Traversing the Canadian Rockies - TDS Photography Podcast

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,051, May 12, 2026. Today's theme is, "Traversing the Canadian Rockies." I'm Derrick Story. There was one moment, while immersed in the magnificence of the Icefields Parkway, I realized I had never seen anything like this before, not even in Alaska. We were 5 days into our trip with more to come, but at that moment, I just wanted to stop time. I'll cover it all, from Vancouver to Calgary, in today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1051 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Traversing the Canadian Rockies In this first segment, I'll cover the journey stop by stop, starting with boarding the Rocky Mountaineer Train in Vancouver. I also want to mention that we worked with Fresh Tracks Canada to build our itinerary and arrange for our various connections. They were instrumental in the success of our adventure. Rocky Mountaineer Train from Vancouver to Jasper - The first two days we were aboard the luxury train during the day, then would disembark in the evening for hotel stay. The first night in Kamloops, and the second in Jasper. Two Nights in Jasper at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Nestled within Alberta's magnificent Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the hotel is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and the rooms are designed with a nod to the property's Canadian backcountry heritage. Exploring Jasper National Park - We spent our time hiking, the the motorcycle sidecar adventure and nosing around the town of Jasper. Icefields Parkway - Jasper to Lake Louise - Now we're traveling by motor van on Highway 93N, known as the Icefields Parkway. We had many stops along the way, each one stunning. We arrived at Lake Louise that evening. Overnight in Lake Louise - The lake was frozen, which was an impressive foreground for the surrounding mountains. Hiking was difficult because of the abundant snow, so one night and a morning was plenty of time for this stop. Yoho National Park Tour to Banff - And amazing day crossing the Continental Divide, hiking at Emerald Lake, visiting Natural Bridge, and exploring Marble Canyon before arriving in Banff. Two Days in Banff - Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for sweeping views of six mountain ranges, hiking along the trails in the National Park, exploring the lakes, and loving the town of Banff. What an amazing two days. Head to Calgary to Catch Our Flight - We weren't quite ready to go home yet, but thankful for each day of the adventure. Here is the photo gear I used for the trip. Nikon Zf full frame mirrorless camera. Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR zoom. Nikon NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 lens. Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (SE) lens. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens. OM System TG-7 Tough Camera. Panasonic Lumix FZ300 with Leica 25-600mm DC Vario-Elmarit f/2.8 zoom lens. Apple 13" MacBook Air with 24GB RAM and 1TB SSD. Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive. Apple 8.3" iPad mini 7th Gen, 256GB, Wi-Fi + 5G LTE, Space Gray. All camera gear and portable electronics is being packed in a Think Tank Retrospective 18L backpack. For my luggage, I'm trusting the Solgaard Check-In Closet Original. This Week in the News Sony teases May 13 event with one obvious clue as featured on DPReview.com Now Canon's teasing something new, too as featured on DPReview.com OM System Survived Its Split From Olympus: Who Expected This? as featured on FStoppers.com HP FilmScan 7" Touch Screen Film Scanner review: scan your negs, transparencies and slides with touchscreen simplicity 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. 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.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,050, May 5, 2026. Today's theme is "Best of TDS - An Interview with Mom." I'm Derrick Story. With Mother's Day this coming Sunday, and with me still exploring the Canadian Rockies, I thought this would be a great time to rebroadcast one of our all-time most popular shows recorded in December 2018, an interview with my mother, who has since passed on, but whose legacy continues to practice the lessons she taught me. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1050 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Virtual Camera Club News B&H Photo Purchases Via TheDigitalStory - I talk about a lot of gear on this show, and if you're getting ready to make a purchase at B&H Photo, please click on our link first on your way to the store. We have a tile at the top of every page on TheDigitalStory. It's the easiest way you can help support this podcast. 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.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,049, April 28, 2026. Today's theme is, "Announcements at NAB, for Photographers." I'm Derrick Story. Of course Broadcasting was the focus of the recent NAB show in Las Vegas, that's what the "B" stands for. But among the video rigs, microphones, and soundboards were some gems for photographers. And this week, I'm going to share my 5 favorite announcements from last week. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1049 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Announcements at NAB, for Photographers As always, there was so much interesting stuff at NAB. And even though it's a video centric event, there's intriguing crossover for photographers as well. Let's take a look. GoPro Goes Interchangeable: What the Mission 1 Pro ILS Means as featured on Luminous-Landscape.com Panasonic Unveils the Most Beautiful Lumix S9 Color Yet as featured on PetaPixel.com The Difference Is Clear as Day: We Review the New Viltrox 35mm f/1.8 II EVO as featured on FStoppers.com Why Canon's cutting-edge sensor tech may not cascade down to photographers as featured on DPReview.com Nik Collection 9 lets you mask like the Lone Ranger (no sidekick required) as featured on DPReview.com Virtual Camera Club News B&H Photo Purchases Via TheDigitalStory - I talk about a lot of gear on this show, and if you're getting ready to make a purchase at B&H Photo, please click on our link first on your way to the store. We have a tile at the top of every page on TheDigitalStory. It's the easiest way you can help support this podcast. 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.

This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,048, April 21, 2026. Today's theme is, "Packing for the Canadian Rockies." I'm Derrick Story. Kamloops, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, and Calgary - The Canadian Rockies by train, van, and even motorcycle sidecar. I've been getting ready for this adventure and this week I'm going to share how I prepare to explore some of the most beautiful scenery in North America. All of that, plus industry news, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show. Digital Photography Podcast 1048 Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App! Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In Packing for the Canadian Rockies I begin the first segment with an overview of the itinerary, then discuss the following equipment choices. Nikon Zf full frame mirrorless camera. Nikon Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR zoom. Nikon NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 lens. Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (SE) lens. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens. OM System TG-7 Tough Camera. Panasonic Lumix FZ300 with Leica 25-600mm DC Vario-Elmarit f/2.8 zoom lens. Apple 13" MacBook Air with 24GB RAM and 1TB SSD. Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive. Apple 8.3" iPad mini 7th Gen, 256GB, Wi-Fi + 5G LTE, Space Gray. All camera gear and portable electronics is being packed in a Think Tank Retrospective 18L backpack. For my luggage, I'm trusting the Solgaard Check-In Closet Original. This Week in the News Photographer Joel Meyerowitz Says Smartphones Are a Good Thing, Not So Keen on AI as featured on PetaPixel.com Tim Cook Will Step Down as Apple C.E.O. as featured on NYTimes.com 10 Lightroom Secrets That Will Change How You Edit Photos 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 [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.

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 [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.

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 [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.

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 images and more details titled, Your Full-Frame Sensor Has More Reach Than You May Realize. Free access for our podcast listeners. This Week in the News Panasonic, Please Stop Removing Viewfinders as featured on PetaPixel.com Never say never: OM System reopens the door to compact cameras as featured on DPReview.com Virtual Camera Club News Interview with Rob Knight About Red River Paper Rob is now the Educational Director for Red River, and he's stopping by to report on a Camera Club event he just participated in. You can meet with Rob in-person at Florida's Photo Fest, April 22-26, 2026. 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.

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 [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.

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 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.

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 these accessories seem to bring out the best for my FZ300. Once you retreat indoors or evening conditions, then you'll need supplemental light, such as from the flash, or time to reach for a larger sensor camera. I don't push the FZ300 past ISO 800. Shoot RAW+Jpeg Jpegs are great for immediate sharing or for applying in-camera effects such as film simulations, but RAWs are important for squeezing as much quality as possible from the small sensors. The RAW editing tools in DxO PhotoLab, Nitro, and Photomator are amazing for extracting detail from these RAW files while helping to control noise. In PhotoLab there's DxO ClearView Plus DeepPrime. Photomator features Super Resolution and Denoise. Nitro includes RAW Tuning. And Luminar supports a variety of AI-powered adjustments. Combining this post-production muscle with RAW files enables us to refine images from small-sensor cameras like never before. See for Yourself In my Live View article, How Bridge Cameras Got Lost in the Shuffle, I've posted a number of wildlife pictures captured with the FZ300, and processed with the software I've been talking about. The article is free for our podcast listeners. Will they blow away a Sony full frame camera? No way. But do this images make good prints and render well on a computer screen? I think they do. And the entire rig only weighs about a pound and a half and is a mere 5" wide. Now, I wouldn't dare travel all the way to Costa Rica with only the FZ300. But, I will have it in my bag along with my standard gear for those nimble moments when I want the reach of a super-zoom, but the weight of a compact. I'll let you know how it goes. This Week in the News A Camera's Dynamic Range Is Interesting but Not That Important as featured on PetaPixel.com This woman invented the solution to lens flare - you've probably never heard of her, but every photographer should thank her as featured on DigitalCameraWorld.com The Importance of Embracing Imperfection as featured on FStoppers.com Jeff Bridges unboxing the camera he's been developing is pure joy as featured on DPReview.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 [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.