This is The Digital Story Podcast #801, July 27, 2021. Today's theme is "The 5 Photo Tips We Seem to Forget." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

One of the great things about hanging around other photographers, as I've been doing during the online workshops, is that they remind you of things that we sometimes forget. This latest batch comes complements of the Ultimate B&W Workshop that we just wrapped up on Saturday. I think you'll get a kick out of these. I hope you enjoy the show.

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The 5 Photo Tips We Seem to Forget

I have this running joke with photography: If there are 10 things to remember for a successful picture, and I forget just one of them, I'm usually disappointed with the shot.

That doesn't leave us a very wide margin of error. These next five are perfect examples.

5 Things to Remember

• Resetting the ISO to Auto after jacking it up to 6400.
• Shading the front of my lens when shooting in the direction of the sun.
• Remembering to shoot a little wide and crop to taste in post.
• Acknowledging that it's not good enough just to carry an extra battery, but knowing that it must be recharged as well.
• Not forgetting that B&W mode solves every color problem and can be a fix for harsh midday lighting as well.

2 Seats Open for Mastering Capture One Pro 21 Online Workshop

We have two seats open for Mastering Capture One Pro 21 Online Workshop that begins on Aug. 4, 2021.

We will cover best practices for using this app, plus all of the new tools and goodies that have been recently introduced. All of the sessions are recorded and made available to workshop participants.

Also, if you visit our TDS Workshops Page, you'll see a variety of topics including the new IR workshop.

And remember, Patreon Members get a $15 discount on this already affordable workshop.

Instagram's Shift in Focus Is a Reminder of the Risk in Building Businesses on Someone Else's Land

You can read the entire article here on FStoppers.

With the news that Instagram's focus has shifted to be far less centered around images, many photographers who have spent years building their following and brand on the app are left out in the cold. This isn't the first, nor will it be the last time you are reminded of the dangers of building a large part of your business on someone else's platform.

When Instagram launched a decade ago, it would have been difficult to predict that it would evolve into anything that wasn't centered around photographs. At first, I wasn't particularly interested in the app -- it seemed like a niche platform you could take photographs and put filters over the top of them, rather than something aimed at photographers -- but, I was eventually lured into trying it. It was restrictive (square crop only) but enjoyable, and the algorithms that dictated your success and views were intuitive. I became a little obsessed with getting more followers and more likes, which can be seen as a negative reaction, but its impact on my desire to create more and better images was positive at least.

Over the last few years, however, I have grown increasingly disillusioned with the app, to the point where I no longer post to it. Where once I was getting clients and growing analytics, a change from the chronological feed, followed by myriad other prescriptive alterations to who sees what meant it became frustrating and demotivating. I more or less gave up on using Instagram altogether, but that's because I didn't get particularly "big" to begin with. Photographers with six-figure (or more) followings could still harness it to make money and get unimaginable exposure. So, what's the problem?

Instagram has openly stated that they are moving away from photo sharing and photography, with a stronger focus on the more contemporary desires of social media users.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! (And welcome to our new members.) We have a new poll on the Patreon site for our members: Are You Looking to Buy a New Camera in 2021? Be sure to stop by and chime in.

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have more than 25 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

EV Explorers for Those Who Are Interested in Electric Cars: I've created a new group on DerrickStoryOnline titled EV Explorers. The tagline for this group is: "Bringing Curiosity and Nimbleosity to the World of Electric Vehicle Transportation." Here we can share information, tips, discoveries and more about using electric vehicles for our photography adventures. If you want to join this group, click on this link for an invite. We're going to keep this as a private group for now, but you are invited to join us.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

Product Links and Comments

There are product links in this article that contain affiliate tags. In some cases, depending on the product, The Digital Story may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you.

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

Looking back to 2019 and before, I realized that we didn't understand how to conduct an online workshop that was personal and interactive. But then again, we didn't really have to. That's what physical events were for.

All of that has changed.

Yesterday, I've just completed my 8th online event since the pandemic began. We've covered topics such as black and white photography, infrared, iPhone techniques, and more. As we were wrapping up class presentations, we talked about some of the benefits of this new approach. Many of the comments included:

• The workshop was far more personal and interactive than anticipated. (We limit class size to 10 participants.)
• Having more time to work on photo assignments allowed for more exploration of techniques. (Classes are once a week with time in-between to work on assignments.)
• Not having to travel felt safer and more convenient. (Classes are on Zoom with full participation for everyone and augmented by an online site with open posting and commenting.)
• The lower cost fit much better in the budget. ($155 for the entire class with lifelong community access, $140 for our Patreon Members.)
• Having an online site to complement the live sessions enhanced the feeling of community. (A place to ask questions, share experiences, and get feedback on work.)

For many of the participants in our online events, this was their first workshop ever, in any format. The online approach felt like a more gentle way to dip one's toes in the water to see if this is an experience that was right for them.

One of the most difficult things for photographers and writers to find is a supportive community of like-minded artists. Our online workshops provide that, not only during the event itself, but long after it's over because of the online community we maintain for workshop participants.

Once you've attended a TDS Workshop, you're in the community. For life. And you know it's a quality place to share ideas and experiences because it's comprised of other artists who have participated in these events.

If you're thinking that you might enjoy an online or physical workshop for photography or writing, take a look at our workshops page. I think you will find the experience rewarding.

Things have really changed. And in this case, for the better.

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #800, July 20, 2021. Today's theme is "Introduction to Infrared Photography." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Mysterious, wonderful, sometimes psychedelic, infrared photography can both marvel and baffle photographers at the same time. If you've been curious about IR, consider today's show an introduction to help you decide if this is the next new frontier for you. I hope you enjoy the show.

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Before we get into the meat of today's show, I just have to say this: 800 episodes!

Introduction to Infrared Photography

The IR spectrum lives beyond how we normally view the world of visible light. But we can pull back the curtain and take a peek with our cameras and a simple IR filter. Once you do that however, you may get hooked. Infrared photography is one of the most fascinating explorations for visual artists.

I thought a good way to get us started is by leading a Q&A session. These questions have come up repeatedly during my IR workshops, and my guess is that many of them would be of interest to you as well.

Infrared Q&A

• Do I need a special camera to make IR photos?
• If I did want to get a modified camera for IR, what should I look for?
• Why do the colors sometimes look so weird in IR photography?
• Will my camera focus properly when capturing infrared?
• What's the best software to process infrared photos?

Workshop Swap for September

I'm adding a Infrared Photography Workshop for Sept. 22, 2021, replacing the ON1 Effects event that was originally planned for that time slot.

If you visit our TDS Workshops Page, you'll see a variety of topics including the new IR workshop.

TTArtisan releases $150 7.5mm F2 fisheye APS-C lens for 7 camera mounts

You can read the entire article here on DP Review.

TTartisans has released a new 7.5mm F2 fisheye lens for a long list of mirrorless camera systems.

The lens is constructed of 11 elements in eight groups, including two low-dispersion elements and three high-refractive index elements. It features a minimum focusing distance of 12.5cm (5"), uses a seven-blade aperture diaphragm and has an aperture range of F2 through F11. Due to the front element extending beyond the front of the lens, no filters can be used without third-party adapters.

The lens is available for Canon EOS-M, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Leica L, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon Z and Sony E mount camera systems. However, due to it being an APS-C lens, full-frame cameras will need to be used in crop shooting mode or crop in in post-production to avoid a circle vignetting.

TTArtisan doesn't mention physical measurements, but does note the lens weighs between 343-370g (12-13oz), varying based on the lens mount version you choose. The TTArtisan 7.5mm F2 fisheye lens is available from TTArtisan's online shop for $149 in each of the aforementioned mounts. The first orders will ship out on July 21, 2021.

Nikon Says Z fc Shipments Will Be Slow, Delays 28mm f/2.8 Kit Indefinitely

You can read the entire article here on Petapixel.

Nikon has announced that while it intends to begin shipping Nikon Z fc cameras on schedule starting July 23, it does not have the supply to meet all demand. Additionally, overwhelming numbers of orders for the 28mm f/2.8 special edition kit have forced the company to delay it indefinitely.

The "Z fc 28mm f / 2.8 Special Edition Kit," which is scheduled to be released in late July 2021, has received a large number of reservations beyond expectations, and due to the delay in parts supply, the supply amount is sufficient for release. Is not expected to be available. Therefore, we have decided to postpone the release. We will inform you of the release date as soon as it is confirmed.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to customers who are waiting for our products. We will do our utmost to deliver the product as soon as possible, and we appreciate your understanding.

A shortage of parts, likely caused by the global silicon shortage and the AKM factory fire last year, has resulted in extremely slow production from Nikon and other camera manufacturers over the last year. At the time, AKM factory leadership expected to be able to rebuild and restart production quickly, but the company was only able to start the recovery process in April of this year -- six months after the fire. It will be some time before AKM is able to return to its former manufacturing level. The lack of parts combined with Nikon shuffling its own factories has likely exacerbated the production issue for the camera company. Just like with AKM, it may be a while before Nikon is able to return to full manufacturing capacity.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! (And welcome to our new members.)

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have more than 25 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

EV Explorers for Those Who Are Interested in Electric Cars: I've created a new group on DerrickStoryOnline titled EV Explorers. The tagline for this group is: "Bringing Curiosity and Nimbleosity to the World of Electric Vehicle Transportation." Here we can share information, tips, discoveries and more about using electric vehicles for our photography adventures. If you want to join this group, click on this link for an invite. We're going to keep this as a private group for now, but you are invited to join us.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

Product Links and Comments

There are product links in this article that contain affiliate tags. In some cases, depending on the product, The Digital Story may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you.

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

Of all the features that I use on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, the ultra-wide camera is one of the most satisfying.

San Francisco Giants vs. the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park in San Francisco. iPhone 12 Pro Max using the ultra-wide camera. Photo by Derrick Story.

When you think about it as a traditional photographer, having access to a 13mm, f/2.4 lens with an expansive 180-degree field of view, in your pocket, is incredible.

I've always liked wide-angle photography, but didn't shoot as much of it as I would prefer because the lenses were bulky. So many times when I was putting together my nimble kit for the day, those optics were left behind.

All of that has changed. I can now carry a camera with just one prime lens (such as the Fujifilm X100V or Olympus PEN-F) with the iPhone 12 Pro Max in my pocket. The smartphone covers ultra-wide and mild telephoto, while the camera is used for my normal lens work.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is my first phone with the wide optic, having upgraded from the iPhone X (which I love!), and I must say, that 13mm lens has changed everything.

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #799, July 13, 2021. Today's theme is "The Return of the Glovebox Camera." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

I've found myself taking more and more pictures with the iPhone, if for no other reason, it's my most readily available camera. And it occurred to me, that since I do have a car, why not have one of my other cameras more accessible as well? I did this before smartphones, and I think it's time to revisit the concept. I hope you enjoy the show.

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The Return of the Glovebox Camera

It's amazing how many wonderful things I see through my car windows. I know part of it is because of where I live in Sonoma County. And part of it is because life is endlessly interesting.

My iPhone is always there by my side, and much of what I capture when I'm on the go is with it. But lately, I've had this feeling, that no matter how good the iPhone is, I'm missing some opportunities to capture different pictures with my camera. And so I've revisited the idea of keeping one in the car with me.

Now I know the first thing you're thinking: "Derrick is that really a good idea?" My theory is how you implement it. Here are the ground rules that I'm using.

Glovebox Camera Ground Rules

• Out of site, but accessible.
• Bring with me when exiting the car whenever possible.
• Never leave it in there on a hot day.
• Keep it in a nimble case with a shoulder strap.
• Keep the car locked at all times.

Modern Cars Make this Easier and More Fun

My camera actually lives in the center console with a sliding door cover. My iPhone (with wireless charging pad) and two USB-C ports are in there as well.

Lately, I've been keeping the Fujifilm X100V in there. It fits nicely in my Lowepro pouch with shoulder strap. And because it accepts USB charging via USB-C, I can refresh the battery in-between shoots right there at the console.

After just a week with this setup, I can tell you that I love it. I still shot plenty with my iPhone, but now I have a second option that I truly enjoy. And it's nice to be capturing more images with a device other than a smartphone.

Workshop Swap for September

I'm adding a Infrared Photography Workshop for Sept. 22, 2021, replacing the ON1 Effects event that was originally planned for that time slot.

If you visit our TDS Workshops Page, you'll see a variety of topics including the new IR workshop.

Enhance Your B&W Photos with New Silver Efex 3

All through its journey from Nik, to Google, to DxO, Silver Efex has more or less remained the same. That wasn't really a problem however because it's good. And much like a black tux that never goes out of style, so remained my favorite application for digital black and white photography.

Then along came Silver Efex 3, and truly, a good thing got better. This new version released by DxO updated the interface, added presets, now includes DxO's ClearView technology, and made the control points easier to use. If you work with Tiff files, you have the option to retain all of the edits so you can return to the image and pick up where you left off.

Two Basic Workflows

You can use Silver Efex as a standalone app or as a plugin for Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. I tried it with Capture One Pro, and it behaved like it knew what to do, but in the end the experiment failed. (In fact, make sure Capture One Pro is not open when working with Silver Efex 3 or it will muck up your workflow.) I also could not get it to work with the Creative Cloud version of Lightroom or Photos for macOS. So that left me with Photoshop for roundtripping. Ugh.

As a standalone, the app works well. I recommend exporting the file from your photo management app as a Tiff so you can return to the project and retain your edits. Silver Efex will also accept Jpegs, but without the nifty return-to-edit feature. No RAW files of any type are accepted.

The Bottom Line

Silver Efex Pro 3 remains a quirky application. The workflow is limited compared to other apps, and you have to spend a little time getting inside its head. But if you love black and white photography, it's still the premier tool for creating stunning monochrome and duotone images.

Silver Efex 3 is part of the entire Nik Collection, currently on sale for $99.

Photographers Covering the Olympics Faced With Mounting Challenges

You can read the entire article here on Petapixel.

The 2020 Olympics is set to officially begin on July 23, 2021 and while the Olympic committee is forging ahead with the event, photographers are being saddled with challenges that will make documenting it harder than ever before. As the Olympics inch closer, the pandemic looms large.

As the event inches closer it is clear that preparations are not going smoothly. Photographer Jeff Cable will be arriving on the ground on July 20 and has written a detailed blog about the evolving situation that is taking place, even now. Additionally, he spoke to PetaPixel and explained that at least for him, a team of one, the situation is thus far hectic and at times, confusing.

"I leave for Tokyo in a week and a half and I do so with very mixed emotions. Normally I am super excited to get to the Olympic city and start my preparation for the three-week adventure," he says. "But this time around is really different. I am still excited to go, but this is also mixed with the apprehension of an Olympics with major pandemic precautions."

Cable says that in preparations for the event, communication has been challenging as the situation has been changing rapidly and sometimes without warning. For example, before last week some fans were expected to be in attendance. But last Thursday, it was suddenly announced that there will be no fans at all at any of the Olympic events.

Additionally, Cable says that there has been a slew of different forms that he has needed to fill out, return, and keep log as the Olympic organizers aren't tracking who has submitted what application.

Neither Japan nor the Olympic Committee is requiring vaccinations to attend the events, either. While he and other photographers were asked if they had been vaccinated, that information was not being disseminated and it does not appear to affect how the photographers will be treated in travel to the island nation. The Olympics appear to be operating as if no one is vaccinated, and the organizers are attempting to get everyone into a "bubble" to avoid any possible transmissions of the virus.

Cable, who is fully vaccinated, has been instructed to get multiple COVID tests before boarding the plane and will also be required to take more upon arrival in Japan and intermittently through his time there for at least two weeks.

The number of precautions and tests is in response to a rising COVID infection rate in the country. According to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University, Japan reported 2,032 new cases of the virus on July 11, the most since June 6. the number of new cases in the country has been trending upwards since June 21.

As a result, Japan has entered into a new state of emergency as of July 12, and opinion polls have consistently shown that the Japanese public has major concerns about holding the international event amidst a growing wave of infections, Reuters reports.

But the Olympics are unlikely to be canceled, and instead, more restrictions are likely to be imposed on those making the journey.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! (And welcome to our new members.)

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have more than 25 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

EV Explorers for Those Who Are Interested in Electric Cars: I've created a new group on DerrickStoryOnline titled EV Explorers. The tagline for this group is: "Bringing Curiosity and Nimbleosity to the World of Electric Vehicle Transportation." Here we can share information, tips, discoveries and more about using electric vehicles for our photography adventures. If you want to join this group, click on this link for an invite. We're going to keep this as a private group for now, but you are invited to join us.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

Product Links and Comments

There are product links in this article that contain affiliate tags. In some cases, depending on the product, The Digital Story may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you.

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

All through its journey from Nik, to Google, to DxO, Silver Efex has more or less remained the same. That wasn't really a problem however because it's good. And much like a black tux that never goes out of style, so remained my favorite application for digital black and white photography.

Then along came Silver Efex 3, and truly, a good thing got better. This new version released by DxO updated the interface, added presets, now includes DxO's ClearView technology, and made the control points easier to use. If you work with Tiff files, you have the option to retain all of the edits so you can return to the image and pick up where you left off.

Two Basic Workflows

You can use Silver Efex as a standalone app or as a plugin for Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. I tried it with Capture One Pro, and it behaved like it knew what to do, but in the end the experiment failed. (In fact, make sure Capture One Pro is not open when working with Silver Efex 3 or it will muck up your workflow.) I also could not get it to work with the Creative Cloud version of Lightroom or Photos for macOS. So that left me with Photoshop for roundtripping. Ugh.

As a standalone, the app works well. I recommend exporting the file from your photo management app as a Tiff so you can return to the project and retain your edits. Silver Efex will also accept Jpegs, but without the nifty return-to-edit feature. No RAW files of any type are accepted.

Start with the Presets

The presets are visible on the left side of the interface, and they are a good starting point. If nothing else, they help you explore the possibilities with your photo. If you find something you like, then select it and move over to the right side of the interface to fine-tune the image's appearance with the variety of tools available.

If you don't see any presets that you like, then I recommend that you choose 000 Neutral and move over to the film types on the right side. There are a bunch of them there to choose from, and DxO has been working on these for years. They are quite good.

Once you hone in on a basic look, you can add finishing touches such as structure, ClearView, soft contrast and a host of other tools. It's really fun to play with these. You have three different ways to review Before/After, with those buttons located at the top of the toolbar.

Improved Control Points

I wasn't a huge fan of the U-Point technology back in their early days, but I used them. This is an area where I think DxO has added value to the maintenance of Silver Efex. I think the current iteration of control points are easier to use and make more sense.

In Silver Efex 3, you enable the control point target by clicking on it (in the Selective Adjustments panel), then clicking on the area of the image that you want a localized edit. You can adjust the diameter by sliding on the scale that appears to the right of the control point.

To apply a tonal adjustment, just make sure the control point is highlighted, then make your adjustment using the sliders on the right side of the interface in the Selective Adjustments panel. There are some nice little features that allow you to turn on and off the effect of the control point and to show its mask. You can even give the control point a specific label, which I think is a great touch.

You still have the limitations that control points are round circles, to they are not as precise as a mask created by other means, but they do have intelligence under the hood, and are now much easier to use.

The Bottom Line

Silver Efex Pro 3 remains a quirky application. The workflow is limited compared to other apps, and you have to spend a little time getting inside its head. But if you love black and white photography, it's still the premier tool for creating stunning monochrome and duotone images.

Silver Efex 3 is part of the entire Nik Collection, currently on sale for $99.

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #798, July 6, 2021. Today's theme is "The Nikon Z fc: Brilliant or Brain Freeze?" I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

For those of us who love classic Nikon film cameras, it's hard not to have an impulse-buy reaction when first setting eyes on the new Nikon Z fc with heritage 28mm lens. But since we've learned that it will take a while for Nikon to get these out the door, we have the luxury of analyzing just how brilliant, or not, this camera is. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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The Nikon Z fc: Brilliant or Brain Freeze?

The just-announced Nikon Z fc Mirrorless Digital Camera with 28mm Lens is a 21 MP, cropped sensor beauty that looks a lot like the classic FM3 complete with machined dials and a heritage designed 28mm lens.

For many of us who have loved Nikon film cameras, the first impulse is, "I must have this!" But as we delve into the specs, the debate becomes a bit more balanced. Let's start with two lists: the things I like, and what could be improved.

Things I Like

• I love its looks!
• The classic 28mm lens is handsome and affordable.
• It's nimble, so I don't mind the APS-C sensor (DX-Format).
• The 3" 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen that folds inward.
• ISO 100-51200, Up to 11 fps Shooting.
• Time-lapse movies.
• 2.36m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder.
• Capable HD and 4K movie recording chops.
• Robust magnesium alloy chassis is both dust- and weather-resistant .
• Live streaming and web conferencing via separately purchased USB Type-C cable.
• 3.5mm mic jack.
• 100 to 51200 ISO
• -4 to 17 EV metering range.

What Could Be Improved

• No built-in flash.
• No ultrasonic sensor cleaner.
• No sensor-based image stabilization.
• Single Slot SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I).
• No MF/AF focusing mode switch.

Final Verdict

I'm still looking forward to shooting with the Nikon Z fc once I receive my review copy. And that physical experience my overcome a few of my disappointments.

I think Nikon missed a big opportunity by not including IS and sensor cleaning. Had those two features been included, this could have been a no-brainer for me.

Also, there's not pathway, that I can tell, to use my classic AI-S optics on this body, which would have been a real deal closer, especially with IS. Ken Rockwell writes, "Use the FTZ adapter and it should work with most [Nikon] DSLR AF-S lenses, but won't autofocus with AF or AF-D screw-focus lenses, and works very poorly with manual-focus AI and AI-s lenses." Hmmm, that is a bummer at best.

So in my book, the Nikon Z fc is both brilliant for its design, and a brain freeze for its lack of obvious features. You can preorder it now for $1,196 with the 28mm lens..

Workshop Swap for September

I'm adding a Infrared Photography Workshop for Sept. 22, 2021, replacing the ON1 Effects event that was originally planned for that time slot.

If you visit our TDS Workshops Page, you'll see a variety of topics including the new IR workshop.

Great Music to Go - Get Together Mini Portable Bluetooth Speakers Review

I have collected many bluetooth speakers over the years so I can enjoy and share music when away from my home HiFi components. Usually, I will like one aspect (such as the sound), but not another, (such as the form factor). When I decided to try the Get Together Mini by House of Marley, I got everything I wanted in one package.

Really, Really Good Looks

By far, they are the most handsome portable speakers I've used. The outer case is a combination of natural, solid bamboo and unique "Rewind" fabric. Not only do they look great, they feel good when walking around with them in hand. (House of Marley builds eco-friendly products and ships them in 100 percent recyclable packaging.)

Excellent Sound

The Get Together Mini delivers on sound as well. I've been listening to Rebelution's latest album, In the Moment streaming from my iPhone to the speakers via bluetooth, and the music sounds amazing. Crisp, but not tinny, rich midtones and bass, but not muddy. I was sold on both the album and speakers immediately.

Plenty of Features

The Get Together Mini features:

• 2.5" Woofers, 1" Tweeters.
• 10 hours of playtime.
• Bluetooth technology allows your device to be up to 45 feet away from the speaker while still maintaining connection. Compatible with iOS and Android.
• Built-in microphone so you can use it as a speaker phone to take and make calls.
• Auxiliary input jack allows you to connect it to record players, TVs, and other audio devices.
• USB port that allows you to charge your phone and other USB devices.

Possible Issues

On the downside, some customers had complained that the mini-USB charging port had failed preventing them from refueling the rechargeable battery. I examined the port on my kit and gave it a good workout. So far it's holding up and seems solid. I have to say, I'm not a fan of mini-USB ports in general, and look forward to the day they are all replaced by the more dependable USB-C design. As for these speakers in particular, they seem solid.

One other user complaint was the audio cues that announce connecting and disconnecting from devices. I have other speakers that include this feature. I'm not a huge fan of the announcements either, but maybe I'm just used to them. You should be aware that House of Marley uses this technology as well.

Final Verdict

I'm hoping that my Get Together Mini speakers last a long time, because I really like them. They are super portable (the same width as my MacBook 13" laptop), sound great, connect easily, an look fantastic. You can buy the Get Together Mini by House of Marley for $149 with free shipping directly from their site.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras

Greg Croasdill recently wrote me this: "My father-in-law passed away recently and I would like to donate his film cameras to the Film Camera Shop. I've heard you speak of this for years on your podcast and now finally I have some good equipment to send you way."

If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

If it's a camera we can use for the shop, I'll send you a Donation Kit that includes a USPS Priority Mail shipping box and prepaid label. All you have to do is tape it up, insert the camera, and add the label. USPS will pick up your shipment from the front door of your house during their regular mail delivery. It's that simple!

Your donation help get analog gear in the hands of aspiring fine art photographers, and the proceeds help support this podcast.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! (And welcome to our new members.)

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have more than 25 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

EV Explorers for Those Who Are Interested in Electric Cars: I've created a new group on DerrickStoryOnline titled EV Explorers. The tagline for this group is: "Bringing Curiosity and Nimbleosity to the World of Electric Vehicle Transportation." Here we can share information, tips, discoveries and more about using electric vehicles for our photography adventures. If you want to join this group, click on this link for an invite. We're going to keep this as a private group for now, but you are invited to join us.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

Product Links and Comments

There are product links in this article that contain affiliate tags. In some cases, depending on the product, The Digital Story may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you.

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

I have collected many bluetooth speakers over the years so I can enjoy and share music when away from my home HiFi components. Usually, I will like one aspect (such as the sound), but not another, (such as the form factor). When I decided to try the Get Together Mini by House of Marley, I got everything I wanted in one package.

Really, Really Good Looks

By far, they are the most handsome portable speakers I've used. The outer case is a combination of natural, solid bamboo and unique "Rewind" fabric. Not only do they look great, they feel good when walking around with them in hand. (House of Marley builds eco-friendly products and ships them in 100 percent recyclable packaging.)

Excellent Sound

The Get Together Mini delivers on sound as well. I've been listening to Rebelution's latest album, In the Moment streaming from my iPhone to the speakers via bluetooth, and the music sounds amazing. Crisp, but not tinny, rich midtones and bass, but not muddy. I was sold on both the album and speakers immediately.

Plenty of Features

The Get Together Mini features:

• 2.5" Woofers, 1" Tweeters.
• 10 hours of playtime.
• Bluetooth technology allows your device to be up to 45 feet away from the speaker while still maintaining connection. Compatible with iOS and Android.
• Built-in microphone so you can use it as a speaker phone to take and make calls.
• Auxiliary input jack allows you to connect it to record players, TVs, and other audio devices.
• USB port that allows you to charge your phone and other USB devices.

Possible Issues

On the downside, some customers had complained that the mini-USB charging port had failed preventing them from refueling the rechargeable battery. I examined the port on my kit and gave it a good workout. So far it's holding up and seems solid. I have to say, I'm not a fan of mini-USB ports in general, and look forward to the day they are all replaced by the more dependable USB-C design. As for these speakers in particular, they seem solid.

One other user complaint was the audio cues that announce connecting and disconnecting from devices. I have other speakers that include this feature. I'm not a huge fan of the announcements either, but maybe I'm just used to them. You should be aware that House of Marley uses this technology as well.

Final Verdict

I'm hoping that my Get Together Mini speakers last a long time, because I really like them. They are super portable (the same width as my MacBook 13" laptop), sound great, connect easily, an look fantastic. You can buy the Get Together Mini by House of Marley for $149 with free shipping directly from their site.

Product Links and Comments

There are product links in this article that contain affiliate tags. In some cases, depending on the product, The Digital Story may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you.

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