May 2015 Archives

Apple has provided a migration path to Photos for OS X for Aperture and iPhoto users. The path does have a twist or two. In this movie from my lynda.com title, Up and Running with Photos for OS X, I show you a few of the options for making the move from your existing photo management app to the latest option for those running Yosemite on their Macs.


Get Up and Running with Photos for OS X

Want to learn the ins and outs of Apple's latest photo management application? Then take a look at my latest online video training, Up and Running with Photos for OS X. Soon, both you, and your pictures, will be comfortable in their new home.

convert-aperture.jpg

Previous Articles on Photos for OS X

How to Switch to RAW Files in Photos for OS X.

How to Open an Aperture or iPhoto Library in Photos for OS X.

Want to learn the ins and outs of Apple's latest photo management software, then take a look at my Up and Running with Photos for OS X title, just released by lynda.com.

I provide tips and techniques for image editing, exporting, sharing, cloud storage, and making the transition from Aperture or iPhoto. In just a short time, you (and your pictures) will be comfortable in their new home.

image-edit-photos.jpg Lean how to use all of the image editing tools in Photos for OS X.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

Half Off Subscription Offer

There are only a few days left to celebrate National Photo Month, which means that the special offer for c't Digital Photography Magazine ends soon.

As part of the celebration, c't Digital Photography is offering its biggest discount of the year - 50 percent off newsstand price (through Sunday, May 31). This is the lowest price ever for the best enthusiast photography magazine.

summer-2015-ct.jpg

Plus, by taking advantage of this offer, you'll receive the new Summer Edition well before it arrives on the newsstands. With in-depth articles on perfect posing, RAW converters (that are better than Lightroom), mirrorless and happy, and much more, you might even feel a little guilty about saving all that money.

Since the early days of physically putting a graduated neutral density filter over my camera lens, I've liked the concept. To balance the intensity of a bright sky with a subtle toned foreground is exactly what I wanted for my landscape photography. The problem was those pesky objects pushing up past the horizon line into the sky. They too were "graduated."

hero-filter-brush.jpg I wanted the effect of a graduated filter on this lovely sky, but certainly not on the castle. I used the Filter Brush to exclude the castle from the graduated screen. Photo by Derrick Story.

Adobe has solved this problem for us with the new Filter Brush that's part of the Lightroom CC and Lightroom 6 release. Now we can pull down a graduated screen on the sky, then exclude objects affected by it with the brush.

show-selected-mask.jpg

If you haven't played with this new tool yet, I've written a brief tutorial titled, Lightroom's Filter Brush over at c't Digital Photography Magazine. Take a look!


A note from the publisher of c't Digital Photography Magazine: May is National Photo Month, and to celebrate c't Digital Photography is offering its biggest discount of the year - 50 percent off newsstand price (for a limited time).


This week on The Digital Story Photography Podcast: Dropbox and Carousel for Photographers, Wrist Strap vs. Neck Strap, Do You Have DSL-ARM? Epson P600 Review - all of this and more on today's show with Derrick Story.

Weekly Update - "Fight DSL-ARM with a New Olympus Micro Four Thirds Body". Intense research and product development have led to the cure for DSL-ARM - the OM-D E-M5 Mark II. Capture amazing images without the bulk and weight of a DSLR. Don't you think you've suffered long enough? You can combat DSL-ARM and enter to win a new Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II by visiting the DSL-ARM Symptoms page.

In other news... "Adobe Calling It Quits on Photoshop Touch" Petapixel reports: "After a three year run, Adobe is retiring Photoshop Touch, its current horse in the mobile photo editing race. The company announced today that the iOS and Android app will be removed from app stores on May 28th. The software will still be usable on your device if you've downloaded it already, of course, but there will be no further updates." That doesn't mean that Adobe is bowing out of this space. They're working on a new, more focused app that we should hear about before the end of the year.

Story #1 - "Dropbox's Carousel Is Coming of Age" - Dropbox has steadily been improving its tools for photographers. The $99 annual plan with 1TB of space is far more useful than the free storage that Flickr is giving away. In part, you can do so much more with Dropbox, and its integration into your workflow across devices is exceptional. And now that its photographer-friendly interface, Carousel, is maturing, Dropbox presents a compelling argument to photographers seeking cloud backup and sharing.

Story #2 - "Wrist Strap vs Neck Strap" - Mirrorless photography has changed so many things for me. But one area where it has introduced a dilemma is the choice between using a neck strap or a wrist strap. I explain in the second story on today's show.

Story #3 - "Dates Set for the Moving from Aperture to Photos or Lightroom" - The 2-day workshop begins Friday, August 7 and ends on Saturday August 8, 2015. If you want a reservation form, visit TDS Workshops Page and use the Send Me Info form. This workshop is listed in the popup menu.

Story #4 - From the Screening Room - Portrait Project: Fixing a Distracting Background with Chris Orwig. Chris loves portrait photography. And as such, he's encounter just about every challenge imaginable, including distracting backgrounds. He draws from his experiences in this terrific lynda.com title.

You can watch Chris in action by visiting the TDS Screening Room at lynda.com. While you're there, you can start your 7 day free trial to watch all of Chris' movies, plus every other title in the library (including over 20 by yours truly).

Virtual Camera Club News

epson-p600-printer.jpg

Red River Paper Reviews the New Epson SureColor P600. My favorite reviewers of inkjet printers have spent some time with Epson's latest photo printer. They've posted their review, in large part comparing it to the excellent Epson R3000. If you're in the market for a new 13" photo printer, you've got to check this out.

News from SizzlPix! Last week for the TDS exclusive 5K Ultra High Definition SizzlPix. Only TDS listeners and readers can get the new 5k in time for June weddings, anniversaries, Fathers Day, graduations and birthdays. Just write TDS or The Digital Story in the comments field, and your order will be upgraded for free.

Thanks to everyone who recently reviewed the TDS Podcast in iTunes!

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.

Download the Show - MP3 Version

In addition to subscribing in iTunes, you can also download the podcast file here (31 minutes - MP3 version). 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.

moving-from-aperture_Fotor.jpg

Still trying to figure out how to migrate from Aperture? We can help.

On August 7 and 8, I'm leading the "Moving from Aperture to Lightroom or Photos" Workshop at the TDS Studio in Santa Rosa, CA. Over the course of two days, we'll explore the best options for your photo management workflow. Here's the preliminary schedule.

Fri. August 7
8:00 am - Doors open at TDS Studio
8:30 am - Opening remarks and introductions
9:30 am - The State of Aperture
10:00 am - Introduction to Photos for OS X
12:00 am - Lunch at TDS Studio
12:30 pm - Using Photos with Other Image Apps
1:30 pm - Afternoon Break
2:00 pm - Introduction to Lightroom CC
5:00 pm - Dinner and relaxation

Sat., August 8
8:00 am - Doors open at TDS Studio
8:30 am - Other software to consider
9:30 am - Migrating from Aperture to Photos for OS X
11:30 am - Lunch at Nearby Restaurant
1:00 pm - Migrating from Aperture to Lightroom CC
3:30 pm - Afternoon Break
4:00 pm - Backup and Archiving Strategies, Cloud Services
5:00 pm - Workshop closes

If you'd like to attend, use the Send Me Info form on the TDS Workshops page. I'll send you a registration form with all of the details.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

At last night's Warriors vs Rockets game at Oracle Arena, I was literally the only guy in my section with a non-smartphone camera. I decided to document my observations and share how basketball fans were capturing the moment at a big time sporting event. Here are a few of the images.

P5218216.jpg

P5218202.jpg

P5218272.jpg

P5218209.jpg

P5218205.jpg

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

Sometimes when I leave the house, I just want my camera, a lens or two, an iPad mini, and a few accessories. The bag I've been reaching for lately is the Vanguard Havana 21 Shoulder Bag ($39).

P5200153-tds1024.jpg Top view of the Havana 21 camera bag - Warriors Ground enamel pin is optional.

For example, I used the Havana 21 last night when attending the Warriors vs Rockets NBA playoff game. Inside, I carried my Olympus OM-D E-M10, a second lens, the Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f1.8, and an iPad mini. There was still plenty of room for accessories and even the rolled-up playoff T-Shirt I brought home.

P5200176-tds1024.jpg The bag easily fits any mirrorless system camera and accessories, plus a 7" tablet.

There's a sewn-in tablet sleeve inside of the bag. It will hold a 7" device, up to an iPad mini. The iPad mini is a bit sung in the sleeve, and it will only fit without a case. I tried a couple Android tablets that were a bit smaller, and they slid in easily. You can also use the back pocket for the 7" tablet if you want quicker access. Again, the iPad mini fits there, albeit snugly.

The front zippered pocket is perfect for accessories. The detachable rain cover is shipped in there. You can remove it for storage if you wish. There are two stretchy side pouches that can be use for a water bottle or more accessories. The bag also ships with two dividers that allow you to configure the interior to you specific equipment.

P5200158-tds1024.jpg There's a pocket on the back that's secured with a velcro tab, plus stretchy pockets on each end for water bottles or more accessories.

The Vanguard Havana 21 is a fun bag. It goes anywhere with you - including passing through the security check at sports arenas - and it has a long padded strap that allows you to carry it over one shoulder, or cross-ways messenger style. The leather pull-tabs and accents are a nice touch, and the construction is quite good.

And in addition to all of that, it's downright handsome. Highly recommended.


Nimble Photographer Logo

The Vanguard Havana 21 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.

My publisher over at c't Digital Photography Magazine notified me of a 50-percent-off the newsstand price subscription deal as part of their celebration of National Photo Month. This is the best discount I've ever seen for my favorite enthusiast/pro photography magazine. (And it's not just because I work with them...)

volunteer-flower-tds.jpg May is National Photo Month. Image by Derrick Story. This blooming "weed" was captured handheld with an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II and an Olympus 60mm macro lens - ISO 400, f/4, 1/400th, EV +0.7. Click on image to enlarge.

This offer is valid for the duration of May. So don't procrastinate. Take a positive step to improve your photography by subscribing today.

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 Fujifilm X-T10 Mirrorless Digital Camera, Mobile Lightroom Without a Creative Cloud Subscription, Dates Set for the "Moving from Aperture to Photos or Lightroom" Workshop, and the Five-Step Creative Process - all of this and more on today's show with Derrick Story.

Weekly Update - "The New Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7" is on its way. Let's see what's in store for us.

  • 16 MP Live MOS Sensor
  • Venus Engine 9 Image Processor
  • Micro Four Thirds System
  • 2.36m-Dot OLED Viewfinder
  • 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Free-Angle Touchscreen
  • 4K UHD Video Recording at 30/24 fps
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • Up to 8 fps Shooting with AF & ISO 25600
  • DFD AF System, 4K Photo Modes
  • 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 POWER O.I.S. Lens

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 should be available by the end of June for $1,097.99 with zoom lens.

X-T10Travel-web.jpg

In other news... "The New Fujifilm X-T10 Mirrorless Digital Camera" debuts also, the little brother to the X-T1. But check out these features.

  • 16.3 MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS II Sensor EXR Processor II
  • 0.39" 2,360k-Dot 0.62x OLED Viewfinder
  • 3.0" 920k-Dot Tilting LCD Monitor
  • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • Intelligent Hybrid AF with 77 Areas
  • Up to 8 fps Shooting and ISO 51200
  • Film Simulation Mode, Electronic Shutter
  • Built-In Pop-Up Flash

The Fujifilm X-T10 should be available by mid-June for $799 (body only) or $899 (with kit zoom lens).

Story #1 - "Mobile Lightroom Without a Creative Cloud Subscription" - If you prefer the perpetual license to a Creative Cloud subscription, there are options for serving a Lightroom catalog to mobile devices and other computers. I provide an overview in today's first feature story. And if you want to try it for yourself, read my article on how to set up this system on ct-digiphoto.com.


A note from the publisher of c't Digital Photography Magazine: May is National Photo Month, and to celebrate c't Digital Photography is offering its biggest discount of the year - 50 percent off newsstand price (for a limited time).


Story #2 - "MP3 vs M4a for the TDS Podcast" - Some of you may have noticed that I switched from MP3 to M4a for the weekly podcast format. For most of you, all this means is higher quality audio in a comparable file size. For those of you with older MP3 players, here's how you can still get the MP3 format version of the show.

Story #3 - "Dates Set for the Moving from Aperture to Photos or Lightroom" - The 2-day workshop begins Friday, August 7 and ends on Saturday August 8, 2015. If you want a reservation form, visit TDS Workshops Page and use the Send Me Info form. This workshop is listed in the popup menu.

Story #4 - From the Screening Room - Five-Step Creative Process with Stefan Mumaw. Creative problem solving is an important part of our work. Stefan Mumaw shows us how to improve this process in just 5 steps.

You can watch Stefan in action by visiting the TDS Screening Room at lynda.com. While you're there, you can start your 7 day free trial to watch all of Stefan's movies, plus every other title in the library (including over 20 by yours truly).

Virtual Camera Club News

Red River Paper for Ink. I just ordered a handful of replacement cartridges for my Epson R2000 printer. It's so easy to do this at Red River, and our discount code STORY10X worked for ink as well as paper. It's much easier than dealing with those large online retailers!

News from SizzlPix! Introducing 5K Ultra High Definition SizzlPix photographs for the wall, stunning in their clarity, resolution, depth, luminance, and vibrancy. Unlike traditional prints, new 5K Ultra High Definition SizzlPix defy intuition by appearing even more realistic and vibrant, the closer you look.

TDS listeners are the first to be able to purchase a 5K Ultra High Definition SizzlPix, and for the same price as the original SizzlPix. Just write TDS or The Digital Story in the comments field, and your order will be upgraded for free.

Thanks to everyone who recently reviewed the TDS Podcast in iTunes!

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.

Download the Show - MP3 Version

In addition to subscribing in iTunes, you can also download the podcast file here (33 minutes - MP3 version). 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.

When you take your seat on the plane, don't leave your camera in the overhead bin. You never know what you're going to see at 35,000 feet.

In the Heavens

When I spotted this anvil cloud formation outside my window, I pulled the Olympus OM-D E-M10 with a Panasonic 20mm F/1.7 II ASPH lens, then used the 2X doubler to better frame the composition. I only had about 30 seconds to get this shot before we moved out of position.

If the camera had not been with me, no picture.


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.

Street Shooting - Find Your Place

Being on the move is good, but I also like to find a place to set up camp for my street shooting. This picture is an example of a good spot that I found on W. 54th in NYC. I loved the reflections of the two facing marble surfaces. And I discovered that I could play with those elements as people walked by.

find-your-place-nyc.jpg

Generally speaking, city dwellers ignored me. Not only was I able to catch some individual frames that I liked, but I also have a solid series of images that I might use as a collection up the road.

So, next time you're out street shooting, and you don't think you're as focused as you'd like to be, find a place to work and lock in. You might be surprised at the results.


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.

Snapping Pictures of Our Photos

iphone_4s_camera-bw-web.jpg

I just read an interesting post titled, Can't Win for Losing, where the author wrote about an incident that happened to a photographer:

"Rather than ask for a copy of the print, she snapped a picture of the print with her cellphone and posted it on Instagram!"

If you're around teens and young adults, you've probably seen this practice. I remember thinking, "What's he doing?" I've handed my iPad displaying a portrait that I thought they would like, only to have them pull out their iPhone, take a picture of the iPad screen, then post it on their social.

On one level, it's flattering. Obviously the person likes the picture that I've captured of them. On the other hand, it's a bit weird. Making an instant low grade digital version of my photo feels inconsiderate.

There's a pretty good discussion that follows the Online Photographer post. You might be interested in what others have to say. And I'll be sure to put this on our TDS Facebook page if you want to chime in there.


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

Whether you're a cord cutter, or just someone who likes to be more in control of the content you watch, streaming media boxes provide increasing variety and flexibility.

If, for example, you want HBO, but don't want to be tied to a cable provider to get it, you can sign up for HBO NOW on an Apple TV. Other content providers such as Vevo TV provide unique access to the world of music. And the list goes on.

media-device-comparison.jpg Dan Rayburn, executive vice president of StreamingMedia.com, compares all of the current media devices including Apple TV and Roku 3 during this presentation at Streaming Media East.

But how do you know which OTT (Over the Top) device provides the services you want? I discovered an excellent resource at Streaming Media East in NYC. The Streaming Media Device Chart lists the features of all available boxes including Apple TV, Roku 3, Amazon Fire TV, and Xbox One. You get everything from ports, to protocols, to services supported - all in one place that is updated regularly.

And this will help you take better advantage of services or devices that you already have, but may be under utilizing. For example, HBO NOW is only available on Apple TV. Or, if you're an Amazon Prime member, you can buy a Fire TV Stick for $39 and watch hours of quality programming as part of your Prime membership.

The alternatives are getting better every day. You may want to investigate the services available and see what's a good fit for you.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

olympus-8mm.jpg

Want to bring a new perspective to your Micro Four Thirds photography? This might be the answer. Olympus just announced the 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO Lens, available for preorder for $999.99. Highlights include:

  • 16mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/22
  • 1 Aspherical, 5 ED, and 3 HR Elements
  • Anti-Reflection ZERO Coating
  • High-Speed Imager AF with MSC
  • Expansive 180° Angle of View
  • Dust, Splash, and Freezeproof Design
  • Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm

This handsome optic is also tough, with built-in weather sealing enabling photographers to creatively capture just about anywhere.

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: Interview with a Book Author from our Virtual Camera Club, Understanding the Photography Rules on Private Property, New Canon 50mm (for $125), Flickr 4 - all of this and more on today's show with Derrick Story.

Weekly Update - "Flickr for iOS update brings camera roll look and feel" - "The new version of the app also emphasizes the auto upload feature, trying to convert Flickr from an image-based social network into everybody's go-to photo app and directly competing with services like Dropbox or Google Plus Photos. When you launch the app for the first time you are asked if you want to activate the feature. If your answer is yes, images are uploaded automatically but set to private, though you can easily make your favorite ones public. Flickr offers 1TB of free storage, so you shouldn't have to worry about running out of space anytime soon, even with auto upload activated." And on a related note: Bernardo Hernandez, chief of the photo sharing service since 2013, has left his position at Yahoo. (Source: DP Connect)

canon-50-mm-side.jpg

In other news... "Canon patent reveals potential update for its EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens" - "The design of the overall lens doesn't appear to change much, but as Canon Rumors notes, this update could very well be meant to incorporate Canon's stepping motor (STM) to better suit video needs over Canon's Ultrasonic Motor (USM) technology." And on a related note, Canon has announced an update for its 50mm f/1.8 "nifty 50" that includes a metal mount, STM focusing motor, and a more compact size. (Source: Imaging-Resource.com)

Story #1 - "The Rules Change on Private Property" - After a recent lunch meeting in the Metreon, Doug Kaye and Frederick Van Johnson, and I want to snap a quick group shot of the three of us. Before the first click of the shutter, we were informed by security that we were on private property, and that photography was not permitted.

I was reminded of this again when I read the article titled, Yes, Airlines Can Legally Ban Photography, And Some Are Doing Just That on PetaPixel. This quote sums it up nicely: "You can't prohibit photography in public," attorney and photography rights' expert Daniel Greenberg tells the Post. "But the prohibition of photography on private property is legitimate. That decision is up to the property owner. If you don't want to follow the carrier's rules, don't get on the carrier's plane." I discuss this topic in today's first story.



mendonoma-book-spread.jpg

Story #2 - Interview with Craig Tooley, co-author of "Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year - The fascinating world of nature on the Mendocino and Sonoma Coast." Craig talks about the book project, that has since won a silver medal at 2015 Benjamin Franklin Awards competition in the category nature and environment held in Austin Texas, and at the 2015 INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER BOOK AWARDS a bronze metal under regional awards. We now carry signed copies of these books in the Nimble Photographer Store.

Story #3 - "Reservation Forms Have Been Sent for the TDS Fall Color/Safari West Photo Workshop" - The event begins on the evening of Friday Oct. 23, and it concludes on Sunday Oct. 25th in Sonoma County, CA. If you were on the reserve list, you should have received a reservation form. If not, please contact me. If you want a reservation form, visit TDS Workshops Page and use the Send Me Info form.

Story #4 - From the Screening Room - Introduction to Photo Compositing with Julieanne Kost. As I've remarked before, Julieanne is one of the best Photoshop instructors ever.

You can watch Julieanne in action by visiting the TDS Screening Room at lynda.com. While you're there, you can start your 7 day free trial to watch all of Julieanne's movies, plus every other title in the library (including over 20 by yours truly).

Virtual Camera Club News

News from SizzlPix! Introducing 5K Ultra High Definition SizzlPixTM, photographs for the wall, stunning in their clarity, resolution, depth, luminance, and vibrancy. Unlike traditional prints, new 5K Ultra High Definition SizzlPix defy intuition by appearing even more realistic and vibrant, the closer you look.

TDS listeners are the first to be able to purchase a 5K Ultra High Definition SizzlPix, and for the same price as the original SizzlPix. Just write TDS or The Digital Story in the comments field, and your order will be upgraded for free.

Thanks to everyone who recently reviewed the TDS Podcast in iTunes!

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.

Download the Show - MP3 Version

In addition to subscribing in iTunes, you can also download the podcast file here (35 minutes - MP3 version). 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.

50mm-lens-cap.jpg

Canon has updated its "nifty 50," and it appears to be a terrific upgrade. The new Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens will begin shipping on May 21 for $125. And for that reasonable price, Canon shooters will get what appears to be a quiet, fast, sharp prime optic.

  • EF Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Optimized Lens Coatings
  • STM AF Motor Supports Movie Servo AF
  • Metal Lens Mount
  • Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 14"

In addition to the lens being more compact than its noisy predecessor, it includes a gear-type STM stepping motor designed to provide quick, smooth, and near silent autofocus performance. The STM focusing mechanism also pairs well with EOS cameras featuring the Movie Servo AF mode to enable continuous focusing performance when working in live view.

An optional ES-68 Lens Hood ($28) and E-49 49mm Lens Cap ($9.95) will also be available later this month.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

Back in April, I talked about the Yongnuo 35mm F/2.0 lens on the TDS Photo Podcast. I had paid $120 for this fast prime lens to use on my Canon 5D Mark II. I noted that this optic has a distinct "look" to it that I liked. But at the time, I had no idea how I was going to use it.

Yongnuo-35mm-F2-Lens-Ashley.jpg Test shot of my project manager for the shoot with the Yongnuo 35mm F-2.0 lens on a Canon 5D Mark II. Aperture set to f/2.0, ISO 100, 1/250th of a second. The metadata for this lens reads: "Sigma A 24-105 mm f/4 DG OS HSM," which of course, is totally wrong.

Then, one of my favorite clients went through a branding process to adjust the look of their imagery. Interestingly enough, the new look is influenced by Instagram and real life street photography. When I saw samples of what they were after for our next shoot, I thought immediately of the Yongnuo 35mm optic.

Now it might seem crazy to you that I would rely on a $120 lens for a $1,500 photo shoot. But that's exactly what I did. I set my 5D Mark II to Aperture Priority and locked down the lens to f/2.0. And that's where it stayed for the entire session.

I can't share any of the actual images from the shoot, but I do have this test shot of Ashley, the project manager for the job, that I recorded before the subject arrived. This image gives you a good feel for how the Yongnuo performs on the 5D Mark II when set to f/2.0.

I then processed the image in Aperture 3 and used one of my recipes in DxO FilmPack 5 that's based on Fuji Reala 100. You can save your own settings in FilmPack 5 and recall them when the image calls for it.

The client loves the look of these pictures. At one point, the Marketing Director (who knows a lot about photography) asked me if I was using a "nifty 50" when she saw the Yongnuo. I said no, I bought a $120 Chinese optic for this shoot. We both smiled.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

If you're shooting RAW+Jpeg and upload those images to Photos for OS X, the application typically places the Jpeg forward. You can tell that this is the case via the badge in the lower left corner of the image with a "J" on top. (See second illustration.)

switch-to-raw.jpg In editing mode, you can tell Photos to switch to the RAW file.

Most photographers will want to edit the RAW file in post production. You can tell Photos that you want to work on the RAW by following these steps.

  • Double-click on the thumbnail to enlarge it, then click on the Edit button in the upper right corner.
  • Go to Image > Use RAW as Original.
  • Edit as normally, then click the Done button.

switched-to-raw.jpg

You'll notice that when you go back to thumbnails, the badge will now have an "R" on top instead of a "J", indicating that the RAW is the working image. You can control these badges by going to View > Metadata and turning on and off the ones you want.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

Apple has released Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 6.04 that supports 14 new cameras including the new Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, but only for 16MP RAWs, not the 40MP High Resolution Shot files.

E-M5MarkII_SLV_TDS.jpg

The cameras on the following list will now have RAW support in Aperture, iPhoto, and Photos for OS X.

  • Canon EOS 5DS
  • Canon EOS 5DS R
  • Canon EOS Rebel T6i / 750D / Kiss X8i
  • Canon EOS Rebel T6s / 760D / Kiss 8000D
  • Fujifilm X-A2
  • Hasselblad CFV-50c
  • Hasselblad H5D-50c
  • Leica C (Typ 112)
  • Nikon 1 S2
  • Nikon D7200
  • Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II
  • Panasonic LUMIX CM1
  • Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF7
  • Pentax MX-1

I tested the RAW files from the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II in Aperture, and they look great.

For most Mac users, the update should have been automatically applied last night. But you can check for yourself by going to App Store > Updates.

Happy to see that Apple is keeping our photo software up to date.

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: Delicious Monochromes from Your Digital Camera, Shining a Light on the Canon T6 Sensor Issue, Lightroom CC Tip, and One-Step Film Developing (that isn't Polaroid) - All of this and more on today's show with Derrick Story.

Weekly Update - "Canon T6 Sensor Issue" - Roger Cicla writes, "... 4 of the Canon T6s and 2 of the T6i cameras we received had to be sent back because of a defect in the sensor stack (the layers of filter glass over the sensor). This is out about 10 copies of each; the others were absolutely perfect.

The affected cameras all had a dramatic pattern that at first we thought was oil or dust on top of the sensor glass." (Source: LensRentals.com)

In other news... "Developing your film in one step" Photography startup New55 has released R3 Monobath, a new photochemical that makes developing film a one step process. Monobath films have been used in instant film, which could be a leading reason New55 is working on a monobath developer -- New55's existence is driven by the desire to bring back to life the aesthetic of the no longer produced Polaroid Type 55 film. (Source: Imaging-Resource.com)

warriors-fan-oracle-arena-tds.jpg "Warriors Fan, Oracle Arena" by Derrick Story.

Story #1 - "Delicious Monochromes from Your Digital" - I've talked about film simulation modes in the past, but some cameras allow you to build your own B&W profiles. I was "street shooting" again at Oracle Arena on Sunday, but this time in B&W using my own formula.

On my OM-D E-M10 (with Panasonic 20mm f/1.7), I began by going to Shooting Menu 1 and choosing Picture Mode. I then navigated to the Monotone option, where I could set parameters for Contrast (+1), Sharpness (+1), B&W Filter (Yellow), Picture Tone (Neutral), and Gradation (normal). I then shot in RAW+Jpeg. The results were beautiful!



Story #2 - "National Photography Month" National Photography Month was officially recognized by Congress in 1987. The month-long observance includes photography contests and other activities throughout the country. Rocky Nook is celebrating by offering $35 eBook Bundles on the following topics:

  • Travel Photography
  • Bird Photography
  • Landscape Photography
  • Beginner Photography
  • Bruce Barnbaum Complete Set
  • Candid Moments Photography

You can learn more by visiting the Rocky Nook web site.

Story #3 - "Reservation Forms Have Been Sent for the TDS Fall Color/Safari West Photo Workshop" - The event begins on the evening of Friday Oct. 23, and it concludes on Sunday Oct. 25th in Sonoma County, CA. If you were on the reserve list, you should have received a reservation form. If not, please contact me. If you want a reservation form, visit TDS Workshops Page and use the Send Me Info form.

Story #4 Lightroom CC Tip - Get to Know the New Filter Brush - I've been using the graduated screen much more since Adobe added the Filter Brush. Once you add the screen, click on Brush (in the same box), click on Erase (at the bottom of the box), and paint away the areas you don't want affected by the screen. This is perfect for buildings and trees that stick up into the sky you want to darken.

Virtual Camera Club News

Thanks to everyone who recently reviewed the TDS Podcast in iTunes!

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.

Download the Show

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.

Want to Comment on this Post?

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

If ever there were a trip where you wanted to balance having the photo gear you need, but not too much of it, it would be a visit to Cuba.

cuban-ice-cream-vendor.jpg "Cuban Ice Cream Vendor" by Derrick Story.

In my latest article for lynda.com, What to Pack for a Photo Trip to Cuba: Nine Essentials, I explain what I packed for my recent trip, and how I used it. Some of the items might surprise you...


Nimble Photographer Logo

My camera bag for Cuba had 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.

Composing an image in a crowd of people is challenge. On one hand, there are lots of different colors and shapes. But I believe that every shot needs some sort of focal point. And in a crowd, it's often the person looking back your way.

riding-the-f-line.jpg "Riding the F Line, San Francisco" by Derrick Story.

This is difficult for some photographers because there are now possibly two people in the mix that know you're taking pictures: you, and the person looking back in your direction.

But the compositions are compelling. While the rest of the world is heading one way, there's a single human that breaks away from the herd. And when that happens, snap the shutter.

children-in-chinatown.jpg "Children in Chinatown" by Derrick Story"

Most of the time, they won't be looking directly at you (although it's great when they do). It's the disruption in the pattern that's important. It's that single yellow flower in a sea of red that breaths life into the image.

So when you're shooting in crowds, look for the person looking back your way. That's usually the shot you'll keep.


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.