Chris Searle

The Nikon folks have their thinking caps in high gear. It's about time someone put movie mode on a DSLR. Think about it - Live View LCDs, big image sensors, and great glass. And you get all of that on the new Nikon D90. They start with a new 12.9 MP CMOS sensor. Add a 3" LCD screen with Live View. Then add movie capture at 720p (1280x720) at 24fps with mono sound. I am so impressed with the innovation coming out of Nikon right now. Canon, what is your response? Technorati Tags: Derrick Story, digital photography, DSLR, Technology,...

I've been recording audio as well as pictures while on assignment. Why? Because have both the sounds and the images allow me to create full-bodied presentations when I return home. This doesn't mean that you have to carry a big sound rig in your camera bag. In fact, you might already have an audio recording device in there and don't know it. I cover all of this in this week's podcast. Monthly Photo Assignment Competition is this month's photo assignment. With the Olympics dominating the sports scene this month, competition seems like a good topic. Your event can be more...

When the Canon 5D was released in Aug. 2005, the 20D was its APS-sized cousin. Then we saw the 30D, 40D, and now the 50D. Yet, in the affordable full-sized sensor arena, we still have the venerable 5D. That's why I was hoping that the pre-Photokina press release would be about the new Canon 5D. But alas, no. The good news is (for other people), is that the 50D looks like a great camera. It sports a 15.1 APS sized CMOS sensor, 6.3 fps continuous mode, DIGIC 4 processor, 3" LCD with Live View and Face Detection, improved high...

I wrote a post on Inside Aperture titled, Plug-Ins Same as External Editor? I Don't Think So, where I disagreed with some folks on the web who say that Aperture's plug-in architecture is no different than using an external editor in Lightroom. Personally, I think there are differences, and pointed to an article by Micah Walter that does a good job of listing them. But some readers disagreed. And what followed in the comments is an interesting debate about Aperture, Lightroom, and sometimes even Photoshop. I thought you might want to take a look and decide for yourself. Technorati...

My friend Deke McCelland wrangled nine new photos out of me, 1200 pixels wide, and published them on deke.com. Some fun stuff here if you like to see 'em big. Photo of Olympic Opening Ceremonies at the Bird's Nest by Derrick Story, Canon 5D, Sigma 50mm lens. Now Available! The Digital Photography Companion. The official guide for The Digital Story Virtual Camera Club. 25 handy and informative tables for quick reference. Metadata listings for every photo in the book Dedicated chapter on making printing easy. Photo management software guide. Many, many inside tips gleaned from years of experience. Comprehensive...

"Took my family to the Crayola Musuem in Easton PA," said TDS member Jim Stocking. "I always try to take pictures of signs to identify in a slideshow where a group of pictures were taken." "The museum has this interesting sign, which I thought would be a candidate for grab shots after I saw the result. The Crayola Museum features a number of hands-on activities with Crayola products along with great activities for children and a demonstration of how the crayons are made." "I took the picture from the second floor of the parking garage across the street, to...

Rob Galbraith posted a piece that explains how photographer Kari Kuukka (photo credit for this screenshot) captured a 360 degree pano inside the Bird's Nest in Beijing 30 minutes before the start of the men's 100m final. There's a link in the piece so you can load up the panorama yourself and enjoy its magnificent breadth. BTW: I have one of those beige photographer's vests that you see in the shot. Technorati Tags: Beijing Olympics, Derrick Story, digital photography, Technology, The Digital Story...

I just read DP Review's test report of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 lens, and they back up what I've been saying about this beautiful glass. I used the Sigma often during my Beijing trip, and considered it my "go to" glass when working indoors. But, if you need test results, DP Review now has them. The major drawback, from their perspective, is the $499 US price tag. I agree. It is expensive. And I thought twice before putting down my hard-earned money for it. But after depending on it for two weeks in China, I have to say the...

My two weeks in Beijing were filled with photo opportunities and travel challenges. In this week's podcast I talk about my experiences in Beijing, the Summer Olympics, how well my packing survived, a peek inside the Main Press Center, and more. It's a fun show. Monthly Photo Assignment Competition is this month's photo assignment. With the Olympics dominating the sports scene this month, competition seems like a good topic. Your event can be more personal, and doesn't even have to be sports related. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is...

Many things went right during a recent trip to the Beijing Olympics, and one of my most important assets was my little white MacBook. When I'm working on the road, I can't always wait until it's convenient to process my pictures. I may not see a hotel room for 20 or more hours. So I need to get things done on buses, airplanes, in stadium stands, workrooms, restaurants, and even sitting on a bench in the park. This is where the MacBook shines. It's light, durable, powerful, and fits in my camera bag. I carry an extra battery, so...

Beach volleyball was in my viewfinder today, and I had a great time watching the Americans and Chinese win their respective matches. The US team of Walsh and May-Treanor defeated the tandem from Norway. Here, Kerri Walsh greets the crowd after their victory. The Chinese team lead by phenom Zhang Xi performed well against the German team. Shown here she greets her teammate after the win. The other matches were excellent too. I especially enjoyed watching Arvaniti of Greece serve one fireball after the next. Then, in the afternoon, the rain came in. So it was time to catch...

Since I had the night shift tonight, that left my entire day open to hit the streets of Beijing with just a fanny pack and my Canon G9. My mode of transportation was the excellent subway system. It's air conditioned, easy to figure out, and free if you have a media pass for the Olympics (note mine hanging around my neck in the shot above.) My plan was basic. Take the subway somewhere, get off and wander the streets, then get back on the subway to somewhere else. I found some interesting alleys along the way, and was able...

The Main Press Center, known as the MPC, is where I go to work everyday in Beijing. In the Kodak Digital Photography workroom, we have more than 200 workstations (Mac and PC) and a variety of services for photographers. The MPC is a world unto itself, complete with a food court, banking, dry cleaning, basic goods, and just about anything you'd need while working here. The one thing you don't have in the MPC is a place to sleep. The days are incredibly long, and we have to ride buses back to our hotels, which can take as long...

I had this morning off, so I got up early and caught a cab to the gates of the Forbidden City here in Beijing. Since I was there before tickets went on sale, I had an opportunity to photograph the workers as they rode in on their bicycles. So here's a sampling of the two-wheeled devices I saw. Many bikes were converted into work vehicles that could carry an amazing amount of goods. I'm not even sure what this contraption does. But I do know it would be much more unwieldily without the wheels. Ride sharing is also popular...

I found a spot on the Olympic Commons where locals like to pose for pictures in front of the Bird Nest. As with many of my other wanderings in Beijing, I've noticed the excitement among the Chinese to have the world at their doorstep. One aspect of this that I know other photographers will appreciate is the willingness here to be photographed. Many times, it feels like I've honored them by pointing my camera in their direction and asking for permission. I'm not sure if it's because I have a Kodak media pass, or just the general nature of...

The weather in Beijing has been hot during my entire stay, but today was the first time I spent hours working in the afternoon sun. And I have to tell you, it's hot and humid, very humid. The temperature was over 90 degrees today, and it felt like the humidity was about the same. I would find patches of shade to camp out beneath when I felt my core begin to simmer. And once I finished my shooting, I went into an air conditioned building an hour before I was to report for work so I could arrive cool...

The hours leading up to the opening ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics could best be described as patient happy anticipation. I was allowed access all the way up to the stadium ticket entrance. At first, this might sound disappointing to not have admission inside. But you needed a special pass even for the common area outside the stadium. The rings of security here in Olympic Village are many and substantial. I didn't get my common area authorization until the last minute. But it was worth the wait. I saw the buses of athletes driving by one by one in...

As I post this now, it's 8:30 am in Beijing. Tonight the Opening Ceremonies begin, and I suppose that everything is going to change around here. I captured this image of the Bird's Nest Stadium last night while walking in Beijing. It was one of those magical moments in the city when we were all out strolling along the perimeter of Olympic Village. People were waving little flags, taking pictures, and enjoying being out en masse with their friends and family. We were about the only Americans I saw on this walk, which made it even more enjoyable. I...

I've been depending almost exclusively on the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Lens during my first few days in Beijing. In part, as I anticipated, it's because I'm working indoors as we prepare for the launch of the Olympics. My standard procedure everywhere I go is to carry the Canon 5D over my shoulder with the Sigma 50mm mounted. It's relatively compact, very fast at f/1.4, and has transformed even the most mundane shots into something pretty to look at. Other photographers have been curious about it too. They've admired its handsome looks and have had fun testing...

If you're an official photographer at the Olympics, you have to show the correct credentials, and you'll need your Kodak photography vest. Each vest has an ID number on the front and on the back. So at any time on location, photographers can be identified from a distance. In general, the shooters aren't crazy about this system. Many of them would prefer not to wear a vest at all. But like many things at the Olympics, there is a system in place to help keep things running smoothly. Shown here is the Nikon booth within the Kodak Image Center....