Photography Talk posted a good article titled, How to Photograph Big Events. There are some solid talking points in there worth reviewing if you have a shoot on the horizon.

A few things that I would add or reinforce include:

• Mirrorless cameras will lighten your load and help you blend in if you're not shooting with a media pass.
• Be conservative and considerate when considering photographing a child. You may have a momma bear nearby who doesn't appreciate using her cub as a photo subject.
• I think shoulder bags are better than backpacks for crowded events.
• Bring your own food and water. You don't want to waste time standing in long concession lines for a greasy burger or to stay hydrated.
• Bring model releases and use them for shots that you think might be valuable up the road.

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

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

As creative people, we do so many interesting things on our Macs. If you want an easy and affordable way to capture that activity and share it with others, you may want to investigate Screenflick.

With this application, I can record any activity on my Mac, both visual and audio, then share it in a variety of formats, including QuickTime movies, Flash f4v, and resolutions tailored specifically for iOS devices. I can record a master movie, then export it in a variety of resolutions for different uses.

I can also record time lapse movies, watermark my output, or just capture a portion of the screen. And the best part of all, is that Screenflick renders fast, very fast. So I don't spend a lot of time waiting between recording sessions.

I've used Screenflick professionally. But for only $29, I'd buy it for my fun, creative projects too. You can test Screenflick for free. If you have a project in mind, you may want to take a closer look.

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 photography podcast: GoPro HERO3+ Black Edition tops the Weekly Update; Taking the Transporter Sync for a Spin; From the Screening Room: Chris Orwig, Lightroom 5 Essentials; and on the Nimbleosity Report: the Square Perfect Backdrop System- All of this and more on today's show with Derrick Story.

Story #1 - The Weekly Update: Hands-on with the GoPro Hero 3+ Black Edition (DP Review) Supports 4K, 2.7K, 1440p & 1080p Video. "It has better battery life, quicker Wi-Fi speeds with longer range, is more compact with the new case, has a significantly improved microphone, and the best image quality I've seen from a GoPro to date." In other news, Adobe Camera Raw release candidate supports 14 new cameras including Sony A6000, Fuji X-T1 (but no corresponding Lightroom update). (Imaging-Resource). And finally, Olympus Patents Impressive 12 and 14mm f/1.0 Ultra-Wide AF Lenses (PetaPixel).

Story #2 - Taking the Transporter Sync for a Spin.

I've been testing the Transporter Sync ($99) for an upcoming Lynda.com title that I'm working on for backing up your mobile photos. I'm still in the early stages of learning about this device, but I have a few things to share with you now.

This is the standalone version of the transporter that doesn't include a hard drive. The thinking is that you add your own USB hard drive and it becomes a transporter.

One of the first things to note, is that whatever drive you use has to be completely erased by the transporter before it's available for storage. Once the Transporter has finished configuring the drive is then available for use.

You can access content on the drive the a desktop application, web browser, or iOS or android device. Right now I have a portable drive connected to the transporter that uses USB fo its power. I might switch to a drive with its own power supply to see if that increases performance.

The iOS app was more basic than I had anticipated. You can add images from your camera roll to your Transporter via your iPad or iPhone. But you can't do anything with them such as rename the file names put them in folders organize them things like that. And in fact, you can't even browse the images by icon. So all you end up with is a list of filenames without any indication of what the subject for the photo is.

At this point, I don't see the Transporter replacing services such as Loom that I think have more functionality for mobile photographers. It could be used as a straight back up solution, and I'm exploring that more and will report once I come to some conclusions about it.

Story #3 - From the Screening Room - Chris Orwig, Lightroom 5 Essentials. This week's featured artist is The enthusiastic Chris Orwig, who is an excellent Lightroom instructor. Chris shows you the things that you need to know to really master the basics of Lightroom 5.

You can watch Chris in action by visiting the TDS Screening Room at lynda.com/thedigitalstory. While you're there, you can start your 7 day free trial to watch other photography titles, plus every other topic in the library.

Story #4 - The Nimbleosity Report - The Square Perfect Backdrop Background Support Stand. This backdrop frame allows you to set up just about anywhere you have 10 feet of room. Plus it's affordable at lesson $70. And it breaks down to a pretty compact package. I talk more about it in the final segment of today's show.

Virtual Camera Club News

Photo Assignment for February 2014 is Smartphone.

The SizzlPix! Head to Head Challenge

Order a SizzlPix! using the image from which you've already made your best print. If, when you receive your SizzlPix!, you don't feel that it's the best version of your image ever, return yours within 30 days for a full refund.

Oh, and BTW: SizzlPix! now is qualified for PayPal "Bill Me Later," No payments, No interest for up to 6 months, which means, have your SizzlPix! now, and pay nothing until August!

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 (24 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

lynda.com - Learn lighting, portraiture, Photoshop skills, and more from expert-taught videos at lynda.com/thedigitalstory.

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

SizzlPix! - High resolution output for your photography. You've never seen your imagery look so good. SizzlPix.com.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

One of the points we're emphasizing during filming this week for my latest lynda.com title on portraiture, is getting it right at capture. This image of Ashley, for example, has no post processing. It's a RAW file interpreted by Aperture 3.5 and exported as a Jpeg.

Before sharing these photos with Ashley, I will do some work on them. But my goal is to make that phase artistic, not corrective.

Among the advantages to this approach is making post a fun activity, and the ability to show the subject images during the shoot that inspire confidence. This leads to even better photos as the session moves forward.

For this pose, I used an off-camera flash on stand and a white fill reflector. The sun was behind the subject creating some nice back highlights. I mounted the Canon 85mm f/1.8 prime set to f/3.5 on a Canon 70D. ISO 100.

I'm hoping this title on photographing teens will be released in early Spring this year. I'll keep you posted.

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.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

Most of my portrait work is outdoors. But there are those assignments where I need to set up indoors. With my portable studio kit, I'm able to fit all of the equipment in the back seat of car. Here's how I do it.

At the heart of my set up is the Square Perfect Background System ($65) that's quite sturdy, yet folds up into a single over-the-shoulder bag. I also like the Lowel Ego Digital Imaging Fluorescent 2 Light Kit (kit is $269 with stands and clamps).

I then add a few backdrops, stool, reflector, tripod, and of course my Lowepro backpack with camera gear and Speedlights. When it's all folded up and ready for transport, the studio looks like this.

Now all I need is a 10'x12' space, and of course, the subject!

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

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

A new entry in the action cam arena is the SOCAM UltiMate, due for release in April.

Highlights include a 330 degree rotatable lens, gyro-image stabilization, 1080p video, slow motion (WVGA 120 fps), time lapse, photo burst (16MP 10fps), simple two-button design, versatile camera mounts, built-in WiFi, and an affordable price. (I heard around $249 with goodies so you don't have to spend extra on accessories. That number still needs to be confirmed.) [Update! I have a confirmed price of $269 US that includes the camera, water-tight housing, accessory clips, battery, and USB cord.]

SOCAM in water-tight housing. I shot with it in a rain storm with no issues at all. Camera is easy to remove from housing when it isn't required. There's also connectors for two additional batteries in the housing. Photos by Derrick Story

The unit I'm testing measures 3.25" wide by 3.5" tall in the water-tight housing. The camera itself with no housing measures 2.75" wide by 2.75" tall. The rotating lens feature is handy. You can mount the camera as needed, then rotate the lens for the best composition. You can't, however, rotate the lens when the camera is in the water tight housing.

There are four ports: USB, external mic, HDMI, and an accessory port. A standard tripod socket is on the side of the camera. That socket is also used for the included accessory mounts. Video files are written to a micro SD card in the .mp4 format. Quality was quite good in initial testing.

You can connect the camera wirelessly to your iPhone via its built-in WiFi and free SOCAM iOS app. I was able to get the two devices talking, but I need a bit more testing before sharing an opinion about the tandem's performance.

I'll have more to report after further use. But if you're looking for an affordable action cam, you might want to keep an eye out for reviews on the SOCAM after it's released in April.

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 photography podcast: Sony a7R full review tops the Weekly Update; Build Your Own DIY Slide Digitizer; From the Screening Room: Julieanne Kost on Photoshop CC Essential Training; and on the Nimbleosity Report: How I dropped my iPhone from the top of the bleachers, and what happened after that - All of this and more on today's show with Derrick Story.

Story #1 - The Weekly Update: Full Review of the Sony a7R (DP Review) "When it comes down to it, the Sony a7R's image quality, created by a combination of its high-resolution sensor and premium quality optics, make it an impressive image-maker." Next, Nikon facing potential class action lawsuit due to D600 sensor oil issues (Imaging-Resource). And finally, we've got some specs and price information for the upcoming Pentax 645D CMOS Medium Format camera. It's going to cost about $10,000 and sport a 40-50-megapixel sensor (PetaPixel).

Story #2 - How to make a high quality slide digitizer with an old projector and a new camera. I'm getting excellent results with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 and the Olympus 60mm f/2.8 macro lens coupled to an old Leica P 150 projector. I cover why I chose to go this route, and how I assembled it. There'sd also a companion article titled DIY Slide Digitizer with Olympus OM-D and Leica Projector with how-to pictures and sample scans.

Original image captured in 1992 on Fuji 100 slide film.

Story #3 - From the Screening Room - Julieanne Kost: Photoshop CC Essential Training. This week's featured artist is one of the best Photoshop instructors I've ever listened to. Julieanne is an excellent photographer, so she knows the capture side of the equation too. And when she teaches, she's precise and adds plenty of wit and humor.

You can watch Julieanne in action by visiting the TDS Screening Room at lynda.com/thedigitalstory. While you're there, you can start your 7 day free trial to watch other photography titles, plus every other topic in the library.

Story #4 - The Nimbleosity Report - The Story of my Dropping an iPhone 5S from the top of the gym bleachers.

Virtual Camera Club News

Photo Assignment for February 2014 is Smartphone.

The SizzlPix! Head to Head Challenge

Order a SizzlPix! using the image from which you've already made your best print. If, when you receive your SizzlPix!, you don't feel that it's the best version of your image ever, return yours within 30 days for a full refund.

Oh, and BTW: SizzlPix! now is qualified for PayPal "Bill Me Later," No payments, No interest for up to 6 months, which means, have your SizzlPix! now, and pay nothing until August!

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 (33 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

lynda.com - Learn lighting, portraiture, Photoshop skills, and more from expert-taught videos at lynda.com/thedigitalstory.

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

SizzlPix! - High resolution output for your photography. You've never seen your imagery look so good. SizzlPix.com.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

Like many seasoned shooters, I have a library of slides that I'm not using, simply because they haven't been digitized. Thanks to inspiration from Victor Kaijser Bots, who converted a slide projector into an automated digitizer, I've created my own high quality rig with components that I had on hand.

My digitizer is a single-shot system that emphasizes quality over speed. I've dabbled with these projects in the past. The problem was always mediocre quality because of cheap optics.

Olympus Image Share app running on an iPhone 5S controlling the E-M1 that's digitizing the slides in the projector.

This rig solves that problem by using an Olympus 60mm f/2.8 macro lens with an Olympus OM-D E-M1. The Olympus 60mm has excellent edge-to-edge sharpness, plus a small barrel diameter to correctly couple with the slide projector. I simply remove the lens that came with the projector, then point the 60mm optic toward the illuminated slide.

I remove the lens from the Leica P 150 slide projector and point the macro 60mm toward the image. I used the Olympus Image Share WiFi app to control the OM-D E-M1.

The trick to making this rig work is to install a diffuser between the slide and the light source. This creates even illumination that's ideal for digitizing the image. I cut an piece of translucent plastic that was originally used for a portable light box that no longer worked. (I usually take apart broken items and salvage parts before discarding them.) I sandwich the diffuser with the slide and insert them into the single viewing slot on the projector.

The diffuser (on the right) is placed between the light source and the slide.

I used the Olympus Image Share app on my iPhone to focus and trip the shutter on the camera. This is really nice because I get a preview on the iPhone and have access to camera controls, without have to fiddle with the camera itself. Plus, I don't jar the E-M1 when initiating the exposure.

The resulting digital images were very faithful to the originals, and quite easy to scan. This portrait was captured on a train in Scotland in 1992 with a Contax 167MT and Fuji 100 slide film.
The picture below was captured with the same equipment, then converted to B&W using Nik Sliver Efex Pro.

I could further automate this process by figuring out a way to mount the diffuser in the slide projector without damaging the projector itself. I still want to be able to present traditional slide shows with the Leica P 150. But I can tackle that challenge another day. For now, I'm having a blast converting images from my past and adding them to my Aperture library.

Aperture Tips and Techniques

To learn more about Aperture, which is what I use to image edit and catalog my digitized slides, 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!

When you're out shooting with your interchangeable lens camera, remember to pull out your iPhone and snap a photo too. Why? Because your iPhone will log the location data that you can easily transfer to the corresponding images in Aperture.

In my latest Macworld Magazine article, Geotagging the easy way with Aperture 3.5, I explain three ways to add location data to the images you already have in your Aperture library.

I love the iPhone method. It's so easy. But if you haven't captured location data with it, you can use the geotagging tools built in to Aperture to accomplish the same goal. It's particularly fun for vacation and business trips.

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!

One of the reasons why I often shoot RAW+Jpeg is to take advantage of in-camera effects or film simulation modes. The images with effects are saved as Jpegs. The master files are in the RAW format. By capturing those RAW files too, I have fully editable images to further experiment with further if I wish, especially if I don't like the way the Jpegs turned out.

Both images captured at the same time with a Fujifilm X20 compact camera. Picture on the left is the RAW file, and on the right is a B&W recorded using Fujifilm's Film Simulation mode. By shooting RAW+Jpeg, I get both files. Photos by Derrick Story.

When it's time to upload these files to Aperture, I choose "Both - Separate Originals" for my RAW+Jpeg pairs. I *do not* recommend using the other Pairs settings because the files get linked together. This proves to be a problem up the road.

Import as "Both - Separate Originals". Don't be fooled that the RAW files are B&W at this point. Aperture is just reading the embedded Jpegs.

Once the files are in my Aperture library, I select Auto Stack (Stacks > Auto Stack) and set the timing to 0:01. This creates a pairing for each of my compositions - one Jpeg with one Raw.

If I want to tidy up the library, I can Close All Stacks (Stacks > Close All Stacks), and I only see one version of each pair. You even have control over which version by using the Pick command.

Jpegs and RAWs now side by side in Stack mode.

By using this technique, I'm more willing to experiment with the interesting effects included in my camera because I will always have the RAW file too. Use this technique to explore the unique features of your camera.

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!

I just read a terrific article on PetaPixel about converting a slide projector into an automated digitizer. And it got me thinking... what can I do with mine?

I have a wonderful Leica P150 projector that I loved in the film days. It's still in perfect shape and projects beautiful images. But I'm not using it.

So I started thinking about this. I could use the P150 to project images in the studio for interesting composites with live subjects. I could take a whack at converting it into a slide digitizer. The projector could be an interesting light source for photo projects.

I have the Leica projector out on my workbench. So I'll keep toying around with ideas. If something comes to mind for you, please share the idea on our TDS Facebook page.

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 photography podcast: the Panasonic GH4 tops the weekly update; The inside scoop on c't Digital Photography Magazine; From the Screening Room: David Hobby on The business of photography; and on the Nimbleosity Report: Pro HDR for iOS - All of this and more on today's show with Derrick Story.

Story #1 - The Weekly Update: Panasonic announces 4K-capable Lumix DMC-GH4 (DP Review) Are you ready for 4K video? (4K has a horz. resolution of 4,000 pixels compared to 1,920 for HD). Speaking of Panasonic, looks like Olympus is using their sensors, not Sony's in the flagship OM-D E-M1 (Imaging-Resource). And finally, it looks like the Nikon D4s will be officially released soon. The body alone will run you about $6,000 (PetaPixel).

Story #2 - The Inside Scoop on c't Photography Magazine. It all began with a conversation in Germany in 2012. More than a year later, I'm an Associate Editor with this technical photo magazine based in Germany. (You can subscribe for $39.96 using this special URL.) Here's what I'll be doing for this terrific publication.

Story #3 - From the Screening Room - David Hobby: Insights on Building a Photography Business. This week's featured artist is also known as Strobist. In this movie titled, "Determining your career compass point," David talks about his own career evolution and how establishing a compass point facilitates the process.

You can watch David in action by visiting the TDS Screening Room at lynda.com/thedigitalstory. While you're there, you can start your 7 day free trial to watch other photography titles, plus every other topic in the library.

Story #4 - Pro HDR ($1.99) for iOS. High Dynamic Range photography is fun, but it's also a fair amount of work... that is unless you're using Pro HDR on your iPad or iPhone. I explain why in this fourth segment today.

Virtual Camera Club News

Photo Assignment for February 2014 is Smartphone.

The SizzlPix! Head to Head Challenge

Order a SizzlPix! using the image from which you've already made your best print. If, when you receive your SizzlPix!, you don't feel that it's the best version of your image ever, return yours within 30 days for a full refund.

Oh, and BTW: SizzlPix! now is qualified for PayPal "Bill Me Later," No payments, No interest for up to 6 months, which means, have your SizzlPix! now, and pay nothing until August!

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 (30 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

lynda.com - Learn lighting, portraiture, Photoshop skills, and more from expert-taught videos at lynda.com/thedigitalstory.

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

SizzlPix! - High resolution output for your photography. You've never seen your imagery look so good. SizzlPix.com.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

The Kanex Foldable iDevice Stand is a nifty accessory for iPhone and iPad toting photographers who need a very light, foldable platform for viewing content and taking pictures. Kanex is selling a two-pack directly from their site for $19.95

I've tested the iDevice with the iPhone and iPad mini. It works great for both. (I'm not sure that I'd trust it with a full size iPad, although the manufacturer says it can handle it just fine.) The stand can be positioned at three different angles. It uses rubber non-slip feet and a bumper to keep items from sliding around, even on an airplane folding table. When not in use, it folds flat, taking up virtually no space in your carry-on or shirt pocket.

The stand accommodates your phone or iPad in both the horizontal and vertical positions. You'll have to use landscape mode if you want plug-in power, such as using your iPhone as an alarm clock at night. There's no way to plug in the connector when the phone is placed vertically in the stand. This is probably the only drawback to the folding design.

Overall, I'm satisfied with the Kanex stand. It's light, very clever, and something that I'll keep stashed in my camera bag. I'm sure it will save the day sometime soon.

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

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

The olloclip Quick-Flip Case + Pro-Photo Adapter design has its pros and cons. On the negative side, it doesn't offer much protection against drops. The hard plastic shell is thin and feels a little slippery. And the $48 price tag seems a bit high compared to the competition.

But there is a plus side to this rig, and that's the Pro-Photo Adapter that's included with the case. As it turns out, even though I like the convenience of using olloclip lenses with the flip function of the case, it's been the tripod adapter that I've found most useful. It's actually the real reason I still have the olloclip case on my iPhone.

I like the Pro-Photo Adapter because it takes up very little room in my pocket or bag, is super light, has two threaded sockets to make vertical and horizontal orientations easy, includes a "cold shoe" adapter, and it mounts in seconds.

Because it has a fairly low profile, there are days when I just leave it on (especially if I plan on shooting a lot.)

The Bottom Line

If you shoot often with olloclip lenses and want an easy way to attach your iPhone to a tripod, the olloclip Quick-Flip Case + Pro-Photo Adapter is worth consideration. Personally, I think you'll also need a more robust case for when you're not in photography mode. And I do think the price is a bit high for the Quick-Flip Case.

But I do like that tripod adapter...

The olloclip Quick-Flip Case + Pro-Photo Adapter has a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

Actually, I'm surprised it's taken this long. Based on the success of the Canon S series (the latest model is the PowerShot S120), it was only a matter of time before Nikon produced a worthy competitor. With the announcement of the Nikon COOLPIX P340, that day has come.

Headline features include:

• 12.2 MP 1/1.7" CMOS sensor
• 5x NIKKOR zoom lens (24-120mm)
• Built-in Wi-Fi
• 3.0" LCD rear screen (921,000 pixels)
• Continuous shooting up to 10fps
• Full manual exposure control
• Full HD 1080p videos with stereo sound
• Bundled Nikon ViewNX 2 Software
• 4.1 x 2.3 x 1.3" and weighs 6.4 ounces
• Price $377 US

The price comes in $20 less than the Canon S120. Many of the specs are similar. How the WiFi is implemented is important. I think Canon's Camera Window app for iOS is quite good. And of course, image quality is a big factor too! Will keep you posted here.

The Nikon Coolpix P340 has a high Nimbleosity Rating. What does that mean? You can learn about Nimbleosity and more by visiting TheNimblePhotographer.com.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

Now that I'm using the iPad mini exclusively, I need a way to mount it for various projects. This Kickstarter project, for the Padcaster Mini is very tempting.

For $99 I could get the aluminum frame lined with 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 threaded holes for attaching lights, mics and other camera gear. The insert is removable. So not only could I use this device for recording with the iPad, but also as a general studio accessory.

Included with every Padcaster Mini are two cold shoe adapters for your favorite lights or mics, a lens bracket with both 72mm and 58mm threads for your choice of wide angle or telephoto adapters, four hand-tightening screws to attach the lens bracket and even a custom camera mount screw to use the Padcaster Mini frame as a standalone DSLR cage!

If you're tempted by this too, the Kickstarter project is underway now.

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

Enthusiast photographer Jim Gilliland had an opportunity to photograph Keith Urban in concert. Off to the event he went with a single battery for his Olympus OM-D E-M5. I'll let Jim tell the story from here.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 with the 45 mm f/1.8 lens. "I was shooting at ISO 800 at F4.5 and 1/160 sec. with no EV." Photo by Jim Gilliland.

We went to the Keith Urban concert last night here in Nashville. For the first time, I took my OM-D with me.

You'll never again catch me without a spare battery.

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

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

There are few places these days where you can immerse in comprehensive reporting for enthusiast photography. One of those places, and my current favorite, is c't Digital Photography Magazine. And I know what I'm talking about here, because after months of discussion and exploration, I've accepted an Associate Editor position with the publication. Let me tell you why.

c't's home base is Heise Zeitschriften Verlag GmbH & Co. KG in Hannover, Germany. If you live in the US, that's probably why you haven't heard of them before. But over the last 14 quarterly issues (that run approximately 140 pages each), they have been exploring the details of exceptional photography, whether it's the latest micro four thirds lenses, state-of-the-art WiFi cameras, or an artist who's able to capture the world with an unique perspective.

On average, I spend a week with each issue. It resides on the coffee table in my living room where I can pick it up, flip the pages until I discover something new, then learn more about it than I imagined possible.

Last night I immersed myself in an 18-page presentation titled, "The Art of Color Photography." Topics included, color and emotion, accents, using filters, abstract photography, ordering chaos, color portraits, and more. The night before that, I read their "WiFi System Camera Test."

Nested inside each issue is a DVD. Each disc covers three basic areas: tools, sample images, and videos. The platforms supported for the tools are Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. The video I have running right now is a 13-minute piece with pro Steven Van Veen on using ring lights for portrait photography. There's also plenty of software to experiment with for each platform. Plus, lots of sample images for lens tests and cameras.

How to Get Onboard

2014 is going to be a great year for c't Digital Photography, and here's how you can get onboard. If you're on Facebook, go over and Like c't's Facebook page. We're running about 3 posts a day there, and you definitely want that content in your news feed. For Twitter users, the c't page is here.

And as part of my coming out party for the North American editions of the magazine, we're offering a 20 percent discount for a yearly subscription. The subscription includes four issues of the magazine, the DVDs, and the digital version (that I'll talk about in another post). All of that content, over 500 pages with minimal advertising, for $39.96 a year. The discount is valid until Feb. 21, 2014.

I hope you'll become a part of the c't Digital Photography experience. If you're ready to improve your photography expertise, now is the time.

This week on The Digital Story photography podcast: How High is Too High?; From the Screening Room: Nigel French: Designing a Photo Book; and on the Nimbleosity Report: olloclip auxiliary lenses for your iPhone - All of this and more on today's show with Derrick Story.

Story #1 - When it comes to ISO settings these days, how high is too high? That's a judgement call, for sure. But I also think it's worth revisiting. Sometimes we stick to the things we learned a few years back without reexamining them on a regular basis. ISO settings is one of those topics worth a second look. And that's what I'm going to do in today's top story.

Story #2 - From the Screening Room - Nigel French: Designing a Photo Book. This week's featured artist is book designing expert, Nigel French. In this title on Lynda.com, Nigel goes beyond step by step teaching and actually explains to you the fundamentals of good book design.

You can watch Nigel in action by visiting the TDS Screening Room at lynda.com/thedigitalstory. While you're there, you can start your 7 day free trial to watch other photography titles, plus every other topic in the library.

iPhone 5S image captured with the olloclip fisheye lens attachment.

Story #3 - The Nimbleosity Report - There's nimble, then there's iPhone-only nimble. The olloclip line of auxiliary lenses allow you to travel ultralight with just your iPhone, yet have the advantage of an interchangeable lens camera. I talk more about these lenses in the 3rd segment of today's show.

Virtual Camera Club News

Photo Assignment for February 2014 is Smartphone.

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.

Podcast Sponsors

lynda.com - Learn lighting, portraiture, Photoshop skills, and more from expert-taught videos at lynda.com/thedigitalstory.

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

SizzlPix! - High resolution output for your photography. You've never seen your imagery look so good. SizzlPix.com.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

The choice between speed and storage is a tough one for photographers. When I bought my stock MacBook Pro with Retina Display in mid-2012, I wanted speed. So I've had to learn to live with 256 GBs of built-in storage for my daily work.

Copying libraries from my MacBook Pro to the Drobo 5D.

How do I do it?

I rely on Aperture's excellent Project/Library management structure. I only store my current projects on the MacBook Pro at any given time. That initial phase is when I'm image editing, which is when I need the best performance.

Once the project has reached a mature state, I move it off the laptop and integrate it into the master library on the Drobo 5D. If I need to work on those images at a later time, I simply connect the Thunderbolt cable from the Drobo, and open the library enabling me to touch-up a photo then export it for publishing.

I keep a separate portable hard drive in my laptop bag. It contains a library of images from the last year, just in case I need to grab something while on the go.

Using this system, I have survived with my internal 256 GB Flash drive for almost 2 years. I couldn't have done it without Aperture's versatile library management system and a Thunderbolt external drive.

The good news is that I should be able to afford a bigger internal drive with my next MacBook Pro. But I'll continue to use the same system... just with a bit more breathing room.

Aperture Tips and Techniques

To learn more about how to manage your projects and libraries in 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!

For the Dec. 2013 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters jacked up their ISO setting and explored fading light. See for yourself in our gallery, High ISO. And which one will be the SizzlPix Photo Assignment Pick of the Month?

Fred S. Brundick writes, "I took this at the gallery event. I had my 50mm f/1.8 wide open and set the ISO to 3200 so I wouldn't need a flash." See all of the great images from this month's assignment by visiting the High ISO gallery page.

Participate in This Month's Assignment

The Feb. 2014 assignment is "Smartphone." Details can be found on the Member Participation page. Deadline is Feb 28, 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: Feb. 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 Dec. 2013 at the end of January, the Jan. gallery will be posted at the end of Feb., and on and on.

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

Want to Comment on this Post?

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.