Episodios

  • 5 Whacky, Fun Things to Do With Your Camera - TDS Photography Podcast

    5 Whacky, Fun Things to Do With Your Camera - TDS Photography Podcast
    Apr 14 2026
    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. Digital Photography Podcast 1047 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In 5 Whacky, Fun Things to Do With Your Camera We're in the middle of our Creative Camera Techniques online workshop, and I'm having a blast preparing for each session. I thought this week, I would share the love with you. So, here are 5 fun things to do with your camera. 1. Try a New Technique Such as Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) or Zooming During Long Exposure. - Both of these incorporate motion during exposure. ICM requires you move the camera during a longish exposure, and the zoom method is turning the zoom ring while the shutter is open. Both can yield fascinating results. 2. Mount Your Weirdest Lens on Your Mirrorless - This could be an ultra wide, LensBaby, pinhole, or even a vintage optic with an adapter. Commit to using only that odd couple for an entire day. See what you can get. 3. Dig Out an Old Point and Shoot - It could be a digital compact from the past, such as the Canon S110, or a film favorite like the clamshell Olympus Stylus. Either way, take an afternoon challenge to see how many good shots you can capture with this old friend. 4. Vaseline on an Old Filter - Honestly, this is one of my favorites. With your finger, smear a medium coating of Vaseline on the outside of the filter, starting near the edge and working inward. Leave a clear spot in the middle, about the size of a dime. Then go shoot colorful objects. 5. Experiment with Multiple Exposure - Nearly every camera has some sort of Multiple Exposure function. Read up on how yours works, then go create your next visual masterpiece. Other options include digging around in your filter shoebox look for old special effects filters, or finally testing some of the unique features of your camera such as Live ND on OM System models. Whatever your settle on, commit to it for an entire day. I think you'll have a blast. This Week in the News OM System just gained more control over its future as featured on DPReview.com DaVinci Resolve 21 is Now a Lightroom Alternative: RAW Editing, Tethering, Masking, and More as featured on PetaPixel.com Can DxO Pure Raw 6 Save an ISO 25,600 Wildlife Shot? as featured on PetaPixel.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. 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 dstory@gmail.com. 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...
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    34 m
  • Journey to the Dark Side of the Moon - TDS Photography Podcast

    Journey to the Dark Side of the Moon - TDS Photography Podcast
    Apr 7 2026
    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. Digital Photography Podcast 1046 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Journey to the Dark Side of the Moon NASA provided the audio of Mission Control and the astronauts, as well as the image for this podcast. A big thank you! The crew of four - Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen--are testing NASA's Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket. This mission will break records, flying further than any humans before, to prepare for future sustainable lunar exploration. For their image-making, the crew has 32 cameras aboard the Artemis II. Eliminating the cameras that are mounted on the spacecraft itself, the four astronauts aboard have 17 handheld photo-taking devices at their disposal, including Nikon D5 DSLRs, a Nikon Z9 mirrorless camera, GoPros, and iPhones. (More on the iPhones in the next story.) Lenses include the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm F2.8G ED, Nikon AF Nikkor 35mm F2D, and the Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR. NASA has selected National Geographic to help tell the story of Artemis II, the first Artemis flight that will carry astronauts around the Moon and back to Earth aboard the agency's Orion spacecraft. Nat Geo collaborated with NASA to train the Artemis II crew in 2025-2026, acting as a "mini astronaut film school". Staff taught astronauts storytelling techniques, cinematic videography, and social media skills for documenting their lunar mission. The crew will act as photographers and filmmakers during their journey. Some of the images we've already seen include "art002e000192" (April 3, 2026) - A view of Earth taken by Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman from one of the Orion spacecraft's windows after completing the translunar injection burn on April 2, 2026. The image features two auroras (top right and bottom left) and zodiacal light (bottom right) is visible as the Earth eclipses the Sun. He used a Nikon D5 with a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm F2.8G ED at 22mm, f/4.0, 1/4 sec, at ISO 51,200. This is the shot that everyone has seen and marveled. Another image that I really like is "art002e000191" taken in the same session by Reid Wiseman of a view of Earth from one of the Orion spacecraft's four main windows, with earth framed by the window and also showing the interior of the Orion craft. Again, with the Nikon D5, Nikkor 35mm F2D, f/20, 1/250 sec, ISO 250. These images are made available by NASA. Even though this is a mission of a lifetime, with amazing equipment and technology, these are still humans trying to figure things out in real time. One of my favorite quotes is: "The moon is so bright in window 4 they have had to temporarily cover it with a t-shirt." I also liked: "Time to swap positions at the window and take your SD cards with you." Mission Control. So let's hear from the astronauts themselves. Here is some actual dialog from April 6, 2026, as they near the moon. I also want to mention, great job by NASA press secretary Bethany Stevens, who is moderating this mission in real time. This Week in the News Here's how NASA cleared the iPhone 17 Pro Max for astronauts on Artemis II as featured on 9to5mac.com How Steven Madow Captured the Artemis II Launch With 14 Cameras as featured on FStoppers.com 'Project Hail Mary' Cinematographer Says Film Was 'Challenging', But Was Helped by Cheap Amazon Filter as featured on PetaPixel.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. 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 dstory@gmail.com. The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on ...
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    32 m
  • Why I Revisited Crop Sensor Mode on a Full Frame Camera - TDS Photography Podcast

    Why I Revisited Crop Sensor Mode on a Full Frame Camera - TDS Photography Podcast
    Mar 31 2026
    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. Digital Photography Podcast 1045 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Why I Revisited Crop Sensor Mode on a Full Frame Camera Captured in crop-sensor mode with a Nikon Zf and 28-400mm Z zoom. What is crop sensor mode? Many full frame cameras have a crop sensor setting that provides 1.5X or 1.6X magnification. Essentially, this mode uses the center area of the chip and not the full 35x24mm surface. This allows photographers to use compatible crop-sensor lenses, call DX in Nikon terms, on a full-frame body. But it's also a way to extend the reach of a full frame optic without having to add a physical teleconverter. The catch is, since you're only using part of the sensor, the resolution decreases. In the case of my 24.4 MP Nikon Zf, I co from 6048x4032 pixels in FX mode, to 3984x2656 in DX mode, which is 10.6 MP. Unlike digital magnification that interpolates pixels, these are real pixels right off the sensor. DX mode renders both the JPEGs and the RAWs the same resolution. There is savings in file size too. A DX RAW from my Zf is around 14.6 MBs compared to FX at 30.9 MBs. Why did I revisit DX mode? As I mentioned earlier, dropping down to 10.6 MP was a speed bump for me. Sure, for publishing online, 3984 pixels on the longest side was more than enough. But beyond that, let's say for printing, it's a bit short. Plus, why not just crop the FX version of the shot in post production and call it a day? What changed things for me was the potential of AI resolution enhancement when I needed it. If, for example, I used Photomator's Super Resolution enhancement, I could enlarge that 10.6 MP shot to 6147x4095 pixels, essentially the same size of the FX version, with no noticeable loss of detail. In fact, sometimes the shot looks better. Having this capability in my back pocket allowed me to reconsider DX mode. I could now frame the picture the way that I wanted as I was shooting. And I was recording half as many megabytes in the process. Essentially, I was getting 600mms for the price of 400. For those of use with higher resolution full frame cameras - 40 MP+ - the equation makes even more sense. Examples of cameras with cropped sensor modes Sony full-frame cameras including the A7 III, A7 IV, A7C, A7C II, A7R II, A7R III, A7R IV, A7R V, A7S II, A7S III, A9, A9 II, A9 III, A1, and FX3. Look for the setting called Super 35mm or APS-C mode. For example, the Sony a7R V with a 61 MP sensor yields approximately 26-megapixels (6240x4160) when using APS-C/Super 35mm mode (1.5x crop factor). Nikon full-frame cameras including the Z6III, Z6II, Z7II, Z8, Z9, D850, and D780. The Nikon Z7 II with its 45.7-megapixel FX sensor provides 19.5-megapixel images when using the 1.5x DX (APS-C) crop mode. Canon full-frame EOS R-system cameras including the R1, R3, R5, R5 Mark II, R6, R6 Mark II, and R8 have a 1.6x crop setting. For example, the Canon EOS R5 Mark II offers a 1.6x crop mode that produces approximately 17.5-megapixel images (5088x3392). Panasonic L-Mount cameras such as the Lumix S5II/S5IIX, S1H, and S9. The Lumix S5 II utilizes a 1.5x crop factor in its dedicated APS-C mode, reducing the 24.2MP sensor's active area to an effective resolution of approximately 10.7MP (3984x2656). Cameras with fix-mounted lenses High-resolution fixed lens cameras, such as the Leica Q3 and the Fujifilm GFX100RF use crop-sensor technology to provide additional focal lengths from a single optic. The Leica Q3 with its 60MP sensor allows for cropping to 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, or 90mm. The Fujifilm GFX100RF takes this even further with its 102MP, 44x33mm medium format sensor. The fixed 35mm lens provides a 28mm equivalent field of view. Its high resolution allows for significant cropping, yielding 66MP in 35mm mode, 31MP at 50mm equivalent, and 20MP at 63mm equivalent. Final thoughts Photographers with full-frame sensors who don't always need the highest resolution they provide can extend the reach of their existing telephoto lenses, or travel with lighter optics when switching to crop sensor mode. It's not a choice for everyone, but for those willing to exchange pixels for reach, they can travel with smaller, more flexible lenses. As for me, with my Nikon Zf, I'm going to continue stretching my 28-400mm Nikkor zoom to 600mms when the occasion calls for it. PS: I've also published an article with ...
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    34 m
  • Just When You Think You Have It Dialed In - TDS Photography Podcast

    Just When You Think You Have It Dialed In - TDS Photography Podcast
    Mar 24 2026
    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. Digital Photography Podcast 1044 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Just When You Think You Have It Dialed In Here's a story, from a recent camping trip, of my failure to capture a scene, from a ridge I had climbed, with my OM System TG-7. But there is a happy ending. This Week in the News Could this be Panasonic's next compact camera? as featured on DPReview.com Despite the Compact Camera Boom, Canon is Approaching Reentry Cautiously as featured on PetaPixel.com You could own one of these stunning prints from the world's best photographers - bargain prices for one week only! as featured on AmateurPhotographer.com DxO PureRAW 6 Is the Strongest Version Yet -- Here's What's New and How to Use It as featured on FStoppers.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. 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 dstory@gmail.com. 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.
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    34 m
  • No Matter Where Your Photos Are, This App Can Display Them - TDS Photography Podcast

    No Matter Where Your Photos Are, This App Can Display Them - TDS Photography Podcast
    Mar 17 2026
    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 One 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. Digital Photography Podcast 1043 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In No Matter Where Your Photos Are, This App Can Display Them I've talked about Peakto on this show before, but it has evolved tremendously since my last discussion. Just to refresh: Peakto is an AI-powered, Mac-only software by CYME that centralizes, organizes, and searches photos and videos scattered across multiple drives and editing apps like Lightroom, Capture One, and Apple Photos. It provides a unified view, automatically analyzes media for content-based searching, identifies duplicates, and supports cloud-free collaboration. For someone like me, who has everything from old Aperture libraries, to Capture One Catalogs, to Nitro, Luminar, and Photomator, Peakto is a godsend because I can see all of those photos, regardless of where they reside, in one place. New Features That I Love Plus now, there are new features that further increase its value to me. Those include: Workspaces for Apps that interact with images edited in DxO PhotoLab, Luminar Neo, Nitro, and ON1 Photo RAW. Peakto Connect is a service built-in to the app that enables me to share my content within my local network or externally, via a web application. Albums and Smart Albums that span my entire catalog of images, regardless of the app, and allow me to create albums across all of that content. A note about Aperture Libraries, Peakto supports libraries from Aperture version 3.4.2 or later. Libraries older that will need to be updated with Aperture. If a library is compatible with Peakto, you don't need Aperture on your hard drive to access those images. AI Search I'm terrible at keywording. It's boring and I rarely apply them to my shots. Fortunately, AI search using object recognition, gives me a second chance to find images I'm looking for. When you point Peakto to any set of images, it goes through a multi-step process to ingest that information. One of those steps uses AI Object Recognition. As a result, you can search for broad categories, such as "birds," or get more specific such as "red birds." As with most AI-powered searches, it's not perfect. But I've found that the tool gets me close enough to what I'm looking for within a short period of time. Of course, if you do use keywords, text descriptions, etc., this feature gets turbo-powered. Plus, all of the other markers are available too, such as EXIF data and star ratings. Bringing It All Together There are tons of other features with Peakto. Things like Aesthetic Rating where the AI scores an image based on technical and aesthetic aspects. The bottom line is that for many photographers, the notion of being tied to just one photo management app for the duration of your career isn't practical. Things change. Apps come and go. Our personal preferences evolve. Peakto helps us manage that evolution over the years. It allows us to experiment and change our minds. We don't have to be tied to a single photo management app if we don't want to. And for folks like me who like to experiment with workflows, it's a blessing. PS: If you want to know more about how I use Peakto, plus screenshots of what I discussed in the podcast, check out my article, How to Bring Multiple Photo Libraries Together in One Place on Live View. This Week in the News 'Sinners' DP Autumn Durald Arkapaw Makes Oscar History as First Woman to Win Best Cinematography as featured on Variety.com I'm Back Teases APS-C Digital 'Film' Roll That Entirely Fits in a 35mm Camera as featured on PetaPixel.com Peak Design Slide Lite review - still one of the very best camera straps you can buy as featured on AmateurPhotographer.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. 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 ...
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    33 m
  • Is It Time to Reconsider the Bridge Camera? - TDS Photography Podcast

    Is It Time to Reconsider the Bridge Camera? - TDS Photography Podcast
    Mar 10 2026
    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. Digital Photography Podcast 1042 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Is It Time to Reconsider the Bridge Camera? You may have photographic gem stashed in the back of your closet right now, and not even realize it. Bridge cameras were quite popular a decade ago for their compact size and impressive telephoto reach. But as larger sensor mirrorless cameras became more capable and sophisticated, most companies stoped producing the super telephoto compacts. Why? Because those smaller sensors could not compete with the likes of full-frame mirrorless. But as I discussed last week, advances in AI-powered software have breathed new life into bridge cameras. Last month, Rob and I were talking about this very topic as a alternative rig for our upcoming Costa Rica workshop. For Rob, shooting with a full-frame sensor and already owning far-reaching telephotos, the bridge alternative wasn't a practical consideration. But for me, one who likes to experiment, I was curious. So I found a Panasonic LUMIX FZ300 on the used market and started testing. After a couple weeks of shooting, I thought you might be interested in the results. First a little bit about the FZ300 itself. When Panasonic introduced the LUMIX DMC-FZ300 in July 2015, Camera Labs wrote it was an, "attractive proposition for anyone looking for a higher-end super-zoom without breaking the bank." And when they said super-zoom, they weren't kidding. The FZ300 featured a 25-600mm constant aperture f/2.8 Leica lens... for less than $600. In addition to that Leica glass, the FZ300 featured 5-axis image stabilization, 4K video, 4K photo, a high performance electronic viewfinder, high-speed autofocus, 1cm macro, weather sealing, and a lot more. All this technology squeezed into a body that was only 5" wide and weighed a mere pound and a half. Sounds like a dream machine come true. So why don't we see them today? That demur 1/2.3" 12-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor lacked the image quality and high-ISO performance of the emerging wave of full-sensor wonders. The irony was... those small sensors were the very thing that made the seemingly impossible 600mm reach of the compact FZ300 possible. To achieve that magnification with a full-frame camera would require optics much larger and more expensive. So the cameras with small sensors that "bridged" the transition from smartphone photography to DSLRs fell out of favor. And Panasonic never released a successor to the FZ300. Why Bridge Cameras Could Make Sense Again The evolution of hardware technology contributed to the demise of bridge cameras, but changes in software may lead to their comeback. The issue of image quality and pixel count from small sensors is real, no doubt. Compared to a modern full frame sensor, a chip smaller than your fingernail just can't compete. Yet, somehow, the images from our smartphones with their minute chips are nothing short of amazing. How is this so? The answer is software combined with clever merging techniques can help compensate for lack of chip size. Much of this technology is available to us today through software applications such as Lightroom, DxO PhotoLab, Photomator, Nitro, Luminar, and others. AI-powered noise reduction and resolution enhancement can bring those 12MP photos up to reasonable size and quality. And even though those same technologies can be applied to full-frame cameras, that's a level of quality that many of us don't need. Some of us still like the idea of a compact camera with exceptional reach and reasonable image quality. Software to help those cameras compete with large sensor cameras wasn't readily available in 2015, but it is today. So let's see what we can do with those bridge camera pictures. Lots of Light for Small Sensor Cameras A logical place to start is to understand the shooting conditions that are favorable for the FZ300 and its comrades. In short, outdoor daylight produces the best images. In fact, great images. Small sensor cameras can go toe to toe with the big boys on sunny days. And to be honest, those are the conditions that we most often are using 400-600mm telephotos. I've made those results even better by adding a combination diffuser plus polarizer filter. My favorites are the PolarPro Everyday Shortstache and the K&F Concept 1/4 Black Diffuser plus circular polarizer. Both of ...
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    36 m
  • 5 Tips for Small Sensor Photography - TDS Photography Podcast

    5 Tips for Small Sensor Photography - TDS Photography Podcast
    Mar 3 2026
    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. Digital Photography Podcast 1041 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In 5 Tips for Small Sensor Photography I just returned from a trip to the coast where the only cameras I had were the OM System OM-3 Micro Four Thirds mirrorless, the OM System TG-7 compact, and the iPhone 17 Pro. We all know that the MFT sensor is quite a bit smaller than an APS-C or Full Frame chip. And the 1/2.3" sensor in the TG-7 is even smaller. Why would anyone endeavor the capture the beautiful California Coast with this gear? Well you can. The shots will look great for sharing and printing. And unless you're a pixel-peeper, you'll probably be thrilled with the shoot. That being said, there are a few tricks to maximizing image quality and beauty from your photos. Here are 5 things that I do when working with smaller sensors. Pay Attention to Shutter Speed and Aperture - Even though all my cameras have built-in image stabilization, I try not to over-depend on it. For handheld photography I keep my speed at 1/30th or faster and aperture stopped down 1-2 stops. Use Good Shooting Technique - Holding the camera with a steady grip and lightly pressing the shutter does make a difference. Record in RAW+Jpeg - Sometimes the Jpegs are absolutely amazing, and other shots require my working the RAW file. Of the 15 images gallery I'm sharing in the Show Notes, 12 shots were processed as RAW, and 3 were Jpegs. That ratio varies from shoot to shoot, but I'm always glad to have both. Photomator Super Resolution and Denoise - Once I've cropped and edited the image, I run my favorites through Photomator Super Resolution to increase pixel count, and if necessary, Denoise to clean things up. There are many other apps that do this as well. Take advantage of the technology that's available. Image Enhancing Filters - My favorite filter for small sensor cameras is the K&F Concept Diffuser 1/4 & Circular Polarizing in-1 for $22.99. This filter on a small sensor camera renders the images more photographically without the digital look that sometimes appears. Plus, quite frankly, there is less image editing in post. Simple techniques, yes. But together they can help you travel super light and come home with satisfying images that will impress those who see them. Creative Photography Techniques with Rob Knight Rob's Becoming a More Creative Photographer Online Workshop begins this Thursday, March 5th. For those of you who haven't signed up yet, you might be interested in this conversation with Rob about this very cool workshop. Listen in to hear what he has to say. This Week in the News The 8 best cameras for travel in 2026 as featured on DPReview.com The Best New Photo Gear Announced at CP+ 2026 as featured on PetaPixel.com The Leica Leitzphone is back - and this time it's going global as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com Why Physical Media Is Making a Comeback Among Younger Generations as featured on FStoppers.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. We now have the dates set for the Hot Air Balloon Classic and Micro Brewery Photography Workshop that begins on July 17th and ends on July 20th. We'll go behind the scenes at the Balloon Classic for an inside look at how these beautiful aircraft are designed, maintained, and piloted. We'll photograph the Dawn Patrol launch, the big bash, and even rise up in a balloon if you want. We'll also explore the vibrant Micro Brewery culture in Sonoma County, home for Russian River Brewery, Lagunitas, and more. And if you add on to your adventure, there are days and days of photographic opportunities from majestic redwoods, to rugged coasts, to hillside vineyards. What a wonderful getaway. Place your deposit today!. 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 ...
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    38 m
  • Snapseed Sprouts a New Camera, and It's Beautiful - TDS Photography Podcast

    Snapseed Sprouts a New Camera, and It's Beautiful - TDS Photography Podcast
    Feb 24 2026
    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. Digital Photography Podcast 1040 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Snapseed Sprouts a New Camera, and It's Beautiful I think we'll start out by taking a look at this article on PetyaPixel.com, titled, Snapseed's New Built-In Camera Has Film Simulations, Including Portra and Superia by Jaron Schneider. He provides an excellent overview. Then I will dig in with my own experiences using this latest version of Snapseed. Sky Replacement Follow Up, What Our Listeners Say In last week's podcast, Is Sky Replacement OK If It's Your Sky?, I said that I was going to pose this question to our Inner Circle Members. Here's what they had to say. 36 percent said: For artistic images, I'm fine. But I use my sky pictures.26 percent said: No problem at all. I will use whatever I can find.21 percent said: I'm against it, and I would never engage in such activity.15 percent said: I've never really thought about it much. Some comments included: "I don't have any problems with sky replacement using personal or 3rd party asset... go for it, use what you like. But I think the photographer should disclose the modification, if/when selling the image. I would refer to the modified photograph as photo art. Similar to the 60s/70s photo art that was created by artists that painted highlights on monochrome photos. I have not done any sky replacement, might give it a go one day." Darin. "I think it's fine if you want to do it, but I feel strongly that it needs to be labeled as such - as a photo collage, or something similar. To not mention that your image is a composite of multiple images is deceptive in my book." Lawrence. "I have used it once, to replace a blank sky on a drone shot of a mountain valley. My instinct is not to use it, but if I do, I would use whatever appropriate sky I could find. That's mainly because I haven't made a collection of my own. In theory, it's hard to find a logical reason to be against it. Landscape painters have always been free to interpret all aspects of an image, and we alter the other aspects of photographic landscapes unrealistically all the time ( white balance, contrast, dodging and burning), so why draw a line here? Yet most of us do. A conundrum." Michael A. "I don't think I've ever replaced a sky in my personal/ artistic work. I think of a photo as capturing a particular moment, and I work with what was there. I don't have any particular judgement about the process, it's just not something I do for my images. Commercial work is another story... for real estate, advertising, etc, anything is fair game. The final product for the client is the point, and I use all the tools at my disposal to get the desired results. Replacing the sky can mean the difference between a drab exterior shot of a house and a dramatic image that stops buyers in their tracks." Rob "I have numerous opinions and thoughts on this, but the one that I keep coming back to lately is this.... If I have to think about replacing the sky to make a photo more interesting, perhaps that photo is not worth the effort and I should just work on making a better photo, or at least figure out what my subject really is and compose for that." Michael B. This Week in the News Tamron's latest F2.8 zoom resurrects an idea from the 90s as featured on DPReview.com The Depth of Field Advantage No One Mentions About Micro Four Thirds as featured on FStoppers.com Zeniko ZA12 Dual Dial Flash review - clever auto metering for any camera as featured on AmateurPhotographer.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. We now have the dates set for the Hot Air Balloon Classic and Micro Brewery Photography Workshop that begins on July 17th and ends on July 20th. We'll go behind the scenes at the Balloon Classic for an inside look at how these beautiful aircraft are designed, maintained, and piloted. We'll photograph the Dawn Patrol launch, the big bash, and even rise up in a balloon if you want. We'll also explore the vibrant Micro Brewery culture in Sonoma County, home for Russian River Brewery, Lagunitas, and more. ...
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    32 m