I'm surprised at how often I want to connect an iPhone to some sort of tripod. Yes, it's a mobile device, but it's so good at so many things.

And if you're a photographer who appreciates the imaging athleticism of the iPhone 12 and 13, then you realize that their capabilities can stretch into areas that we traditionally used a tripod for, such as time-lapse, video interviews, panoramas, and night photography.

The problem was, until a week ago for me, that I hadn't discovered a satisfactory way to connect my iPhone 12 Pro Max to any type of 3-legged beast, large or small. That is, until I found the Moment Multi-Threaded Mount for MagSafe (best deal: $29.95).

This machined disc that feels like a slim hockey puck has a powerful magnet on one side that attaches to the MagSafe connector on the back of an iPhone 12 (or later), and an array of 3/8" and 1/4" female threads on the other. Now I can attach my iPhone to practically anything.

I can use the adapter with a MagSafe compatible case on, or just on the phone itself, making it the simplest and most versatile mobile photo accessory that I've to date. Just pop it on and it stays put.

In addition to attaching the phone to a tripod, I can also use the adapter to connect flash adapters, microphone holders, magic arms, and anything else that uses a 1/4" thread. I can even hitch the iPhone to a camera.

If you're serious about iPhone photography, then you'll want one of these on your pocket tripod.

Product Links and Comments

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

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #813, Oct. 19, 2021. Today's theme is "The New M1 MacBook Pro for Photographers." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Apple showed off its next generation of Apple Silicon processors for two new laptops, and they are impressive. Not only the speed bumps, but the actual designs of the computers are improved as well, especially for photographers. And that's our lead story for today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

---

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

The New M1 MacBook Pro for Photographers

Apple hardware presentations are usually interesting to watch. But today's unveiling of the new 14" and 16" MacBook Pros with M1 Pro processors was truly impressive. Let's take a look at the notable features for the 14" models, which I think is ideal for most photographers.

• Battery Life - 17 hours video playback, 11 hours of wireless web browsing.
• SSD Speed - Up to 7.4GB/s or two times the previous generation speed. Can open thousands of RAW photos at once. The base SSD is now 512 GB with an options for 1, 2, 4, or 8 TBs.
• Display - Liquid Retina XDR with Extreme Dynamic Range and ProMotion with refresh rates of up to 120Hz. The resolution for the 14.2" is 3024x1964, 5.9 million pixels at 254 ppi (1 billion colors).
• Video Conferencing - 1080p camera with three studio quality mics using directional beamforming to ensure a loud and clear voice. BTW: A 6-speaker sound system with spatial audio is also part of this setup.
• Ports and Connections - SDXC card reader, direct HDMI output, a 3.5 mm headphone jack that detects and automatically adjusts for high‑impedance headphones, 3 Thunderbolt 4 ports, and they brought back the MagSafe port (and you still can charge via Thunderbolt as well, includes a USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable). You can connect up to two Pro Display XDRs with M1 Pro.
• Improved Keyboard - Magic Keyboard brings a full‑height function key row to MacBook Pro -- with the tactile feel of mechanical keys that pros love. It includes new keyboard shortcuts for Spotlight, Siri, Dictation, and Do Not Disturb. And Touch ID has a new, tactile ring that guides your finger for a fast, easy, secure way to unlock your Mac.
• Processor - Apple M1 Pro chip with 8-core CPU with 6 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores, 14-core GPU.
• Media Engine - Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW, Video decode engine, Video encode engine, and ProRes encode and decode engine.
• Price - 14" M1 Pro with 16 GB Unified Memory and 512 GB SSD is $1,999 or $2,499 for the 1 TB model with 10-Core CPU ad 16-Core GPU.

Bottom line: this is an incredible laptop for photographers.

Infrared Photography Showcase from Our Recent Workshop

For the past month, our workshop photographers have been learning and practicing techniques for producing infrared images. Our class presentation was on Saturday, and I wanted to share a sample of the wonderful work they produced.

You can see the gallery here.

During the class presentation, each photographer talked about his or her images, shared the processes they used to create them, and discussed their plans for future work.

And because these are online events, we have participants from all over the world, ranging from England, to the U.S. east coast, the midwest, and California. So not only do they bring their unique artistic visions, but also a sense of where they live and what life is like there.

If you want to learn more about our online classes, visit The Nimble Photographer Workshops page. Among the other events, our next infrared photography workshop is scheduled for May 2022.

Apple's Most Tricked-Out M1 Max-Powered MacBook Pro Costs $6,099

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com.

The most tricked-out 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max will cost $6,099 which is significantly more than the max price of $2,300 for the first M1 13-inch MacBook Pro announced last year.

While Apple said that the 16-inch M1 Max-powered machine starts at $3,500, it's not hard to almost double that. Jumping from 32GB of unified memory up to 64GB of unified memory adds $400, and moving to 8TB of SSD storage capacity up from 1TB adds a whopping $2,200. Together, that brings the final price to $6,099.

Luckily, most won't need that much internal storage thanks to the abundance of Thunderbolt ports that support blazing fast external storage. If the base 1TB SSD isn't touched, the most powerful MacBook Pro Apple has ever made costs a much more approachable $3,900. That's not anything close to cheap, but if Apple is to be believed, this computer is set to make the M1, which already roasted much of the competition, look slow by comparison.

Sony teases the Sony a7 IV, confirms October 21 announcement

You can read the entire article on DP Review.

Sony has announced the forthcoming premiere for a new Alpha camera set to debut in just three days, at 10am EDT / 15:00 BST / 22:00 SGT on October 21.

As tends to be the case with many of these YouTube premiere teasers, Sony doesn't reveal any details about the camera in the video's description or in the placeholder image. That is, aside from the confirmation it will be a Sony Alpha camera system and its announcement date.

October 21 should prove to be an exciting day for Sony full-frame mirrorless camera fans.

Virtual Camera Club News

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

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 46 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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!

Product Links and Comments

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

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

For the past month, our workshop photographers have been learning and practicing techniques for producing infrared images. Our class presentation was on Saturday, and I wanted to share a sample of the wonderful work they produced.

Harry Telegadas - Butterfly with flowers.

Jeffrey Ambs - The walking bridge.

Nelson Charette - Portrait of a rose.

Laurence R. Martin - The water canal.

Peter Ruczynski - House with trees.

Donald Guthrie - Tree with church.

Beverly Braun - Cabin with grass and sky.

During the class presentation, each photographer talked about his or her images, shared the processes they used to create them, and discussed their plans for future work.

And because these are online events, we have participants from all over the world, ranging from England, to the U.S. east coast, the midwest, and California. So not only do they bring their unique artistic visions, but also a sense of where they live and what life is like there.

If you want to learn more about our online classes, visit The Nimble Photographer Workshops page. Among the other events, our next infrared photography workshop is scheduled for May 2022.

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #812, Oct. 12, 2021. Today's theme is "If There Ever Was a Time to Stand Pat." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

I have become very familiar with the term, Request Stock Alert. As I compare recent camera announcements with availability, I see there is a fairly wide gap. You can receive shipment on some items, but they may not be the exact thing that you're hoping for. And this got me thinking, maybe this is a good time to simply appreciate the equipment that I have, and leave it at that. I explore this topic on today's TDS Photography Podcast (and lots more!). I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

---

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

If There Ever Was a Time to Stand Pat

Let's start with the story of my studio refrigerator.

When it comes to cameras, we're seeing a similar situation. Here's the latest Stock Requests on B&H:

Fujifilm XT-4, Fujifilm X100V, Fujifilm X-E4, Fujifilm X-T30II, Canon EOS R5, Canon EOS R3 (preorder), Canon EOS R6 (body only), Canon EOS M50 Mark II,Nikon Z7 II, Nikon Z fc (body only or with 28mm), Ricoh GR III X (not in US at all except through an Amazon channel), Sony Alpha a7S III (body only), Sony Alpha 1 (body only), and Sony ZV-E10 (body only).

Pentax, Panasonic, and Olympus had good stock numbers and could ship immediately.

With prices on the rise and availability spotty at best, it might be time to stand pat with your current gear. And maybe this is something we should be doing anyway.

Our Inner Circle Winner of Ben Long's New Book

Congratulations to John Pemberton who wrote:

"There are a number of things I liked that resonated, such as it's ok to shoot cliches, or that not every shot has to be the best ever, some are simply meant to be supporting images for others or practice for the future.

"But the insight I am going to use first and foremost is taking the practice of looking at other photographer's work to my photo club and pitch the idea of a "photo book of the quarter" that many of us get, review and then share with others who do the same. Then for one of our meetings we discuss an image that we each liked the most and why."

John, please send me your mailing address!

Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements 2022 announced with new Sensei-powered technology

You can read the entire article on DP Review.

Adobe has announced the 2022 versions of its Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements software. The applications are designed to make creative photo and video editing accessible and fun.

To that end, Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements include what Adobe calls 'Guided Edits.' These are step-by-step interactive tutorials you can use on your photos and videos to achieve specific editing tasks. The new applications add four new Guided Edits, bringing the total to 87.

The four new Guided Edits include a couple in Photoshop Elements, and the other two are in Premiere Elements. In Photoshop Elements, you can use a new Guided Edit to edit pet photos and extend photo backgrounds. For pet photos, you can adjust color and lighting, select and refine detailed edges like fur, remove collars and leashes and more. In the Guided Edit for extending photo backgrounds, you can use Content-Aware Fill technology to extend your image beyond its original crop, either to change an aspect ratio or just change up the framing.

Looking now at just Photoshop Elements 2022, the new software uses more Adobe Sensei AI technology than last year's release. You can use Adobe Sensei to transform your photographs into painting-inspired images. You can select from different artistic effects inspired by famous artwork and other popular styles.

Another Sensei-powered feature is the ability to warp photos to fit any shape. You can place one photo inside another by wrapping it around an object, like a mug, or fit the image into shapes, like the sunglasses example above.

Within Photoshop Elements 2022, you can combine still and motion photography with animated frames. You can place different moving overlays like snowflakes, hearts and sparkles to your still photos and then export the motion image as an .MP4 to share on social media.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022 also includes new slideshow styles, a revised Organizer that lets you view GIFs in motion, and automatic software updates.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022 and Premiere Elements 2022 are available now. The applications are available for macOS and Windows and can be purchased standalone or in a bundle. Standalone versions are $99.99 for new users and $79.99 to upgrade. The bundle is $149.99 or $119.99 for eligible upgrades. Education pricing is also available.

How I Made a Large Wall Print from an iPhone 6S

You can read the entire article on Medium.com.

Practically every photographer has Photoshop somewhere on their computer, even if it is generations old. One of the most useful tools in that application is Image Size, and you can use it to give your 12 MP smartphone pictures a resolution bump. This is particularly handy for making 13" x 19" prints.

For example, a 2016 shot of the Golden Gate Bridge that was captured with an iPhone 6S.

The original file measured 3024 x 4032 pixels. If I printed it at 300 dpi, I could make a 10" x 13" print with no cropping at all. That's short of the 13" x 19" output we were hoping for. But using Image Size, I could get there.

In Photoshop, I went to Image > Image Size, checked the box next to Resample with the Bicubic Smoother option, and increased the Fit parameters to 150 percent. The resolution remained at 72 ppi for this step. After clicking OK, Photoshop said that I could now make a 15" x 20" print at 300 ppi from the very same image. Yay.

Pergear Reveals a 10mm f/5.6 Pancake Fisheye Lens for Multiple Mounts

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.

Pergear has announced the new 10mm f/5.6 fisheye lens for Fuji X-mount, Micro Four Thirds, and Sony E-mount. The ultra-wide manual lens provides a 172-degree angle of view, which the company says is perfect for exploring creativity through distorting and exaggerating normal perspectives.

The new fisheye lens is made of solid metal but weighs only 100 grams (0.2 pounds). The front lens has a multi-layer coating that suppresses flare and ghosting. It also adds greater contrast and color reproduction when shooting in strong lighting conditions, the company claims. The lens comes with a built-in petal-shaped lens hood to provide protection for the lens and also to prevent stray light from entering the lens and causing unwanted flare.

The new Pergear 10mm f/5.6 fisheye lens is available on Pergear's online store for $89.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! (And welcome to our new members.) And be sure to sign up for Inner Circle Annual Gathering of the Clans on Saturday, October 23.

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 46 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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!

Product Links and Comments

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

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

Practically every photographer has Photoshop somewhere on their computer, even if it is generations old. One of the most useful tools in that application is Image Size, and you can use it to give your 12 MP smartphone pictures a resolution bump. This is particularly handy for making 13" x 19" prints.

For example, this 2016 shot of the Golden Gate Bridge was captured with an iPhone 6S.

Original iPhone 6S photo. All pictures by Derrick Story.

The original file measured 3024 x 4032 pixels. If I printed it at 300 dpi, I could make a 10" x 13" print with no cropping at all. That's short of the 13" x 19" output we were hoping for. But using Image Size, I could get there.

Using Image Size to sample up the picture.

In Photoshop, I went to Image > Image Size, checked the box next to Resample with the Bicubic Smoother option, and increased the Fit parameters to 150 percent. The resolution remained at 72 ppi for this step. After clicking OK, Photoshop said that I could now make a 15" x 20" print at 300 ppi from the very same image. Yay.

After Image Size, I had the resolution I needed to make a print.

Once I had the resolution that I needed, I could enhance the image and make that 13" x 19" print that I was hankering for.

We can use all sorts of tools to sample up images, even the Swiss army knife app, Preview, has Adjust Size that provides this functionality. And of course, we've been reading about the new software that uses AI to further refine the results.

But Photoshop, if you have it, is a sweet spot because it is readily available, provides lots of options for sampling up and sampling down, and works great.

BTW: that Golden Gate Bridge shot is now hanging on my wall at home.

The final product hanging on the wall.

If you want to know more about the story of this shot, check out my Medium.com article titled, How I Made a Large Wall Print from an iPhone 6S.

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #811, Oct. 5, 2021. Today's theme is "Ben Long Says a Photo Practice Might Not Be What You Think." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Photographer/Writer Ben Long joins the show this week to explain his ideas on how to grow as a photographer, as outlined in his new book, The Practicing Photographer. In the interview, I ask him how practice can be fun. He tells me I have it all wrong. And off we go! I'm pretty sure this is a half hour that you're going to enjoy.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

---

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

You can order The Practicing Photographer here.

Inner Circle Members: Here's How to Score a Free Copy of Ben's New Book

Share your favorite moment from the podcast and why it had meaning for you. To be eligible, you have to be an active Inner Circle Member. You can learn more by visiting our Patreon site

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! (And welcome to our new members.) And be sure to sign up for Inner Circle Annual Gathering of the Clans on Saturday, October 23.

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 43 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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!

Product Links and Comments

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

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

Lots of good news on the DxO front with the release of Nik Collection 4.2.

In addition to providing native support for the Mac M1 processor, DxO fixed an issue that prevented Silver Efex Pro and Viveza from working properly with Capture One Pro 21. Now with version 4.2, the workflow is smoother than ever for C1P photographers, especially if they are using an M1 Mac.

DxO is also running a Back to School Sale discounting discounting Nik Collection 4.2 to $99.99 (regular price is $149.99 and the package includes 8 software programs, 250 presets, and built-in U Point technology). The sale ends October 10, 2021.

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #810, Sept. 28, 2021. Today's theme is "Why I'm Still Podcasting." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

The other day, during a conversation, someone asked me, "Why, after all this time, are you still podcasting? Don't you get tired of the grind?" In the moment, I wasn't overly articulate, other than to say, "I still like it." Scintillating, right? But after some reflection I was able to put my fingers on a few key reasons, and I'm going to share those with you in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

---

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

Why, 809 Episodes Later, I'm Still Podcasting

I wrote this piece for Medium.com, and I'm going to read it for you now. I think it sums up my love of podcasting quite well.

Canon Confirms the EOS R3 Is Not a Flagship Camera

You can read the entire article on fStoppers.

The Canon EOS R3 is one of the most technologically advanced cameras that Canon has produced. Improvements to the autofocus alone put the Canon EOS R3 ahead of almost every camera that Canon has ever produced. Despite this, Canon maintains that the EOS R3 is not a 1 series flagship camera.

The Canon EOS R3 is the priciest RF mount camera to date. With a price point of almost $6,000, it sits uncomfortably close to the Canon 1D X Mark III, the current Canon flagship camera. The Canon EOS R3 includes a number of improved features, such as video quality, autofocus, and a significant jump in the number of frames it can capture per second, albeit with the electronic shutter. However, the Canon EOS R3 is still not considered a flagship camera by Canon.

In a recent discussion with Canon, it was confirmed that the EOS R3 camera does not replace the Canon 1D X Mark III to become the new flagship. The key reason it's not considered a flagship camera is that the 1D series cameras are designed to operate in far more challenging conditions. Although the EOS R3 does have similar weather-sealing when the hot shoe cap is attached, it may not be as capable in tougher environments.

Interestingly, this could end up being a challenge for Canon. If a $6,000 camera is not a flagship camera for Canon, what will an actual 1 series RF mount camera cost? Also, what kind of features could we see in a potential 1 series RF mount camera?

It is, however, important to mention that there are a few features the 1D X Mark III holds over the EOS R3. These include a larger buffer and the ability to shoot much faster using the mechanical shutter. The 1D X Mark III can manage 20 frames per second for up to 1,000 images, whereas the EOS R3 can only manage 12 frames per second with the mechanical shutter. It's also limited to a maximum of 150 images when shooting at 30 frames per second with the electronic shutter.

In general, photographers that shoot with 1 series cameras expect zero compromises. And based on what the EOS R3 can do, Canon may have something remarkable planned for its first-ever RF mount flagship camera.

Our First Writing Workshop!

Writing for Artists Who Want to Publish (or just get better)

This online workshop is designed to help photographers, and all types of creatives, improve their writing skills for online sites including publications such as Medium.com. Useful for the business environment as well because improved clarity in writing often translates into successful business interactions.

Over the course of four sessions, you'll learn how to translate your thoughts into effective articles and posts that will engage readers. We will cover online style, article construction, self-editing tips, and promotion.

You will also have access to our online workshop community, DerrickStoryOnline, where you can ask questions, share techniques, and show off your work. Your membership to our online community extends pass the workshop itself, so you can continue to share notes with those who share your particular interests.

Our weekly meetings during the workshop itself are via Zoom, with AM and PM sessions available so you can match this event to your busy schedule. Plus, we record each session and make them available to participants for future reference.

You can sign up today and reserve your spot.

How I Use Two Printers to Save Money

You can read the entire article here.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! (And welcome to our new members.) And be sure to sign up for Inner Circle Annual Gathering of the Clans on Saturday, October 23.

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 43 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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!

Product Links and Comments

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

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

Nothing brings a good photograph to life like making an 11" x 14" or 13" x 19" print of it. But as any photographer knows, big output uses a fair amount of ink. And when you buy OEM cartridges, they are expensive.

I've developed a sweet little workflow that has reduced these costs considerably. And I think you might find it useful if you have access to a smaller multifunctional printer with a second larger one designed for photography.

Start with the Smaller Printer

I have a Canon MG6821 multifunctional printer that I bought a while back for around $65. I use it for scanning, making copies, and "quick & dirty jobs". It's great. Instead of purchasing the more expensive Canon cartridges, I've been using third-party ink that costs a fraction of the OEM kit. I've been using this tandem for quite some time. The output looks great and the printer seems perfectly fine with it.

When I want to make a big print for framing (and archival), I first experiment with the image using 8.5" x 11" Red River Paper. I use the same surface for the test prints as I plan to use for the final image. I tend to like the Arctic Polar Luster.

Once I get the image looking the way that I want with the letter-sized output, I move over to the Canon Pro 100. This typically only take a print or two, and costs very little.

Finish with the Big Printer

Now that I understand how the image will print, and the adjustments required for it in the print dialog box, I set up the job with the Canon Pro 100 using Canon ink and the same Red River Paper surface. More often than not, I get it right on the first print.

Using this system has extended the life of my expensive Canon print cartridges, while still providing the quality I want for the final output. Give it a try and see what you think!

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #809, Sept. 21, 2021. Today's theme is "Photography's Final Flurry of Summer." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Canon, Apple, and GoPro close out our sizzling rampage of announcements at the end of summer. What a wild couple of weeks it has been. Today we're going to take a look at the final fruit of the season, then turn our eyes to what autumn and the close of the year might bring. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

---

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

Photography's Final Flurry of Summer

#1 - Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless Digital Camera $5,999

Among the most significant technologies in the R3 is the 24.1MP stacked sensor which affords truly fast readout speeds to help reduce rolling shutter distortion and benefit fast continuous shooting and video recording applications. This full-frame BSI CMOS sensor is also benefitted by an updated DIGIC X processor, which helps boost the overall speed for up to 30 fps continuous shooting with an electronic shutter, 6K 60p raw and 4K 120p video recording, and intelligent Dual Pixel CMOS II autofocus with Eye Control AF for intuitive focus point selection.

Key features include: 6K Raw and DCI/UHD 4K Video Recording, Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, Eye Control AF, Sensor-Shift Image Stabilizer (5-axis), 5.76m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder (120-fps refresh), 3.2" vari-angle LCD (4.15m-dot resolution), Dual Memory Card Slots (Slot 1: CFexpress Type B, Slot 2: SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II), built-in GPS module, can shoot natively in HEIF, a crazy amount of connectivity, and it weighs in at about 2 pounds.

Shipping begins November 30, 2021.

#2 - Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Lens $299

Ultra-wide field of view mixed with a compact and portable design, the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is a sleek everyday wide-angle prime. Blending a compact, lightweight design with a bright maximum aperture, this rectilinear ultra-wide comes in handy when photographing interiors and architectural subjects, as well as broad landscape views and astrophotography scenes.

Other features include: One aspherical element helps control distortion and promotes a high degree of sharpness; Super Spectra Coating has been applied to minimize flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color fidelity when working in strong lighting conditions; STM stepping motor offers fast, quiet, smooth, and accurate autofocus performance that is ideal for video recording as well as still shooting.

Minimum focusing distance of 5.1", along with a maximum magnification of 0.26x, makes this a unique option for close-up shooting while retaining great depth of field.

Configurable Control Ring can be used to adjust a variety of exposure settings, including aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation.

Rounded seven-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality.

#3 - iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max

This information is from the article iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max: A15 Bionic chipset, new triple-camera array, ProMotion display and more on DP Review.

"At the core of the new iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max is Apple's A15 Bionic chip, which should offer slight performance increases compared to last year's iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max models. The iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max feature new 6.1" and 6.7" Super Retina XDR Displays, respectively, which top out at 1,200 nits of brightness (for HDR stills & video) and include Apple's ProMotion technology, which intelligently adjusts the refresh rate to improve performance when you need it and conserve battery when you don't (10-120Hz). The display can hit 1,000 nits peak brightness outdoors even outside of HDR mode, a 20% increase over last year's models."

"The triple-camera array on the rear of the device features a 6x focal length range, and includes a 77mm (equiv.) focal length (3x) telephoto module, a 13mm (equiv.) F1.8 ultrawide module and a 26mm (equiv) F1.5 wide module. The ultra-wide camera gets a 92% improvement in light-gathering ability compared to the F2.4 module in previous models. The wide camera module gets larger 1.9 �m pixels, up from 1.4 and 1.7 �m on the 12 Pro and Pro Max, respectively. The main, wide camera also uses sensor-shift image stabilization like last year's Pro Max model, while the ultrawide and telephoto use 'dual optical' image stabilization. In addition to stills, the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro 13 Max can record Dolby Vision HDR video at up to 4K60p."

"A new video capture feature, called Cinematic Mode, has also been added to Apple's latest devices. This new feature, limited to 1080p at 30 fps, uses AI and Apple's depth mapping technology to track subjects and rack focus automatically with the ability to change the depth of field even after shooting, just as you can with the still photo Portrait Mode. You can also refocus the video after-the-fact."

"Another new camera feature Apple showed off is 'Photographic Styles,' which seems to be a more intelligent version of Picture Styles you typically see on DSLR, mirrorless and point-and-shoot cameras. When snapping a photo, you can choose between four different presets, which you can tweak to fit your specific editing preferences. When the shutter is pressed, the iPhone will then include your personal style in its image processing pipeline to give you the best image possible straight-out-of-camera."

"Apple says the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max last 1.5 and 2.5 hours longer, respectively, than their predecessors, due to improved efficiency and updated batteries."

"iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are available to pre-order starting this Friday, September 17 starting at $999 and $1,099, respectively, and are available in four colors: Graphite, Gold, Silver and Sierra Blue. Storage options range from 128GB up to 1TB, which is the first time an iPhone has been available with 1TB of storage."

#4 - Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 Lens $297

An ideal everyday lens, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 is a versatile prime straddling wide-angle and normal fields of view and featuring a bright f/2 maximum aperture. The distinct focal length is wide enough for spontaneous shooting but still tight enough for portraiture and selective focus shooting. Additionally, the lens's compact, portable form factor makes it perfect for walkaround shooting and equally well-suited to use on FX or DX-format camera bodies.

In terms of handling, a stepping motor AF system offers quiet and smooth focusing performance that benefits both stills and video capture and a programmable control ring can also be set for intuitive adjustment over a variety of camera and exposure settings.

This lens will be shipping soon.

#5 - GoPro HERO10 Black $499

Updating their flagship action camera with a 23MP sensor and a new G2 chip design for enhanced functionality, the HERO10 Black from GoPro adds more speed, performance, touch control responsiveness, and higher frame rates, rounding out this full-featured action camera. This newest model provides high-detail 5.3K60, 4K120, and 2.7K240 video and 23MP photos with updated professional settings and practical functions from its predecessor, the HERO9.

The front display, which in the previous HERO model showed status information, is now larger at 1.4" and offers a live view, allowing you to frame shots for vlogging and similar uses. A new HyperSmooth 4.0 digital image stabilization with in-camera horizon leveling lets you produce even smoother, more stable videos without a gimbal. While still a full-on action camera, the HERO10 Black makes use of its immense feature set to also let you use it as a webcam and for 1080p Full HD live streaming, and it also automatically connect to the cloud, allowing your footage to be uploaded while you shoot when you have a GoPro subscription. It provides a comprehensive solution for all your action cam adventures and it maintains a robust design that's 33' waterproof without an external housing required. An optional dive housing can additionally be used to take the camera into much deeper waters.

The Hero10 Black is shipping now.

IKEA's Sj�m�rke Goes Under Surfaces for Invisible Wireless Charging

You can read the entire article on Petapixel.

IKEA has been adding more function and style to the ever-expanding lineup of work-from-home furniture and accessories in its arsenal. The company's new the Sj�m�rke wireless Qi charging pad will bring wireless charging to nearly any wood or plastic-based surface in a home.

According to the instruction manual, the device is designed to mount underneath surfaces for which you'd like to hide cables in order to keep the room looking neat and minimalist.

Unlike most other wireless charging stations, which require users to place their rechargeable devices on a matt or charge station, this seven-inch by three-inch charger hides beneath a table or shelf using double-sided adhesive strips (or screws should buyers want to make it permanent), creating an invisible wireless charging station.

With its 5 watts of power, it will be available in IKEA stores and online starting October 2021 with a price tag of $40.

Our First Writing Workshop!

Writing for Artists Who Want to Publish (or just get better)

This online workshop is designed to help photographers, and all types of creatives, improve their writing skills for online sites including publications such as Medium.com. Useful for the business environment as well because improved clarity in writing often translates into successful business interactions.

Over the course of four sessions, you'll learn how to translate your thoughts into effective articles and posts that will engage readers. We will cover online style, article construction, self-editing tips, and promotion.

You will also have access to our online workshop community, DerrickStoryOnline, where you can ask questions, share techniques, and show off your work. Your membership to our online community extends pass the workshop itself, so you can continue to share notes with those who share your particular interests.

Our weekly meetings during the workshop itself are via Zoom, with AM and PM sessions available so you can match this event to your busy schedule. Plus, we record each session and make them available to participants for future reference.

You can sign up today and reserve your spot.

Preorders Available for Luminar Neo

What's New in Neo?

Layers let you effortlessly combine two or more images and manipulate them to achieve your desired effect.

Portrait Background Removal AI allows you to remove an unwanted background from your portrait in seconds thanks to AI.

Relight AI is a tool for controlling the light in your photos based on image depth as determined by AI, allowing you to easily and effortlessly fix photos that need fill lighting.

Mask AI allows you to easily detect and select elements of your photo for precise control over how tools are applied.

Pricing

Starts: September, 20 (8am New York Time)
Ends: October, 18 (8am New York Time)

For artists making a new purchase:
$65 for 1-seat license for Luminar Neo
$76 for 2-seats license for Luminar Neo

$94 for 1-seat license for Luminar Neo+Luminar AI
$115 for 2-seats license for Luminar Neo+Luminar AI

Luminar Neo should be available winter 2022. You can preorder now on the Skylum website.

Virtual Camera Club News

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! (And welcome to our new members.) And a big thanks to our iPad mini winner, Kevin McNamara! His favorite repurpose is: "With a Bluetooth connected speaker I use an old iPad as a digital stereo system internet radio and Apple Music."

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 43 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

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!

Product Links and Comments

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

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