This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,021, October 14, 2025. Today's theme is, "7 Techniques for Bending Reality in the Sierras." I'm Derrick Story.
Opening Monologue
We're back from the Eastern Sierra! One discussion topic that ran through the entire week was "Keeping It Real or Going Surreal." Our photographers embraced a variety of approaches to create their own unique images, and I will share those with you on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
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7 Techniques for Bending Reality in the Sierras
The deep blue of the high mountain lakes, the vibrant yellows and oranges of the Aspens and Cottonwoods, the weathered wood of Bodie, and the surreal tufa at Mono Lake - you would think this would be enough to fill the eyes of any photographer.
But many of us wanted to further transform these amazing scenes into our own works of art. We wanted to go beyond postcard and calendar shots in search of a look that was unique. And that's what we did.
Here are seven techniques that our workshop photographers experimented with during our week in the Eastern Sierra.
- Custom Color Profiles, Film Simulations, and Art Filters
- Slow Shutter Speeds with NDs and Polarizers
- Infrared - both Monochrome and Color
- B&W - Both In-Camera and in Post
- Intentional Camera Movement (ICM)
- Reflections
- Shooting Into the Sun
Soon I will be posting a gallery on DerrickStoryOnline where our Inner Circle Members and workshop participants can see examples of these techniques.
Camera Industry News
Here are a few interesting stories from this week's photography news.
Ricoh and Realme are working on a smartphone camera with a film-like aesthetic for people tired of perfect photos from DigitalCameraWorld.com.
Sales Charts Show the Ricoh GR IV Is Picking Up Where the GR III Left Off from PetaPixel.com.
iPhone 17 Pro camera upgrade: is it worth leaving your 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 Pro behind? from DPReview.com.
Kodak launches Kodacolor 100 and 200 to feed the film resurgence from TheVerge.com.
Virtual Camera Club News
Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.
If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.
Costa Rica! June 2026 - Complete information and registration here. This will be a once in a lifetime photography event. I hope you can join us.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.
Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.
The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - 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.
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.
Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.
See you next week!
You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.
