This is The Digital Story Podcast #808, Sept. 14, 2021. Today's theme is "My Top 5 Recent Gear Announcements." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

My word! The camera industry has been very busy of late. And we get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. With new announcements from OM Digital, Ricoh, Fujifilm, Venus Optics and others, there's enough window shopping to dazzle our eyes like a tot set loose in a toy store. What are the picks of the litter? I'll share my 5 favorites on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

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My Top 5 Recent Gear Announcements

#1 - Sigma 24mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Lens for Sony E

I-series lens emphasizing a sleek and stylish physical design built to the same operational standards of Sigma's Cine lenses, including a mechanical aperture ring, knurled metal components, and various switches and tactile controls for intuitive operation. Wide-angle 24mm lens designed for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras, however, can also be used with APS-C models where it provides a 36mm equivalent focal length. Minimum focusing distance of 9.65" for unique close-up shooting capabilities. Rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a smooth and pleasing bokeh quality. All-metal body with high-precision metal parts and a metal hood. $639 and coming soon.

#2 - Ricoh GR IIIx Compact Camera

A newly developed 26.1mm F2.8 GR lens, which harmonizes exceptional image quality with a slim design. Unlike past GR-series models which featured a 28mm wide angle of view for exaggerated perspective, this lens provides a 40mm standard angle of view in the 35mm format, delivering images with a more natural perspective and a more truthful sense of depth for a completely different type of street photography. Also features an APS-C 24 MP sensor with 14-bit RAW, 3-Axis IS with Auto Horizon Correction function to effortlessly optimize image composition, and a cool accessory GT-2 Tele Conversion Lens to extend the focal length to approx. 75mm telephoto in the 35mm format, usable in combination with the camera's auto detection and crop functions. No U.S. availability set yet, but it is listed in the U.K. and E.U.

#3 - M.Zuiko Digital ED 20mm F1.4 PRO

"OM Digital Solutions Corporation is pleased to announce the development of two new lenses that conform to the Micro Four Thirds System standard: the M.Zuiko Digital ED 20mm F1.4 PRO compact large-diameter single-focal- length lens, and the M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F4.0 PRO compact telephoto zoom lens. Both lenses will join the M.Zuiko PRO series, featuring compact and lightweight lenses that offer excellent resolution and make the most of the unrivaled portability and image quality that is the hallmark of the Micro Four Thirds System. In conjunction with this development announcement, the M.Zuiko Digital lens roadmap has been updated. OM Digital Solutions will continue to leverage the strengths of the Micro Four Thirds System to enhance its lineup of lenses and broaden opportunities for photographic expression."

#4 - FUJIFILM X-T30 II Mirrorless Digital Camera with 15-45mm Lens

Sharing a sensor with the professional-oriented X-T3, the X-T30 II features an APS-C-format 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, which has a back-illuminated design to afford smooth tonal rendering, improved low-light performance, and a low native ISO 160 setting. Plus, the camera features X-Processor 4 quad-core CPU inside X-T30 II offers fast, accurate autofocusing, 2.36m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder, rear 3.0" 1.04m-dot LCD touchscreen, Front and rear command dials, 18 Film Simulation and Grain Effect Modes, and XF 15-45mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS lens features a 23-69mm equivalent.

Lens and camera kit should be available in late October for $999.

#5 - Venus Optics unveils $899 Laowa Argus 35mm F0.95

The manual focus lens is constructed of 14 elements in nine groups, including one aspherical element, one extra-low dispersion element and four ultra-high-refractive elements. It features a fifteen blade aperture diaphragm, an aperture range of F0.95 through F16, has a minimum focusing distance of 50cm (19.7") and uses a 72mm front filter thread. Plus there's a "de-click" switch for the aperture ring.
Laowa Argus 35mm F0.95 FF is available for Canon RF, Nikon Z and Sony E mount camera systems and can be purchased via Venus Optics' official website and authorized resellers for $899. The first 100 units ship with a free focus gear belt.

And Still More to Come!

Both Canon and Apple are holding special announcement events today, so we will have more gear to discuss next week as well. Wow.

Apple Issues Emergency Security Updates to Close a Spyware Flaw

You can read the entire article on NY Times.

Apple issued emergency software updates for a critical vulnerability in its products on Monday after security researchers uncovered a flaw that allows highly invasive spyware from Israel's NSO Group to infect anyone's iPhone, Apple Watch or Mac computer without so much as a click.

Apple's security team has been working around the clock to develop a fix since Tuesday, after researchers at Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity watchdog organization at the University of Toronto, discovered that a Saudi activist's iPhone had been infected with spyware from NSO Group.

The spyware, called Pegasus, used a novel method to invisibly infect an Apple device without the victim's knowledge for as long as six months. Known as a "zero click remote exploit," it is considered the Holy Grail of surveillance because it allows governments, mercenaries and criminals to secretly break into a victim's device without tipping the victim off.

Using the zero-click infection method, Pegasus can turn on a user's camera and microphone, record messages, texts, emails, calls -- even those sent via encrypted messaging and phone apps like Signal -- and send them back to NSO's clients at governments around the world.

An Apple spokesman confirmed Citizen Lab's assessment and said the company planned to add spyware barriers to its next iOS 15 software update, expected this year. NSO Group did not immediately respond to inquiries on Monday.

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.

Canon and Panasonic Drop Out of NAB Due to COVID-19 Concerns

You can read the entire article on Petapixel.

Panasonic and Canon have announced that neither will be attending NAB this fall as previously planned, joining Sony in pulling out of trade show commitments due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

Canon informed PetaPixel that it has canceled plans to attend both the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in Las Vegas as well as Infocomm in Orlando, Florida. The company issued the following statement:

Due to the ongoing health and safety concerns presented by the COVID-19 Delta variant, Canon has made a carefully considered decision to withdraw from this year's NAB and InfoComm Shows. The communities that NAB and InfoComm represent are something that we will greatly miss this year, but the health and safety of our team members, customers, and potential show guests is our number one priority. Canon will continue our plans to communicate exciting new products and innovations in virtual and remote settings, and our teams all over the world will share our news and updates in the coming weeks. We are continuously monitoring the situation and we look forward to attending events in the future.

While COVID cases have been slightly declining in Las Vegas where the NAB Show is still scheduled to take place from Saturday October 9 through Wednesday the October 13, concerns over safety have now led multiple companies to adjust plans for in-person exhibitions. InfoComm, which takes place in Orlando, Florida, is still scheduled to take place in late October, but the state currently accounts for nearly a quarter of all COVID-19 deaths in the United States.

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 42 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.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #807, Sept. 7, 2021. Today's theme is "Getting from Here to There: An Update from Maui." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Despite all of the reports of travel challenges, most of them can be overcome with a bit of extra planning. But what exactly do you need to know, and prepared for, as you travel from here to there? I have a number of tips to share with you, for Hawaii or anywhere else, on today's TDS Photography Podcast.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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Getting from Here to There: An Update from Maui

In most parts of the world, the ongoing pandemic is having an impact on daily life. Not only in terms of additional regulations and restrictions, but it affects staffing as well at hotels, restaurants, airports, and practically everywhere else. This all points in the direction of spending more time planning.

The five tips I'm covering here help address many of those situations.

#1 - Plan Further Out than Ever

I've been coming to Maui for years. Generally speaking, if we wanted to go out, we would use Open Table or call the day before and get a reservation. But now, you need to have your key reservations long before you get on the plane to your destination. That includes any important service including restaurants.

#2 - Learn the Rules of the Road

I'm using Hawaii as an example because that's where I am. But this applies to many, many destinations. Go to the state's or country's travel site and find out what you need to do for admission and to avoid quarantine.

For example to be admitted to Hawaii, you have to complete a travel record online, upload your vaccination proof or recent COVID 19 test results, and complete a health report.

In return, you'll receive a QR code that will let you bypass tedious stoppages at the airport.

#3 - Bring Lots of Masks

Masks are required practically everywhere. And if you're on the plane for 5 hours, you better have a mask that is comfortable for that period of time. I also have masks that go with my wardrobe, that I can stow in my swimming trunks, and extras in case one or more breaks.

#4 - Get in a Patient Frame of Mind

Everything moves slower. Lines take longer. There are few people available to help you. And if you let these delays get under your skin, it can adversely affect your trip.

One of my favorite signs I've seen recently said, "Please be kind to the employees who showed up to work to help you."

#5 - Get Creative

In an effort to go with the flow, we've discovered new things to do that work more easily with the situation at hand. For example, we've never spent much time at the beach parks here on Maui. But by packing our lunches and gear in the rental car and exploring some of these locations, we discovered a wonderful new feature of the island.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S II is the least expensive medium-format digital camera ever

You can read the entire article on DP Review.

Fujifilm has announced the 51 Megapixel GFX 50S II camera that - at $4000 - is the cheapest medium-format digital camera that's ever been released. The 50S II is largely similar to the GFX 100S, but with a lower resolution sensor and a lack of 4K video capability.

Relatively compact in size, the GFX 50S II offers in-body stabilization, with up to 6.5 stops of shake reduction. (The IBIS system can also be used to create ultra-high-res 205MB images.) The camera has a substantial grip and has plenty of room on the top plate for dials and an OLED info display. On the back, you'll find a two-axis tilting LCD and a 3.69M-dot electronic viewfinder with an equivalent magnification of 0.77x. The camera has dual card slots with support for UHS-II media.

The 50S II continues to use contrast-detect AF, which won't be able to keep up with the phase-detect system on the GFX 100S. Similarly, the 50S II's top burst speed is just 3 fps. The older sensor on the GFX 50S II only supports Full HD video, but quality is good. Its battery life of 440 shots/charge is comparable to full-frame models, which are very much the 50S II's competition.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S II will be available in late October for $3999 body only. It can also be bundled with the new GF 35-70mm F4.5-5.6 WR lens for $4499.

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.

What's New in Apple iOS 15 for Photographers

You can read the entire article on Petapixel.

Text Photos - The most useful feature is so simple. How much do you hate the bother of trying to save photos that are texted to you? The old way: put your finger on the photos and wait for the Save button to appear. Then hope it makes it to the camera roll in the Photos app. New way: there's a share tab right next to the photo in the iMessages app, and a new "shared with you" album in your camera roll of texted photos.

Live Text - Apple has added the ability to copy text from a photo and send the words to an e-mail or document, which is incredibly useful if you take pictures of recipes or the like. (Google added this to Android several years ago. Just sayin'.)

Info Please - A new feature that probably won't get much play at first, because it's not really totally ready for prime time is an information tab you can click on under the photo to reveal the download about artwork, landmarks, pet breeds, and flower types. In my tests, I was able to find the breed of a dog shown in a photo as well as a flower type. Some landmarks popped, others didn't.

EXIF - More importantly, for photographers, we finally get EXIF information listed in the Camera Roll, which tells us which of the iPhone lenses we used, what our automatic exposure was, and this is fantastic, the file name of the photo. This basic info hasn't been available in previous iOS editions and it really helps when I want to search for the photo on my computer. Knowing what it's called is a lot more useful than just looking for that photo of the Manhattan Beach Pier.

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 40 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.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #806, Aug. 31, 2021. Today's theme is "5 Excellent Ways to Repurpose an Aging iPad." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

iPads are built to stand the test of time. Even so, we tend to upgrade them every 3-5 years. But what about our old friend that's still working just fine? Is there hope beyond the recycle bin? Yes there is! And today I'm going to share with you 5 of my favorite "breathe new life into an old iPad" tricks. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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5 Excellent Ways to Repurpose an Aging iPad

#1 - Fantastic Audio/Visual Remote and Channel Guide

I've been using my iPhone to surf my Comcast channel guide. It worked fine. Then one day I had the bright idea to use an old iPad mini. Wow! What a difference screen real estate makes. I can can leave it right there on the coffee table. Plus it works nicely for Apple TV and other services.

#2 - DIY CarPlay for Older Vehicles

I love my 2007 Audi A3, and I doubt that I will ever sell it. But I do miss it having that handy LCD screen that every modern car sports these days.

An iPad mini with cellular is a beautiful upgrade. I use a Padcaster for iPad Mini 1-3 frame that actually looks really nice with the interior of the car. And it's quick release mounted so I can slide the device under the seat of the car when I'm not in it.

PS: If your iPad doesn't have cellular built-in, then just use the Personal Hotspot function on your phone.

#3 - The Ultimate Kitchen Companion

Again, you'll want to get a cool-looking stand for this use. But once you have it set up, an iPad is the perfect recipe mate, Netflix streamer, and all-around useful kitchen companion.

#4 - Digital Picture Frame

For this to be outstanding, you need to put the iPad in an actual frame then place it on a table or the wall. The frame is what makes it, and it's easy enough to set up.

If you can't find a frame that works out of the box, get one that's a bit larger than your iPad and use a sturdy matte to make everything fit. If you get a double-matte, then you have a truly classy presentation for your digital images.

#5 - Outstanding Radio Tuner

I've been using MyTuner Radio to listen to the variety of stations that I enjoy. Add a bluetooth speaker to totally enhance the experience. Again, a nice stand for your iPad is an excellent finishing touch.

Inner Circle Members: Submit Your Favorite DIY for an iPad mini

That's right Inner Circle Members: check our Patreon site for details. Share your favorite iPad DIY trick, and if it's voted as the favorite by our judges, we will send you an iPad mini. And thanks for your support.

A big thanks to Inner Circle Member Kelli Richards who donated our prizes. You can learn more about Kelli and her work by visiting her professional website.

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.

Enhance! Google researchers detail new method for upscaling low-resolution images with impressive results

You can read the entire article on DP Review.

Thanks to CSI, as well as plenty of other crime dramas, the phrase 'Enhance' has taken on a life of its own as a tongue-in-cheek way of attempting to digitally extract extra information from low-resolution images that simply isn't feasible in real-world situations. Or is it? A new blog post on the Google AI Blog showcases a new technology its developed to upscale low-resolution images with incredible results.

The blog post, titled 'High Fidelity Image Generation Using Diffusion Models,' explains how Google researchers have developed a pair of AI technologies that can take a low-resolution image and steadily increase resolution through selective destruction and reconstruction of the original input image.

The first component of the process is Super-Resolution via Repeated Refinements (SR3), 'a super-resolution diffusion model that takes as input a low-resolution image, and builds a corresponding high-resolution image from pure noise.' In essence, this model applies pure Gaussian noise to a low-resolution image before using noise-reduction technologies to effectively reconstruct a nearly noise-less image that's four times the resolution of the input.

According to Google, this new technology 'achieves strong benchmark results on the super-resolution task for face and natural images when scaling to resolutions 4x-8x that of the input low-resolution image.' As visible from the above illustration, this means a 64 x 64 pixel image can output an impressively clear 1024 x 1024 pixel image.

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 40 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.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #805, Aug. 24, 2021. Today's theme is "3 Intriguing Photography Stories." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Instead of committing to an entree, do you ever opt for a few appetizers instead? Well, today's TDS Photography Podcast is exactly that: a trio of tasty treats that should add up to a satisfying show. So tap your favorite beverage and let's go!

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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3 Intriguing Photography Stories

Story #1 - Yes, You Can Use 35mm Lenses on a Medium Format Camera

I've really enjoyed testing the Fujifilm GFX 100S medium format camera. But I only have one lens for it: the Fuji 80mm f/1.7. It's a terrific optic, but I needed something a bit wider.

So I started researching the use of 35mm full frame optics on medium format. And lo and behold, it can be done. I explain how in this first story.

Story #2 - What I Did While Recharging the Car in the Middle of Nowhere

You may remember that I said I was taking the all-electric VW ID.4 on its first field test. Well, that I did, and you can see all the pictures and read the story on the TDS site. But right now, I want to tell you one anecdote from the trip.

Via the mobile app PlugShare, I had learned that there was a free charging station at one of my favorite state parks, Ft. Ross. It happened to be conveniently on the way to my final camping destination up the road.

So I made the stop, plugged in the car, and here's how I spent my time during that top off.

Story #3 - Getting a Grip on the Nikon Z fc

So one of the things that I did on the photography field trip is spend a full day with the Nikon Z fc retro-styled mirrorless camera. I had mentioned previously, before I had the camera in my hands, that I was disappointed in some of its specs.

After a couple day hikes with it, I began to soften my stance. The images looked great, the DX 16-50mm lens was sharp and optically stabilized, and overall, the camera was a pleasure to use - except for one thing: hanging on to it.

There was no grip on the front or back of the camera, and I found it somewhat awkward to hold. What a shame for an otherwise nicely crafted machine.

Once I got home, I did a little research. I couldn't be the only one who felt like this camera could use an accessory grip. And sure enough, I was right.

Nikon has actually designed an accessory GR-1 extension grip for the camera. The bad news is, that it appears to be available only in the UK at this time.

Take heart Z fc hopefuls! It should only be a short wait for the grip to arrive on your home turf. It will cost you an additional $120, but with it, the camera should be a true joy to use.

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.

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 40 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.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #804, Aug. 17, 2021. Today's theme is "It's Not: What's the Best Software; It's: What's Best for You." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

I just read a good Capture One Pro vs Lightroom Classic article on DP Review. The comparison focused on speed with C1P coming out on top. But that doesn't mean it's the best, or even the best for you. I'll explain in more detail on today's TDS Photography Podcast.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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It's Not: What's the Best Software? It's: What's Best for You

We really do like to know who is Number One. I just went through a version of this when I was shopping for our next workshop vehicle. "The number one EV is..."

Number One think permeates many different decision-making areas. What's the best mirrorless camera? Where's the best place to go take pictures? And what's the best software to process my images?

Today, we're going to focus on the last one. I have five questions that depending on your answers will lead you to the best image management software for you. Here we go!

• How important is overall speed for you? Capture One Pro and Photos for macOS are tops in this category.
• How important is top-shelf RAW processing? Capture One Pro usually wins here.
• How big is your legacy library? If it is substantial, and it is a Lightroom catalog, then this gives Lightroom an edge because migration is a pain in the butt.
• How important are cloud connectivity and mobile apps? Lightroom gets the nod here, with Photos also in the mix.
• How important is overall cost (time invested plus actual payments)? Photos is the easiest to learn and is free. Lightroom is very accessible and is reasonably priced. Capture One Pro has a steep learning curve and is overall more expensive.

Now here's the fun part: tally the winners in each category and note what software you should be using? Chances are, it's not what you currently have.

For many non-professionals, Photos for macOS would be the winner. And for many professionals, Capture One Pro would likely come out on top. Yet, we know that the most popular image management software is Lightroom. Why is that?

Because there are a million little things that are both important to us and unique to us as well. And those little things are what determine the best product for us individually.

Let's go back to my car comparison. For me personally, the VW ID.4 was head and shoulders above the competition that included Tesla and the Ford MachE. Now depending on what review you read, the ID.4 could fare as well as first or as low as 5th for best EV for 2021.

But it was those little things, such as comfort and storage for workshop attendees in a car that drives like a sedan. It's the ability for me to sleep comfortably in the cabin while looking at the stars through the panorama roof. It's the 3 years of free high-speed charging. And the list goes on and on.

For you, the best EV could be something completely different, including not an EV at all.

You may not be using the best software, mirrorless camera, or driving the best car. But my hope is that through the time we spend together, you discover the perfect tools for you, know that I stand behind your decision 100 percent.

New Training Course! Mobile Photography: Image Management

What do you do with the plethora of photos on your smartphone after taking them? It's easy to have hundreds, if not thousands, of photos in your library, but it isn't so easy to back up and keep track of them. In this course, get tips on how to manage your ever-growing mobile photography collection.

I delve into several different backup and organizational methods for both Android and iOS devices, highlighting the benefits and risks of each approach. Plus, I share tips for enhancing the appearance of your shots right on your mobile device.

Discover how to leverage your iPad as a mobile photography studio, transfer images from your digital camera to your mobile device, back up and edit photos with Lightroom, and much more.

Mobile Photography: Image Management is a course that practically anyone who enjoys photography on their smartphone would enjoy. Take a look and see what you think.

Fenix E35 V3.0 EDC Flashlight Review - Portable and Powerful

One of the most important items I keep in the car glovebox is a good flashlight. It needs to be compact, durable, and versatile. My choice for the new VW ID.4 is the Fenix E35 V3.0 EDC Flashlight.

This device is impressive. And if you're a flashlight geek like me, you'll see what I mean when you look at the specs. Let's start with the output. (Keep in mind that this light is only 4.65" long and weighs just a few ounces.)

Outputs

• Turbo 3000 Lumens/1.1 Hours/787 Feet
• High 1200 Lumens/2.4 Hours/492 Feet
• Med 450 Lumens/7.9 Hours/295 Feet
• Low 150 Lumens/20 Hours/164 Feet
• Eco 50 Lumens/50 Hours/98 Feet
• Strobe 3000 Lumens

I use it in Eco mode for digging around in my camera bag or backpack. It's plenty bright to help me find what I want, but not so blinding that I lose my night vision. When working outside at night, Low and Medium modes provide plenty of illumination. I don't think I've needed the High mode for anything (it's really bright), but it's good to know that it's there.

One of the features that I really like is that the included rechargeable battery has a built-in USB-C port. So I can top off the flashlight right there in the car using its outputs. Very handy!

The Fenix E35 is also quite durable.

• IP68 Rated
• 3.2' Impact Resistance
• Single Switch Control
• Pocket Clip Included
• Cold Resistance -35°C to 45°C
• Aluminum Body A6061-T6
• Intelligent memory circuit, last-used output recall
• Lockout Function

You can check the battery status at any time. When the light is off, single-click the control button, and the status light on the button will illuminate. Steady green means you're in great shape all the way through flashing red that means it's time to recharge. (To turn on the flashlight, you long-click that same button.)

Other nice touches include the titanium body clip that allows you to secure the light on your bag or belt and a lanyard to keep around your wrist while in use.

If you haven't treated yourself to a new flashlight in a while, the Fenix E35 V3.0 EDC Flashlight is hands down my first choice. You can buy it directly from the Fenix site for $69 with free U.S. shipping. If you sign up for their newsletter, you'll get 20 percent off.

First Camping Test with the VW ID.4 This Week

As I continue to prepare for our upcoming Oregon Coast Photography Workshop in November, I'm putting the ID.4 through a variety of pre-event tests. The first one is this week.

I'm heading out for a camping trip where I'll have the car in isolated areas and will be testing gear for longer events. I'll also be sleeping in the car cabin.

Side note here: I've already been napping in the back during charging at commercial stations. My original intention was to get work done during the 30-minute charging sessions. But I've found myself stretched out and napping more and working less.

Part of my test will be seeing how well Level II chargers work when off the beaten track and away from the high-speed network.

I'll report on all of this during next week's TDS podcast.

Virtual Camera Club News

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

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 40 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.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #803, Aug. 10, 2021. Today's theme is "I Left My Bag Behind." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

It was about 8pm when I was standing in the Best Western parking lot somewhere off Interstate 5. I was staring into the cargo area of the car that contained two suitcases, a cooler, but no backpack. "Where the hell is it?" I said out loud. At the moment, I didn't know. This was the first night of a 4-day road trip. What happened next is the topic of today's TDS photography podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

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I Left My Bag Behind

Here is the story of my leaving my backpack behind that contained my camera gear, laptop, iPad, AirPods, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and every other piece of tech gear I had packed except for the iPhone X that was in my pocket.

Inner Circle Perspective - How Do You View Instagram These Days?

• 13 percent love Instagram and visit it daily or more.
• 47 percent was once a big fan, but doesn't stop by as often these days.
• 8 percent have given up Instagram completely.
• 20 percent never used Instagram in the first place.
• 12 percent say it's complicated, see my comment.

Some of those comments included:

"I visit daily but I wouldn't use the word "love". Can't love anything full of ads." - Thomas.

"I enjoyed posting on Instagram regularly in about 2014 and 2015 ... but the rise of "influencers" and TikTok type videos has killed the fun and meaningful use for me. Just another platform that doesn't meet my needs or wants.I'm in the process of going back to more regular use of Flickr because I find it more meaningful and interesting." -Del."

A Few Takeaways

The Facebook influence seems to really have dampened the party for many.

In my case, I still use it because I can quickly post a picture there, and have it propagate to Facebook and Twitter. That was a bit of a lifesaver on the recent trip where I forgot my gear.

That being said, I'm actually starting to feel like an old fogie on IG because I only post still pictures, not videos. Who would have ever dreamed photography would be an issue there?

You can learn more about the Inner Circle here.

New Training Course! Mobile Photography: Image Management

What do you do with the plethora of photos on your smartphone after taking them? It's easy to have hundreds, if not thousands, of photos in your library, but it isn't so easy to back up and keep track of them. In this course, get tips on how to manage your ever-growing mobile photography collection.

I delve into several different backup and organizational methods for both Android and iOS devices, highlighting the benefits and risks of each approach. Plus, I share tips for enhancing the appearance of your shots right on your mobile device.

Discover how to leverage your iPad as a mobile photography studio, transfer images from your digital camera to your mobile device, back up and edit photos with Lightroom, and much more.

Mobile Photography: Image Management is a course that practically anyone who enjoys photography on their smartphone would enjoy. Take a look and see what you think.

Peak Design Field Pouch v2 Review - Nimble and Nice

In use, it's a perfect size for a grab-and-go kit that you can keep close to your body and not attract attention. I have two basic configurations that I use it for. The first is a photography kit.

Photography Kit Configuration

• My Fujifilm X100V or the Olympus OM-D E-M10.
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• Accessories such as lens cloth, extra memory card, etc.

Or, what I call a "get my work done while riding the train" kit.

Get Work Done Kit

• My iPad mini with Apple Pencil.
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• Accessories such as lens cloth, hand sanitizer, mask, sunglasses, etc.

In both configurations, the iPhone 12 Pro Max fits beautifully in the padded zippered pocket keeping it separate and protected from the other items in the bag.

What's appealing about all of this for me is that I have a very efficient carrying solution to bring along exactly what I need, but doesn't attract attention and can even be positioned under my jacket if necessary.

The Peak Design Field Pouch V2 has a few other tricks up its sleeve. It's expandable design allows you to configure it to just the size you need. You can carry it on your belt or use the supplied shoulder strap.

Virtual Camera Club News

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

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 40 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.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #802, Aug. 3, 2021. Today's theme is "Camera Industry Fights Back." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

With a very positive recent report from Canon, and others holding their own in 2021, it's beginning to feel like a conservative rebound for the camera industry. On today's show, we'll take a closer look at the trends, then report numbers and comments from our own community regarding potential purchases in 2021. I hope you enjoy the show.

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Camera Industry Fights Back

The most promising imaging division report was just published by Canon, reporting Q2 financial results credit its EOS R5, R6 mirrorless cameras for 101% YoY net sales increase.

The data In its investor relations presentation shows Canon's consumer camera division pulled in 112.1B yen ($1B) in net camera sales--more than double its 55.7B yen ($500M) in sales in the same quarter last year. Granted, Q2 FY2020 was when COVID-19 was hitting much of the world the hardest, this recovery is even better than Canon expected.

Canon attributes this growth to strong sales of its EOS R5 and R6 mirrorless cameras and has raised its full-year outlook 'to reflect solid demand.' Canon specifically references its growing RF lens lineup, which it says will be the 'driver' of growth in its full-year outlook.

Stepping back and looking at a broader picture, 135 CIPA's February data shows 2021 is shaping up to be a year of stabilization for the camera industry.

The YoY numbers are some of the best we've seen in a while from CIPA and the data backs up what some of the major camera companies have emphasized over the past years in their interviews and financial result presentations for investors; the camera market is beginning to stabilize as the drop-off at the lower end of the market has more or less reached a plateau and hobbyist and professional photographers--who are less likely to trade out their dedicated cameras for smartphones--are starting to once again make up the majority of the market.

Considering March 2020 is when the COVID-19 pandemic really started to impact the global economy, contextualizing the rest of CIPA's 2021 data will prove to be more difficult. Specifically, we're going to see high YoY numbers for both production and shipments, due to both being limited in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but in future reports we'll do our best to contextualize CIPA's data to ensure we have a solid macro-level view of the photography market.

So I decided to check in with our Inner Circle Members to see what their sentiments were concerning purchases in the second half of 2021. I think you'll find their opinions interesting.

Inner Circle Perspective - Are You Thinking About a New Camera in 2021

• 35 percent are considering a new mirrorless camera.
• 40 percent say that their current gear is just fine.
• 15 percent say that they are fine with their existing camera, but they are interested in a new lens.
• 10 percent are eyeing a new smartphone with advanced camera features.
• Zero percent are considering a new DSLR.

Some of the comments included:

"I own a few nice cameras and lenses and remind myself they are "good enough". If my iPhone X starts acting up, I won't hesitate to trade it in for an iPhone 12 Pro." - Scott.

"Unless Olympus does something irresistible camera-wise, I am awaiting the rumored new MacBooks with built-in SD card slots once again. That's probably where my $$ will go. I am lens-heavy at this so I don't "need" anything, but...well, you know. Lol" -Karen."

A Few Takeaways

The first thing that jumped out at me is No DSLR plans. Zero. Next, I'm impressed by Canon's rebound. And third, the Inner Circle comments remind just how diverse our gear list is. We need to balance everything from our cameras, to computers, to smartphones, plus software and subscription fees. It adds up.

In other words, there is a lot of competition for our disposable budget. I predict that 2021 will continue to be a relatively thrifty year for our audience.

2 New Openings for the Oregon Coast Workshop

Sometimes real life gets in the way of our fun, and that's been the case for two of our signed up members for the Oregon Coast Workshop.

The event runs from Nov. 9-12, with our HQ based in Florence, Oregon. I'm co-leading the event with Scott Davenport, and participation is limited to 10 photographers.

If you want to reserve a spot by placing a deposit, go to Our Workshop Page on TheNimblePhotographer.com.

Mastering Capture One Pro 21 Online Workshop

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

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

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

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

466 Metadata from Olympic photographer's photos suggests the EOS R3 will have a 24MP sensor

You can read the entire article here on DP Review.

Jeff Cable, a photographer covering the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, appears to have accidentally shared the sensor resolution of Canon's forthcoming EOS R3 mirrorless camera

To date, Canon has announced the EOS R3 is in development and even shown off the body of the camera, but it hasn't yet revealed what specifications we'll find from the hardware inside the camera. However, we might have at least one piece of the puzzle thanks to Cable, who has been testing out Canon's unreleased EOS R3 camera at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

On a blog where Cable is sharing his photos from his time covering the Olympics, he's uploaded a few images that still have that metadata attached. As spotted by members of Canon Rumors' forums, this metadata can be read by the Chrome plugin EXIF Viewer Pro, which shows at least some of the images were taken by a Canon EOS R3 camera and have a resolution of 6,000 pixels by 4,000 pixels -- the image size coming from a 24MP sensor.

This isn't necessarily confirmation Canon's EOS R3 mirrorless camera will have a 24MP sensor, but the data is there to see and appears to be legitimate so far as we can tell (we have been able to confirm the metadata in the images). DPReview has contacted Canon for a comment on the matter, but no response has been received as of the time of publishing this article.

Virtual Camera Club News

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

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

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

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

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

See you next week!

Product Links and Comments

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

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

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

Opening Monologue

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

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The 5 Photo Tips We Seem to Forget

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

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

5 Things to Remember

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

2 Seats Open for Mastering Capture One Pro 21 Online Workshop

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

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

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

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

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

You can read the entire article here on FStoppers.

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

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

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

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

Virtual Camera Club News

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

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

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

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

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

See you next week!

Product Links and Comments

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

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

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

Opening Monologue

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

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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

Introduction to Infrared Photography

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

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

Infrared Q&A

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

Workshop Swap for September

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

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

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

You can read the entire article here on DP Review.

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

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

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

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

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

You can read the entire article here on Petapixel.

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

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

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

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

Virtual Camera Club News

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

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

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

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

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

See you next week!

Product Links and Comments

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

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

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

Opening Monologue

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

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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The Return of the Glovebox Camera

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

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

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

Glovebox Camera Ground Rules

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

Modern Cars Make this Easier and More Fun

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

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

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

Workshop Swap for September

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

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

Enhance Your B&W Photos with New Silver Efex 3

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

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

Two Basic Workflows

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

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

The Bottom Line

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

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

Photographers Covering the Olympics Faced With Mounting Challenges

You can read the entire article here on Petapixel.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Virtual Camera Club News

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

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

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

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

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

See you next week!

Product Links and Comments

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