http://twitter.com/Derrick_Story
Writer, Teacher, Photographer
Areas of Expertise:
- digital photography
- Aperture
- iPhoto
- Photoshop
- Lightroom
- speaking
- training
Recent Posts | All O'Reilly Posts
Derrick blogs at:
http://blogs.oreilly.com/iphone/
http://blogs.oreilly.com/digitalmedia/
http://www.thedigitalstory.com/blog/
http://oreilly.com/blogs/
http://blogs.oreilly.com/lightroom/
Print Your Own Postcards - Front and Back
February 06 2012
Postcards present great advantages. In a mailbox full of envelopes, postcards radiate like desert flowers. They're easy to send: stick a 32 cent stamp on the back, write an address, and drop them in the mail. Postcards will bring smiles to the faces of good friends, or catch the eye… read moreImage Quality Comparisons with Canon G1 X and Competitors
February 04 2012
The folks at Imaging-Resource.com have published an excellent image comparison test with the Canon G1 Xand a batch of its competitors, including the Canon G12, Canon T3i, Nikon J1, Olympus E-P3, and Sony NEX-5N. The lab shots were captured at base ISO and then at ISO 1600 and ISO 3200.… read moreApple Curates "Apps for Photographers" in Mac App Store
February 03 2012
Curious about what the Mac App Store has to offer for photographers? You might want to take a look at the Apps for Photographers collection. Three sections are featured there: Organize & Share, Digital Darkroom, and Cool Creations. There's plenty of interesting software to peruse and experiment with, such as… read moreLowepro Announces Event Messenger Series - Stylish and Efficient
February 02 2012
The new Lowepro Event Messenger is a good looking shoulder bag that holds your DSLR, Compact System Camera, lenses, and laptop or tablet computer. It has a distinct urban style that doesn't scream "camera bag!," yet provides fast access to all of your gear. Aside from the looks and functionality… read more"Family" - Results from Photo Assignment 70
February 02 2012
For the Dec. '11 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters looked close to home for exploring the theme Family. One of the things I enjoy most about this gallery are the captions that accompany the images. Make sure your read them as you view the pictures. And which one will be the… read moreCompact Camera Sales Continue to Slip
January 31 2012
You have to wonder how secure manufacturers feel right now as they release the barrage of new compact cameras in a declining market for them. In Canon's latest financial results, sluggish sales of compact cameras were a primary culprit for their annual shortfall. This trend persists throughout the market affecting… read more"Lightroom 4, Aperture ? and AfterShot Pro" - Digital Photography Podcast 310
January 31 2012
I've had a chance to work with Lightroom 4 public beta and publish an article about it for Macworld Magazine. That release has led to speculation about an upcoming Aperture 4 update. While all of this was going on, Corel rolled out their non-destructive pro photo management app, AfterShot Pro.… read moreOlympus E-PM1 - Quality Nimbleosity
January 30 2012
I keep waiting for the charm to wear off. But it hasn't. My favorite camera when heading out the door for a walk is the Olympus PEN E-PM1with the 17mm f/2.8 pancake lens.I barely feel it around my neck. It lies flat against my chest. And I get terrific looking… read moreFocusing on Pattern and Texture
January 29 2012
Creative exercise is much like physically working out: it makes you stronger. And one of my favorite creative activities is focusing on a compositional element over the course of a day. On a recent vacation to Monterey, CA, I decided to work on pattern and texture. (What a great place… read moreTesting the HP TopShot 3D Scanner
January 27 2012
The HP TopShot LaserJet Pro M275 multifunctional printer produces fast B&W or color output (17 PPM black & 4 PPM color), is network enabled including AirPrint for iOS devices, and has a 3D scanner. Since its scanner is the most unique feature, I wanted to explore that function first. The… read moreHighlights of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 beta
January 26 2012
There are plenty of refinements and new features in the public beta of Adobe Lightroom 4, but the two tools that caught my eye are the robust video handling capabilities and soft proofing. I cover both of these, and more, in my latest Macworld Magazine article, Adobe Lightroom 4 Beta… read moreJanuary 25 2012
It was the craziest thing. I was out for a walk along the shore, and I saw these talking deer. But because of the sound of the pounding surf, I couldn't hear what they were saying. (Don't worry: today is the last day of my vacation. I'm back to "real… read moreJanuary 24 2012
As you look at this picture, what to you see? Ocean, sky, rugged shoreline? Those were the elements that I noticed as I hiked by. But as you look closer, you might see that the beach is filled with dozens and dozens of Harbor Seals. Many hikers missed it on… read moreThe Clever Joby Micro 800 GorillaPod
January 22 2012
This is ingenious. A compact, machined-metal, ball head, tripod that you can leave mounted on your camera, yet, it doesn't get in the way. That's the JOBY GorillaPod Micro 800that I've been testing. This particular size is great for Sony NEX, as well as Panasonic and Olympus micro four thirds,… read moreJanuary 20 2012
When I travel, I'm impressed with the exercise bikes I see in modern hotel gyms. They have a complete multimedia setups that help pass the time while I'm peddling away. After I got an iPad 2 for a client assignment, I contemplated ways to put my original iPad to good… read morePhotoShelter Offers Social Media Handbook for Photographers
January 19 2012
Photographers and other creatives can help connect with others by understanding the benefits of social media. I think the best approach is "be yourself." Share with others the things you find interesting, and take interest in what others do. How to accomplish that can be a bit more challenging. Fortunately,… read morePolaroid Z340 Instant Digital Camera - Old Meets New
January 18 2012
When I first picked up the Polaroid Z340at CES, the sensation was more old than new. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Even though the Z340 has a digital camera on the inside, it feels and shoots like the traditional instant print cameras that were so popular in the 70s.… read more"CES Wrap Up" - Digital Photography Podcast 309
January 17 2012
I'm back from Las Vegas, and my "travel light" system worked! This week, I talk about small planes, hotel life, and highlights from CES. Lots of fun stuff that you won't want to miss. Listen to the Podcast You can also download the podcast here (32 minutes). Or better yet,… read moreThe Making of "Pro Roller Swing"
January 17 2012
I found a motorized "lazy Susan" in the garage the other day, and asked myself, "What could I do with this?" I had just seen the movie Hugo that features the filmmaking pioneer Georges Méliès. One of Georges' favorite tricks in the old days was to stop the camera, change… read moreField Test of the Panasonic Lumix GX1
January 15 2012
This field report, including photos, is contributed by TDS member, Ed Shields. I also took a look at the GX1 while at CES, and enjoyed testing it in the short time I had with it. I'll talk more about that in the comments of this article. As one would expect,… read moreWhacky Favorite Shots from CES
January 13 2012
When you watch people and technology collide, have your camera ready. It's a playing field for interesting photography. As expected, 3D was a major theme at the 2012 show. Here, however, an attendee is having a personal experience. Sony personal 3D viewing experience. And how our backs get tired during… read moreSamsung - A Force to Be Reckoned With
January 12 2012
The question that surfaces in nearly every conversation here at CES is, "Have you seen the Samsung booth?" Not only is it amazing in terms of design and dazzle, but looking at the contents there, it's clear that this company has become a major force in the technology world. The… read moreFuturistic Cars at CES - Audi Urban Concept
January 11 2012
You'd be surprised at what you can discover at an electronics event. For example, in the North Hall at CES there's an entire car show featuring vehicles of the future, exotic audio systems for today's cars, and high tech goodies to enhance your driving experience. One of my favorites of… read more"Traveling Light" - Digital Photography Podcast 308
January 10 2012
The Nimble Photographer takes to the air! Here's the challenge: I'm flying to Las Vegas to cover the CES event, but I'm using my local airport with those very small planes operated by Alaska Airlines. I need to carry-on my clothes and my gear. And once I return on Friday,… read moreFujifilm X-Pro1 Announced - The Camera We Hoped They'd Make
January 10 2012
FujiFilm announced the Fujifilm X-Pro1, and it's exactly what many of us were hoping for. The beautiful styling of the X10 combined with the brains of the X100... and with interchangeable, wide aperture prime lenses. Quite honestly, this company is wearing down my resistance. When I saw the X100 at… read moreCanon G1 X - Who Needs Interchangeable Lenses on Large Sensor Compact?
January 09 2012
You knew Canon would respond to the large sensor compacts and CSCs recently introduced. And to their credit, they've offered photographers yet another option: a relatively big 14MP 1.5" CMOS sensor (18.7 x 14mm) in a "jacket pocket" sized body with a fixed zoom, ranging from 28mm to 112mm (f/2.8-5.8).… read moreDates for March Aperture Workshop Set
January 08 2012
The Spring TDS Aperture Workshop is set for March 17 & 18, 2012. Have you wanted to learn Aperture, Apple's complete photo management software, but haven't had the time or the guidance to do so? Coming this Spring, you can become a part of our popular TDS Aperture Workshop, and… read moreOff-Camera Flash Workshop - Join Us!
January 08 2012
How would you like to sharpen your off-camera flash skills (and have a blast while doing so)? Coming this February, I'm conducting a two-day workshop (Feb. 25 & 26) that focuses on improving our lighting skills -- for both portraits and objects. Multiple exposure portrait using a single off-camera flash.… read moreA Spate of Excellent Photo Apps for the iPhone
April 02 2009
Photography on the iPhone can be more than just snapping 2-megapixel pictures. You can also process and transfer the images from the same device that you used to record. For this to work reasonable well, you need a basic... read moreThings You Need to Know about iPhoto '09
March 19 2009
iPhoto '09 appears simple on the surface. But there are sophisticated brains clicking away beneath that pretty face. I've discovered lots of things that I think you should know about iPhoto '09, and I'll show you as many as I can. read moreNetworked Printers and Speakers with AirPort WiFi
January 14 2009
The current AirPort base station combined with iTunes, Apple TV, the iPhone, a handful of printers, and powered speakers have enabled me to configure an "upstairs/downstairs" network complete with printing and remote-controlled music streaming. Here's an overview. read moreJanuary 07 2009
The Macworld keynote today focused on three basic new products: iLife '09, iWork '09, and an updated MacBook Pro 17". Within the iLife suite resides the new iPhoto. It has some refreshing technologies, such as Faces and Places, and has added a new twist or two to the Adjust panel.… read moreO'Reilly Media Events at Macworld SF 09
January 03 2009
We've put together a killer line-up of speakers for this year's Macworld Expo in San Francisco. Here's an overview of the things you can do with just an Expo pass. And don't forget that great library of O'Reilly books to browse. read moreThe O'Reilly 5-Step Plan for Evaluating Photoshop CS4... For Free
December 11 2008
The number one question I get from photographers about Photoshop CS4 is, "Why should I bother to upgrade?" If you haven't seen the application, it's a totally reasonable query. So, we've put together an introductory package that will show you the highlights (for photographers) in CS4. It's a great plan,… read moreAmerica at Home: Make Yourself a Cover Girl or Boy
December 03 2008
AMERICA AT HOME is extraordinary book created by 100 of the worlds leading photographers and tens of thousands of amateurs over the course of one week. You can create your own custom cover for the book this holiday season. read moreGifts for Shooters - Suggestions for Your Holiday List
November 25 2008
We all know that shooters are some of the most difficult people to impress with an affordable holiday gift. If they really need it, they already have it. If they don't have it, it's probably too expensive for them -- so that means you can afford it? I think photographers… read moreInside Lightroom is Coming Back
November 19 2008
Since my post yesterday, Looking for Contributors to Inside Lightroom, I've received a terrific response from our Lightroom community. For starters, two veteran writers, Michael Clark and Brandon Oelling are returning. Both are terrific contributors, and I'll enjoy reading their... read moreLooking for Contributors to Inside Lightroom
November 18 2008
When I first started Inside Lightroom, my plan was to have a staff of knowledgeable, responsible writers who would publish on assigned days. This would provide us with the steady flow of content that ultimately we so liked so much... read moreDeciding to Upgrade (or not) to Photoshop CS4?
October 25 2008
In my Photoshop class yesterday at PhotoPlus Expo in New York, many of the attendees were there to get information for a big decision: whether or not to upgrade to Photoshop CS4. I showed them the entire workflow with CS4 -- from downloading images to finishing off the best of… read moreO'Reilly Has Landed at PhotoPlus Expo
October 23 2008
The O'Reilly crew is in New York, and today is the first day of PhotoPlus Expo. There's lots going on here, both on the Expo floor and in the sessions. If you're in town, make sure you check out the O'Reilly Media Schedule of Events. As for the rest of… read moreO'Reilly Speaking Schedule at PhotoPlus Expo
October 16 2008
O'Reilly Media has big plans for PhotoPlus Expo, October 23-25 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. If you plan on attending the event, please note these terrific talks we have scheduled in the O'Reilly booth, #448, located in the Expo Hall. read moreFree Webinar: Secrets of Digital Night Photography
October 14 2008
Photographs by Harold Davis are distinctive and compelling. Some of my favorite images by him have been captured on the edges of the day. His upcoming webinar, Secrets of Digital Night Photography, will not only give us an opportunity to see more of Harold's work, we'll also get to hear… read morePhotoshop's New Era (at least for me)
October 09 2008
I just loved reading Steve Simon's latest post about the abuses of Photoshop. Switching heads and adding fake moons has irritated me for years. So much so, that I've tried to swear off Photoshop many times. Then I started playing with the beta versions of the upcoming version of Photoshop… read moreBehind the Scenes of the Digital Media Weekly Report
October 07 2008
A few weeks ago, my General Manger, Dan Brodnitz, asked me to create a new feature for our Digital Media site. He showed me a sample video of an online editor chatting about recent topics his site was covering. Dan wanted something like that for O'Reilly Digital Media. "But," he… read morePhotoshop CS4 - Elegant Engineering
September 23 2008
I'm sitting here with the official Reviewer's Guide for Photoshop CS4, and application that has been my constant companion for the last three months. As I'm flipping through the guide, I'm thinking, "Oh, yeah, that's nice. And yes, I like that too." But it doesn't get to the heart of… read moreiPhone Forensics 101 Webcast with Jonathan Zdziarski
September 09 2008
In this free, live webcast, iPhone hacker and data forensics expert Jonathan Zdziarski guides you through the steps used by law enforcement agencies to bypass the iPhone 3G's passcode lock by creating a custom firmware bundle. The webcast airs Thursday,... read morePhotoshop World - O'Reilly Interview Schedule
September 04 2008
Photoshop World launches today in Las Vegas. The event starts with a the keynote -- I'm guessing lots of Lightroom 2 and peeks at CS4 -- then the expo floor opens. O'Reilly Media has a stellar lineup of speakers sharing their expertise. We'll record their chats, but if you're here… read moreAugust 11 2008
I've pulled together a collection of images from my first week of wanderings in Beijing. So here's a whirlwind tour of Olympic goodies, the Forbidden City, and more. read moreMatt Twomey Joins Site with Cool Article on Dev Resources
July 03 2008
We just published a new article by Matt Twomey titled, A Guide to iPhone Dev Documentation. This is Matt's first publishing with us, and I'm looking forward to more up the road. You might want to bookmark this one, however.... read moreIntriguing iPhone Posts on Hackzine.com
June 19 2008
I was just perusing some of the iPhone entries on Hackzine.com, and I figured that you might want to know about these. The current post is how to scrub private data from your phone. And there's lots more too, such... read moreRecent Posts | All O'Reilly Posts
Webcast: Five Ways to Make Your Photos Look Better
March 27, 2008
In this webcast, Derrick Story, digital photographer, blogger, and author of The Digital Photography Companion, gives you the tools to capture the high quality pictures you've always wanted--photos that will distinguish your work from others. Thousands...
Snapshots and TAT in ACR 5.2: Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers Screencast 5
Publish Date: Dec. 3, 2008
Adobe Camera Raw 5.2 features a handful of terrific new tools, including Snapshots and the Targeted Adjustment Tool. In this screencast designed to supplement The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers, Derrick shows you how to use these great new components.
A Look Inside the Aperture Nature Photography Workshop
Publish Date: Nov. 18, 2008
While at PhotoPlus Expo in NY, Derrick Story sat down with Rob Trueman and Cathy Chung to talk about their experiences with the Fall 2008 Aperture Nature Photography Workshop in the Grand Teton National Park. Rob and Cathy were two of the four contest winners who earned a trip to the Grand Tetons where they received one-on-one instruction. During this discussion they talk about what they learned and how they are applying that knowledge now.
Batch Processing in ACR: Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers Screencast 4
Publish Date: Nov. 12, 2008
Not only is Adobe Camera Raw terrific for processing individual files, you can batch process with it too. In this screencast, based on Chapter 4 of The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers, Derrick shows you how ACR makes easy work of multiple images.
Collections in Bridge: Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers Screencast 3
Publish Date: Oct. 29, 2008
Collections are one of my favorite new features in Adobe Bridge CS4, which comes bundled with Photoshop. In this screencast, based on Chapter 3 of The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers, Derrick shows you how Collections add the flexibility to Bridge that we've been waiting for. Plus you'll learn how to build Smart Collections based on a variety of search criteria. This is truly fun stuff.
Photo Downloader: Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers Screencast 2
Publish Date: Oct. 23, 2008
Photo Downloader is one of the unheralded stars included in Photoshop CS4. In this screencast, based on Chapter 2 of The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers, Derrick shows you how Photo Downloader can help you keep your images organized. Plus he demonstrates how to add your copyright and how to simultaneously back up your photos to another drive — all automatically during the downloading process.
The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers Screencast 1
Publish Date: Oct. 14, 2008
Photoshop CS4 contains all the tools you need for a complete photography workflow. In this series of screencasts based on the book, The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers, Derrick shows you techniques from a chapter of the book. This week he starts with Chapter 1: The Quick-Start Roadmap. Here, you'll see the basic overview of this workflow and how the pieces fit together.
From Windows to Aperture - Interview with Ben McMillan
Publish Date: Oct. 2, 2008
Ben McMillan has been a working photographer in Beijing for more than four years. During that time, he's seen the city go through dramatic changes, leading up to the Olympics. In this conversation, Ben talks about his Beijing experience, and how he also went through a personal change when he discovered Aperture during the games.
Getting Smart About Smart Objects - An Interview with Deke McClelland
Publish Date: Sep. 30, 2008
What makes Smart Objects in Photoshop CS3 so compelling to power users? Derrick Story wanted to get the inside scoop on non-destructive tools, so he sat down with Photoshop expert Deke McClelland to find out how Smart Objects can improve his photography workflow. This interview was recorded at Photoshop World in Orlando during the Spring of 2008.
Mine Kasapoglu on Location in Beijing
Publish Date: Sep. 11, 2008
Mine Kasapoglu photographed her first Olympics in 2002 at Salt Lake City. She's been shooting them ever since, including this year in Beijing where I caught up with her for this interview. Mine was first introduced to Aperture at the 2006 Torino Olympics. Nobody really knew about Aperture then, including Mine. But she was in great photographic pain and gave it a try. Here's her story two years later.
Sean Duggan on Digital Darkroom
Publish Date: Sep. 9, 2008
Sean Duggan is an art photographer, educator, and Photoshop expert. He's recently teamed up with Katrin Eismann to publish The Creative Digital Darkroom. In this interview Sean talks about his approach to processing images and how to get the most out of digital capture.
The Story Behind the Olympic Picture of the Day
Publish Date: Aug. 26, 2008
The Kodak Picture of the Day has been an Olympic tradition for decades now. While I was in Beijing, I had a chance to sit down with Rich Connolly, Director of Olympic Operations for Kodak, to talk about how the Picture of the Day came about, and the behind the scenes process for its daily selection during the Games.
Aperture Screencast 5: Managing Previews
Publish Date: Aug. 19, 2008
Aperture's previews are an important link to sharing your images with the outside world. Previews are JPEG renderings of your processed Raw files and, once generated, are easily accessible via other applications and output methods. In this screencast, Derrick Story shows you how to expertly manage your previews so you are always in control of your images.
Vincent Versace on Photography and Creativity
Publish Date: Aug. 13, 2008
Vincent Versace, noted photographer, author, and photography instructor, sits down with Derrick Story to discuss the some of the larger philosophical questions that inform the photographic creative process during this video interview from Photoshop World Orlando.
Noise Ninja Plugin for Aperture
Publish Date: Aug. 5, 2008
PictureCode has released Noise Ninja for Aperture, and it's the latest in the series of Edit Plugins that expand Aperture's image editing abilities. In this podcast, Derrick Story talks with Joe Schorr about Noise Ninja, and about the new plugins resource page on Apple's web site.
Off to Beijing - An Interview with Derrick Story
Publish Date: Aug. 4, 2008
On August 4, Derrick Story is boarding a plane to Beijing to work in the media center at the Summer Olympics. In addition to his job of helping photographers get their images out to the world, he'll be blogging, podcasting, and tweeting, not to mention capturing his own Olympic images. In this interview, Dan Brodnitz asks Derrick how he's preparing for this assignment.
Also find Derrick on:
Recent Twitter posts:
Buy Now and Save
Use discount code: OPC10
All orders over $29.95 qualify for free shipping within the US. See details.
