The Digital Story Photography Podcast

By Derrick StoryArts Visual Arts

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The Digital Story Photography Podcast episodes

October 06 Your Old Photos May Be More Valuable Than You Realize - TDS Photo Podcast
This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,073, Oct. 6, 2026. Today's theme is, "Your Old Photos May Be More Valuable Than You Realize." I'm Derrick Story.
I think most of us like to believe that our latest is our greatest. And that may be true technically speaking, but maybe not in terms of content. I'm going to share a story today about a photographer rediscovering his images from decades ago, and the impact they're having on his life today. All of that, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
Digital Photography Podcast 1073

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Your Old Photos May Be More Valuable Than You Realize
On DigitalCameraWorld.com, Tom May published a story about a student photographer wandered the streets of Detroit with a camera in 1972, then left the negatives in storage for four decades. What he rediscovered years later is a valuable lesson for us all. I'm going to share that story with you now.
This Week in the News
OM System PEN studio scene: see how much image quality you can carry with you as featured on DPReview.com
Kodak Detected the First Atomic Bomb Test Because Its Film Kept Fogging as featured on FStoppers.com
Viltrox Spark Z3 flash review - cool quirky styling, but how well does it work? as featured on AmateurPhotographer.com
Virtual Camera Club News
Listener Reviews - I noticed that we haven't had a new review for a while on the Apple Podcasts app. If you listen to our show there, I would very much appreciate you posting a brief review. It helps potential listeners know that our show is alive and well
Ready to Buy New Gear? - I have affiliate tiles for B&H Photo and Amazon on every page of The Digital Story. If you're ready to pull the trigger on some new gear, would you be so kind to stop by TheDigitalStory.com first, click on the appropriate tile, then navigate to your desired camera, lens, or accessory? Remember, they also carry all brands or computers, hard drives, memory cards, and more. Thank you so much!
Workshops!
The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques.
Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
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 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.
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.
24 min
September 29 The Panasonic L10 in Action - At My Son's Wedding - TDS Photo Podcast
This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,072, Sept. 29, 2026. Today's theme is, "The Panasonic L10 in Action - At My Son's Wedding." I'm Derrick Story.
Black suit, black tie, white shirt, and new shoes - I was dressed to celebrate my son's marriage at the Silverado Resort in Napa, CA. But I had two other precious accessories: a beautiful Waltham watch that was my father's, and the Panasonic L10 that I used to capture memories over the weekend celebration. I'll talk about the latter during this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
Digital Photography Podcast 1072

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The Panasonic L10 in Action - At My Son's Wedding
All photos by Derrick Story with the Panasonic Lumix L10.
I'm not sure what was most popular during my son's wedding weekend in Napa: my father of the groom speech at the reception, or the Panasonic LUMIX L10 hanging around my neck.
I chose the L10 to cover this important event because of its great looks that went well with my formal attire, its Micro Four Thirds sensor with 20 MP of resolution, the Leica 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 zoom lens, the 2200 mAh lithium batter for all day endurance, and the creative color profiles I could use to capture the mood I wanted.
Speaking of which, I selected the Fresh Bright LUT for my film look and added the K&F CONCEPT 43mm Black Diffusion 1/8 Filter to compliment the color profile. The result was a warm glow with diffused highlights that captured the mood perfectly.
During the twilight, outdoor reception, my ISO settings ranged from 400 to 1600, and I was generally shooting around f/4, but would open up or stop down a bit depending on the scene.
I did use the Olympus FL-LM3 clip on flash when I needed a bit of fill light.
I've read some online reviews where the reviewers felt that the power zoom lens operated too slowly for event work. But that wasn't my experience during the weekend. So my feeling is that this is a personal judgment based on your shooting.
The HEIF files provide plenty of quality, were editable if I wanted to, and keep the file size to around 5 MB.
I used the SmallRig Half Case and the SmallRig Thumb Grip to protect the camera and to facilitate a solid grip while shooting.
Not only did the pictures turn out wonderfully, I had so much fun using the L10 and talking with others about it who were curious about what I had hanging around my neck. It was a great choice for wedding weekend.
The Panasonic LUMIX L10 current sells for $1,498 from B&H and other authorized retailers.
This Week in the News
Nikon Z5 IIC Review: Smaller, Prettier, and Mostly Capable as featured on PetaPixel.com
Leica's Lux iPhone app gets a Steve McCurry Artist Look, and its grip now comes in silver as featured on DPReview.com
SmallRig's Optical Viewfinders Solve Problems Both Real and Imagined as featured on PetaPixel.com
The best compact cameras in 2026: Portable powerhouses that (might) fit in your pocket! as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com
Virtual Camera Club News
Listener Reviews - I noticed that we haven't had a new review for a while on the Apple Podcasts app. If you listen to our show there, I would very much appreciate you posting a brief review. It helps potential listeners know that our show is alive and well
Ready to Buy New Gear? - I have affiliate tiles for B&H Photo and Amazon on every page of The Digital Story. If you're ready to pull the trigger on some new gear, would you be so kind to stop by TheDigitalStory.com first, click on the appropriate tile, then navigate to your desired camera, lens, or accessory? Remember, they also carry all brands or computers, hard drives, memory cards, and more. Thank you so much!
Workshops!
The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques.
Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
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 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.
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.
You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.
34 min
September 22 DxO PhotoLab 10 - Plays Nice with Others - TDS Photo Podcast
This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,071, Sept. 22, 2026. Today's theme is, "DxO PhotoLab 10 - Plays Nice with Others." I'm Derrick Story.
For those who have used DxO PhotoLab, you already know that it is a terrific RAW processor allowing you to squeeze every drop of quality from your files. I indeed like it for that, but I also appreciate how nicely it plays with others. I'll explain how in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
Digital Photography Podcast 1071

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher
Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

DxO PhotoLab 10 - Plays Nice with Others
I've been using DxO PhotoLab 10 to process the RAW files from my Panasonic LUMIX L10. And it's been doing a great job. But that's only part of the PhotoLab story for me.
I've also appreciated at how well it integrates with the other apps I like to use. I'll give you an example of a workflow to help illustrate my point.
As you may know, I don't pull all of my pictures off the memory card after a shoot. I like the plug the card into my MacBook Air, browse and rate the images in Nitro, edit the ones I like, then send them to Photos for Cloud backup and storage. At some point, I back up the entire SD card on my Synology RAID drive in case I ever need to tap any of the other photos.
For the Panasonic L10, Nitro can't process those Raw files yet. Neither can Photos. But DxO PhotoLab can. So with the card still plugged into the computer, I star rate the images in Nitro (love its browser!), then switch over to DxO for image editing. Since it can read the star ratings from Nitro, I just pick up where I left off.
If I want to augment my processing with an app from Nik Collection, I simply click on the Export to Nik Collection button in PhotoLab, work on the picture in let's say Color Efex, then click the Apply button to return to PhotoLab. Nothing has been saved to my computer hard drive. All the XMP files are on the SD card.
Once I have my favorite shots the way I want them, I click on the Export button in PhotoLab, it opens an Export dialog box for Photos, I set my parameters, and the file is copied to Photos and iCloud.
When I backup the SD card to my Synology RAID, all of the XMP files are included. So if I open any of the adjusted images in DxO Photolab, all of my settings are included, and I can pick up right where I left off.
Now, I am not suggesting this workflow for anyone else. I'm unusual because I use a variety of apps as part of my job to keep up with what's going on. But I do want to say that DxO PhotoLab is more than just a great RAW processor. It also integrates easily with a variety of workflows. And that's something that I don't think gets talked about enough.
This Week in the News
Canon EOS R8 Mark II review - Canon's entry-level full-frame camera finally grows up as featured on AmateurPhotographer.com
Ricoh's limited 30th anniversary edition GR IV is coming in October for $1799 as featured on DPReview.com
Women and Younger Photographers Are Behind Fujifilm's Meteoric Rise as featured on PetaPixel.com
ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2027 Keeps Most of Its AI on Your Own Machine as featured on FStoppers.com
Virtual Camera Club News
Listener Reviews - I noticed that we haven't had a new review for a while on the Apple Podcasts app. If you listen to our show there, I would very much appreciate you posting a brief review. It helps potential listeners know that our show is alive and well
Ready to Buy New Gear? - I have affiliate tiles for B&H Photo and Amazon on every page of The Digital Story. If you're ready to pull the trigger on some new gear, would you be so kind to stop by TheDigitalStory.com first, click on the appropriate tile, then navigate to your desired camera, lens, or accessory? Remember, they also carry all brands or computers, hard drives, memory cards, and more. Thank you so much!
Workshops!
The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques.
Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
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 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.
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.
32 min
September 15Is the iPhone 18 Pro a Worthy Upgrade to the 17 Pro? TDS Photo Podcast
This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,070, Sept. 15, 2026. Today's theme is, "Is the iPhone 18 Pro a Worthy Upgrade to the 17 Pro?" I'm Derrick Story.
The iPhone Duo is getting a lot of headlines, but for photographers, the iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max are the more applicable tools. I will briefly cover the Duo, but today's focus will be on the new Pro handsets, including the variable aperture main camera. All of this, and more, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
Digital Photography Podcast 1070

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher
Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

Is the iPhone 18 Pro a Worthy Upgrade to the 17 Pro?
Before we get to the Pro, let's take a quick look at the Duo. Two cameras, the main and ultra wide.
iPhone Duo Camera Overview
48MP Fusion Main: 26 mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, sensor‑shift optical image stabilization. Also enables 12MP optical-quality 2x Telephoto: 52 mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, sensor‑shift optical image stabilization, Hybrid Focus Pixels.
48MP Fusion Ultra Wide: 13 mm, ƒ/2.2 aperture and 120° field of view, Hybrid Focus Pixels, super‑high‑resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Digital zoom up to 10x
48MP macro photography
Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG (No RAW)
The 256 GB Duo is $1,999.
Decent enough specs, but really nothing compared to the Pro models. Let's take a look at them.
iPhone 18 Pro Max
48MP Pro Fusion camera system
48MP Fusion Main with variable aperture (ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8, ƒ/4.0): 24 mm, second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
48MP Fusion Ultra Wide: 13 mm, ƒ/2.2 aperture and 120 degrees field of view, Hybrid Focus Pixels, super‑high‑resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
48MP Fusion Telephoto: 100 mm (4x), ƒ/2.8 aperture, Hybrid Focus Pixels, 3D sensor‑shift optical image stabilization and autofocus, tetraprism design, super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Also enables 12MP optical-quality 8x Telephoto: 200 mm, ƒ/2.8 aperture
Pro controls for lens aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and viewing histogram
ProRAW
Image formats captured: HEIF, JPEG, and DNG
Comparing the iPhone 18 Pro with the iPhone 17 Pro
Some comparisons between iPhone 17 Pro Max and the iPhone 18 Pro Max
Smaller Dynamic Island (iPhone 18)
A20 Pro 2nm (18) vs A19 Pro 3nm (17) - more computing power without increasing energy consumption.
C2 modem (18) vs Snapdragon X80 modem (17) - Apple's more efficient modem.
Variable aperture for the 48MP main camera (18)
5567 mAh battery (18) vs 5088 mAh (17) - nearly 10 percent larger.
So, there are plenty of improvements in the Pro Max 18 over the last year's 17 model. Are they enough to warrant an upgrade? For most photographers, probably not, especially considering this year's phone starts at $1,299 for 256 GBs and climbs to $1,499 for 512 GBs. BTW: the 2 TB model costs $2,499!
I like seeing that Apple is continuing to improve their handsets for photographers. And it's also nice not having to upgrade every year.
This Week in the News
The iPhone 18 Pro has a variable aperture camera lens - why don't all phones? as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com
Bon voyage: OM System PEN means every kind of photographer has a travel option as featured on DPReview.com
Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold Review: Some New Looks but the Same Old Phone as featured on PetaPixel.com
OM System PEN Review - best-in-class features and style at an unbeatable price as featured on AmateurPhotographer.com
Virtual Camera Club News
Listener Reviews - I noticed that we haven't had a new review for a while on the Apple Podcasts app. If you listen to our show there, I would very much appreciate you posting a brief review. It helps potential listeners know that our show is alive and well
Ready to Buy New Gear? - I have affiliate tiles for B&H Photo and Amazon on every page of The Digital Story. If you're ready to pull the trigger on some new gear, would you be so kind to stop by TheDigitalStory.com first, click on the appropriate tile, then navigate to your desired camera, lens, or accessory? Remember, they also carry all brands or computers, hard drives, memory cards, and more. Thank you so much!
Workshops!
The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques.
Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
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 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.
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.
34 min
September 11The OM System PEN Review - TDS Photo Podcast
This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,069, Sept. 10, 2026. Today's theme is, "The OM System PEN Review." I'm Derrick Story.
No, it's not the PEN-F II; it's just the PEN - a compact, well specified, Micro Four Thirds camera for everyday life adventures. It will fit in your purse, backpack, or jacket pocket. It has IBIS, an EVF, and computational intelligence. And it costs $1,000. On today's TDS Photography Podcast, we'll take a closer look at this latest offering from OM System. I hope you enjoy the show.
Digital Photography Podcast 1069

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher
Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

The OM System PEN Review
For a moment, suspend all of your expectations and breathe in the goodness of modern day photography. I present to you 14 ounces of joy to capture the moments of your life that you treasure and wish to remember.
These moments can be rendered in soft film-like colors, or rich, vibrant hues, or even in moody monotone grays. If you want blurred motion, you shall have it. Do you prefer to suspend a water droplet in mid air, that too can be yours.
The OM System PEN is as cute as a giggling 2-year-old, as smart as your math teacher, and as faithful as any companion you wish to always have at your side.
This may not be a camera that you need or want. And that's perfectly fine. We all have plenty of cameras. But you may know someone who could benefit from this latest offering from OM System. And so, with that open mind, you may want to listen to my experiences with it.
Let's start with the basic specs.
20.4MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS Sensor
TruePic IX Image Processor
5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization
Up to 30 fps RAW & JPEG Burst Shooting
4K 24p Video & 1-120p in S&Q Modes
3" 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD
2.36m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
121-Point AF, AI-Based Subject Detection
IPX1 Weather-Sealed Design
M.Zuiko 14‑42mm f/3.5‑5.6 III Lens
What I like
It feels great in the hands. The front grip and the back thumb rest work wonderfully in tandem for one-handed shooting if you like, or very comfortable all day treks.
The buttons and dials are well-placed and operate well with nice clicks and knurled rings. The fully-articulated LCD allows for shooting at any angle and then folds nicely against the back of the body for protection.
The SD card slot is on side. The electronic viewfinder is bright and colorful. There's a nifty color switch on the front that makes it easy to switch to the profile you want.
Part of the joy of the PEN is that it only weighs 14 ounces (393 grams) and measures 5 x 2.9 x 1.7". If you put the 14-42mm EZ pancake zoom lens on the body, it's probably the smallest, full featured camera in your arsenal. Yet, you get a ton of technology.
Advanced technology features
121-point all cross-type On-chip Phase Detection AF
The PEN series' first AI Subject Detection AF for people and animals (cats and dogs)
Starry Sky AF
A dust reduction system that removes dust from the image sensor, allowing lens changes without the need to worry about dust appearing in photographs
AUTO mode, which automatically detects the scene being shot and captures images using the optimal settings
24 SCN modes with 6 themes which supports shooting more complex scenarios, such as starscape photography
16 types of Art Filters for expanded creative expression
Pro Capture shooting (records up to 12 previous frames at a maximum of 30 fps beginning with the moment when the shutter button is fully pressed, RAW sequential shooting is compatible)
Set custom mode name for easy recall (up to 12 alphanumeric characters)
Easily record cinematic video in OM-Cinema1 or OM-Cinema2 picture modes specifically designed for videos
Supports vertical video and S&Q (slow/quick motion)
There is a new battery, the BLS-7, that's a 1,285 mAh lithium ion rechargeable. It provides approximately 410 shots can be taken on a full charge (based on CIPA testing). Some OM System photographers will be disappointed that they can't use any of their existing cells in the PEN, but OM System wanted a new battery that was compact and as powerful as possible.
A few complaints
There are a few nits, however. The SD card slot supports UHS-I, not UHS-II, which is surprising this day in age. Also, existing Olympus shooters won't be able to use their super-compact FL-LM3 flash with the PEN. It isn't compatible, which is a shame. I did test my Godox iT30 Pro, however, and it fit great in the hot shoe and the TTL functions worked well.
And finally, and this really is a nitpick, but the ON switch is multifunctional, also enabling video and S&Q, but I find myself in video mode sometimes when I first turn it on. I would prefer a single-function On/Off lever.
Color Profile Control
The Color Profile switch on the front of the PEN allows the photographer to set up a favorite look, then switch to it quickly. It looks simple, but actually is quite sophisticated. The saturation of 12 separate colors can be adjusted in 11 levels to achieve the ideal tones.
This can also be combined with Highlight & Shadow Control or shading effects for an expanded range of expression. OM System offers four preset types: Film Rich Color, for rich, deep tones; Film Vivid, for vivid saturation and rich colors; Film Soft Tone, which delivers light, soft tones; and Standard (Natural).
Four monochrome presets are also available, that can also be customized, including Film B&W, which makes use of a film grain effect; Film IR, which emphasizes a red color filter effect that looks like infrared film; Film Low Contrast, which reduces the contrast for a soft impression; and Standard (Monotone).
You can see photo examples in my Live View article, If You Like Compact Cameras, You're Going to Love the New OM System PEN.
In my testing, I preferred the Color 1 profile, which is labeled Film Rich Color. It was vibrant without being oversaturated. For B&W work, I like Mono 4, the standard monochrome profile.
The best way to use the switch in front is to figure out (or customize) the profile you want, switch to on, and set that profile. The PEN will remember your preferred preset the next time you use the switch.
Bottom Line
The OM System PEN is a versatile, affordable, smart camera that can be the one that's with you when the others are too big, too limited, or too long in the tooth. It is a joy to shoot with.
Virtual Camera Club News
Listener Reviews - I noticed that we haven't had a new review for a while on the Apple Podcasts app. If you listen to our show there, I would very much appreciate you posting a brief review. It helps potential listeners know that our show is alive and well
Ready to Buy New Gear? - I have affiliate tiles for B&H Photo and Amazon on every page of The Digital Story. If you're ready to pull the trigger on some new gear, would you be so kind to stop by TheDigitalStory.com first, click on the appropriate tile, then navigate to your desired camera, lens, or accessory? Remember, they also carry all brands or computers, hard drives, memory cards, and more. Thank you so much!
Workshops!
The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques.
Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
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 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.
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.
24 min
September 08 A Week of Photography Announcements, Part 1 - TDS Photo Podcast
This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,068, Sept. 8, 2026. Today's theme is, "A Week of Photography Announcements, Part 1." I'm Derrick Story.
There's so much going on right now in the photography world. We've just had a few industry announcements, which we will cover today, with a couple more arriving on Wednesday, which I will cover in part 2 of this week's podcast. So let's get the ball rolling with the recent new releases. I hope you enjoy the show.
Digital Photography Podcast 1068

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher
Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

A Week of Photography Announcements, Part 1
So here's what we're going to do. I'll start with four recent announcements that I can report on, and then on Thursday, I'll cover the new releases from Apple and OM System. That should keep us busy. So let's start with what we know right now.
Fujifilm rounds out its sports and wildlife trio with a 400mm F4.5 as featured on DPReview.com
DXO Releases PhotoLab 10 with Depth Masks, Advanced Color Grading, and New AI Tools as featured on FStoppers
Leica's new Summicron 66mm F2 is a tribute to a military lens M shooters have never been able to buy as featured on DPReview.com
GoPro has been acquired and is getting into 'defense, government, robotics and aerospace' as featured on TheVerge.com
GoPro's Founder Promises It Isn't Done Making Consumer Cameras as featured on DPReview.com
OK, that brings us up to speed right now. See you on Thursday, Sept. 10 for coverage of the OM System and Apple Announcements.
Virtual Camera Club News
Listener Reviews - I noticed that we haven't had a new review for a while on the Apple Podcasts app. If you listen to our show there, I would very much appreciate you posting a brief review. It helps potential listeners know that our show is alive and well
Ready to Buy New Gear? - I have affiliate tiles for B&H Photo and Amazon on every page of The Digital Story. If you're ready to pull the trigger on some new gear, would you be so kind to stop by TheDigitalStory.com first, click on the appropriate tile, then navigate to your desired camera, lens, or accessory? Remember, they also carry all brands or computers, hard drives, memory cards, and more. Thank you so much!
Workshops!
The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques.
Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today.
Lightroom Power Tools Online Workshop - Led by Rob Knight, Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026
Adobe Certified Expert Rob Knight will be showcasing some powerful editing tools that have recently been added to Adobe's raw editing in this new workshop. As the tools improve, the work gets easier.
Rob will go over the ins and outs of the improved masking tools, point color adjustments, color grading, AI noise reduction, and more.
Each session is recorded and made available to all registered participants.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
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 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.
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.
25 min
September 01 The Last Time I Used a Tripod - TDS Photo Podcast
This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,067, Sept. 1, 2026. Today's theme is, "The Last Time I Used a Tripod." I'm Derrick Story.
Last Thursday night I was standing in a school parking lot with the Sony RX10 around my neck preparing to take pictures of the lunar eclipse. As I was waiting for a break in the clouds, I wondered, "When is the last time I used a tripod?" It's a question that says a lot about cameras these days, and it's the top story of this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
Digital Photography Podcast 1067

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher
Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

The Last Time I Used a Tripod
Normally, when photographing a lunar eclipse, I wouldn't be using a Sony RX10 V with a 1" sensor. But I have this unit on loan and wanted to see how far I could push it.
If you want to read the entire story about this endeavor, with photos of the event itself, check out my Live View article, How Far Can You Push a 1" Sensor.
Traditionally speaking, the camera choice wasn't the most unusual thing that evening. The fact that I had no tripod with me, was.
The last time I photographed the eclipse was May 2021. We were in the middle of the COVID pandemic and standing out in the chilly night air at 4:30 in the morning was one of the few photo activities available at the time.
I remember getting ready for the shoot. I selected my Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 zoom and mounted the rig on one of my tripods. The ISO was set at 1600 for a 1/15th of a second exposure. Fortunately, the sky was clear that night and I got a great shot. It's hanging on the wall at home.
That wasn't the last time I used a tripod, however. Later that year, in November, we were photographing the Heceta Head Lighthouse on the Oregon Coast at dusk. Everyone was using telephotos and long exposures, including me. I don't remember which tripod I had, but I did need one to get the effect I wanted.
After that, there was a long stretch without my 3-legged friend. Then, in September 2025, a former client of mine asked my to shoot executive portraits for her current employer. I wasn't taking on business assignments any more, but I agreed to help as a favor. She had been a great client for years.
We set up in a back room at their offices. I had a backdrop, four lights, and yes, a tripod. Business head shots was the only time I used tripods for portraits because we were usually shooting many different subjects in a short period of time, and it was more efficient having everything dialed in and locked down. The portraits looked great.
And I think that was the last time I used a tripod.
Quite honestly, I don't enjoy using them. I came up through the ranks as a photojournalist. After that, I started my own business photographing weddings and events. These days it's outdoor life, street photography, and workshops. None of those situations require tripods.
The amazing image stabilization in my OM System cameras have further distanced me from the three-legged beast. Not to mention computational magic like Live ND. The Nikon Zf also has great sensor-based IS. And I really like traveling light and working fast.
Now don't get me wrong: I'm not anti-tripod. Some of my best friends use them. And generally for good reason. It's difficult to line up the perfect architecture shot without them.
But they're just not for me. I've had a Peak Design Aluminum Travel Tripod in the back of my ID.4 for a year that I haven't pulled out once. Even it, in all of its beautiful nimbleosity, is ignored.
So, going back to Thursday night, standing in the school parking lot looking up at the solar eclipse, it was just me and my two legs. I jacked the ISO up to 12,800, extended the telephoto to 300 mm at f/4, held the camera steady, and fired away whenever I could get a glimpse of the moon peaking at me behind the light cloud cover.
The next morning, I updated Lightroom so it could decode the RX10 V RAW files, applied Denoise to my favorite shot and wrote an article about the adventure.
The technology we have on both sides of the photographic equation - capture and post processing - is amazing. I can't believe that I came away with a publishable shot that evening.
Maybe someday I'll put that Peak Design Tripod to use. Maybe.
This Week in the News
Ricoh confirms hotly-anticipated "x" version of the GR IV enthusiast compact as featured on DPReview.com
OM System Teases New Pen Series Camera Launch on September 9 as featured on PetaPixel.com
Mark your calendars: Apple's next event is September 9th as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com
Compacts and APS-C mirrorless are the only growing camera categories - does this prove that price and portability beat picture quality? as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com
Virtual Camera Club News
Listener Reviews - I noticed that we haven't had a new review for a while on the Apple Podcasts app. If you listen to our show there, I would very much appreciate you posting a brief review. It helps potential listeners know that our show is alive and well
Ready to Buy New Gear? - I have affiliate tiles for B&H Photo and Amazon on every page of The Digital Story. If you're ready to pull the trigger on some new gear, would you be so kind to stop by TheDigitalStory.com first, click on the appropriate tile, then navigate to your desired camera, lens, or accessory? Remember, they also carry all brands or computers, hard drives, memory cards, and more. Thank you so much!
Workshops!
The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques.
Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today.
Lightroom Power Tools Online Workshop - Led by Rob Knight, Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026
Adobe Certified Expert Rob Knight will be showcasing some powerful editing tools that have recently been added to Adobe's raw editing in this new workshop. As the tools improve, the work gets easier.
Rob will go over the ins and outs of the improved masking tools, point color adjustments, color grading, AI noise reduction, and more.
Each session is recorded and made available to all registered participants.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
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 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.
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.
38 min
August 25Camping Out with the Sony RX10 V - A Field Review - TDS Photo Podcast
This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,066, August 25, 2026. Today's theme is, "Camping Out with the Sony RX10 V - A Field Review." I'm Derrick Story.
My short checklist for this week's campout was: Tent, check; Food, check; Sony RX10, check. I wanted to see if just one camera, with one (impressive) zoom lens, could capture everything I wanted during the trip. I was surprised by its performance, and that's what I'm going to talk about, along with the news, on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
Digital Photography Podcast 1066

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher
Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

Camping Out with the Sony RX10 V - A Field Review
Camping in the Redwoods combined with a beautiful hike to the Pacific Ocean, provided a varied environment for putting the Sony RX10 V through its paces.
Outdoor life builds a pretty good argument for choosing the RX10. It's 24-600mm Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* f/2.4-4 zoom lens provides a lot of optical power for the 20.1MP 1" Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor that's powered by the BIONZ XR Processing Engine with AI Chip. This means I could capture shady landscape shots in the Redwoods, then zoom the lens for coastline life along the Pacific Ocean. All of this horsepower fit into a midsized Lowepro Photo Active TLZ 45 AW Top-Loader camera bag (with room to spare), slung around my shoulder, and not slowing me down on the hike.
Other specs include:
3.69m-Dot Quad-VGA OLED EVF
3" 1.62m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
30 fps Continuous Shooting
AI-Powered Autofocus & Subject Tracking
4K60 Full-Pixel 4:2:2 10-Bit Video
3.69m-Dot Quad-VGA OLED EVF
3" 1.62m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
30 fps Continuous Shooting
When I first unboxed the camera, it felt bigger and heavier than I expected. This wasn't unexpected in the sense that I had been using the Panasonic FZ300 as my bridge camera, which has the same reach, but a smaller sensor than the RX10. Bigger sensor requires bigger everything else.
But we have to keep things in perspective here. This is also the only camera and lens you are carrying. Period. The RX10 weighs 2 pounds total. And it measures 5.4" x 3.7" x 6". So as I carried it up hills and across valleys, I wasn't thinking about its heft at all. What I was happy about was the 24mm to 600mm Zeiss lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.4.
So, what about the pictures themselves? Most of my shots on the camping trip were between ISO 100 and 800. And they were beautiful. Noise was well-controlled, color was excellent, details were crisp.
Between ISO 800 and 1600 image quality was still quite good. There was a little noise, but in my shots it was mild. Beyond ISO 1600 most discriminating photographers would probably want a some noise reduction in post. This is where the smaller 1" sensor comes into play. But I have to say, definitely not a deal breaker.
As for usability, I have Pros and Cons.
Pros
Love the aperture ring. It's big and easy to use and a great blessing for those of us who like to shoot in Aperture Priority. Plus, there's a switch to turn on and off the setting clicks.
The 3,680,000 dot electronic viewfinder is terrific. It's wonderful to work with in the field.
Control dials and buttons are well-placed and easy to program.
The large hand grip makes it easy to hold the camera steady.
The Optical Image Stabilization works well, but you still need to get the shutter speed up for the 400-600mm shots.
HEIF format - The Jpegs looked good out of the camera, but they weren't very editable, even for Jpegs. But the HEIF 4:2:0 images were quite good, and more editable. And their file sizes were smaller.
The Creative Looks are quite good (Sony's picture profiles). I especially liked the B&W and the Film profiles.
Good close-up performance at both the 24mm and 600mm focal lengths.
The NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 7.2 VDC, 2280 mAh battery rated for 630 shots is a welcome upgrade. And it can be charged in-camera via USB-C.
Cons
No built-in flash. Seems like in a body this size one could be integrated.
The Tilting 3" Touchscreen LCD with 1,620,000 resolution is nice, but I've come to prefer a fully articulated LCD that can be folded with the screen against the camera body for protection. It's also easier for video recording.
If you're not already a Sony shooter, the menus take some getting used to.
I was a little surprised that when shooting with Auto ISO on, that the camera didn't increase the ISO setting for faster shutter speeds when zooming out to 600mms. In the future, I have to remember to manually increase the ISO for long telephoto work.
The $2,298 price tag. I realize everything is more expensive these days, but I feel that this camera should have been more in the $1,999 price range.
Bottom Line
It's great to have an updated long telephoto bridge camera available, and the Sony RX10 V is a good one. Terrific image quality at moderate ISOs, excellent autofocusing, nice handling, solid lens, and plenty of modern features such as USB-C, wireless connectivity, subject detection, and robust imaging pipeline.
What surprised me was that once I had the camera set up the way I like, how much I enjoyed shooting with it and not having to worry about lugging around a bunch of accessories and extra lenses.
Once you get used to the menu system and program the buttons and dials the way you like, it's an easy camera to use, especially for those who prefer to shoot in Aperture Priority.
The delay when you turn on the camera is a bit longer than I like, and it would be wonderful to have a built-in flash. But those are minor nits compared to what you get, which is a 2-pound imaging powerhouse that is a versatile tool for outdoor adventure.
If you're OK with the $2,298 price tag, and you want an all-in-one solution for hiking and camping, you should enjoy the RX10 V.
This Week in the News
Sony's Sensor Factory Is Back to Full Operation After Major Earthquake as featured on PetaPixel.com
Capture One Mobile 4.0 brings desktop-grade denoising and healing tools to iPhone and iPad as featured on DPReview.com
Photomator review: A digital darkroom with AI-powered photo-editing shortcuts as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com
How Sony Went From Camera-Industry Outsider to a Full Frame Mirrorless Leader in About a Decade as featured on FStoppers.com
Virtual Camera Club News
Listener Reviews - I noticed that we haven't had a new review for a while on the Apple Podcasts app. If you listen to our show there, I would very much appreciate you posting a brief review. It helps potential listeners know that our show is alive and well
Ready to Buy New Gear? - I have affiliate tiles for B&H Photo and Amazon on every page of The Digital Story. If you're ready to pull the trigger on some new gear, would you be so kind to stop by TheDigitalStory.com first, click on the appropriate tile, then navigate to your desired camera, lens, or accessory? Remember, they also carry all brands or computers, hard drives, memory cards, and more. Thank you so much!
Workshops!
The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques.
Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today.
Lightroom Power Tools Online Workshop - Led by Rob Knight, Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026
Adobe Certified Expert Rob Knight will be showcasing some powerful editing tools that have recently been added to Adobe's raw editing in this new workshop. As the tools improve, the work gets easier.
Rob will go over the ins and outs of the improved masking tools, point color adjustments, color grading, AI noise reduction, and more.
Each session is recorded and made available to all registered participants.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
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 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.
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.
39 min
August 18 Where Do You Go for Inspiration? - TDS Photo Podcast
This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,065, August 18, 2026. Today's theme is, "Where Do You Go for Inspiration?" I'm Derrick Story.
Inspiration is a magical thing. The flow of creative energy moves us to work a little harder, go a little farther, and not settle as quickly for an average photograph. Sometimes we find ourselves in a zone where compositions present themselves where there had seemed to be nothing before. So where do we find this inspiration? I'll share my favorite tips on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
Digital Photography Podcast 1065

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher
Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

Where Do You Go for Inspiration?
The easiest places to see the difference between inspired performances is in live music and sports. Watching a musician totally in the zone is an amazing experience. Seeing an athlete push beyond normal boundaries to achieve a victory can leave us awestruck.
Inspired performances are not limited to these venues, however. For photographers, they can happen anywhere, at anytime. But sometimes we need a little help jumpstarting the process. So if you find yourself needing a bit of a boost, here are some ideas for you.
Photography Books - I've found that if I pull photography books off the shelf and leave them lying around, I look at them more often. And when I do, I feel like I've opened a window to a new way of seeing the world. I'm not alone in this, others in our community feel the same way.
Lawrence M. says, "I have a large collection of books by famous 20th and 21st century photographers. When I am looking for inspiration, I open a book, flip through the pages, and can always find an inspiration. Sometimes new composition, sometimes new color combos, sometimes new subject matter, sometimes new ways to ditch color for black and white."
Tim W. Adds, "I just love photography books -- and enjoy both the photos (of course) as well as the writing in these volumes. Looking at the coffee table in front of me right now, I see books by Dorothea Lange, Joel Meyerowitz, Robert Adams and Cartier Bresson. That's just in reach right now, not the many that are on my bookshelves. I picked books for this survey simply because they are more readily accessible, but I also love museum shows. They are just not as easily "consumed" as books. More information is always better!"
Workshops and Live Presentations by Photographers - For me, the energy I feel when being in the same room with other photographers, or with a featured artist on stage, is quite powerful. Many times I've walked away from these experiences ready to go take pictures at that very moment. This is also a favorite source of inspiration for many in our community. Here's a couple comments from them.
John D. says, "I love attending photography workshops. Kinda puts me in the zone." John isn't alone. A third of our audience felt the same way about live presentations and workshops.
Museum Exhibitions - There's something about a great museum show - the great lighting, curation, low murmurs of other admirers. Every time I walk out of a museum featuring a great photographer, I'm re-energized about my chosen craft.
Michael B. says, "Seeing a collection of great photographs is truly motivating and moving. I have been fortunate to see several photography exhibits, but I have seen orders of magnitude more paintings than I have photos in museums so also want to highlight how inspirational seeing paintings has been for me. Seeing the powerful use of color in place of detail that Matisse excels at and the masterful representation of light in a Rembrandt portrait are both inspirational and formative in how I approach photography.
A fellow inner circle member once commented that a landscape photo I shared reminded him of paintings from the Hudson River School. I hadn't thought about it, but I always liked the romanticized landscapes from that movement so I had taken inspiration from those paintings as well. It was an amazingly insightful and inspiring comment!
Photography Online - There is a wealth of great imagery online, but there's also an abundance of frivolous content. I think the trick is finding websites and photographers that feature work you admire, and try to avoid the rabbit holes that sometimes pull us down and waste our time.
John. P has an interesting perspective on this: "I find a lot of inspiration in podcasts with artists about the process that goes into their work. Struggles, challenges and how they are inspired to do things.
In a similar way, documentaries about photographers and their work I like quite a bit. That medium allows you to not only see the photographs but also hear commentary, often from the artist, about the work. "In No Particular Hurry" about Saul Leiter is particularly good. Checking my DVR I still have "Out of Exile" about Fred Stein, "Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer" and "Paper and Glue" about JR are still there. I recently purchased "Tish" about Tish Murtha which was very good. On DVD I have "The Woodmans" about Francesca Woodman, "Finding Vivian Meier".
And speaking of movies, I do find them inspiring as well. One interesting technique that I do at home is hit the pause button on frames that I find particularly interesting. I'm often amazed at how beautifully composed these fleeting moments of cinema often are.
Regardless of where you find inspiration, the important thing is that you continue to seek it out. That flow of positive energy will infuse your own photography. Get out there and see something wonderful this week, then make something beautiful that just may inspire someone else.
This Week in the News
4 PHOTO BOOKS THAT SERIOUS PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS KEEP GOING BACK TO as featured on thePhoblographer.com
Tickets for Fujifilm's New York Fujikina Event Cost $10 and Are on Sale Now as featured on PetaPixel.com
ON1's rebuilt noise reduction targets wildlife and astrophotography shooters who don't want a subscription as featured on DPReview.com
"It has never been about asking AI to replace creativity" - Skylum CEO reaffirms Luminar's commitment to photographers as featured on PetaPixel.com
Virtual Camera Club News
Listener Reviews - I noticed that we haven't had a new review for a while on the Apple Podcasts app. If you listen to our show there, I would very much appreciate you posting a brief review. It helps potential listeners know that our show is alive and well
Ready to Buy New Gear? - I have affiliate tiles for B&H Photo and Amazon on every page of The Digital Story. If you're ready to pull the trigger on some new gear, would you be so kind to stop by TheDigitalStory.com first, click on the appropriate tile, then navigate to your desired camera, lens, or accessory? Remember, they also carry all brands or computers, hard drives, memory cards, and more. Thank you so much!
Workshops!
The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques.
Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today.
Lightroom Power Tools Online Workshop - Led by Rob Knight, Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026
Adobe Certified Expert Rob Knight will be showcasing some powerful editing tools that have recently been added to Adobe's raw editing in this new workshop. As the tools improve, the work gets easier.
Rob will go over the ins and outs of the improved masking tools, point color adjustments, color grading, AI noise reduction, and more.
Each session is recorded and made available to all registered participants.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
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 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.
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.
31 min
August 11 A Conversation About Lightroom - TDS Photo Podcast
This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,064, August 11, 2026. Today's theme is, "A Conversation About Lightroom." I'm Derrick Story.
Having just completed two workshops with lots of lab work, I thought it would be a great idea to compare notes with Lightroom expert, Rob Knight, about the evolution of the software, how we can use those changes to improve our workflows, and how advanced techniques mean less work in front of the computer, not more. All of that on this week's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
Digital Photography Podcast 1064

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A Conversation About Lightroom
Rob Knight and I sit down and talk about the latest changes to Lightroom and how they can benefit the photographers in our community.
This Week in the News
Fujifilm Says the Quiet Part Out Loud: The Memory Crisis Is Coming for Cameras as featured on PetaPixel.com
Don't destroy your camera! If you want to photograph the eclipse in August, you NEED a solar eclipse filter as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com
Virtual Camera Club News
Workshops!
The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques.
Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today.
Lightroom Power Tools Online Workshop - Led by Rob Knight, Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026
Adobe Certified Expert Rob Knight will be showcasing some powerful editing tools that have recently been added to Adobe's raw editing in this new workshop. As the tools improve, the work gets easier.
Rob will go over the ins and outs of the improved masking tools, point color adjustments, color grading, AI noise reduction, and more.
Each session is recorded and made available to all registered participants.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
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 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.
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.
38 min

About The Digital Story Photography Podcast

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Where photography meets technology. Weekly podcasts, photo tips, equipment reviews, and more. Author and pro photographer Derrick Story shares his insights, experiences, and opinions.