This is The Digital Story Podcast #918, Oct. 24, 2023. Today's theme is "A Scary Night Out with the Nikon Zf" I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

I'd been testing the Nikon Zf for a week when I landed the ultimate low light torture test: Opening night publicity shots for a commercial haunted house. When we were working out the details of the assignment, the client warned me, "It's going to be dark, very dark." With the Zf in hand, I replied, "Bring it on!" What happened on that frightful night is the lead story in this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

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A Scary Night Out with the Nikon Zf

Captured with the Nikon Zf at the Blind Scream Haunted House in Santa Rosa, CA. Photo by Derrick Story.

Most people would probably think I was insane. Who in their right mind would accept a virtual darkness photo shoot with a brand-new camera and only a few lenses? I must admit, I was a bit nervous beforehand. But as you know, I always am.

I was armed with the Nikon Zf mirrorless camera and 40mm f/2.0 lens. I also had the FTZ II adapter that allowed me to use my AF-S 50mm f/1.8 G that came with my Nikon D610, and the AF-S 24-85mm G zoom.

I only had one battery that came with the Zf, that is, until I tried the Lithium from the D610 and discovered that it worked. Now I had two batteries. I was ready for action.

In the podcast, I tell the story of how the haunted house shoot unfolded.

If you want to read my full review of the Nikon Zf, it includes lots of detail and plenty of pictures.

Canon Japan formally discontinues the last EOS-M cameras, saying goodbye to EF-M

You can read the entire article on DPReview.com

Well, the writing has been on the wall for a while, but Canon's Japanese website has finally confirmed the end of the EF-M system. Or, at least, is describing all the EOS-M camera models as being discontinued.

Canon USA told PetaPixel, "At present, sales of EOS M series cameras and EF-M lenses vary from region to region depending on user needs," but the confirmation that sales have stopped in Canon's home market, where the EOS-M models sold particularly well, tells a fairly clear story.

The EF-M system, Canon's first foray into mirrorless cameras, was a compact APS-C mirrorless system that could use EF and EF-S DSLR lenses via adapter, but its own lenses could only be used on EF-M bodies.

The range extended from some of Canon's smallest, most affordable beginner-friendly ILCs up to the enthusiast-focused M5 and M6 models. The relatively small lens range reflected this focus, with a handful of variable aperture zooms supplemented by three relatively compact primes.

The arrival of the RF mount undermined confidence in the future of the system and the launch of APS-C RF models essentially spelled the end for EF-M. The R cameras sacrifice some of the compactness of EOS-M modes and currently have fewer APS-C (and APS-C appropriate) lens options, but give buyers the confidence that Canon is committed to the lens system. To some degree, anyway: Canon doesn't have a great history of fleshing out its APS-C systems, perhaps in the hope of up-selling people to its full-frame cameras and, unlike with EF-M, has been actively blocking third parties from doing so.

But, regardless of where we stand or how we got here, it seems that, after eleven years, Canon has turned a page on the first chapter of its mirrorless camera story.

Ricoh makes official statement on its film camera project. It's not what we expected!

You can read the entire story on DigitalCameraWorld.com

It turns out that film photography lovers may not be getting quite as spoiled as was previously thought.

It was recently stated by a Ricoh employee that four new Pentax film cameras are coming next year, including two SLRs. However, this timeline might not come to fruition as Ricoh has now made an official statement that will put water on this new film camera fire.

"We found information on several websites regarding our film camera development," reads the statement. "This included two compact film cameras for Spring 2024 as mentioned by a colleague working for Ricoh Imaging Europe.

"This is not our official remark, nor is it based on any fixed information. We are indeed challenging the development of a compact film camera; however, we have not yet decided whether or when we will launch such a product."

While this news does leave a big question mark for me, and clearly there are some communication issues, and although this could have been a blunder... it does raise suspicion over the whole project. Which we haven't really had a substantial update on since May 2023, which is 5 months as of writing this article.

Who knows what the future will hold for the Pentax and its reveal of film cameras, but if you're in the market for a new-to-you film camera then we highly recommend checking out our best film camera guide and while you're there take a look at our best 35mm film or best 120 film guides to keep your film supply in stock.

Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

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

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

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

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

See you next week!

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #917, Oct. 17, 2023. Today's theme is "Nervous Before a Photo Shoot? Me Too." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

You'd think that after doing something professionally for decades, dealing with nerves would be a distant object in my rearview mirror. The fact of the matter is: I still get anxious before a big photo shoot. But I've learned how to channel nervous energy into creative output. And I'll share those tips with you on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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Nervous Before a Photo Shoot? Me Too.

The driving force behind every photo shoot is to deliver the best images possible to the client. When I focus on that, everything else seems to fall into place. But that desire for excellence also creates pressure. And that first 10 to 15 minutes of the job include a bit of anxiety.

What I've learned over the years is that bit of pressure actually helps me focus. Even though I must appear confident and relaxed to help the client feel at ease, inside I'm laser-beamed on figuring out the best way for us to start the session. In the end, both parties are relieved and happy with the results. Here's my approach.

• Conversation First - Before the actual photo shoot, have a phone conversation or Zoom call with the client. This is important to begin building rapport, and to find out expectations. This information will help you build your gameplan for the job.
• Prepare Your Gear Ahead of Time - Use the information from the client discussion to determine the gear needed for the job. Begin this process 48 hours in advance. Why 48 hours? Because you will initially forget to include important items, wake up in the middle of the night remembering them, then still have time the next day to add them to your kit.
• Plan for Backup Scenarios - You will build your ideal plan, and hopefully that will work. But also construct a Plan B incase the wheels fall off the wagon. Having a great backup plan will greatlyt decrease your anxiety.
• Plan to Arrive Early - This will give you time to scout, contemplate, test shoot, and get comfortable. Nothing creates tension like arriving late to a photo shoot. Make sure you're early.
• Put the Subject at Ease - I know this seems counterintuitive when you're nervous yourself, but you'll discover that your efforts to help the subject feel calm and confident will have the same effect on you.
• Don't Start with Your Best Option - Everyone is going to need to warm up. Begin the shoot with your second or third favorite option. Once things get rolling, then you can go to your first choice.
• Keep it Moving - This is where your preparation pays off. By keeping the shoot moving at a snappy pace, everyone will feel like it's going well, and will relax even more.
• Share a Few Pictures from the Back of the LCD - Once the subject sees how well he/she looks, their confidence will grow and they will relax even more.
• Keep Those Complements Flowing - Praise feels good, especially in the middle of a photo shoot.

By this point, everyone should be feeling pretty darn good. And thanks to your being prepared, generous, and focused, everything else will fall into place.

Adobe MAX 2023: Here's what Lightroom users need to know

You can read the entire article on DPReview.com

At its annual Adobe MAX event, Adobe rolled out new versions of its flagship applications, including the Lightroom ecosystem that encompasses Lightroom Classic, Lightroom desktop, and mobile Lightroom apps. They can now simulate shallow depth of field using existing depth maps or by creating new ones, edit in greater dynamic range on HDR displays, add a new Point Color tool for adjusting specific colors and more.

Lightroom Classic 13.0 and Lightroom 7.1 for macOS and Windows are available starting today to Creative Cloud subscribers via the Creative Cloud app, while the Lightroom 9.0 mobile apps for iOS, iPadOS and Android are available in their respective app stores.

Here are the key features.

• Lens Blur - The new Lens Blur tool is characterized as being in Early Access but is available to all subscribers. If the photo already includes device depth information, Lightroom uses that as the depth map; if not, Lightroom analyzes what's in the scene (such as a prominent subject) to determine which areas should be out of focus.
• HDR output and editing - The new HDR mode reveals the full dynamic range within an HDR-captured photo (which includes many Raws), extending the histogram and the Tone Curve tool to account for the added values. You can visualize which areas are beyond SDR and the capabilities of your current computer monitor.
• Point Color - In previous versions of the Lightroom apps, it's been possible to manipulate colors by adjusting their hue, saturation and luminance in the HSL/Color tool. However, that was limited to 8 main colors. The new Point Color tool makes color selection more granular by sampling pixels in an image using an eyedropper.
• Lightroom desktop goes local - Until now, the desktop version of Lightroom (not Lightroom Classic) has been tightly tethered to the cloud. By default, every image you import gets synced to Creative Cloud and made available to Lightroom on other devices. Sometimes, though, you may want to open an image and use Lightroom's tools to edit it without adding it to your cloud library (and taking up cloud storage). Now, a new Local option in Lightroom lets you browse your storage and edit images locally without any cloud involvement. If you do decide to sync one with the rest of your devices, you can copy it to the cloud, where it becomes part of your regular library.

A Couple Comments from Sedona

The TDS Sedona Photography Workshop is now in the books, and I've returned to Santa Rosa. But I received a few emails from participants that I thought you might enjoy.

Tim wrote: "Well, that was fun. Thanks to all for helping "break me in" to this whole photo workshop thing. It was the opposite of intimidating, as a result of Derrick's relaxed style and the good humor and openness that each of you brought. I'll take loads of good memories and some ok photos as well from this week! Thanks again everyone, and safe travels!

Michael wrote: "Thanks again for another great workshop! Great people, great scenery, great learning experience. And also, great weather! (Florence #1 is still fresh in my mind.) This really works as a destination. You'll be doing it again, but I don't think you can improve on it. I hope the same group reassembles next year someplace -- we look forward to advising on options."

As for me, I talked a bit about the workshop in the Nimble Photographer Newsletter, and I included some pictures as well. And in case you're curious, I'll be returning to Sedona in 2024, plus we'll have new exciting locations too. Keep an eye out for an upcoming podcast with the entire workshop schedule for next year.

Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

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

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

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

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

See you next week!

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #916, Oct. 10, 2023. Today's theme is "Ride Shotgun on Photo Scouting Mission." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

If you want to have half a chance of a photo workshop running smoothly, you have to get out there and scout ahead of time. There are so many things that just don't show up on websites. Today, I'm going to invite you along for my final day of exploration before the Sedona Photography Workshop begins in less than 24 hours. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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Ride Shotgun on Photo Scouting Mission

Join Derrick as he explores the Northern Arizona countryside the day before his workshop begins.

Astrophotography in October 2023: what to shoot in the night sky this month

You can read the entire article on DigitalCameraWorld.com

Tuesday, October 10: Conjunction of the crescent moon and Venus - Rising in the east a couple of hours before sunrise will be an 18%-illuminated crescent moon displaying 'Earthshine' - reflected sunlight from our oceans onto the lunar surface. Just below it will be Venus, itself only 42%-lit, but very bright thanks to its closeness to Earth. Between the two is Regulus in Leo, one of the brightest stars in the night sky at just 77 light-years away.

Saturday, October 14: 'Ring of Fire' annular solar eclipse - Today almost everyone in North, Central and South America will see a partial solar eclipse, with any special location's distance from a 125 miles wide central path determining how much of the sun will appear to be blocked by the sun. Only those within that path - which goes through the US Southwest, Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia and Brazil - will be able to photograph a 'ring of fire' around the moon as it eclipses up to 91% of the sun. To photograph this you'll need to use solar filters at all times and only watch it through the LCD screen on the back of your camera. The U.S. states the central path runs through - and from where the 'ring of fire' will be visible - comprise Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Texas.

Saturday, October 21: Orionid meteor show - Up to 20 'shooting stars' are expected from the peak of the Orionids peak, which will occur in the early hours. Meteors will appear to emanate from the constellation Orion, though they can appear anywhere in the sky. The best way to photograph them is to leave a camera with a wide-angle lens on a tripod in continuous mode in the hope of catching one. Go for 30-second exposures.

Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

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

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

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

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

See you next week!

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #915, Oct. 3, 2023. Today's theme is "How to Go Carry-On Only for a 10-Day Photo Trip." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

I'm on my way to Sedona, AZ for our upcoming photography workshop. We will be working in a variety of beautiful settings, and I plan on coming home with plenty of pictures. And since a lot of my gear has to be packed in my suitcase, I'm going super-nimble and will be carrying on both of my bags. How could such a thing happen for a 10-day photo trip? Find out on today's TDS photography podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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How to Go Carry-On Only for a 10-Day Photo Trip

I have had such bad luck with checked bags that I've changed my approach to flying. I'd rather pay a bit more for a comfortable seat that allows my to board early and stash my suitcase in the overhead compartment. I hang on to my carry-on shoulder bag at my seat where I will have a laptop, iPad, and AirPods for the flight.

My suitcase is the amazing Solgaard Carry On Suitcase that easily fits in the overhead compartment. I also use eBag Packing Cubes which keep everything organized and provides extra compression for my clothes. But there's so much more that fits in my suitcase for this trip.

• MeFoto Backpacker Tripod for our night photography, and Manfrotto monopod for hiking.
• Lowepro Pro Tactic compact camera case.
• OM Digital OM-1 mirrorless camera with lenses; Fujifilm X100V, iPhone 15 Pro Max.
• Cables, power bricks, audio recorder, filters, and various accessories.
• Two pairs of Clothing Arts Pick-Pocket Proof� Adventure Travel Shorts, one pair of Eddie Bauer long travel pants, T-shirts, underwear, socks, long sleeve shirt, foldable rain shell, and down jacket.
• Laundry detergent, spot remover, portable first aid kit, flashlight, iPhone stand, hat, sunglasses, and sunblock.

In my shoulder bag that complements the carry-on suitcase, I have my MacBook Pro 14.2" laptop, iPad mini, AirPods, more lenses, cable kit, and water bottle.

In the podcast, I explain how this all works together.

4 Productive Mindsets When Traveling for Photography

You can read the entire article on Fstoppers.com

For a lot of photographers, the act of traveling is a double-edged sword. We travel to be able to see the world and draw as much inspiration as we can from everything we see and experience. At the same time, the act of traveling often requires pushing out of our comfort zones and leaving behind a lot of the things that allow us to operate with fewer worries and limitations.

Traveling often involves the unpredictability of new surroundings, the randomness of photographic subjects, and the requirements (and limitations) of our gear. Travel is a huge equalizer that requires a lot of planning and a lot of energy to make sure that the experience is both productive and refreshing at the same time. Here are four things to keep in mind that might help you make the most out of your travel experiences no matter where you are going.

Here are four key points.

• Don't Let Unfavorable Weather Stop You
• Give Yourself Some Wiggle Room
• Don't Forget To Be a Tourist
• Connect With People

How Do iPhone 15 Pro RAW Files Stack Up to ILC Cameras?

I discuss what my findings are after testing my iPhone 15 Pro Max.

You can view and download the full resolution image here.

Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

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

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

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

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

See you next week!

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

This is The Digital Story Podcast #914, Sept. 26, 2023. Today's theme is "Don't Care How Great the iPhone Is, I'm Never Selling My Camera." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

After spending the entire weekend setting up and testing the iPhone 15 Pro Max, I can report that it is a wonderful addition to my photography arsenal. There is an entire gear bag of goodies packed into that Titanium package. So will it replace my X100V, OM-1, or GFX 100S? Not on your life! Find out why on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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I Don't Care How Great the iPhone Is, I'm Never Selling My Camera

One of the things that I really like about the iPhone 15 Pro Max is how the Action Button allows me to hold the iPhone like a real camera and trip the shutter with a physical button instead of tapping the screen. This is a definite improvement.

And you'd think that with Apple hitting its stride with serious photography, that the convenience of the iPhone would finally move enthusiasts to sell their cameras and go light. But that's not going to happen. Let's start with 5 reasons why, and go from there.

• The Electronic Viewfinder - My mirrorless cameras have one, my iPhone does not.
• Physical Controls - The Action Button is a huge step forward for the iPhone, but it doesn't compare to the buttons and dials on my other cameras.
• Built-In Tripod Socket - Yes, you can get MagSafe tripod adapters for the iPhone, I have one, but they are not the same as having a built-in socket all of the time.
• SD Card Storage - I really like SD Cards. They are small, but not too small, convenient, provide physical storage in addition to Cloud, and are only feasible on my regular cameras.
• Filters and Accessories - Yes, you. can buy filter adapters for the iPhone, but they pale in comparison to just screwing in a filter to the front of your camera. And how about spare batteries?

Then we get into things like how wonderful a camera feels in your hands, the physical benefits of a larger sensor, the amazing color science developed by Fujifilm, tilting LCD screens, and on and on.

And have you ever had your photo shoot interrupted by a phone call when using your favorite ILC camera? I think not!

I like how cameras make me feel when I'm working. There's a real partnership there. It's like the two of us together can make something beautiful.

The iPhone will never replace my working cameras. But what it has done is become my backup camera allowing me to travel even lighter than before.

I can now carry just the OM-1 or X100V in a tiny bag and be just fine because I have the iPhone 15 Pro Max in my pocket. Regardless of the top of the line smartphone that you're toting around, it is a worthy addition to your photography bag of tricks.

Addition, not substitution.

50 years of Billingham Bags: the story

You can read the entire article on AmateurPhotographer.com

The year 1973 was a good one for creating cultural icons. Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon was released, and Roger Moore made his James Bond debut in Live and Let Die. Meanwhile in the West Midlands, newly married young couple Ros and Martin Billingham decided to set up a business making bags to supplement the meagre incomes from their day jobs, and along the way created the world's most iconic camera bag. Fifty years on the Billingham brand is still regarded as the Rolls Royce of camera bags, exported worldwide and used by a who's who of the biggest names in photography. So how did it all start?

[Closing paragraph] - Despite the fact that they're now in their 70s, and they have in their co-director son, Harry, a safe pair of hands, Ros and Martin appear to still be enjoying themselves far too much to think about retiring. 'Even after all these years it's still nice to walk in and see the manufacturing process,' beams Ros. 'That's why we're still here, still working.' Martin adds: People always seem to need bags, and there isn't a perfect bag. So we have to keep designing and making lots of different ones. There are really only two types of bag - too big or too small.'

Google Pixel 8: new leaked promo video details new & improved camera features

You can read the entire article on DigitalCameraWorld.com

It's flagship phone launch season, and hot on the heels of the new iPhone is the Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, due to launch on October 4th. Google has officially only released a basic teaser video for the upcoming phones on its Pixel 8 webpage, but a new, more detailed video showing what the new phones will have to offer has recently been leaked by tipster Kamila Wojciechowska. It reveals camera features like:

A new Pro Mode, exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro. This will give users added control over more advanced camera settings, enabling greater photographic freedom.

Night sight is back, so expect uncannily detailed low light images, even in almost complete darkness.

Super res zoom, enabling 8x zoom with the Pixel 8, and 30x zoom for the '8 Pro.

Real tone, for improved color accuracy, for lifelike, realistic skin tones.

Magic editor: this looks like a clever feature, enabling you to switch faces in a photo with minimal effort.

Pro Camera Specs (uncomfirmed)

• Main Camera: 50MP Samsung GN2, f/1.68 aperture
• Ultrawide Camera: 64MP Sony IMX787, f/1.95 aperture
• Telephoto Camera: 48MP Samsung GM5, f/2.8 aperture, 5x optical zoom, Super Res Zoom up to 30x
• Front Camera: 11MP Samsung 3J1, dual phase detect AF, f/2.2 aperture, 95-degree field of view

Google may also be introducing new video capture features, including Video Boost, Night Sight for low light videos, Audio Eraser for reducing ambient background sounds, and improved skin tone rendition.

We'll have to wait until October 4th for the official Pixel 8 reveal, but if these leaked details do turn out to be correct, the flagship phone fight between Google and Apple is going to be fierce.

Setting Up the iPhone 15 Pro for Photographers

You can read the entire article on Live View

Apple has made a few key refinements to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max that are very photographer-friendly. These changes not only improve the camera's output, but also provide a better experience when taking pictures. In this article, I will first review the key settings that maximize the iPhone's imaging capabilities, and then show you the most efficient way to hold the camera and take pictures.

Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

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

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

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

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

See you next week!

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

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

Opening Monologue

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

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2 New Cameras That You Should Know About

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II

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

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

Compared to the OM System OM-1

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

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

Bottom Line for the G9 II

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

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

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

Fujifilm GFX 100 II

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com

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

OM System Announce the New TOUGH TG-7 Adventure Camera

You can read the entire article on Fstoppers.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

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

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

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

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

See you next week!

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

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

Opening Monologue

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

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Natural Diffusion - The Joy of Greenhouse Photography

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

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

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

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

Traveling Light in the Greenhouse

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

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

Flowers You Just Don't Normally See

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

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

Accompanying Website for Identification

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

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

Final Thoughts

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

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

You can read the entire article on DigitalCameraWorld.com

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

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

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

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

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

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

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

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

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

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

See you next week!

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

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

Opening Monologue

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

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

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

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

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

The Highlights

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

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

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

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

How I Now Use Nik Collection

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

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

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

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

Final Thoughts

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

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

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

You can read the entire article on DPReview.com

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

I cover the highlights in the podcast.

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

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com

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

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

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

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

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

Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

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

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

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

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

See you next week!

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

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

Opening Monologue

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

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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When It's Bright, Pack Light

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can read the entire article on DigitalCameraWorld.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

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

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

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

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

See you next week!

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

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

Opening Monologue

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

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

Photomator Coming of Age

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

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

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

Photomator AI-Powered Tools

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

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

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

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

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

The Latest Stories on Live View will Entertain and Educate

This week's Live View features:

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

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

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

You can read the entire article on DPReview.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

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

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.

If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

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

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

See you next week!

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