazooka range. But when both subject and background are in open shade, it's worth turning on. Give it a try.

The iPhone has a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

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This week on The Digital Story photography podcast: Organizing your 2013 photo library (and preparing for 2014); Nimbleosity Report - Canon PowerShot S110 (great deal on a super camera); Photo Help Desk: the Ziploc bag trick - All of this and more on today's show with Derrick Story.

Story #1 - Over the course of the year, it's very easy to let your photo library become a bit messy. Now that we're nearing the end of 2013, this is a great time to tidy up your image collection and prepare for the coming year.

Story #2 - The Canon PowerShot S110 Digital Camera is currently available for $219. Check out these features:

• 12.1MP Resolution 1/1.7" CMOS Sensor
• 24-120mm UA Lens (f/2.0 at wide angle)
• 3.0" PureColor Touch Screen LCD Display
• DIGIC 5 Image Processor, Intelligent IS, High Speed AF
• Full HD 1080p Video with Stereo Sound
• ISO 12800, ND filter, and Multi-Aspect Ratio RAW
• Smart AUTO, Movie Digest and WiFi
• HDR, electronic level HDMI out, and copyright imprinting
• Weighs 6.1 ounces and is less than 4" wide

I talk about why I think this is a can't-miss deal for nimble photographers looking for a super compact camera.

Story #3 - It's that time of year to put a Ziploc bag in your camera kit. I explain why in the third segment of the show.

Photo Assignment News

Photo Assignment for November is High ISO.

And we have three new winners for the SizzlPix Pick of the Month: August 2013 - Street Scene - Dominick Chiuchiolo; September 2013 - Grab Shot - Michael Fairbanks; and October 2013 - My House is My Castle - Keith Hartman.

For The Digital Story Virtual Camera Club members ... if you'd like additional copies of for gifts, or SizzlPix! of any other of your images to make spectacular, amazing holiday gifts, order any two SizzlPix! to be shipped together, and we'll give you 25% off on the second one! Order any size up to a mind-boggling 48 by 72" Imagine -- six feet! and no sacrifice in resolution, luminance, and impact. Just put "TDS " in the comments space on the sizzlpix.com order page. Of course, you may apply the discount to any number of pairs. And free shipping to any US mainland address.

BTW: If you're ordering through B&H or Amazon, please click on the respective ad tile under the Products header in the box half way down the 2nd column on thedigitalstory.com. That helps support the site.

Listen to the Podcast

In addition to subscribing in iTunes, you can also download the podcast file here (34 minutes). You can support this podcast by purchasing the TDS iPhone App for only $2.99 from the Apple App Store.

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.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

For one week, beginning today, you can receive free shipping on the following Nimble Photographer Gift Sets. Use coupon code: freeshipping

• Water Bottle Gift Set $39.95 - includes a 26-ounce Stainless Steel water bottle, Wenger gift box, D-Ring attachment, the embroidered Walking Man Shoulder Bag (yes, the water bottle fits inside!, two artisan holiday gift cards with blank interior, and a holiday gift bag.



• Walking Man Cap and Shoulder Bag Gift Set (Navy cap) $49.95 - includes the Walking Man Cap (Navy/Tan colors), Walking Man Shoulder Bag (Black with silver embroidery), two artisan gift cards, and a holiday gift bag.
• Walking Man Cap and Shoulder Bag Gift Set (Port cap) $49.95 - includes the Walking Man Cap (Port/Navy colors), Walking Man Shoulder Bag (Black with silver embroidery), two artisan gift cards, and a holiday gift bag.

Orders can be shipped to any United States postal address via USPS Priority Mail. Typical delivery time is 2-5 days from when your order is placed. Each package is ready to give. All you have to do is sign the card.

"I think my favorite item in the store is the cap. All of the items look great, but I wear caps all the time and this one has a classic look to it," C. Jones

"My favorite thing in the shop is the Walking Man Shoulder Bag, which I just picked up from the Post Office. It is perfect for my light, walkabout kit," D. Chiuchiolo

To get your free shipping on these gift sets, or any order that totals over $38, just add coupon code: freeshipping

Happy Holidays!

These products have a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

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Over the course of the year, our photo libraries tend to become a bit disheveled. As I prepare for 2014, I like to have my 2013 images in shape. One technique that I use regularly is "Merge Projects" that allows me to combine multiple projects into one.

Using the Merge Projects command in Aperture.

For example, I realized that I had created and backed up multiple projects for my trip to Oahu this summer. In part this was because I had shot with three different cameras.

I was able to combine them easily by selecting the two projects in the Library tab of the Inspector (by holding down the CMD key), then going to File > Merge Projects. Aperture presented me with this confirmation message.

Once I click on the Merge button, Aperture moves the images, albums, and any other parts I've created over to the other project. Typically, the application will move the lower project into the one that's positioned higher in the library. But I don't worry about it either way. Once I'm finished merging, I can rename the project by tapping on its name and typing.

Keep in mind that you can use Folders to organize your projects (File>New>Folder). Just drag the Projects into the new Folder, give it a name, and position it where you want it.

Those of us who are trapped inside by cold weather can put that confinement to good use by getting our photo libraries in order.

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.

The Digital Story on Facebook -- discussion, outstanding images from the TDS community, and inside information. Join our celebration of great photography!

An article on PhotographyTalk makes the argument:

"Having a fully functional computer that also acts as a tablet with you wherever your photography may take you is the primary advantage of the Surface Pro 2 for photographers. You have a different kind of job to do than most tablet users, even in a business setting, which is why the Surface Pro 2 is the horse of a different color you should want to ride into your sunset."

I guess it depends on what you're trying to do with a tablet computer. The article certainly did not sway me. But if you want to see for yourself, check out For Photographers, Microsoft's Surface Pro 2 and Apple iPad Air May Be Horses of Different Colors.

These products have a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

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LED lights are making a big impact on photography. Another example is Foldio - the first foldable studio for smartphones. It's currently a Kickstarter project that's available for as little as $34.

The folding box design is clever. And it includes a sweep backdrop (the deluxe kit adds a variety of colors) and LED light strip. It all packs neatly in its own carrying bag that will fit in the laptop compartment of many backpacks. The specs say Foldio measures 10.2" x 10.2".

Foldio is made of laminated paper, held together by magnets, and powered by a 9 volt battery. What's not to like? The Kickstarter project is open until Jan. 2, 2014.

This product has a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

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I met Frederick Van Johnson at the Warriors game last night at Oracle Arena, each of us armed with our nimble photographer kits.

Frederick was sporting Google Glass and a Panasonic GX7. I had the OM-D E-M5. We swapped lenses back and forth using the Olympus 75mm f/1.8 and the Olympus 17mm f/1.8. I captured this image of Frederick working with the 75mm on his GX7.

Since I was toting the innocent looking Walking Man Shoulder Bag, I had no problem getting through security with my gear. Frederick, on the other hand, was traveling with his thinkTANK Photo SubUrban Disguise 30, and attracted the attention of the inspectors. He was delayed about 15 minutes entering the arena, but we finally met up in the Club right before tipoff.

I enjoyed swapping lenses and trying out the GX7. It's a fun camera that feels solid and sports a handsome design. Frederick had a chance to try out the Olympus 75mm prime on the GX7. It looked like a match made in heaven. He loved it, and I suspect he'll be purchasing one in the future.

You can see for yourself how wonderfully sharp and fast this lens is (photo above). We were taking pictures from Row 16, and had no problem capturing the action.

Hopefully, I'll be able to post a movie soon that Frederick recorded with his Google Glass. Stay tuned.

These kits have a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

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

This week on The Digital Story photography podcast: Hands on with the Olympus OM-D E-M1; on the Nimbleosity Report - the super handy Lowepro Dashpoint 30; from the Photo Help Desk: the world's simplest, but highly effective flash bounce card - All of this and more on today's show with Derrick Story.

Story #1 - Hands on with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless Camera - This $1,400 body includes everything you'd expect, then adds some delightful surprises. A few of the niceties include:

• Outstanding WiFi, for both downloading and camera control
• Built-in microphone port (finally!) with modest audio controls
• Four Thirds lens capability with adapter
• Twin dial control wheels with function lever
• Built-in HDR
• Template mode to build multi-shot compositions
• Timelapse function with movie assembly
• Lens IS Priority for optically stabilized Panasonic glass
• PC socket for traditional flash cords

So, how does this all add up for the E-M1? I render my verdict in the first segment of today's show.

Story #2 - The Nimbleosity Report: The Lowepro Dashpoint 30 versatile camera case that protects cameras up to an OM-D E-M5 with 14-42mm zoom. Highlight features include horizontally/vertical attachment option, removable shoulder strap with snap hooks, and #5 YKK zippers with pull tabs. I cover how I use this nifty case in today's second segment.

Story #3 - From the Photo Help Desk: the world's simplest, yet effective flash bounce card. I make sure I always have business cards and rubber bands in my camera case. Why? I explain in the third segment of today's show.

Photo Assignment News

Photo Assignment for November is High ISO.

And we have three new winners for the SizzlPix Pick of the Month: August 2013 - Street Scene - Dominick Chiuchiolo; September 2013 - Grab Shot - Michael Fairbanks; and October 2013 - My House is My Castle - Keith Hartman.

For The Digital Story Virtual Camera Club members ... if you'd like additional copies of for gifts, or SizzlPix! of any other of your images to make spectacular, amazing holiday gifts, order any two SizzlPix! to be shipped together, and we'll give you 25% off on the second one! Order any size up to a mind-boggling 48 by 72" Imagine -- six feet! and no sacrifice in resolution, luminance, and impact. Just put "TDS " in the comments space on the sizzlpix.com order page. Of course, you may apply the discount to any number of pairs. And free shipping to any US mainland address.

BTW: If you're ordering through B&H or Amazon, please click on the respective ad tile under the Products header in the box half way down the 2nd column on thedigitalstory.com. That helps support the site.

Listen to the Podcast

In addition to subscribing in iTunes, you can also download the podcast file here (31 minutes). You can support this podcast by purchasing the TDS iPhone App for only $2.99 from the Apple App Store.

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.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

It's the little camera that keeps on getting... high praise, that is. The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GM1 scored very well in the recent PhotographyBlog review where Gavin Stoker wrote, "In a nutshell, if you loved what you saw of the output of the GX7 but felt the body would be better even smaller, then the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 could be well worth giving a proverbial spin."

This followed DP Review's Allison Johnson citing that the GM1 is her personal favorite of mirrorless cameras this year. She wrote, "It struck a chord with me particularly, since it seemed to be a weird mashup of each of the cameras I'd previously reviewed for DPR. If you took the concepts behind the Pentax Q7, Sony RX100 II and Olympus E-PM2 and threw them in a blender, the GM1 might be the thing that comes out."

Despite all of this online praise, the GM1 hasn't been a huge hit with consumers. In part, I think the $748 price tag has been the stumbling block. (It does include a handsome 12-32mm zoom lens.)

Reviewers cite that it's very well made and produces great images, justifying the price tag. So this is one to keep an eye on. If we start to see discounts on the GM1, you might want to revisit this gem of a mirrorless camera.

This product has a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

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

For online guys like me, Cyber Monday is far more fun than Black Friday. Here are five great deals for photographers.

Lowepro Pro Roller Lite 150AW for $119.95

This is an outright steal for the nimblest of roller bags. It fits on any plane and holds a trip's worth of camera gear. Normal price is $279. But B&H is blowing them out for $119.95. If you've been procrastinating on getting a roller because of expense, then take a close look at this deal.

Canon 320EX Flash for $139.99

This is a great wireless flash that I paid over $200 for. It's available today at Rakuten.com for $139.95. That's the best price I've seen for my favorite strobe.

Nimble Photographer Gift Set for $49.95 with Free Shipping

Perfect gift for the Nimble Photographer or traveler in your life. Gift set includes the Walking Man cap (Navy/Tan colors), Walking Man Shoulder Bag (Black with silver embroidery), and two artisan gift cards, blank on the inside, (one to give and one to keep!) -- all neatly packed and ready to give. All you have to do is sign the card. The entire kit is only $49.95, and if you use coupon code: blackfriday2013 - the shipping is free to any deliverable address in the US.

Benro MeFoto Roadtrip Travel Tripod w/ Dual Action Ballhead (Orange)for $149.99

Save $40 on this very popular and highly rated travel tripod. Hunt's Photo is is offering the MeFoto for $149.99. That's a great deal on a handsome set of sticks.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 for $278

A great enthusiast compact at an even better price. Adorama is selling the LX7 for $278. If you've been longing for a high end, nimble camera, this one is worth a look.

These products have high Nimbleosity Ratings. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

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

For the October 2013 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters explored their inner castle (and sometimes the outer too). See for yourself in our gallery, My House Is My Castle. And which one will be the SizzlPix Photo Assignment Pick of the Month?

Photo by Stephen Crossan. "Eilean Donan is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland second only to Edinburgh, but most of the shots are taken from the side showing the bridge that leads to the castle. I wanted to taken something different and waited until there was no one on the bridge and took the shot so the the bridge was leading you to the castle."

"I wish this was my home. I proposed to my wife here and later we got married in the castle. The best day of my life. See all of the great images from this month's assignment by visiting the gallery page.

Participate in This Month's Assignment

The Dec. 2013 assignment is "High ISO." Details can be found on the Member Participation page. Deadline is Dec. 31, 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: Dec. 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 October 2013 at the end of November, the Nov. gallery will be posted at the end of Dec., and on and on.

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

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

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.