If you'd like to take time to focus on your photography this weekend, then consider joining me in Santa Rosa, CA for "How I Did It" - A Short Course in High-Impact Photography.

Many high-impact photos are a combination of opportunity and technique. In this workshop, I'll show you examples of compelling photographs and explain how they were captured. By the end of the day, you will have learned many of the secrets that top shooters use to distinguish their photos from others.

You can register online, or call Santa Rosa Junior College at 707-527-4372.

Now Available! The Digital Photography Companion. The official guide for The Digital Story Virtual Camera Club.

• 25 handy and informative tables for quick reference.
• Metadata listings for every photo in the book
• Dedicated chapter on making printing easy.
• Photo management software guide.
• Many, many inside tips gleaned from years of experience.
• Comprehensive (214 pages), yet fits easily in camera bag.

I was reading a story on PDN this morning titled Smart Phones for Smart Photographers that discussed how today's mobile devices have a variety of tools that are helpful for shooters -- including their built in cameras.

I had one of those "smart phone moments" this weekend while I was moving out of a storage unit (finally!) on Saturday morning. It had rained that evening, but the sky was beginning to clear. As I sat there in my VW van ready to take the first load to the house, I saw this interesting composition. I didn't have a "real" camera with me, so I pulled out my iPhone and composed this shot through the van windshield.

That night, tired from a day of moving, I pulled out my iPhone and took a peek at the images. I like the juxtaposition of sky in asphalt. It's a fun shot that I'm glad I have.

Ah, smart phones. You gotta love em! What's in your pocket? Let us know by posting a comment below.

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Technorati Tags: candid, Derrick Story, digital photography, iPhone, Technology, The Digital Story

Bogen is hosting a webinar titled, Selling Your Products Online? Learn How to Shoot Products that Sell Themselves on Friday, Oct. 3 in the afternoon. Led by Mark Astmann and Christopher Abbiss, Lastolite Product Managers, they will discuss the Cubelite –- a quick portable lighting system perfect for taking web images, along with other lighting options and tips to achieve great images with a digital point and shoot camera. They will also demonstrate positioning and placing light on your products, along with white balancing your camera to eliminate unwanted colors to your images.

The only catch is that you must have a valid United States address and a valid email address upon registration. But it does sound kind of fun.

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If you've ever wondered if Photoshop's Smart Objects are something you should be using, you might want to listen in on this conversation with Deke McClelland. I interviewed him at Photoshop World in Orlando, and wanted to hear why he thinks Smart Objects are worth learning.

Deke does a terrific job of providing an overview to this nondestructive function in Photoshop. It's a good listen if you want to get up to speed in less than 20 minutes.

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Technorati Tags: Adobe Photoshop, Derrick Story, digital photography, Technology, The Digital Story

I've been reading up on the just-announced Sigma DP2 compact camera, and I have to say, I don't quite get it. I do understand that it uses the same 14 megapixel (2,652×1,768×3 layers) direct image sensor as the SD14 and DP1, which is huge for a compact. But the lens is a prime only at 24.2mm (equal to 43mm on a full frame sensor) with a maximum aperture of f/2.8.

Now, I love prime lenses as much as the next guy, but this day in age, why would I spend hundreds of dollars on a camera with only a 43mm lens? And at f/2.8 to boot? If it's going to be a single-focal length only, doesn't it at least have to be fast?

I understand the potential for great image quality here with the large Foveon sensor and shooting in Raw mode. And quite possibly I'm just a little more frugal than the target market for this camera. So, if you have a compelling argument to spend big dollars on this machine, I'd like you to post a comment saying why.

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Technorati Tags: Derrick Story, digital photography, Technology, The Digital Story, Sigma DP2

SanDisk announces their latest, the 16GB SanDisk Extreme IV CompactFlash card with transfer rates up to 45MB/s. The cards should run around $399 initially.

And I guess we're going to need 'em. Now with Raw capture at 12 MPs and well beyond, along with adding video to DSLRs, storage becomes important. But it's not just the memory card in your camera. If you're purchasing 16GB CF cards, then you better have a plan for expanding hard drive capacity on the post production side of the equation too.

My point being, as we buy new cameras, and purchase big cards to go with them, we need to think through the entire equation. My current workflow is set up for 12 MP Raw capture. If I decide to upgrade (Canon 5D Mark II), then my budget needs to include new camera, new CF cards, and more hard drives.

Hmmm. Suddenly my current 5D is not looking so bad.

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Nikon just announced their newly redesigned AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G lens among all of the hubbub at Photokina. Nikon's 50mm combines great optical design with low light performance and their Silent Wave Motor, making this optic a top choice for existing light photography.

Along with the new Sigma 50mm f/1.4 and offerings by other manufacturers, I would say that the 50mm lens is back in business. Mounting these reengineered optics on new high-resolution sensors gives photographers access to exciting, gritty image-making, and at a reasonable cost. Personally, I love it!

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Technorati Tags: Derrick Story, digital photography, Technology, The Digital Story, Nikon 50mm lens

The battery looks just like the Canon brand (that sells for about $50 US), and has good specs. Could be a great deal. The only catch seems to be that it's only available in the US.

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Technorati Tags: Batteries, Canon, Derrick Story, digital photography, Technology, The Digital Story

Put that empty hot shoe to work with the just-announced Jobo photoGPS, a $159 Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver that is triggered by the hot shoe contact on your camera. The "device allows automatic geo-tagging by capturing raw GPS data and time which enables new and more efficient ways to search, visualize, and share photo collections," reports PCPhoto.

Jobo is launching the product with Windows software to sync data with your images, but a Mac OS X version is promised by the end of the year. If it turns out to be reasonably easy to use, this could be a good geo-tagging solution all levels of photographers. It might even be a nice solution for my Canon G9.

Technorati Tags: Derrick Story, digital photography, GPS, Technology, The Digital Story

Rob Galbraith has just posted an excellent preview for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. "Canon has announced the EOS 5D Mark II, an update of the oldest camera in its digital SLR lineup and one that the company promises will deliver the best image quality and lowest noise of any EOS model to date," reports Galbraith. "Headlining the 5D Mark II is a 21.03 million image pixel full-frame CMOS sensor that is derived from the sensor in the EOS-1Ds Mark III, but with several improvements meant to improve shadow rendering and noise levels at all ISO settings."

"The refined sensor is also at the heart of Canon's first foray into digital SLR video: the 5D Mark II can record clips at 1920 x 1080 pixel (1080p) resolution, with sound (captured via either a built-in mono mic or through an external mic connected to the camera's stereo mic jack)."

I was excited when Nikon announced the D90 with movie mode. Canon had topped Nikon here with full 1920 x 1080 resolution at 30fps. And they included an external mic jack. Yes!

The new Canon 5D should ship before the end of November for $2,699 US.

Technorati Tags: Derrick Story, digital photography, Technology, The Digital Story, Canon 5D Mark II