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/
Are Aperture and iPhoto Libraries Truly Interchangeable?
May 24 2013
Some photographers question the ability to move content seamlessly from iPhoto to Aperture, and back again. It almost sounds too good to be true. In this 5-minute movie that I created for the lynda.com title, Using iPhoto and Aperture Together, I compare how an iPhoto library looks in Aperture, and… read moreNow that the Flickr Dust Has Settled
May 23 2013
The first shock waves have passed. Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has apologized for her statement, "there's really no such thing as professional photographers anymore." Flickr Pro users can continue to renew at the current $25 a year price. And the new look, though not evenly applied throughout the site, is… read moreStylish Gariz Half Case for the Olympus OM-D
May 22 2013
When I'm traveling light and street shooting with a prime lens, I'm enjoying the Gariz Leather Metal Half Case for Olympus OM-D ($90) that's less bulky than the power grip. The half case also provides good bottom protection for the camera and allows quick access to all of the ports,… read more"Mashup 3 - The Ultimate Podcast FAQ" - Digital Photography Podcast 376
May 21 2013
This week on The Digital Story - "The Ultimate Podcast FAQ: Juan Pons moderates the third and final installment of our Spring Photography Mashup and asks our panel of experts a variety of questions. We discuss inspiration, overcoming challenges, equipment, how we got started in the photography business, plus much… read moreInto Fresh Air with the Lowepro Photo Sport Pro 30L
May 21 2013
It's difficult to describe how an overnight hiking trip can rejuvenate the soul. So instead, I'm going to express those thoughts via a short movie that I created after my last adventure - http://thedigitalstory.com/2013/05/into-fresh-air-with.html read moreCan a Camera Be Creative for You?
May 20 2013
I like some of the creative features offered by the latest batch of cameras. I look at them as suggestions. But I'm still in charge of the final product. - http://thedigitalstory.com/2013/05/can-a-camera-be-crea.html read moreLatest Sensors Better for Infrared Photography?
May 17 2013
Since none of my other current cameras do a very good job with infrared photography, I started wondering if the new X-Trans sensor in the Fujifilm X-20 might be better than the others. As it turns out, it is. Here are examples why - http://thedigitalstory.com/2013/05/easy-infrared-photog.html read moreOfficial Wiley Press Release for iPad for Digital Photographers Book (with movie!)
May 16 2013
Back in February, I recorded a movie for Wiley & Sons Publishing about my latest book, iPad for Digital Photographers. The movie is on the Amazon catalog page. But a nicer presentation of it is embedded in the official Press Release for the book. You can see it here -… read moreWhat a Mess! Street Scene Captured with Fujifilm X20
May 16 2013
San Francisco street scene captured with a Fujifilm X20 - http://thedigitalstory.com/2013/05/what-a-mess-street-s.html read moreCan You Take Quality Pictures with an iPad mini?
May 15 2013
Can you capture quality images from an iPad mini? Thanks to software optimization from independent developers, my answer is yes. Here's a four-shot comparison with different apps and a digital camera to help you draw your own conclusion - http://thedigitalstory.com/2013/05/can-you-take-quality.html read more"Canon PowerShot N; Sigma 17-70mm Zoom" Digital Photography Podcast 375
May 14 2013
This week on The Digital Story: The groundbreaking Canon PowerShot N; the versatile, affordable Sigma 17mm-70mm f/2.8-4 zoom lens for APS-C DSLRs; and a visit to Carpinteria. All of this and more on The Digital Story podcast. Story #1 - The Canon PowerShot N is a 12MP super compact camera… read moreMay 14 2013
Two very desirable prime lenses in the Olympus Micro Four Thirds lineup are now available with a black finish. Both the 75mm f/1.8 and the the 17mm f/1.8 are listed on B&H for preorder. Here's more - http://thedigitalstory.com/2013/05/finally-in-black.html read moreCanon PowerShot N: Ultimate iPad Companion?
May 12 2013
If you're looking for a compact camera that works seamlessly with your iPad (or iPhone) for on-the-fly processing and sharing of images, you may want to investigate the just-released Canon PowerShot Nwith built-in WiFi. When paired with Canon's Camera Window app for iOS, you have an ultra compact "capture -… read more5 Cool New Features on the New Olympus Pen E-P5
May 10 2013
The latest flagship Olympus PEN E-P5 has all the goodies you would expect in a premium Micro Four Thirds camera. But it also has some cool new features. Here are my favorites - http://thedigitalstory.com/2013/05/5-cool-new-features.html read moreTop 5 Tips for Building Your iPad Portfolio
May 09 2013
Creating a portfolio on your iPad says that you have reached a certain point in your photography. It makes the statement, "Not only do I know how to make a photograph, I know how to present it as well." Here's how - - http://thedigitalstory.com/2013/05/top-5-tips-for-build.html read moreAdobe Drives Coffin Nail in Photoshop for Photographers
May 08 2013
Adobe's announcement that it will cease perpetual license sales of Photoshop and move to a subscription only offering for the application will force many photographers to look elsewhere - http://thedigitalstory.com/2013/05/adobe-drives-coffin.html read more"Podcast Mashup - Tools or Toys" Digital Photography Podcast 374
May 07 2013
This week on The Digital Story: Photography Mashup, "Tools or Toys," joined by the hosts from Improve Photography and the Digital Photo Experience. This week I lead the conversation with Jim and Dustin from Improve Photography and Rick and Juan from Digital Photo Experience for a photography mashup where we… read moreEasy Clean-Up of your iPhoto or Aperture Library
May 07 2013
Wouldn't it be great to clean up your iPhoto library so that you have all the good stuff, but none of the cruft? Well, with the help of Aperture, you can. (This approach works for tidying an Aperture library too!) This 3-minute movie shows you how - http://thedigitalstory.com/2013/05/easy-clean-up-of-you.html read moreNimble Solar Power Station for Mobile Devices
May 06 2013
The Waka Waka Solar Charger combines two functions I often need when working in the field: unlimited portable light and the ability to recharge my iPhone. Even though it's only about 4" long, the Waka Waka houses 8 high efficiency solar cells, a battery, two LED lights, USB charging out,… read moreStorytelling Power of Panoramas
May 03 2013
Panorama photography is more popular than ever. The ability to sweep your mobile phone or compact camera and capture 180 degrees of a scene is both easy and compelling. But they aren't just for vacation scenics. They can capture human drama too - - http://thedigitalstory.com/2013/05/storytelling-power-o.html read moreClubbing with the Fujifilm X-20
May 03 2013
The thing about compact cameras is that they don't attract attention. I'm hanging out in the club at Oracle Arena before the Warriors game with the Fujifilm X-20 taking pictures and enjoying the atmosphere. For this shot, I used the Pro Focus setting in the Adv mode to create the… read more"Black & White" - Results from Photo Assignment 85
May 02 2013
For the March 2013 Photo Assignment, TDS shooters saw the world through monochrome glasses. See for yourself in our gallery, Black & White. And which one will be the SizzlPix Photo Assignment Pick of the Month? Here's more - http://thedigitalstory.com/2013/05/black-white---result-1.html read moreThe Value of In-Camera Raw Processing
April 30 2013
Photographers who shoot Raw often don't realize their camera might have a powerful image processing function that creates Jpeg variations of those Raw files in camera. There are many advantages to this capability. Here's more about it - http://thedigitalstory.com/2013/04/the-value-of-in-came.html read more"Gorgeous Sigma 35 1.4, Frankenzoom, Winners!" Digital Photography Podcast 373
April 30 2013
This week on The Digital Story podcast: The gorgeous Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lens, creating a Frankenzoom, release of iPad for Digital Photographers, and SizzlPix winners! - http://thedigitalstory.com/2013/04/gorgeous-sigma-35-14.html read moreFrankenzoom - Getting More Reach from a Compact
April 29 2013
The key components to go from 112mm to 168mm were a Fujifilm adapter/lens hood for the X20 and an old Canon 1.5X tele extender that I had for my G2. I used gaffer's tape to connect the lens hood to the tele extender, then screwed the device into the front… read moreThe Ultimate Guide for iPad Packing Photographers
April 26 2013
Photographers: Do you want to pack an iPad instead of lug a computer? Not only will you lighten your load, but you can use just about any camera bag you want because the iPad fits everywhere. And yes, you can organize, edit, and share your pictures, just as easily, if… read moreSmartphone Camera Shoot-Out on DP Connect - Which is Best?
April 25 2013
Which of the popular smartphones have the best camera for you? In the article, Super Shootout: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs HTC One vs Apple iPhone 5 vs Nokia Lumia 920 on DP Connect, they put these top four models through basic image testing. The iPhone 4S was a big photography… read moreAdvanced Importing Techniques with Aperture 3
April 24 2013
In my latest Macworld article, Import Like a Pro in Aperture, I explain how to separate Raw+Jpeg pairs so you can filter out one set or the other, add effects during import to improve the appearance of the photos, and take advantage of simple AppleScripts to automatically organize images within… read more"Photo Podcast Mashup 1" - Digital Photography Podcast 372
April 23 2013
This week on The Digital Story: Photography Mashup, Episode 1, with the hosts from Improve Photography and the Digital Photo Experience. Via Skype, I'm joining Jim and Dustin from Improve Photography and Juan from Digital Photo Experience for a photography mashup hosted by Improve Photography. We talk about business and… read moreFocusTwist Turns iPhone into Lytro-Like Camera
April 23 2013
If you want to experience refocusing a picture after you've made the exposure, take a look at FocusTwist, available for $1.99 in the iTunes App Store. Once you've made an exposure, as explained in the graphic here, you can tap on different areas of the image do determine where the… read moreThe History of Photography in Less Than 5 Minutes
April 22 2013
Well done and entertaining! Here's an animated video showing the history of photography created for TED Education. Worth a watch! Want to Comment on this Post? You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.... read moreTDS Workshop Participants Hard at Work
April 21 2013
Here's our crew hard at work on their iPads at Cafe Noto in Windsor, CA during the iPad for Digital Photographers Workshop. Great day to be out and about!... read moreMore Photo Stream Control with iPhoto 9.4.3
April 17 2013
On April 16, 2013, Apple released iPhoto 9.4.3 that includes improved control over Photo Stream (the picture management feature of iCloud). Via iPhoto 9.4.3, pictures can now be exported from Photo Stream using the Export command in the File menu. I tested this, and the full size image with EXIF… read moreBehind the Scenes with the Opening Image for Chapter 1
April 15 2013
The opening image for Chapter 1 is a model I work with, Alyssa Jayne, holding a Canon DSLR. She's wearing a Lowepro DSLR Video Fastpack 250 AW. The location is the Santa Rosa Bus Station in downtown Santa Rosa, CA. This photo is from a series of images that I… 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 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.
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