This is The Digital Story Podcast #913, Sept. 19, 2023. Today's theme is "2 New Cameras That You Should Know About." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Maybe it was the unveiling of the Titanium iPhone 15 Pro Max that cast a shadow over two excellent cameras announced just days before. But we're going to shine a light on them both. One from Panasonic. The other from Fujifilm. Both terrific. Learn more about them on the first story of today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

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2 New Cameras That You Should Know About

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II

The Panasonic Lumix G9 II ($1,897) is the follow-up to the G9 and is the first-ever Lumix Micro Four Thirds camera to include phase detection autofocus. Panasonic redesigned the body for a more upright, angular appearance and has packed plenty of tech inside.

• 25.2MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Sensor
• 100MP Handheld High-Res Mode
• 3.68m-Dot 0.8x-Magnification OLED LVF = 60 fps or 120 fps changeable refresh rate.
• 779-Point Phase-Detection AF System - When it comes to autofocus, dependability is the most important thing, and with Phase Detection AF you can fully supplement and track the subject in six different situations that until now had been a challenge for conventional systems to capture.
• Dual UHS-II SD Slots; Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
• 5-Axis Sensor Stabilization; Dual I.S. 2 - Dual I.S. 2 combines the camera's 8 stop-rated 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization technology with lens-based 2-axis image stabilization to compensate for a broader range of movement types to render sharper, clearer imagery. Dual I.S. 2 requires the use of compatible Lumix lenses featuring O.I.S. When working with adapted lenses, you can manually select whether to use the in-camera sensor-shift.
• 3.0" 1.84m-Dot Free-Angle Touchscreen
• ISO 25600 and 75 fps Continuous Shooting - 75 fps when using the camera's electronic shutter, or up to 14 fps when using the mechanical shutter.
• Weather-Sealed Design
• Equipped with several recently-developed pre-programmed settings, the G9 II features the Leica Monochrome photo style, which delivers beautiful creations of black and white scenes.
• A USB Type-C port allows for fast file transfers as well as high-speed in-camera battery charging. But not a separate battery charger.

Compared to the OM System OM-1

The G9 II's sensor isn't as fast as the Stacked CMOS variety in the OM-1, it has fewer subject detection modes, the EVF is lower resolution (3.68 M vs 5.76 M, weaker battery life (390 vs 520), weighs more (23 oz vs 21 oz), and is a bigger camera compared to the OM-1.

The G9 II does have more resolution however, (25 MP vs 20 MP), costs $100 less, and has a few more video goodies.

Bottom Line for the G9 II

First of all, it's great that Panasonic comtinues to build sophisticated, well-designed Micro Four Cameras. Photographers love having the choice between the two brands, and the overall system is far more vibrant thanks to Panasonic's contributions.

The G9 II is a handsome camera as well, and some my prefer the slightly bigger size with more resolution. And if that's the case, I'm confident they will enjoy shooting with Panasonic's flagship MFT camera.

You can preorder the Panasonic Lumix G9 II now. It begins shipping in early November.

Fujifilm GFX 100 II

The FUJIFILM GFX100 II Medium Format camera ($7,499) is also a redesigned mirrorless with updated autofocus.

• 102MP 43.8 x 32.9mm BSI CMOS Sensor
• 9.44m-Dot EVF
• 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization - 8 stops
• ISO 80-12800, Up to 8 fps Shooting
• 3.2" 2.36m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
• Multi Aspect Ratios
• Improved autofocus algorithms and updated tracking ensures your subject stays locked in focus regardless of their movements. Plus, subject tracking for Animal, Bird, Automobile, Motocycle and Bike, Airplane, and Train
• Deliver photos or video straight to the cloud moments after they're created with the GFX100 II's world first, accessory-free integration for Frame.io Camera to Cloud. Utilize the camera's built-in Wi-Fi or Ethernet LAN connection to connect to Frame.io and deliver hi-res raw or JPEG images, send h.264 video proxies, or upload 8K ProRes video securely for review.
• New REALA ACE Film Simulation mode - a recreation of one of Fujifilm's more lifelike film stocks. It's similar to Provia but with slightly lower saturation and slightly lower contrast. It's not as big a difference as the camera's negative film modes, letting it act as an alternative default shooting mode.
• Direct record to SSD

The biggest improvements compared to other Fujifilm 100 models is better stabilization (up to 8 EV), faster burst rate (8 fps), higher viewfinder resolution (9.44M dots / 1.00x), and higher movie resolution (8K UHD or DCI) up to 30p - 4K UHD or DCI up to 60p).

It truly is video-centric. The addition of a full-sized HDMI port, the ability to capture ProRes 422 footage, the option to output direct to SSD, the inclusion of vectorscope and waveform displays, all point to Fujifilm devoting a lot of time and effort to deliver a camera that video creatives will take to easily.

You can preorder the FUJIFILM GFX100 II Medium Format camera now. It should begin shipping later this month.

A Brief History of Olympus, From the Six to OM Digital

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com

As the history of this storied brand enters a new era, under new ownership and now bearing the banner of OM Digital Solutions, let's take a trip back in time to explore its origins, successes, and the milestone camera designs that will forever be associated with the Olympus name.

OM System Announce the New TOUGH TG-7 Adventure Camera

You can read the entire article on Fstoppers.com

Historically, the Olympus TOUGH cameras were well respected by outdoor adventurers, divers, and those who work in extreme environments. The New OM System TOUGH TG-7 has taken a huge step forward with a host of exciting new features.

The camera is shockproof, designed to withstand being dropped from 2.1 meters (7 feet), and it is waterproof to up to 15 meters (49 feet) depth. If you want to go deeper, then the PT-059 case allows it to be used up to a depth of 45 meters (147 feet). With these specifications, this camera will appeal to divers, snorkelers, wild swimmers, sailors, canoeists, surfers, and other water sports enthusiasts.

There are five underwater shooting modes that optimize settings for various scenes: Underwater Wide, Underwater Snapshot, Underwater Macro, Underwater Microscope, and Underwater HDR. As divers know, the blueness of the scene increases with depth. Consequently, the white balance modes automatically adjust based on the underwater shooting mode, although manual adjustments are also possible. These white balance modes are Underwater: Shallow, Underwater: Mid-Range, and Underwater: Deep.

Many owners of previous TOUGH models have used them for macro photography. This camera takes it further with its Microscope Control Mode. That is for close-up shooting, where one can get within 1 cm of the subject. That allows users to effortlessly switch between 1x, 2x, and 4x magnifications with the single touch of a button, mimicking the experience of using a microscope to observe and photograph subjects. On top of that, the rear LCD monitor allows for subject magnification of up to 44.4 times. Furthermore, the camera has focus stacking from three up to ten shots and focus bracketing up to 30 shots. By using focus bracketing, the photographer can blend them into a single frame with a wide depth of field using the OM Workspace software. There are also two optional lens accessories that will allow even more possibilities for macro mode.

Inherited from the OM System interchangeable lens cameras such as the OM-1 and the OM-5, another feature included in this camera is Pro Capture mode. This facility is unique to the OM System and buffers shots for half a second before the shutter is fully depressed. This means you should never miss the action because of your reaction time.

The camera has a USB-C socket, so the battery can be charged within the camera.

You can preorder the OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7 now for $549. It begins shipping soon.

Virtual Camera Club News

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.

TDS Workshops! - You can sign up for available workshops by visiting The Nimble Photographer. Inner Circle Members receive a 10-percent discount on all events.

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.

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.

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.

Apple's recent Wonderlust event debuted the iPhone 15 in four different flavors. The biggest, most expensive model, the Pro Max has many useful features for pro and enthusiast photographers. Let's take a look.

The 5X Telephoto Camera

No doubt that Apple had to increase the reach of its flagship phone. Competitors already have telephotos in the 10X range.

Personally, I'm OK with the 5X version on the Pro Max. Its 120mm focal length at f/2.8 provides plenty of magnification for iPhone photography. Since I am a pro, if I need more, I'm going to use an interchangeable lens camera.

This is a new feature that I've been waiting for. My current iPhone 12 Pro Max doesn't have enough reach, so the new telephoto is definitely a check in the plus column.

Presets for Different Focal Lengths

Maybe because I've used prime lenses for so many years, I do think in terms of focal lengths, especially for my starting position when I initially frame a scene.

My iPhone 12 starts at the wide end, 26mm, which is a bit too much for me. With the iPhone 15, I can start at 35mm focal length that's far more comfortable.

USB 3 vs USB 2

Not all USB-C ports transfer at the same speed. So yes, we're getting the new I/O on the iPhone 15. But the A17 Pro chip, which is only in the two Pro models, supports USB 3 when using a compatible USB cable. The non-pro models will still be at USB 2.

This can make a noticeable difference, especially if you're going to do things like tether the iPhone to Capture One Pro, which you can now do with the new model.

Speaking of under the hood, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will have 8 GBs of RAM compared to 6 GBs in the standard models.

All of this, plus faster processing and better battery life - Gotta love the A17 Pro.

The Action Button

Personally, I would have added to Action Button to all four iPhone models, but as it turns out, we only get it on the Pros. And I think it's a big deal.

I know about the other tricks for quickly enabling the camera, such as setting up two taps on the back. But none of these will work as well or be as convenient as the Action Button.

Long press and you're in camera mode. Done. Plus, you can program it to enable other features too.

Rolling It All Up

iPhone photographers already know about the other great features, such as automatic iCloud backup, beautiful portraits, and excellent low-light performance. Add what's new with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and we have a camera that we can depend on to augment our interchangeable lens model.

Apple is taking orders now. I'm going to trade in my iPhone 12 Pro Max (for $450!) and buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Illustrations complements of Apple from the Wonderlust event.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #912, Sept. 12, 2023. Today's theme is "Natural Diffusion - The Joy of Greenhouse Photography." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

There are two basic challenges to close-up flower photography - First, you need interesting and compelling subjects. And second, simplifying your gear so that the shooting experience is enjoyable, yet produces compelling results. Fortunately, there is one solution to both of these obstacles. And that's the first story in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

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Natural Diffusion - The Joy of Greenhouse Photography

Nearly every major city has a botanical garden and accompanying conservatory that's open to the public. And yet, many photographers don't find the time to visit either. And maybe that's because they have to actually step inside a conservatory of flowers to truly appreciate what it has to offer.

I recently spent time inside the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Inside this large greenhouse are a variety of exhibits including: aquatic plants, tropics, and many exotics.

If you live in the City, entrance is free. For those of us outside San Francisco, the admission is $15 - a bargain for the opportunities inside. The conservatory is photographer-friendly, as long as you follow a few basic rules.

• No tripods or free-standing equipment allowed.
• All bags or equipment must remain on a person in your party at all times. - More on this later.
• No nudity or lewd activity or behavior.
• No movement of plants or Conservatory property allowed.
• No holding of crowd or prevention of other guests to roam freely.
• Pathways must be kept clear at all times.

Traveling Light in the Greenhouse

Because basically, you're taking pictures inside of a giant softbox, very little equipment is required. I mounted the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens ($449) on my OM SYSTEM OM-1 mirrorless camera ($1,999 on sale), and that was it.

For my shot of the Vireya Rhododendron, for example, my settings were ISO 320, f/5.6, 1/30th of a second, handheld. The RAW file was absolutely beautiful.

Flowers You Just Don't Normally See

Staying with the Vireya Rhododendron, I was really attracted to this flower. The odds of me seeing it in the wild would be slim. Vireyas grow in cool mountainous regions of Southeast Asia, either as epiphytes high in the tall trees of the cloud forest or on open ground in shrubberies. There are over 300 Vireya species, comprising approximately one-third of all rhododendrons. Many rhododendrons make poisonous nectar. This poison helps to keep herbivores away but is harmful to humans who consume honey made with the nectar.

Yet, here it was right in front me. I used my LCD to compose a low-angle shot, then was able to move on to the next subject.

Accompanying Website for Identification

Many of the flowers have ID cards in their vicinity, but another helpful feature of most botanical gardens is their website that identifies their major species with additional information about them.

So once you pick your favorite shots and edit them to your liking, you can add this rich metadata from the comfort of your couch. That way, when someone asks you, "What flower is that?" You can confidently answer.

Final Thoughts

Greenhouse photography is enjoyable, equipment-friendly, and yields wonderful shots that you would be hard-pressed to get otherwise. It's definitely worth a visit.

Fujifilm X100V replacement due in early 2024 with brand new lens (report)

You can read the entire article on DigitalCameraWorld.com

It's been over three years since Fujifilm released the insanely popular X100V, and to this day it's still hard to get your hands on it. Most camera retailers are still out of stock, and those after one are having to wait months. The good news is, it looks like early 2024 will give way to its replacement - and it could come with a brand new lens. The bad news? We're already anticipating delays.

There aren't many cameras that stay quite as in demand as the Fujifilm X100V has been, so news of its successor is very exciting. Since its launch, the X100V has suffered delays, parts shortages and an overwhelming and hard-to-keep-up with demand; Fujifilm even had to stop taking orders! So will the next in line suffer the same fate, or will Fujifilm find a way to meet orders?

A key factor could be the integrated lens. The X100V is fitted with a 23mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.0 optic but, according to a source at Fuji Rumors, the next X100 could have a brand new lens. No details have been shared yet as to what this might look like - it could be anything from a minor redesign that could make it weather-sealed to a shift in focal length and aperture.

For now, those on the X100V waitlist will have to decide whether to continue on that journey or hold off until more information is available about its replacement. With 2024 not many months off, we'd be inclined to wait that little bit longer to find out what Fujifilm can offer in terms of an upgrade. After all, you've probably already waited months already - what's a few more?

Adobe Is Ending Creative Cloud Syncing: Here's What That Means

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com

What Is It? - Adobe Creative Cloud sync allows users to save files on their own devices to a folder called "Creative Cloud Files," which would automatically copy those files to their cloud storage. Those files could then be accessed on the Creative Cloud website and other devices.

Adobe is discontinuing Creative Cloud sync on February 1, 2024, but only for free and paid personal users. The syncing feature will still be available for enterprise and teams business accounts until October 1, 2024.

Adobe's Creative Cloud plans all include some form of cloud storage, which seems to be continuing on as is despite the discontinuation of sync functionality. In its announcement, Adobe said the change was due to the company "modernizing the Creative Cloud storage experience."

What to Do - Adobe recommended users back up their work to another third-party cloud service or to their own hardware. Though it's important to note that the software company said all items in users' local Creative Cloud Files folders would "remain intact and under your complete control." PetaPixel is aware these are conflicting statements and has asked for clarity, but did not receive a response ahead of publication.

Those who wish to leave their work where it is can do so, but it may be best to back up these files and upload them to a third-party cloud service.

What the comments are saying: Chris - "This has nothing to do with Lightroom or its syncing. This is simply discontinuing a probably very little used single folder syncing feature that was their version of Dropbox sync folder or Google Drive sync folder or iCloud sync folder all of which are much more robust and reliable. But lots of companies offered their own anyway so since this need is much better met with one of those and probably still a lot of work for them to keep running on latest software and older I'm sure they realized best to finally remove. Won't delete anything you have saved in it locally and will just turn into a normal folder. But you could just move it into your iCLoud documents folder or Google Drive folder and still sync it between your devices."

And Chris again- "Nothing would change with your workflow. Lightroom syncs from iPad to Desktop. This has nothing to do with that core feature of that software. They are just talking about the single Creative Cloud Files sync folder that was meant to be like a Dropbox sync folder or iCloud sync folder etc. So probably rarely used since syncing is available with all those products far better."

Virtual Camera Club News

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.

TDS Workshops! - You can sign up for available workshops by visiting The Nimble Photographer. Inner Circle Members receive a 10-percent discount on all events.

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.

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.

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.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #911, Sept. 5, 2023. Today's theme is "The Nik Collection Transformation is Complete. And It's Wonderful." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

On August 30th, DxO released Nik Collection 6.3 completing the overhaul of the entire suite of creative plugins. Every line of code has been rewritten. The software runs great on Mac and Windows machines. And for many of us, it's like falling in love all over again. I'll explain why on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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The Nik Collection Transformation is Complete. And It's Wonderful

Nikon D610, Nikon 50mm f/1.8 G, DxO PhotoLab 6, Analog Efex from Nik Collection 6.3. Photo by Derrick Story.

When DxO acquired Nik Collection from Google, it was languishing. Those 8 magical plugins for Photoshop and Lightroom Classic had not been update in years. What was once the darling of the creative photography community seemed destined for the old folks home.

To revive the software suite, DxO knew there was much work to be done. I'm not sure they realized exactly how much work, but the effort became Herculean. Now, years later, version 6.3 achieves that goal. And for many of us, it marks a long overdue homecoming.

The Highlights

Because version 6.3 is incremental, it's easy to overlook its importance. DxO finished upgrading HDR Efex and Nik Sharpener Pro. So now all 8 plugins have the refreshed interface, new features, and updated code.

But a number of other important changes are part of version 6.3. And let's compare just a few of them to Nik Collection 5.

• Full Compliance with Apple Silicon - Use Nik Collection 6 on Apple Silicon machines without the need for Rosetta<./li>

• Don't lose your old version of Nik Collection - If you have a favorite old version, you can now have both the old and the new on the same machine.
• Automatic integration with Affinity Photo during installation - Nik Collection 6 detects the presence of Affinity Photo during installation.
• Convert layer to Photoshop Smart Object - Create a Smart Object for Photoshop directly with a single click from any plugin (except Nik Perspective).
• Support of high-definition displays and multiple displays - Use HiDPI monitors and work without disruption when using multiple screens.
• Local Adjustments Improvements - Make even more precise local adjustments with the option to diffuse your Control Points. Rename local adjustments and save them as part of presets. Control Points and Control Lines gain greater precision with the option to invert their impact. And a lot more.
• Fully refreshed by DxO from the ground up - With the arrival of v6.3, every line of code has been rewritten by DxO, giving you unity, performance, and stability.

How I Now Use Nik Collection

I have an image library that is organized by file folders that I can tap using DxO PhotoLab 6, OnOne Photo RAW 2023, Luminar Neo, or Lightroom Classic.

If I know that I want to use a Nik plugin, such as Silver Efex or Analog Efex (two of my favorites!), I begin in DxO PhotoLab. There I can apply SmartLighting, ClearView Plus, and DeepPrime Denoising.

Then, from PhotoLab 6, I send the image to the desired Nik plugin. DxO creates a Tiff to serve as the handoff. I then do my plugin work, then apply the changes that send the Tiff back to PhotoLab. I now have the original edited RAW plus the enhanced Tiff in the same library.

PhotoLab has lots of export options. The one I typically use is Export directly to macOS Photos. I send a full-resolution Jpeg to Photos, which then adds the image to my iCloud library and makes it available on all my devices.

Final Thoughts

If all of this wasn't already good enough, DxO has committed to monthly updates to their extensive library of lens and camera modules. And they are expanding their support to third-pary lens manufacturers like Viltrox.

You can buy or upgrade to Nik Collection 6.3 for $79 or $149. And there is a free trial available. I upgraded from version 5 for $79, and it has been worth every penny.

ICYMI: New Firmware updates from Fujifilm, Nikon, Panasonic, Ricoh plus ACR update adds Sony A6700 Raw support

You can read the entire article on DPReview.com

So, in case you missed it, there have been several recent firmware updates for several popular camera models in the past couple of months as well as updates for Adobe Camera Raw, which added support for some new cameras and lenses. Most recently, there have been firmware updates for the Nikon Z9 and Nikon Z8 mirrorless cameras, helpful bug-fixing updates for the Fujifilm X-S20, Fujifilm X100V and the Ricoh GR III / GR IIIx, and a pair of updates for the Panasonic S5 II and S5 IIx cameras, among others.

I cover the highlights in the podcast.

Moving 1.5 Million Photos from an Old Drobo to a New QNAP NAS

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com

Back in February of this year, I began making a huge transition from the Drobo NAS system (now out of business) to the newer and far superior QNAP system. Back then I had just installed the two new NAS systems but had not moved any data.

I had many people (most of whom were using Drobo) ask how the QNAP transition was going. I told them that it was too early to tell and that I had a lot of work to do before I could give them a fair and honest answer.

Here I am about 6 months later and I have been using the system non-stop, but there was a lot to do between then and now. Some had to do with the data transition and some was just the back-to-back photo tours. Let me tell you what I have found, both the good and the bad.

When Drobo started showing signs of their pending demise, I was in a panic. I had ALL my data on their boxes and both the company and the units were failing. I literally lost sleep worrying about this problem. I pride myself on having every digital image I have ever taken (the keepers) and having them in two locations. I even tell my clients about this setup so that they know I will have their images safe for years to come.

I can tell you now that the panic is gone and I am really happy with the new QNAP solution. I have not only replicated what I was doing with the Drobo units, but I have surpassed the functionality and usability by far! It is not an inexpensive solution, but it is something that is vital to my business. As professional photographers, our data is everything, and keeping those images safe is critical. I am now sleeping better at night.

Virtual Camera Club News

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.

TDS Workshops! - You can sign up for available workshops by visiting The Nimble Photographer. Inner Circle Members receive a 10-percent discount on all events.

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.

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.

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.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #910, August 29, 2023. Today's theme is "When It's Bright, Pack Light." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

One of the great things about summer is that there's lots of light. And this is particularly beneficial to Micro Four Thirds photographers who have plenty of compact, super-sharp optics available. That means we can cover just about any outside event with gear that fits in a handbag. I share one such example on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

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When It's Bright, Pack Light

When I learned that one of my boys was running in the Santa Rosa Marathon, I circled August 27th on the calendar. I've always wanted to cover this event, and now I had the ultimate incentive.

If you've ever chased a marathon, it's both fun and challenging. First, you have to have some method to know when your runners are in the course. Then you have to calculate how to get ahead of them, and in position, to capture the action as they run by. This is one of those assignments where being nimble pays big dividends.

As I was planning for the shoot, some items were a given. No question that I was going to use the OM System OM-1 camera. And per a discussion in an earlier podcast, I was going to shoot in C-AF+TR.

My bag would be the Lowepro Streamline 150. And the only real accessories I needed would be an extra battery and a polarizing filter.

So, all that's left is the question of which two lenses? I figured the Olympus 14-42mm EZ ($299) could handle the after race celebrations in the town square. But for the action optic, my choice might surprise you.

You'd think that I'd reach for the Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO zoom ($1,299). But I didn't need to go that big. And there's no way that optic would fit in the compact bag that I wanted to carry. Plus, there was going to be plenty of light. I didn't need f/2.8 to get the job done.

So instead, I selected an optic that I first purchased for my Cuba assignment. [Side story about packing for Cuba here.] What was that optic? The Panasonic Lumix G Vario 35-100mm f/4-5.6 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens that measures 2.19" x 1.97" / 55.5 x 50 mm and weighs in at 4.76oz / 135g. And it sells for $399.

You're probably thinking that a lens that affordable and compact can't be worthy of event photography. Think again. Check out these specs.

• Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
• Stepping AF Motor, Internal Focus
• Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm
• 70-200mm (35mm Equivalent)
• One Aspherical Element, Two ED Elements
• MEGA Optical Image Stabilization
• Includes compact, reversible lens hood

And it is compatible with practically every MFT camera body, including the OM-1.

When I returned from Cuba, which was my first important shoot with this lens, I was amazed at the color, clarity, and sharpness of the images that I captured with it. Talk about punching way above one's weight. The numerous 5 Star reviews on the B&H site mirror my own experiences.

And for the Santa Rosa Marathon, this optic delivered again. Shooting in C-AF+TR mode, it locked in on my subjects quickly, tracked them accurately, and silently nailed each shot.

I've posted the Marathon gallery on DerrickStoryPhotography.com. And if you want to see the Cuba gallery, it's there as well.

Some lenses just blow your mind. Others allow you to move about the world freely. The Panasonic 35-100mm does both. All you need is a little summer light.

PS: Max completed the race with a beautiful 3:38 time. He finished in the top 1/3 of the field. That was just icing on the cake for me.

It's official: monkeys can't hold copyright over images, and neither can AI

You can read the entire article on DigitalCameraWorld.com

In a move that will reverberate throughout the creative industries, it has been ruled by a federal judge that AI-generated artwork is not copyrightable under United States law.

In short, no image can be copyrighted unless it has been authored in part by a human being. "Human authorship is an essential part of a valid copyright claim," said US District Judge Beryl Howell, rejecting a claim made by computer scientist Stephen Thaler over a piece of AI artwork titled A Recent Entrance to Paradise.

You are probably familiar with the case of British wildlife photographer David J Slater in 2014, who was denied copyright for selfies taken by macaques using his camera. The court ruled that a non-human creator cannot hold copyright under US law; instead, it becomes part of the public domain.

"Plaintiff can point to no case in which a court has recognized copyright in a work originating with a non-human," read the court order in the Thaler case, alluding to cases such as that brought by Slater in the past. In short, an image created by an ape is not copyrightable - and nor is an image created by AI.

"Human authorship is a bedrock requirement," continued the order (via The Hollywood Reporter). "The act of human creation - and how to best encourage human individuals to engage in that creation, and thereby promote science and the useful arts - was thus central to American copyright from its very inception."

The outcome is a significant and potentially landscape-changing one - most visibly in terms of the current strike action in Hollywood. A key point of contention between the film studios and the WGA / SAG-AFTRA (the Writers' Guild of America, and the Screen Actors' Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) is the desire to replace all or part of the work done by writers and performers with AI.

With it being definitively ruled that such work cannot be copyrighted, the studio system will lose interest in this point (as it would mean that movies and TV shows created with AI would not be fully protected).

As surmised by The Hollywood Reporter: "While cameras generated a mechanical reproduction of a scene, she explained that they do so only after a human develops a 'mental conception' of the photo, which is a product of decisions like where the subject stands, arrangements and lighting, among other choices."

The GR III Is So Popular, Ricoh Can't Keep It in Stock

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com

According to Asobinet, the GR III has become so sought after in China and Japan that estimated delivery dates are months out. In Japan, some stores are so uncertain of when more might arrive that they unable to provide an estimated shipping date.

It's not clear what is driving up the demand for the GR III specifically, but it might be the overall increase in demand for cameras around the world, led mainly by a surge in China.

Earlier this year, Ricoh apparently told fans in China that its manufacturing facilities were unable to keep up with the market demand which caused inventory shortages both there and around the world.

One theory for the sudden boost in popularity for the four-year-old camera is that it might have been considered a viable alternative to the popular Fujifilm X100V, which has been extremely difficult to find ever since it exploded in popularity late last year. Even nearly a year later, the compact Fujifilm point-and-shoot remains on backorder from multiple dealers around the world.

Considering the Ricoh GR III is similar to the X100V in that it is a fixed wide-angle lens, compact camera equipped with an APS-C sensor, those who were struggling to find an X100V may have turned to Ricoh for a substitute. That, in turn, has pushed Ricoh to the brink of its manufacturing.

The GR III was also already popular among photography enthusiasts since it combines high image quality and performance in a small package.

I just checked B&H Photo for any of the Ricoh GR IIIs - Diary Edition, Street Edition, etc., and all flavors are out of stock.

Virtual Camera Club News

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.

TDS Workshops! - You can sign up for available workshops by visiting The Nimble Photographer. Inner Circle Members receive a 10-percent discount on all events.

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.

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.

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.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #909, August 22, 2023. Today's theme is "Photomator Coming of Age." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

In May 2023, the Mac version of Pixelmator Photo was rebranded as Photomator and released to the public. Combined with the previously released iPhone and iPad versions, Photomator seamlessly integrated the AI-powered editing process on all devices. What? You're not familiar with Photomator? You're not alone. And we're going to change that today on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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Photomator Coming of Age

Photomator is for macOS and iOS devices only, and it makes the most of native macOS technologies, such as Apple Silicon, Swift UI, Core ML, Core Image, and Metal. It runs extremely fast on Apple Silcon Macs, which is a bit deceptive as it performs complex AI-based operations. We'll get to those in a minute.

"All your edits are seamlessly syncing with the Photos library and, with support for iCloud, across all your devices, so you can start editing on one device and pick up on another. And what's best, if you buy Photomator for Mac, you'll also get unlimited access to the iPhone and iPad version with the same license."

Now if the name is sounding familiar, and you're feeling a bit confused, you're not alone. The Pixelmator Team has another full-featured app, Pixelmator Pro, that's been around for a while longer. The way I look at Pixelmator Pro, is that it's more like Photoshop with its graphics tools and layered editing environment, and Photomator is more like Luminar with its AI-powered tools. Speaking of those, let's look at what's available with version 3.1

Photomator AI-Powered Tools

• Auto Enhance - Automatically enhance photos like a pro photographer.
• Super Resolution - Magically increase the resolution of photos with no unwanted blurring.
• Smart Deband - Quickly remove color banding artifacts from photos and increase color depth.
• Denoise - Effortlessly remove camera noise and image compression artifacts.
• Repair - Remove small imperfections or even entire objects from photos.
• ML Crop - Automatically improve the composition of photos
• Select Subject - Quickly and easily select subjects of photos.
• Select Sky - Instantly select the sky in any photo with ease.
• Select Background - Automatically select the background in any photo.

Plus Photomator supports all of the traditional adjustment sliders that you would expect. However, many of them have innovative twists, such as Selective Clarity, which allows you to apply texture and clarity to Shadows, Midtones, and Highlights. Selective Color uses Machine Learning to finetune its selections. There's a Channel Mixer for infrared photographers. And and excellent complement of LUTs as well.

And then there are the presets. Photomator comes with a collection of gorgeous, handcrafted photography presets for your photos. With 9 unique preset groups, you can easily emulate analog film, apply vintage and cinematic looks, enhance urban or landscape photography, and more.

When you edit an image in Photomator, the changes are saved to iCloud and propagated to all devices associated with that account. The edits are totally non-destructive, so you can use Revert to Original or Before/After in Photos for images edited in Photomator.

Photomator 3.1 is available now in the Mac App Store and the iOS App Store. There is a free trial to check it out. I purchased a lifetime license for $69 that unlocks the app on all of my devices, macOS or iOS. They also offer monthly and yearly licensing at affordable prices.

The Latest Stories on Live View will Entertain and Educate

This week's Live View features:

• Great Photographers of the 20th Century by Michael Alford
• On the Accidental Discovery of Your Work Being "Derivative" by John Pemberton
• Fair Photography Isn't Fair by Cynthia Whelan
• My Thanks to an Unknown Photographer by Derrick Story

You can read all of these stories, and much, much more, by visiting Live View.

Canon reiterates RF-mount is open to third parties, but don't get your hopes up just yet

You can read the entire article on DPReview.com

Journalists in China recently had an opportunity to interview a group of Japanese Canon executives, and posed questions about the current state of third-party lenses for RF-mount mirrorless cameras. First spotted by Canon Rumors on the Weibo account Camera Beta, Canon executives stated that the company is open to the idea of third-party RF-mount lenses and is, in fact, in talks with several lens manufacturers. While this sounds promising, Canon is much more reserved and deliberate when it comes to allowing other optical manufacturers to use their RF lens mount standard. And unusually, has taken legal action to prevent lensmakers entering the RF system without permission.

This more or less aligns with what we heard from Canon when we posed a similar question to company executives back at CP+ earlier this year.

According to the new Camera Beta interview, Canon is open to requests for licensing the RF-mount to third parties. However, it doesn't just issue a blanket license for the outside manufacturer to make any and all lenses. Canon, instead, treats each third-party lens request on a case-by-case basis.

Exactly how Canon decides which third-party lenses get an official license for the RF mount was not made clear. And as Canon Rumors points out, just what exactly does a license for the RF-mount allow third-party manufacturers to do? Beyond just making lenses fit with the physical RF-mount on R-series cameras, will third parties get access to proprietary Canon autofocus specs or firmware? Will third parties be limited to manual focus lenses? We simply don't know.

With Canon's statement in mind, one can speculate that Canon is concerned about third-party offerings competing directly with their own. From a business perspective, it's a valid strategy. That said, we've always believed that more lens choices benefit the consumer, and increase the attractiveness of any given system overall.

Although it's unclear whether or not we will soon begin to see an increase in third-party lenses for Canon's mirrorless cameras, it's clear that the demand is there.

Sunflower Farm Asks for No More Nude Photo Shoots on Their Land

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com

A sunflower farm in the U.K. has urged people to stop the nude photo shoots that have been increasing in their fields.

Stoke Fruit Farm Shop on Hayling Island, off England's south coast, made the unusual plea on social media after three nude shoots took place in just one day.

"We just want to remind people that we are a family attraction. We attract everyone from newborns all the way up to 100 years old," the owners say in a Facebook post.

"We want people to come here, enjoy picking flowers and having fun with the family, taking photos, and enjoying things. I understand there's a few people out there who want to take risque photos and photos for their Instagram profile et cetera.

"All I ask is that they're considerate of the other people around them. So just think about who else is around you when you're taking the photos in the sunflower field and think how that could affect them."

The sunflower farm has erected signs around the colorful fields that read "No public nudity."

"Reminder to all, we are a family area and please keep your clothes on in the sunflowers. We are having an increase of reports of naked photography taking place and this must not happen during our public sessions please!"

One person on their Facebook page commented: "Yes, we stumbled on a 'session' -- I'm not a prude but I don't expect to see almost naked bodies while searching for the best blooms."

Another person reported that their son saw a woman wearing "just a thong." Adding, "[He] got a right eyeful last night, should have seen his face!"

Virtual Camera Club News

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.

TDS Workshops! - You can sign up for available workshops by visiting The Nimble Photographer. Inner Circle Members receive a 10-percent discount on all events.

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.

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.

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.

Summer can be challenging for outdoor photographers. In addition to being hot outside, the light is contrasty and difficult to tame, except on the edges of the day - not exactly the perfect conditions to get your artistic mojo in gear.

Kendall Jackson Winery in Santa Rosa, CA captured in infrared black & white. Photos by Derrick Story.

One solution that I've discovered is infrared photography. Instead of working with the visible light spectrum, I concentrate on slices of the IR spectrum. For example, the two images in this article were captured at 720nm.

The beauty of IR photography is that it thrives at times when normally we have to pack away our cameras and head for air-conditioned refuge. If you shoot with a mirrorless camera, especially one that's been modified for IR, the scene you view in the electronic viewfinder will look very different than what you witness with just your eyes.

The sky darkens, clouds jump forward, and the foilage becomes bright and detailed. Many photographers start with B&W infrared and over time begin to experiment with color work. If you shoot in RAW, the file can be interpreted in many different ways.

Color version of the same location, also captured with a 720nm filter.

To start experimenting with IR, all you need is a 720nm filter and a camera with some infrared sensitivity. You can test that by switching to live view and pointing a TV remote at the lens. When you push a button on the remote, a white dot should appear on the LCD. That means the camera can "see" IR.

The 720nm filter is very dense. So you'll want to increase the ISO to 1600 or 3200 and use the electronic viewfinder of your mirrorless camera for composing. You'll also want to change your White Balance setting to Custom and take a reading off green foilage like grass. This makes a huge difference in the quality of the file.

Starting with your existing camera and a 720nm filter will give you a taste of this new world. But there's lots more to explore. And photographers who take a liking to IR usually end up buying a modified camera because the entire process becomes easier.

If you want to learn more about infrared photography and peruse some cool gear for it, I recommend visiting the Kolari website. They have everything you'll need to beat the summer heat... at least photographically speaking.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #908, August 15, 2023. Today's theme is "What to Do with All of Those Old Family Photos?." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Old family photos are indeed important. Even if you don't think so right now, there will surely come a time when your opinion changes. And sometimes we're handed a stack of snapshots well before we have the time to deal with them. When that happens, what do you do? I have a practical suggestion that I think you will find useful. Find out more on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

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What to Do with All of Those Old Family Photos?

I attended a family gathering this past week, and my cousin handed me a large envelope of pictures... I tell the story on the podcast.

The Quick Scan Method for Old Photos

• Group the photos in sets of six with the same year of origination.
• Place them face down on your flatbed scanner.
• Before closing the lid, take a picture of their backs with your smartphone.
• Scan the set of six with the flatbed.
• Name the files (photo scan and smartphone picture) so they can be kept together.
• Create an album in your photo management software and add the two files you just created.
• File the original pictures in the same groups as you scanned them.
• Store the originals in a safe place.

Someday, when you are ready to deal with these pictures, you will have digital contact sheets of them. That way you can quickly find the shots you want and make a solo scan of the original.

And if you never have time to return to this project, at least you have digitized the images and saved them from further deterioration.

TTArtisan Brings Its 50mm f/1.4 Tilt Lens to Micro Four Thirds

You can read the entire article on Petapixel.com

After announcing its 50mm f/1.4 Tilt Lens for Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Leica L, Nikon Z, and Sony E mounts last year, TTArtisan has released its compact tilt lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras.

Given the diverse mount compatibility of the manual-focus lens, it is no surprise that it was designed to work for a wide range of sensor sizes. While the 50mm f/1.4 lens delivers an equivalent focal length of 75mm on APS-C cameras such as Fujifilm X Series models, it will provide an equivalent 100mm focal length on Micro Four Thirds cameras.

The lens incorporates seven elements organized across six groups, including a high refractive index element. TTArtisan promises "outstanding image quality" with minimized aberrations and reduced distortion.

The manual lens can focus as close as 50 centimeters (about 18.7 inches). Thanks to the two times crop factor, the lens will offer better magnification on Micro Four Thirds cameras. The lens sports a 12-bladed aperture diaphragm and accepts 62mm front filters.

Alongside the focus and aperture rings, the lens also includes tilt controls that offer eight degrees of tilt and can be rotated 90 degrees. Photographers can achieve what TTArtisan calls a "Lilliput" look by rotating the lens. Named after the tiny people in Gullliver's Travels, this look makes objects appear much smaller in the frame and gives images a miniature toy appearance.

Although the tilt function enables "Lilliput" images with dramatic out-of-focus areas, the tilt function can also be used to achieve a greater depth of field, allowing more elements in the frame to be sharp. PetaPixel's guide to using tilt-shift lenses for product photography closely examines how tilt lenses offer photographers much more control over perspective, distortion, and depth of field.

The TTArtisan 50mm f/1.4 Tilt Lens has been built with photography and videography applications in mind. For video users, the lens' focus and aperture rings are made to fit most focus followers, like purpose-built cinema lenses.

The TTArtisan 50mm f/1.4 Tilt Lens is available from Pergear for $199 in all its mount options.

Olympus' new owner is about to buy Toshiba for $14 billion. Who's next?

You can read the entire article on DigitalCameraWorld.com

In a fascinating move, the investment firm that bought Olympus' camera business is about to buy electronics giant Toshiba as well.

Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) purchased the Olympus Imaging Division in January 2021, and continues to operate it under the name OM Digital Solutions. The firm has now announced a $14 billion (approximately �11 billion) offer to purchase Toshiba - which, among its many operations, continues to make industrial cameras and imaging technology (and, until 2019, was a distributor for Canon).

Toshiba hasn't made consumer cameras for some time; it ceased producing point-and-shoot cameras some 20 years ago, with Sony buying its image sensor business in 2015. However, it has fingers in many technology pies - including semiconductors, quantum storage, business displays, televisions, printing, digital solutions, railway solutions, energy and hybrid technology... as well as a very rich research & development ecosystem (including a highly respected research lab in Cambridge).

Intriguingly, Toshiba is a company that has been plagued by public scandal following very high-profile accounting fraud (which saw the prosecution of five senior executives, among them a pair of former company presidents). This is a similar situation to the tarnished reputation of Olympus, again following a public case of accountancy fraud, which led to it being purchased by JIP.

Well, the main thing is that the best Olympus / OM System cameras probably won't benefit from Toshiba technology. This is not, after all, a merger; JIP is a firm that specializes in rescuing embattled or failing companies (among them carving out Sony's Vaio computer business), but it does not have a history of cross-pollinating them.

That said, given that Toshiba does have specialist imaging divisions, it's possible that these might be somehow merged with OM Digital - perhaps at the R&D phase, if nowhere else. It may also, conceivably, open up Toshiba's patent library if anything is relevant to the OM business.

Any cooperation between the two companies would be a boon for OM Digital; to have its consumer camera business shored up by the industrial camera business is sure to be a welcome development.

Photos: Deadly Wildfires Sweep Across Maui

You can read the entire article on The Atlantic, Aug. 10, 2023.

Yesterday, wildfires that were fanned by winds driven by a distant hurricane tore across the Hawaiian island of Maui, forcing thousands to flee, destroying hundreds of structures, and killing at least 36 people, according to an Associated Press report. The historic town of Lahaina was hit especially hard as the fast-moving fires burned through buildings toward the waterfront, forcing a number of people to jump into the water to escape. Gathered below, early images from the disaster in Lahaina.

Virtual Camera Club News

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.

TDS Workshops! - You can sign up for available workshops by visiting The Nimble Photographer. Inner Circle Members receive a 10-percent discount on all events.

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.

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.

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.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #907, August 8, 2023. Today's theme is "5 Photography Books that I Recommend." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Photography books have room in our lives just like inkjet prints. Studying a photographer's work by flipping through the pages shows a depth that we just don't get from a tablet display or even a laptop screen. And I have five recommendations that prove this point beautifully. Learn more on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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5 Photography Books that I Recommend

I'm sitting on the couch with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. My camera is in the messenger bag next to me, and I feel like I haven't shot anything interesting lately. I take a sip of coffee, then reach for one of my photo books from a small stack perched on the ottoman.

I flip through the pages, forward, backwards, and forward again. I land on a 1979 portrait of Blondie with her band and just let the book stay open there. I take another sip and start to notice things. Blondie's red jumpsuit against the all-black dress of her band. But wait, one of the band members off to the right has just a hint of that red on his jacket. How cool is that?

I take another sip of coffee. Her hair seems to be blowing. But not anyone else's. It looks great. How did that happen?

Her pose is outstanding. She looks so fit and beautiful and confident. Even if I didn't know a note of her music, I would be impressed with this woman.

My coffee mug is now empty. I don't remember the last sip. I don't need to see any more pages right now. I need to go take some pictures. I close the book, sling the messenger bag over my shoulder, and head out to the car.

The Books

This selection of 5 varies from inspiration to perspiration. We need both in photography. Let's start with inspiration.

• Annie Leibovitz Photographs - ANNIE LEIBOVITZ is one of the most celebrated and admired photographers of our time. She began her work photographing for Rolling Stone magazine and quickly established a reputation as a chronicler of popular culture, eventually becoming a contributing photographer at Vanity Fair and Vogue. Her first book, Annie Leibovitz: Photographs, was published in 1983. In 1999 she published the bestselling Women, with a Preface by Susan Sontag, for which the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington exhibited a selection of portraits in conjunction with the hardcover publication. 74 pages, hardback or soft cover.
• Streetwise - Mary Ellen Mark - In 1988, Mary Ellen Mark published a poignant document of a fiercely independent group of homeless and troubled youth living in Seattle as pimps, prostitutes, panhandlers and small-time drug dealers. Critically acclaimed, "Streetwise" introduced us to individuals who were not easily forgotten, including "Tiny" (Erin Blackwell)--a 13-year-old prostitute with dreams of a horse farm, diamonds and furs, and a baby of her own. In 2014, Mark received the George Eastman House Lifetime Achievement in Photography Award. There's also a follow up edition, Streetwise Revisited.
• Richard Avedon - the Kennedys - Richard Avedon's photographs of John and Jacqueline Kennedy and their two children combine politics. the style. public. interest and photographic history to provide a compelling glimpse of two icons of American life. This title critically examines the work of one of the finest photographers of the 20th century. 128 pages.
• The Essence of Photography - 2nd Edition - There is a lot more to photography than simply picking up a camera, pointing it toward something, and tripping the shutter. Achieving a great photograph requires thought and preparation, an understanding of the photographic process, and a firm grasp of how light and composition affect a photo. There must be personal involvement and personal expression. There must be experimentation, with the recognition that only a small percentage of experiments end successfully. 368 pages.
• Complete Digital Photography - 9th Edition - Ben Long - In this book is everything you'll need to know in order to create great digital photos, from how a camera works to all the details of shooting, image editing, output, and workflow. The step-by-step tutorials included here offer great tips and techniques on improving your processes from start to finish. You'll learn about exposure theory, composition, lighting, masking, image adjustment, and much more. 416 pages.

Happy reading!

The Olympus Tough TG-6 Camera Has Been Discontinued

You can read the entire article on Petapixel.com

The Olympus, now OM System, Tough TG-6 is no longer being actively produced and is no longer avaiable from OM System in Japan. The popular waterproof point-and-shoot is still available in the United States and it is unlikely that this will be the end for the product line.

The TG-6 is one of the most rugged cameras currently available. The $500 camera is waterproof down to 15 meters (50 feet), shockproof to falls of up to 2.1 meters (seven feet) high, can survive crushing pressure of up to 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of force, and can withstand temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius. It is also dust-proof rated as IPX6. The front lens is sealed with double-pane glass to prevent fogging and condensation as well, making it one of the most robust camera bodies on the market.

Even though the camera might be on its way out, it is highly unlikely that OM System lets this system go the way of the dodo. Not only is it considered one of the best choices for underwater photography, OM System is still creating new products that actively build on the system.

Earlier this year, the company announced a new housing for the TG-6 that is designed for the medical space and can be autoclaved, meaning it can be fully sanitized after use. That casing was even mainly focused on use in Japan, so it would be even more unusual for the company to discontinue the line there now.

With all that in mind, expect to continue to find the TG-6 available to purchase around the world until stock on store shelves is depleted. Additionally, it would not be too far outside the realm of possibility to expect OM System to announce a new TG-7 camera sometime soon that uses the same body design and button layout of the TG-6.

Are we getting a Fujifilm GFX 100 II? Rumors suggest it's coming this year

You can read the entire article on DigitalCameraWorld.com

Is a Fujifilm GFX 100 II on the way? After a quiet year for GFX, rumors suggest that we could be seeing a successor to Fujifilm's original 100MP camera later this year.

It's fair to say that Fujifilm's GFX lineup of medium format cameras has opened new possibilities for photographers to get into larger format photography without the exorbitant prices of other brands, and has left a lot of photographers fervently awaiting what might be coming next.

The last GFX release was the Fujifilm GFX 50S II in September 2021 and, with no new GFX cameras coming last year, we are overdue a new camera to keep the system fresh and up-to-date. Fujifilm has made huge strides in the APS-C realm with the excellent Fujifilm X-H2S and Fujifilm X-T5, seeing big leaps in image quality, autofocus, image stabilization, and speed, and we can't wait to see how these can filter into the GFX system.

The latest rumors point to a new replacement for the Fujifilm GFX 100. Following its release in June 2019, the Fujifilm GFX 100S was launched in February 2021 and managed to squeeze the excellent 102MP medium format sensor into a body roughly the size of one of the best full-frame cameras.

Since the GFX 100S' release, Fujifilm has jumped forward with its processor tech, with the new X-Processor 5 found in its latest APS-C cameras being able to handle better autofocus, including deep-learning subject recognition and tracking, as well as higher video rates, and faster shooting speeds.

So it is almost inconceivable that Fujifilm wouldn't be keen to upgrade the GFX range with this processor, as well as a host of other improvements.

Threads to get web version and advanced search in coming weeks

You can read the entire article on 9to5mac.com

It's been a month since the official launch of Threads, Meta's new microblogging social network. Since then, the platform has been getting numerous updates with new features like built-in translation and a chronological feed that only shows content from accounts you follow. And soon, Threads will get a web version and advanced search.

The news comes from Meta co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, who confirmed that both a web version and advanced search are coming to Threads "in the next few weeks." Currently, the only way to access Threads is through its mobile app, so one of the most requested features by its users is a web version that works on desktop platforms.

Last week, Instagram head Adam Mosseri had already confirmed that the team behind Threads has been working on a web version of the platform. For a brief moment, Threads user profiles on the web were showing Reply buttons. While clicking on the buttons did nothing, it was a major hint that the web version would be coming soon.

Threads also lacks an advanced search feature. The only thing users can search for now is other accounts, with no way to search for specific posts or words. This should also be addressed soon.

You can find me on Threads as @derrickstory

Virtual Camera Club News

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.

TDS Workshops! - You can sign up for available workshops by visiting The Nimble Photographer. Inner Circle Members receive a 10-percent discount on all events.

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.

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.

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.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #906, August 1, 2023. Today's theme is "The Autofocus Mental Block." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

How many times have you had the absolutely incorrect autofocus mode for the subject at hand? Chances are very good more than once. We're such funny creatures, we photographers. We'll double-check our exposure mode, make sure white balance is adjusted, we'll even tap into exposure compensation. But that AF button on the back of the camera... it might as well read "only push in an emergency." Why is that? I have a theory that should improve the situation. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

The Autofocus Mental Block

The promise of technology sometimes falls short. We're told that these improvements will save us time, and they may, but it feels like solving one problem often creates 5 new ones.

I'm not saying that autofocus falls into that category. But I will say that life was certainly more simple before it. With manual focus you turn a ring on the lens until the picture looks sharp in the viewfinder. That's it. One sentence.

In contrast, I'm going to spend the next 15 minutes talking about the various different autofocus settings your camera most likely supports and how to use them. See what I'm saying?

Basic Autofocus Modes

Let's start with a review of the basic AF modes offered on most modern mirrorless cameras.

• Single AF (S-AF) - The default setting for many photographers. Press the shutter button halfway, focus is locked, press further to make the exposure. Designed for static subjects, but we all know this gets pressed into service more than that.
• Continuous AF (C-AF) - The camera starts focusing when the shutter button is pressed, and keeps focusing until the picture is recorded. When you're trying to follow a subject with C-AF, you may or may not get a sharp picture of it. You may get the background, another person, or a light post.
• Continuous AF + Tracking (C-AF+TR) - This mode was designed to correct the shortcomings of regular C-AF. The thinking is that if you start by focusing on a subject, the camera will continue to track it regardless of how poorly you follow it.
• Automatic AF (AF-A) - Camera switches between AF-S and AF-C depending on if your subject is stationary or if it starts moving.
• Subject Detection AF - The camera can identify certain subjects - cars, motorcycles, planes, helicopters, trains, birds, dogs, and cats - and will automatically focus on them.
• Face Detection AF - The camera will identify human faces and focus on one or many automatically. And it can often even focus on the eyes, or just the right or left eye.
• Manual Focus - The photographer determines the focus by turning the lens ring.

One of the challenges of all these settings is finding them in your camera. On my OM-1, for example, the standard AF modes are on AF-Screen 1. Starry Sky AF is there also. Face and Eye Detection are on Screen 2, as is Subject Detection.

Once you figure all of that out, then you need to choose a Target Mode. On the OM-1, you press and hold the multi-selector on the back of the camera and use the front dial to cycle through all of the Target Mode configurations.

You can choose ALL (1,053 targets), Single, Small, Cross, Middle, or Large depending on your style, the subject, and how much you trust your camera.

A Practical Approach to Surviving Autofocus

First of all, it's imperative that you learn the quick settings for AF functions without having to rumble around in the Menu. If you have to search the Menu in the field, you probably won't do it.

On my OM-1, I press the AF button on the top/left of the camera and use the back dial to scroll through the focus modes. For the Target Mode, press and hold the multi-selector on the back of the camera and use the front dial to cycle. Other settings, such as Subject Detection, work great as My Menu items.

Next, while at home, practice switching between AF and Target modes so that it becomes second nature. If you know you're going to be shooting a certain type of subject before you head out the door, then you can set your camera accordingly. You can also use Custom Modes that combine a variety of settings.

With a little pre-practice, you can master all of the AF settings on your camera and never get caught with your guard down again.

Canon Warns Discarding Its Printers May Pose a Wi-Fi Security Risk

You can read the entire article on Petapixel.com

The number of printers this vulnerability affects is massive and encompasses 196 total models. It includes the home and business E, G, GM, GX, iB, iP, MB, MG, MX, TR, TS, and XK inkjet series as well as the Pro series photo printers (which includes everything from the Pro-10 through the Pro-1000 printers). It also affects some large format printers including Canon's Pro line (Pro-520 through Pro-6100S) as well as the TM, TX, GP, and TC series printers. The full list of all affected printers can be found on Canon's website.

When one of these printers comes into the hands of a third party (such as in the case of repair, loaning it out, or when throwing it away), Wi-Fi connection information is still stored on the device even if it has been initialized through the normal process.

Bleeping Computer notes that those who are aware of the vulnerability could pull the information off the printers which would give them access to the a home Wi-Fi network. The exact information that is stored on the device varies per printer, but it will usually include network SSID, the password, network type, assigned IP address, MAC address, and network profile.

Basically, the printers typically retain all the information a malicious third party would need in order to gain access to a private network. From there, they could access shared resources, steal data, or launch any number of attacks on a user's privacy.

Make sure you reset all settings before handing the printer off to another party.

What's In The Night Sky for August 2023 Including the Perseid Meteor Shower

You can read the entire article on Fstoppers.com

August is upon us and it is going to be an action-packed month for astrophotographers. So what have you got to look forward to? The peak of the brilliant Perseid meteor shower, two supermoons and there is still plenty of Milky Way core action to be had as the nights begin to get darker for those in the higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere.

August also means that, as the nights begin to get longer and the midnight sun comes to an end, for those in the higher northern latitudes this will create more opportunities to photograph the Northern Lights. Be sure to click the link later on for my best tips on how to capture the Aurora Borealis. We are fast approaching Solar Maximum, so I highly recommend chasing the Northern Lights over the next few years.

With the two supermoons being at the beginning and end of the month, the new moon will fall during the middle of the month, just in time for the peak of the Perseid meteor shower around the 12th to 14th of August. The Perseid meteor shower is one of the best meteor displays of the year with many meteors per hour. On a clear night, it is an amazing spectacle for you and your family or friends to enjoy, and even better if you can combine it with some amazing photography.

It's official: new cameras are not getting any better

You can read the entire article on DigitalCameraWorld.com

What do you think is the best full-frame camera currently available, when judged purely on its stills image quality? The Canon EOS R3, a Nikon Z9? Wrong. According to DxOMark, it's a tie between the Nikon D850, and Sony a7R III - two aging cameras launched back in 2017!

Since then several newer cameras have achieved equal overall DxOMark scores; cameras like the Nikon Z7 II, Leica M11, and the Sony a7R V. But in the case of the a7R V, you've got a camera that is five years newer than the Mark III, with an entirely different sensor, but still delivers pretty much the same overall image quality.

This plateau in sensor performance is something I've also observed when lab testing new cameras for Digital Camera World. There's inevitably some difference between rival cameras in a particular segment of the market, but on the whole, a new camera will rarely - if ever - noticeably out-perform its predecessor when judged upon image quality attributes like dynamic range or noise levels. The only area where a new sensor can significantly boost image quality is resolving power, as inevitably a 60MP camera can capture more fine detail than one equipped with a 45MP sensor.

But should we be all that surprised at this lack of recent sensor improvement in interchangeable lens cameras? If we consider the 'peak' of sensor performance to be around 2017, this coincides almost perfectly with the explosion of phone photography, the relentless push towards the 200MP camera phone sensors we have today, and the stunning image quality the latest smartphones can produce. And that's not stunning "for a phone", but stunning, period. However much we may love 'proper' cameras, it's phones that capture the vast, vast majority of images now, so it makes sense that this is where you'll now find the big advances in image sensor development.

So while that new interchangeable lens camera you've been lusting after is unlikely to give you appreciably better image quality than a slightly older model, look on the bright side: you could instead pick up a used camera like a D850 and potentially get equally good images, for a fraction of the price.

Virtual Camera Club News

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.

TDS Workshops! - You can sign up for available workshops by visiting The Nimble Photographer. Inner Circle Members receive a 10-percent discount on all events.

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.

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.

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.