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This is The Digital Story Podcast #985, Feb. 4, 2025. Today's theme is "Getting Ready for Spring Adventure." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

The off-season is a great time of year to prepare for sunnier days ahead. We can take inventory of our gear, shore up the gaps, test new equipment, and start making reservations for upcoming adventures. This week we take a look at how to get the most out of your offseason as you daydream about spring and summer. All of this, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Digital Photography Podcast 985

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Getting Ready for Spring Adventure

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During my college days in Southern California, I ran a residential gardening business. I had an avocado-green Ford Courier pickup truck, a red Snapper lawnmower, a power edger, a weed-eater, hedge-clippers, and lots of hand tools.

The flexibility of owning my own business fit perfectly with my changing course schedule from semester to semester. I typically spent all day on campus three days a week, mowed yards the other three days, and took Sundays off. I graduated with a b.a. in English and a minor in Design with zero debt.

The winters in SoCal were typically mild. So I had plenty to do with pruning back bushes, overseeding lawns, and cleaning up leaves.

When a storm did blow into town, I used the time to work on my equipment. I would sharpen mower blades, perform tune-ups, repair loose handles, reorganize the garage, and shop for replacement items.

I loved these days. I'd have the garage door with the rain falling outside while I listened to music and worked on my equipment. By the time spring rolled around, the garage was completely shipshape and everything was ready to tackle a new growing season.

I found myself reminiscing about those days recently when a storm blew in to Northern California, where I live now. I had to boot hatch up on the VW ID.4, reorganizing the back compartment as I prepared for upcoming scouting and camping trips.

In addition to last year's upgrades - the TentBox Go RTT, Bodega mini-fridge, and Jackery power stations - I'm configuring a second sleeping area inside with the Hele Box car camping platform, new camp chairs, and a bigger Bodega Cooler for longer trips.

While the rain pours outside, I'm testing this gear in the garage - these days with AirPods in my ears instead of a boombox on the shelf. I want to maximize the storage capacity inside the VW, test the different mattress pads I have to determine the best compromise between comfort and portability, and make sure I can access everything quickly when I arrive in camp late at night, dead tired.

My camera gear is a key player in this jigsaw puzzle. After a successful nimble trip to Costa Rica, I've found a sweet spot between capacity and capability. I can pack what I need in my 18.5 liter Lowepro Trekker Lite BP 150 AW backpack that slides under the Hele Box platform and out of sight.

Just like my days in Southern California running my gardening business, I love the off-season for my photography workshops and adventures. Before I know it, I'll be scouting locations up in Klamath for our Spring Photography Event. And I guarantee you, I'll be prepared.

The 7 Best cameras for travel in 2025

You can read the entire article on DPReview.com.

Canon Recommits to Compact Cameras, Will Up Production to Meet Demand

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com.

Canon just replaced its best-ever 13-inch / A3+ printer

You can read the entire article on DigitalCameraWorld.com.

Five Photo & Video Innovations to Look Forward to in 2025

You can read the entire article on LensRentals.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP.

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.

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 [email protected].

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.

A Guide for Off-Season Photography

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Off-season weather creates great photo opportunities, as long as we're prepared for a little wind, rain, or even snow.

Much in the same way stormy conditions require appropriate wardrobe, the same goes for our photo gear. Every enthusiast photographer I know, myself included, has multiple camera options. Some kits are better for summer portraits, others for events and family gatherings. Each rig has its own season. Think T-shirts for summer and parkas for winter.

The best camera for winter may not be your prized state-of-the-art device. That's OK. Digital cameras have been capable for a long time. You don't need the latest and greatest in a rainstorm. But you do need weather sealing.

So if your forecast looks anything like mine (rain, rain, rain), then it's time to visit your camera closet for a seasonal changeover.

What I'm Switching to for the Off-Season

Two camera brands that come to mind for outdoor adventure are Olympus (OM System) and Pentax. They're not as popular as Canon, Nikon, and Sony, but they are tough, and they have great glass.

OM-1-camera.jpg OM System OM-1 Mark II with Olympus 12-100mm PRO zoom

OM System OM-1 Mirrorless

The OM System OM-1 paired with the 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II, the 12-100mm f/4 PRO, and the 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO zooms deliver great images regardless of the environment. Not all Olympus optics are weather-resistant. But the ones that have that designation are stout.

My ultimate test for Olympus durability was a few years ago on a late October trip to Iceland. It was cold (very cold!), windy, and wet. If I were to come home with any sort of photo catalog, I had to forget about protecting my equipment. Otherwise, that's all that I'd be doing?-?wiping off gear and not taking pictures.

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Once I got back in the car after a shoot, I would wrap everything in a towel and leave it out on the seat to dry. After one week of this environmental torture, the body and lenses were still performing as well as the day I arrived.

I also depend on this kit in the tropics. Warm rain is just as wet as cold rain.

pentax-kp.jpg Pentax KP DSLR with Pentax 18-50mm WR zoom.

Pentax DSLRs

The other camera that I never worry about in bad weather is my Pentax KP DSLR. I've dropped it on frozen trails and slung it over my shoulder in pouring rain, and it's still clicking away without a hitch. This is the case for every camera in the Pentax DSLR lineup.

My favorite all-weather lens is the 70-210mm f/4 ED SDM WR. Any Pentax lens with the WR designation is a beast outdoors. Plus, the 70-210mm features internal zooming and focusing. That means the lens barrel doesn't extend. This single-body construction is easy to wipe down and doesn't create anxiety in the field.

pentax-70-210.jpg Pentax 70-210mm f/4 WR zoom.

I often pair it with the Pentax HD DA 20-40mm f/2.8-4 WR zoom or the more compact 18-50mm f/4-5.6 WR. Again, great weather sealing combined with fabulous optics results in beautiful shots regardless of conditions.

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Olympus Tough Compact Camera

The ultimate "don't worry about the weather" compact camera is the Olympus Tough series. I'm still using the older TG-4. The current model is the TG-7. Whether I'm snorkeling in Hawaii or relaxing in Iceland's Blue Lagoon, this compact always gets the shot.

A Note About the Pentax and the Olympus Tough

My Pentax KP was released in January 2017. It has a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, 5-axis image stabilization, 100 percent optical viewfinder coverage, and a 27-point AF sensor with 25 central cross-type points. Olympus Tough with my snorkeling gear.The Olympus TG-4 is even older, released in April 2015. It sports a 16-megapixel sensor and a 1/2.3" sensor.

Just like a pair of old jeans that may have faded a bit, but still feel great, these two cameras are very serviceable today. And thanks to great strides in post-processing software, I can use AI adjustments to upsample resolution and eliminate noise.

Modern software extends the life of our photography hardware, and both of these cameras are perfect examples of that.

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Tips for Working Outdoors

- Regardless of how good your gear is, there are things you can do to maximize its performance.

- For lenses, I always attach a high-quality protection filter on the front element. The main reason I do this is so I can use any soft cloth or my T-shirt to wipe off the glass in stormy conditions.

- Since it's a filter and not the front element of my lens, I don't have to be overly meticulous about cleaning the surface. Microfiber cloths are not very absorbent. And if that's all you have to use in a storm, it's going to be a long day.

- I also pack soft cloths to wipe down the lenses and camera bodies. I've learned over the years to have at least three on hand. You can dry them back at the room each night.

- Extra batteries and a battery grip extend your run time during long shoots. Grips are nice because you can usually double up your batteries, and they tend to be easier to access when changing in cold weather. Keep your extra cells warm, in a jacket pocket, so they're ready to go when you need them.

- Shower caps come in handy in pelting rain. They easily pull over your camera and can help extend the life of your drying cloths because you're not using them as often. I usually have a one-gallon Ziploc bag too.

- I recommend two camera bodies so you don't have to change lenses in the field. You can keep a short-to-midrange zoom on one body, and your long telephoto on the other. The last thing you want is a wind gust blowing debris into the camera body while changing lenses. Save that task for inside the car.

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Final Thoughts

Good camera equipment designed for outdoor photography will serve you well regardless of the conditions you're working in. Don't let concerns about your gear keep you inside during the winter months. Some of your best pictures may be captured during the worst weather.


I used affiliate links for the products in this article. Any revenue resulting from purchases from those links helps support my research and writing.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #984, Jan 28, 2025. Today's theme is "Spark Your Creativity with Online Workshops." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

For those of us north of the equator, this isn't a great time of year to go exploring outside. Fortunately, you can stay indoors and enjoy a great photography experience with others who share your passion. We have some terrific online classes coming up, and I'm going to tell you about them right now. Plus, we have an interview with Rob Knight, the instructor for our first class, Becoming a More Creative Photographer. All of that, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Digital Photography Podcast 984

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Spark Your Creativity with Online Workshops

r-knight-neon-mote;.jpg Photo by Rob Knight

Derrick talks about the next three online workshops, starting with Becoming a More Creative Photographer with Rob Knight.

This leads into an interview with Rob where they talk about the upcoming class, photo philosophy, and tips for creativity.

You can sign up here for any of the workshops discussed in this podcast.

iPadOS features you are not using, but should

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X Raw Studio: How to process Fujifilm Raw files on your computer with genuine Fujifilm processing

You can read the entire article on DPReview.com.

21 World Famous Photographers and Their Photos

You can read the entire article on Phototraces.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP.

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.

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 [email protected].

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 #983, Jan 21, 2025. Today's theme is "I Missed a Few Shots, But I'm OK." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

I arrived in Costa Rica with two pieces of carry-on luggage. People asked me, "Where's the rest of your stuff?" "This is my stuff!" I replied. I had two cropped sensor cameras, a moderate telephoto, and a couple of compact zooms - not exactly the heavy artillery required for photographing howler monkeys high in the jungle canopy. And yet, I did OK. Tune in for the inside scoop on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Digital Photography Podcast 983

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I Missed a Few Shots, But I'm OK

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In this segment, Derrick shares a story he wrote about his week in Costa Rica. You can read it for yourself, plus view the pictures, by clicking on this free link.

One of our favorite upscaling apps is expanding to iPhones

You can read the entire article on DPReview.com.

The 5 Best Photography Apps of 2025

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7Artisans' Tiny 18mm f/5.6 Full-Frame Lens Is Cheap but Limited

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP.

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.

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 [email protected].

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 #982, Jan 14, 2025. Today's theme is "Update from Costa Rica." I'm Derrick Story.

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Digital Photography Podcast 982

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!


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Virtual Camera Club News

TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP.

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.

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 [email protected].

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 #981, Jan 7, 2025. Today's theme is "Holiday Hangover." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

How wonderful to have a normal holiday season again! We had no COVID cases in the family, and everyone was ready to mingle. I started in mid-December in So. Cal visiting my sister, and just wrapped up with a New Year's celebration. But now it's time to get back to the grind. But I've seemed to have lost my work mojo. Here's my cure for getting it back. I hope you enjoy the show.

Digital Photography Podcast 981

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Holiday Hangover

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In this segment, Derrick explains his cure for the holiday hangover

OM System says it's working on a new camera and lenses

You can read the entire article on DPReview.com.

Why Digital Backdrops Are Changing Headshot Photography

You can read the entire article on FStoppers.com.

Biden Signs Law Making it Easier to Photograph and Film in National Parks

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com.

Quit your day job and move to the Isle of Man for a year as its official nature photographer

You can read the entire article on DigitalCameraWorld.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP.

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.

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 [email protected].

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 #980, Dec. 31, 2024. Today's theme is "You're Sitting on a Goldmine." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

How often do you dig into those images that you've so carefully archived and organized on your computer? When you're in a creative rut, do you ever revisit your own work for inspiration? Why not?! For the last podcast of 2024, it seems appropriate to look back, not at the year in cameras, but at our own pictures. Then think about how to leverage them for new projects. I hope you enjoy the show.

Digital Photography Podcast 980

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You're Sitting on a Goldmine

2024-Photos.jpg

First of all, Happy New Year. I love New Year's because it's the one holiday that I can wish to anyone without the worry of saying the wrong thing, the wrong way, at the wrong time. New Years is universal. And as such, I'm going to say it again.

Now, let's talk about pictures. I'm about ready to close out my Capture One Library for 2024. I have 3,305 images in there. That might not seem like many for a guy who carries a camera 24/7, but keep in mind that I have another 2,783 pictures in my Photos library for 2024.

So I end the year with over 6,000 pictures. They are organized, most are geotagged, and some even have captions and titles. Next week, I start a new Capture One Catalog and begin my 2025.

But before I go marching into the New Year, I want to pause for a moment and browse my 2024 collections.

What a year it has been. Filled with adventure, exploration, family, and of course, new gear. Going back through the year in pictures reminds me of how lucky I am to live the life I have.

But I'm also thinking about projects with these images. Here are a few thoughts.

  • A book titled: 2024 - My Year in Pictures.
  • New collections of fine art greeting cards.
  • Article ideas that I could tap right now.

When I was editing this week's article for Live View, one of the drafts was titled, A Photo Walk Along the Border Wall by Cynthia Whelan. Cynthia reached back into her photo archives to 2018 when she and her husband documented crossing the border from Arizona to Mexico.

The story and the images are as relevant today as they were 6 years ago. Plus now, she has a perspective that adds even more body to the article. It's available now, and I think you would enjoy reading it.

My point is, all of us are sitting on a goldmine of wonderful content. At a minimum, we should take an hour to go back through our own year in pictures and acknowledge the experiences we've had.

And beyond, put some of that work to use. Find a way to share it with the world. We are good at what we do. And there are many people who would like to see our creative efforts.

European Union Makes USB-C Mandatory for All Electronic Devices Including Smartphones

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com.

Why Less Camera Gear Makes You More Creative

You can read the entire article on FStoppers.com.

Want to photograph the New Year's Eve fireworks? Here are my explosive secrets...

You can read the entire article on DigitalCameraWorld.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP.

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.

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 [email protected].

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 #979, Dec. 24, 2024. Today's theme is "New Lumix, Adobe Price Hike, and More." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

For a photographer, the shortest day of the year, Dec. 21st, means that we only have about 9 hours of light - not much time to get out there and shoot! Fortunately, there have been some interesting news stories inside. So, brew another cup of coffee, put your feet up, and let's see what's going on out there. I hope you enjoy the show.

Digital Photography Podcast 979

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US Senate Passes Bill That Makes it Easier for Photographers to Film in National Parks

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com.

Photoshop's New Reflection Removal Tool

You can read the entire article on FStoppers.com.

Your Lightroom or Photoshop plan may be getting more expensive

You can read the entire article on DPReview.com.

I'm planning my 365 photography project now! Here's why I'm not waiting until the New Year and my #1 secret for success

You can read the entire article on DigitalCameraWorld.com.

Lumix-G.jpg

Panasonic brings refreshed DC-G97 and ZS99 / TZ99 models with subtle updates

You can read the entire article on DPReview.com.

Virtual Camera Club News

TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP.

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.

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 [email protected].

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 #978, Dec. 17, 2024. Today's theme is "How to Print a Holiday Greeting Card." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

I like to include a handmade card with all of my holiday gifts. And sometimes, the card is the gift. I just finished printing a batch with my Canon G620 inkjet printer. And the process was easy and productive. I thought that you might find my approach appealing for some holiday output of your own. I tell all in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Digital Photography Podcast 978

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How to Print a Holiday Greeting Card

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This is my first year using the Canon PIXMA G620 printer ($249) for the holiday fine art cards. And I have to say, it worked great!

For my paper, I went with Red River's 60lb. River Linen Scored (Item #1392). It measures 7x10" and folds down to a standard 5"x7" card. I use envelopes from RRP because I like the squared-off back flap (Item #7239). But you could use any standard 5"x7" envelope.

I start by working with a 7"x 10" canvas. I have templates for this already, so all I have to do is choose my image and drop it in to the top half of the template. If you don't have a template already, you can download them for Lightroom and Photoshop from the Red River site.

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Once I've designed the card, I export it as a Tiff. I could print directly from Photoshop or Lightroom as well. But generally, I open the file in Apple's Preview and print from there. I like Preview's uncluttered printing interface.

If you haven't done so already, create a Custom Paper Size for 7"x10". You can do this by clicking on Manage Custom Sizes that's at the bottom of the Paper Size popup menu in the Print Driver Dialog.

If you want your card image to blead off the edges, be sure to check the box, "Fill Entire Paper" that's also in the Print Dialog Box.

Next, under Media & Quality, choose the paper surface that best matches your card stock. In my case, it was Matte Photo Paper. Also select "Best" for Quality.

Refer to the screenshot of the dialog box if you have any questions. Now print!

If you don't have any RRP greeting card stock on hand, you can go DIY by trimming one inch off the side of an 8"x10" photo paper. Choose the heaviest stock you have on hand. I like 60lb. for my greeting cards.

I leave the interior blank because that's where I write my personal message. Sometimes I print information on the back of the card. This year I used rubber stamps to give them that unique, handmade look.

Now, all you have to do is score them and find an envelope.

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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.

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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!

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IMG_2925-1024.jpeg Pentax KP DSLR with Pentax/Ricoh GPS Receiver.

With the exception of the Olympus OM-D E-M1X, most mirrorless cameras want you to connect to a smartphone app to geotag your images. This is fine if A) the app works reliably, and B) you practice using it and remember how to use it.

I've had mixed results with the smartphone connection over the years. My Fujifilm X100V works well with the X App. My Nikon Zf does a pretty good job with Snapbridge. And my Olympus OM-1 is difficult to use for geotagging with its smartphone companion, O.I. Share.

For my upcoming Costa Rica trip, I was searching for an easy, reliable way to add location data to my pictures without straining my camera or iPhone batteries (not to mention my patience). The answer harkened back to the days of DSLRs - a GPS receiver that slides into the camera's hotshoe.

Pentax-GPS-on-K3.jpg Pentax GPS receiver on a K3 III DSLR.

The advantage of this approach is that the receiver is powered by its own AAA battery and doesn't require interaction with a smartphone. It talks directly to the camera through the hotshoe contacts and adds a wealth of data to each shot recorded.

IMG_2923-1024.jpeg The LCD from my Pentax KP in playback mode displaying lots of location information.

When I load the images into any of my photo management apps, the recorded geotags are translated into location information.

location-info-in-photos.jpg This shot was captured in Bicentennial Park with the Pentax KP. How do I know? The data tells me so.

Here's what Ricoh says about their O-GPS1 unit:

Simply by mounting the O-GPS1 accessory GPS unit onto the hotshoe of a PENTAX digital SLR camera, you can record the latitude, longitude, altitude, universal time coordinated (UTC), and aspects of shooting locations onto captured images. Image files carrying GPS location data can be used to track shooting locations and review location data on a computer. The GPS location data stored on these files also makes it much easier to sort and file recorded images. By coupling GPS location data with the camera's SR (Shake Reduction) system, this GPS unit offers a range of innovative, PENTAX-original applications, including ASTROTRACER, Simple Navigation and Electronic Compass.

I'm definitely taking the Pentax KP to Costa Rica. The camera, lenses, and GPS unit are all weather-resistant - perfect for damp, rainy conditions. And I'll be able to record location information with each shot I take.

And if Nikon decides to make a separate GPS receiver for my Zf, I'll buy it. In the meantime, it looks like I will be leaning on my DSLR too.