The Digital Story Photography Podcast

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,055, June 9, 2026. Today's theme is, "Capture vs Post Production: What's More Important?" I'm Derrick Story. Cameras today include a variety of tools, such as built-in film simulations and LUTs, to help us put our creative stamp on every picture we capture. At the same time, post production apps are more powerful than ever, and easier to use. So, what's the perfect mix of creative capture and image editing? I explore this question on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,054, June 2, 2026. Today's theme is, "A Brilliant Compact Flash - Godox iT30." I'm Derrick Story. A flash as compact as your camera. Weighing in at 4.2 ounces and a mere 2" high, the Godox iT30 Pro Flash is available for OM System, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Leica, Sony, Nikon, and Canon. Yet it includes pro features, a gorgeous LCD screen and a $75 price tag. If you're looking to brighten up your photography, this review is for you. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,053, May 26, 2026. Today's theme is, "How Photography Can Help Us Appreciate the Good Things in Life." I'm Derrick Story. We've talked a lot about the value of taking pictures of those who are important to us. But what about everything else? If you browsed my photo catalog, you'd see a lot of simple things that might cause you to ask, "Why did he take a picture of that?" I will answer that question, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,052, May 19, 2026. Today's theme is, "The Most Exciting Compact of the Year." I'm Derrick Story. Some cameras I just know right away that they are a winner. And the minute I laid my eyes on the Panasonic LUMIX L10, I knew it was for me, and most likely many of you as well. This week, we'll take a closer look at the most exciting compact camera announcement of the year. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,051, May 12, 2026. Today's theme is, "Traversing the Canadian Rockies." I'm Derrick Story. There was one moment, while immersed in the magnificence of the Icefields Parkway, I realized I had never seen anything like this before, not even in Alaska. We were 5 days into our trip with more to come, but at that moment, I just wanted to stop time. I'll cover it all, from Vancouver to Calgary, in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,050, May 5, 2026. Today's theme is "Best of TDS - An Interview with Mom." I'm Derrick Story. With Mother's Day this coming Sunday, and with me still exploring the Canadian Rockies, I thought this would be a great time to rebroadcast one of our all-time most popular shows recorded in December 2018, an interview with my mother, who has since passed on, but whose legacy continues to practice the lessons she taught me. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,049, April 28, 2026. Today's theme is, "Announcements at NAB, for Photographers." I'm Derrick Story. Of course Broadcasting was the focus of the recent NAB show in Las Vegas, that's what the "B" stands for. But among the video rigs, microphones, and soundboards were some gems for photographers. And this week, I'm going to share my 5 favorite announcements from last week. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,048, April 21, 2026. Today's theme is, "Packing for the Canadian Rockies." I'm Derrick Story. Kamloops, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, and Calgary - The Canadian Rockies by train, van, and even motorcycle sidecar. I've been getting ready for this adventure and this week I'm going to share how I prepare to explore some of the most beautiful scenery in North America. All of that, plus industry news, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,047, April 14, 2026. Today's theme is, "5 Whacky, Fun Things to Do With Your Camera." I'm Derrick Story. It's easy to get a bit too serious about photography. But the truth is, some of our best shots happen when just playing around. And to help stir that pot a bit, here are 5 whacky techniques that you can do with your camera to get your fun on. Plus industry news and more. I hope your enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,046, April 7, 2026. Today's theme is, "Journey to the Dark Side of the Moon." I'm Derrick Story. On April 1, 2026, Artemis II launched for a historic 10-day crewed mission orbiting the Moon, marking it the first human return to deep space since 1972. The pictures from the mission have been stunning. Today we will learn about the gear they are using and hear from the astronauts themselves. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,045, March 31, 2026. Today's theme is, "Why I Revisited Crop Sensor Mode on a Full Frame Camera." I'm Derrick Story. An APS-C sensor isn't exactly chopped liver, right? And it becomes even more alluring when it's extending the reach of your telephoto by 1.5X, and with no light loss! But you do lose a bit of resolution, and that was a speed bump for me. But I'm over it! And I'll explain why, plus industry news, in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,044, March 24, 2026. Today's theme is, "Just When You Think You Have It Dialed In." I'm Derrick Story. There I stood on a mountain ridge that I had climbed. I had the Lumix around my neck and the OM System in my hand with a beautiful, detailed scene before me. This was the perfect setting to determine, once and for all, which camera rendered the best wide angle detail. And then, disappointment. Find out what happened on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,043, March 17, 2026. Today's theme is, "No Matter Where Your Photos Are, This App Can Display Them." I'm Derrick Story. On my MacBook, I have Aperture libraries, Capture On catalogs, Lightroom collections, thousands of images in Photos for macOS, and a bunch of file folders. I can search across all of those proprietary catalogs, find what I want, and export to my desktop. How? Using a magical application called Peakto. I'll explain how, and its latest updates, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,042, March 10, 2026. Today's theme is, "Is It Time to Reconsider the Bridge Camera?" I'm Derrick Story. Last week I talked about small sensor cameras in general and how they can pack a big punch in a small package. This week I want to reintroduce you to the high magnification bridge camera that leverages small sensors to a 600mm extreme and beyond. You'll be amazed at the images you can create with them. All of that, plus industry news, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,041, March 3, 2026. Today's theme is, "5 Tips for Small Sensor Photography." I'm Derrick Story. I just returned from a trip where my large-sensor camera was an OM-3 Micro Four Thirds, and it got smaller from there with a TG-7 and iPhone 17 Pro. And I love the pictures! So I thought it would be fun to talk about techniques for shooting confidently with a small sensor camera. All of that, plus industry news, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. 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 1,040, Feb. 24, 2026. Today's theme is, "Snapseed Sprouts a New Camera, and It's Beautiful" I'm Derrick Story. Just when you think it's dead, Snapseed springs to life with additional editing tools, a refreshed UI, and a new camera app. And just like with some of our favorite mirrorless brands, we can capture images choosing from a variety of film simulations. And just like that Snapseed is relevant again. More about that, plus other interesting stories, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. 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 1,039, Feb. 17, 2026. Today's theme is, "Is Sky Replacement OK If It's Your Sky?" I'm Derrick Story. The Sky AI tool in Luminar Neo is sooo tempting to tap. With it, you can replace the drab no clouds background in your landscape images with any type of heavenly image. The question is: should you? I'll answer the question with an another question: Is it OK if it's your sky you're using to replace it? I'll grapple with this nebulous issue in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,038, Feb. 10, 2026. Today's theme is, "Lightroom Mobile's Insane Scene Enhance Tool for Auto Masking." I'm Derrick Story. Regardless of which Lightroom you have, it has impressive auto masking features. Classic and Desktop versions let you choose between basic elements like Subject, Sky, and background. But the Mobile version simplifies this even more with its Scene Enhance feature. And that's our top story for this week. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,037, Feb. 3, 2026. Today's theme is, "The 5 iPad Photo Apps That I Depend On." I'm Derrick Story. I love my laptop, but I don't want to take it everywhere! Many times these days, I'm toting an iPad mini, compact camera, and my iPhone. Does that mean I can't edit and organize on the go? It does not! And thanks to these 5 mobile apps, I'm fully functional wherever the road takes me. I'll cover them today, and more, on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,036, Jan. 27, 2026. Today's theme is, "Step Up, Step Down, Step All Around." I'm Derrick Story. One of the great things about carrying around compact cameras is that you can pack two of them. And the efficiency gets ever better if you can share accessories among them. On the eve of my Mobile Photography Workshop, that's exactly what I'm going to cover today. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,035, Jan. 20, 2026. Today's theme is, "5 Impressive TG-7 Features You May Not Know About." I'm Derrick Story. Our OM System Tough cameras don't get as much attention during the off season. After all, they're designed for our spring - summer - fall adventure trips. But that may change after this podcast when you discover these tips that will keep this wondrous little camera in your pocket all year round. All of that, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,034, Jan. 13, 2026. Today's theme is, "Get Your Photo Trade Show on in 2026." I'm Derrick Story. I was going to start this episode by reporting on the photo news from CES 2026, only to discover there was none. Wow. Fortunately there are some excellent events coming up that will scratch our trade show itch. And I'm going to cover the best ones on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,033, Jan. 6, 2026. Today's theme is, "I Thought My iPhone Shots Were Fine, Until I Didn't." I'm Derrick Story. As I mentioned last week, my iPhone has saved me countless times. Plus, it's so convenient. So much so, that when I'm working on an article, I often pull it out of my pocket for a few quick illustration snaps. But then, I had an interesting revelation that caused me to recalibrate. I'll share that story on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,032, Dec. 30, 2025. Today's theme is, "The Irish Coffee Incident." I'm Derrick Story. We had a tremendous opportunity this holiday season to gather family members from all over to meet at my brother-in-laws house on Christmas Day. To help with the festivities, we all contributed to the event. My job: To set up and run an Irish Coffee bar after the meal. I took my job seriously, but one can't foresee every ramification. And that's what led to a near historical disaster. I'll explain all in the first story of today's podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,031, Dec. 23, 2025. Today's theme is, "More Realistic Film Simulations with a Dash of Grain." I'm Derrick Story. Film simulations by Fuji, Nikon, and OM System are great for color and tones, but there's a missing ingredient when compared to actual analog shots: grain! This week we're going to explore the virtues of a few dashes of grain and learn how to apply it for more realistic film simulations. All of that, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,030, Dec. 16, 2025. Today's theme is, "My 5 Favorite Photo Purchases of 2025." I'm Derrick Story. I'm lucky enough to be able to test loaner gear for my podcasts and articles. But sometimes I like something so much that I buy it with my own money and incorporate it into my workflow. Today, I will share my five favorite purchases in 2025 - plus some industry news as well. All of that, and more, on Today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,029, Dec. 9, 2025. Today's theme is, "Year-End Organizing Checklist for Photographers." I'm Derrick Story. It's easy for photographers to be distracted by holiday sales as the year closes. Black Friday discounts and Cyber Monday deals are indeed tempting. But instead of focusing on acquiring new gear, this is a great time of year to manage what we already have. And that's what we're going to talk about on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,028, Dec. 2, 2025. Today's theme is, "Catching Up on the Latest Photo News." I'm Derrick Story. We've been so busy with workshops and gift guides that I haven't been able to share the latest interesting news stories in our space. Well that changes today! I have the DP Review Camera of the Year, the Leica Photo of the Year, and the scoop on what really killed Minolta. All of that, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,027, Nov. 25, 2025. Today's theme is, "The 2026 Photography Workshop Season." I'm Derrick Story. The 2026 workshop season features more events than ever! We have informative webinars, online intensives, and in-person explorations to exciting locations. I'll go over the entire lineup today, and then chat with Rob Knight who is leading some of the events. It's going to be a great year of photography!

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,026, Nov. 18, 2025. Today's theme is, "Photographer's Gift Guide 2025." I'm Derrick Story. Over the course of a year, I test many cool photo and camping accessories. Most of these would make affordable, excellent gifts for the photo enthusiast in your life. This week I'll share my favorites, just in time for the holiday season. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,025, Nov. 11, 2025. Today's theme is, "Using Motion to Enhance Mood." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue The first day of our Autumn Workshop was exploring the Sonoma Coast. It was a gray day, perfect for experimenting with mood-enhancing techniques. I slowed the shutter to 1/2 second to create a somber, peaceful environment. That technique, plus more about our workshop on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,024, Nov. 4, 2025. Today's theme is, "My Favorite New Features in Lightroom 9." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Lightroom Desktop continues to vie for the hearts of enthusiast photographers who aren't already locked in to Lightroom Classic. And for those of us who want a more flexible solution, the terrific tweaks in version 9 bring it steps closer to becoming a total photo management and editing solution. I'll cover new features for both Classic and Desktop in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,023, October 28, 2025. Today's theme is, "The OM-3 Plus DxO PhotoLab 9 for My Upcoming Workshop." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue One of the things I really like about next week's Sonoma County Fall Workshop is the sheer variety of subject material. Every day is something new - perfect for the versatile OM System OM-3. And I'm pairing up my mighty MFT with some serious processing software: DxO PhotoLab 9.1. The workflow is a lot easier than you'd think. I'll explain why on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,022, October 21, 2025. Today's theme is, "How I Lost My Shirt on a Wedding Photo Assignment." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue We all know that wedding photo assignments can be challenging, but you shouldn't lose your shirt in the process. Here's one such story that happened last week. Plus, DxO FilmPack 8, Annie Leibovitz, and more. All waiting for you on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,021, October 14, 2025. Today's theme is, "7 Techniques for Bending Reality in the Sierras." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue We're back from the Eastern Sierra! One discussion topic that ran through the entire week was "Keeping It Real or Going Surreal." Our photographers embraced a variety of approaches to create their own unique images, and I will share those with you on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,020, October 7, 2025. Today's theme is, "5 Tips to Improve Your Photo Headshots." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Last week I talked about AI-generated headshots, but what about those of us who still prefer photography? Well, this podcast is for you. Today I'll share my five favorite tips for compelling photo headshots. All of that, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,019, Sept. 30, 2025. Today's theme is, "The Rise of AI-Generated Headshots." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue I just had an encounter with a potential client who opted for an AI-generated headshot over an in-person session. I did get to see the result, and it prompted me to do some research on this very popular alternative to photography. That experience, and what I learned, is the top story of today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,018, Sept. 23, 2025. Today's theme is, "Fall Color Just Around the Bend." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Spring is beautiful, summer is energetic, but autumn can be spectacular. And in just a few weeks fall color will kick into high gear. We'll take a look at how nature creates this magical display, then talk about where and when to go to photograph it. All of this and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,017, Sept. 16, 2025. Today's theme is, "Telephoto Madness - OM System, Sigma, and More." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue September must be telephoto month. Big guns were announced by OM System, Sigma, and Sirui Aurora. Some of these are affordable, some are less so. But there's bound to be something for everyone. We'll take a look at the offerings on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. 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 1,016, Sept. 10, 2025. Today's theme is, "iPhone 17 - Part 2." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue The star of the Sept. 9th Apple Presentation may have been the ultra-thin iPhone Air, but for serious photographers, all eyes were on the iPhone 17 Pro. And overall, Apple did not disappoint. Today I'll discuss the key features highlighting Apple's latest handset. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,016, Sept. 9, 2025. Today's theme is, "iPhone 17 - Part 1." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Back in May, when I crushed the screen of my iPhone 15 Pro Max, I pledged that I would not buy a replacement until the iPhone 17 Pro was released. And I have stayed true to my word. But now the day is here. In this Part 1 report I will recap how I navigated the summer with a patchwork of devices to get me to this week's unveiling of the latest from Apple. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,015, Sept. 2, 2025. Today's theme is, "Creativity Through Pain." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue At one time or another, we all have to endure a physical setback - sometimes for a week, maybe a month, hopefully not longer. Pain is a motivation killer. So how do we make the best use of our downtime when things aren't going our way. We'll explore those options in the first segment of today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,014, August 26, 2025. Today's theme is, "Ricoh GR IV, More than Meets the Eye." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue $1,496 seems a lot to pay for a compact camera, that is, until you realize what everyone else will be charging for their products starting in September. So then we go to specs. Is this enough of an upgrade to warrant the price? I think it is, and will explain why in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,013, August 19, 2025. Today's theme is, "5 Tips for Tasty Food Shots on the Go." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue I'm working on a review of the Stoke Voltaics Nomad Cooking System for TDS. It's a compact, electric kit that's super nimble and perfect for light camping photographers. As a result, I've been doing my fair share of food photography lately. I'll share some tips and tricks in the first segment of today's podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,012, August 12, 2025. Today's theme is, "How It All Began." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue I'm one of those odd folks who always knew what I wanted to do for a living. As a kid, I tormented my parents with requests to the photo shop for supplies to brew the alchemy for my own film processing. Then, in Junior High, I got my big break. And that story is how we lead off today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,011, August 5, 2025. Today's theme is, "There Is No Single Solution (when it comes to photo software)." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Photo software is like streaming services. We want just one, but somehow we end up with many. Lightroom, Capture One, ON1, Luminar, Photos, Nitro, DXO - They're all so good! Why can't my favorite shows all be on one service? Well, they're not, and your software isn't either. So we have to construct a workflow that balances the features we want with the software we can afford. And that's the first story on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,010, July 29, 2025. Today's theme is, "Still Think Lightroom Is a Lightweight Compared to Classic?." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue When Lightroom CC debuted, it did feel more like a toy than serious software that could challenge its elder Classic sibling. But things have changed over the years, and the Cloud version, now just called Lightroom, has some serious chops. So much so, that it's now a legitimate rival to its elder. I'll explain why on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,009, July 22, 2025. Today's theme is, "2 Big Updates - One Hot (Snapseed 3.0) and One Not (Sony RX1R III)." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Out of the blue, Sony announced the RX1R III full frame compact digital camera. At a time when well-heeled portables are popular, you'd think this 61 MP dream machine would be an instant hit. Maybe. And speaking of surprises, how about that Snapseed 3.0 update? Didn't see that one coming either. One of these I'm absolutely thrilled about, and the other has me scratching my head. Find out which is which on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,008, July 15, 2025. Today's theme is, "Outdoor Gear That's Handy in Emergencies Too." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Great camping gear is not only helpful for your next outdoor photo adventure, but it can also help you survive a climate emergency. I have recently tested some state of the art equipment that can prove most helpful in good times and bad. All of this, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,007, July 8, 2025. Today's theme is, "Tech Tales from the Dark Side." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue On May 12th, I was en route to the TDS Redwoods Photo Workshop based in Klamath, CA. I had the EV ID.4 loaded up, and I was ready for a week of photography adventure. About halfway through my trip north, I had a technological mishap that I'm living with to this day. What happened, and how I'm dealing with it, is the first story in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,006, July 1, 2025. Today's theme is, "The Enduring 20-Megapixel Sensor." I'm Derrick Story. Opening Monologue Olympus released their first 20MP sensor back in 2016. Since then, their Live MOS or the stacked BSI Live MOS sensors have been inside their Micro Four Thirds cameras. And even though Panasonic has a 25 MP version, OM System has stuck with theirs. Today, you'll discover why. All of this and more on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.