http://twitter.com/Derrick_Story
Writer, Teacher, Photographer
Areas of Expertise:
- digital photography
- Aperture
- iPhoto
- Photoshop
- Lightroom
- speaking
- training
Biography
Books
Blog
Recent Posts | All Posts
Derrick's blog posts are hosted at:http://blogs.oreilly.com/digitalmedia/audio/
http://blogs.oreilly.com/digitalmedia/mac/
http://blogs.oreilly.com/digitalmedia/photography/
http://blogs.oreilly.com/digitalmedia/web/
http://blogs.oreilly.com/iphone/
http://blogs.oreilly.com/digitalmedia/
http://www.thedigitalstory.com/blog/
A Collection of DIY Light Modifiers and Flash Diffusers
November 20 2009
Of all the DIY projects we write about, light modifiers are still my favorite. I have a nifty collection of flash diffusers and unusual lighting tricks that I think you'll want to keep in your back pocket. The DIY Flash Diffuser with Paper and Rubber Band is one of the… read moreCanon S90 Raw Processing Comparison: DPP vs ACR 5.6 RC
November 19 2009
Raw processing: it's harder than it looks. I was thrilled to see that Adobe has released Adobe Camera Raw 5.6, Lightroom 2.6 Release Candidates that supports 19 new Raw profiles, including for the Canon PowerShot S90. I like using the Bridge/ACR workflow for quick turnaround jobs, and being able to… read moreAdobe Camera Raw 5.6, Lightroom 2.6 Release Candidates Available
November 19 2009
I just got a fairly comprehensive press release from Adobe about their Camera Raw 5.6 and Lightroom 2.6 release candidates. I'm quite interested in these because they provide Raw support for a few of the cameras I've been writing about lately, namely the Canon S90 and Olympus E-P2. So Here's… read moreVanishing Icon: The Phone Booth
November 18 2009
While I was parked at a county gas station, I noticed this pair of classic phone booths at the edge of the asphalt. It dawned on me that in just a few years we probably won't see many of these icons. Very few are operable any more, and it just… read more"Sending Out Your Scans" - Digital Photography Podcast 202
November 17 2009
Most images captured before 1999 were recorded on film. For many photographers, amateurs and pros alike, that means that unless those pictures are digitized and incorporated into our existing workflows, they are probably not getting the attention they deserve. In this podcast, I cover what I believe is the easiest… read moreOlympus E-P2 vs the Canon S90 at High ISO Settings
November 17 2009
The Canon PowerShot S90 and the Olympus E-P2 are two of the more tantalizing portable cameras in the news right now. The S90 is a sophisticated compact that slides in your shirt pocket, and the E-P2 is a larger micro four thirds system camera that offers interchangeable lenses, electronic flashes,… read moreFive Lesser Know (but very cool) Features on the Canon S90
November 15 2009
I find the Canon PowerShot S90 one of the most interesting compact cameras available today. No doubt you've heard about some of its most popular features: records in Raw, sports a programmable click-stop Control Ring, and uses the same sensor and image processing as the Canon G11. But as I've… read moreMacworld Article on Setting Up an iPhoto Referenced Library
November 14 2009
If you want to take advantage of iPhoto's latest capabilities, but don't want to commit your master images to its internal database, there is a way. You can set up a referenced library scenario that allows you the freedom to switch among any non-destructive photo manager -- such as Aperture,… read moreDid Canon Really Improve Image Noise with the PowerShot S90?
November 13 2009
In the article, The Conversation Has Shifted from Megapixels to Image Noise, I observed that we've moved on, at least temporarily, from the megapixel wars. Case in point with my own cameras. The Canon G9 that I reviewed on Oct. 2, 2007 squeezed 12.1 megapixels on to a 1/1.7 inch… read moreTutorial for Creating Your Own 3D Images
November 12 2009
I just read a short, but informative tutorial titled, How to Create 3D Images, where Mark Evans encourages you to hang on to those 3D glasses you used at the movie theater. Why? Well, you can quickly create your own 3D pictures in Photoshop and put those wonky glasses to… read moreThe Conversation Has Shifted from Megapixels to Image Noise
November 11 2009
For the last few years, many of us photographers have been watching the megapixel wars and wondering when camera manufacturers would call a cease fire. Yes, resolution is great. But not to the point where it degrades image quality, especially when working in low light. Well, the cease fire is… read more"Compacts for Serious Shooters" - Digital Photography Podcast 201
November 10 2009
Super compacts that pack a big wallop are useful additions to any photographer's arsenal. Yes we need our DSLRs for serious shooting, mostly planned activities. And the new system cameras such as the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic GF1 are great when we want to travel a little lighter. But a… read moreConvert Your Roller Suitcase into a Tripod or Mic Stand
November 10 2009
If you travel with a roller suitcase, then you can easily convert it into a tripod for long exposures through the hotel window and for general photography work around the room. And the best part is, this conversion only adds another 6 ounces to your travel load. All you have… read moreUsing iPhoto to Manage Old Pictures You've Scanned
November 09 2009
Now that we've been shooting with digital cameras for a while, we're starting to see interest in going back into our archives and digitizing old snapshots too. This process requires some of the same organization as we're already using to keep track of photos on our computer. Plus, there are… read moreNight Shooting in DC with 5D Mark II and 85mm Lens
November 05 2009
While I was in Washington DC, teaching at the Photoshop LIVE conference, the good folks over at We Love DC put together an evening photowalk. And they were kind enough to invite me. We had a great time. So, as you've read in earlier posts, when I go street shooting,… read moreRecent Posts | All Posts
Multimedia
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.

















