What? No iPhone App!

If you're just not getting enough interesting mail in your inbox, then consider starting a publishing business...

I've received a few notes lately about creating a Nimble Photographer iPhone app. "It would be handy to have an icon right there on my home screen." I think that's a great idea. In fact, I've already addressed it. 

An important part of the design of www.thenimblephotographer.com is that it has automatic switching to a mobile version when such a device is detected. You may have noticed this already on your iPhone or Android handset. I've paid particular attention to ensure that the Journal, the Store, and Walkabout look good on smaller screens. 

But wait, it gets even better! You can have your own "Nimble Photographer app" right there on your home screen. Here's how you do it: 

• Navigate to the part of www.thenimblephotographer.com that you want as your home page. (For most people, it will be the Journal.)
• In iOS 7, tap the Share button that resides in the center of the bottom menu. Its icon is a rectangle with an arrow pointing upward.
• In the next popup menu that appears, tap the "Add to Home Screen" button.
• Name the button: Nimble
• Tap the blue "Add" link in the upper right corner.

You'll see the Walking Man icon on your home screen. Tap on it, and just like an app, you'll see the latest Journal entry (or whatever you selected as your default page.) 

I designed the Nimble Photographer site this way, because quite frankly, it's more nimble. I don't have to depend on the App Store for updates, I can refresh whenever I want, and it looks great on any device. 

So I guess what I'm saying is... this is my iPhone app. 

-Derrick

Finally, Some Good News for Those Who Fly

Believe it or not, there was a time when I enjoyed air travel.  

Getting on a plane meant that I was embarking upon a journey that would lead to new adventures, and most importantly, photographs. On the plane, they served you food and made every effort to keep you comfortable during the flight.

Most of that has changed over the last decade, and flying has become a series of uncomfortable situations from the moment I arrive at the airport until I finally escape upon my return. So any good news concerning air travel, no matter how small, is welcomed. 

Recently, a ray of sunshine peeked though our plastic pull-down window shade. The FAA is softening its rules on in-flight electronics, allowing us to photograph those beautiful arial views of skyscrapers, bridges, and sunrises as we take off and land. 

Each airline has to post its own certification, but that process is already underway. Chances are that the next time I board a plane, my biggest concern will be if the windows are clean. (Well, except for that trivial making my next connection thing...) 

The FAA change of heart isn't monumental in the big picture. I understand that. But given what we have to go through these days when flying, I'll take it. 

-Derrick

It's OK to Like Gear

If you tuned-in to the This Week in Photo hangout last night, you heard a familiar theme surface once again: gear vs art.

Somewhere along the line, photography equipment became the mistress that everyone desired, but dared not admit it out loud. Instead I often hear: "It's all about the art." "People take pictures, not cameras." 

Come on. 

I can have a beer and not become an alcoholic. And I certainly can admire a finely crafted instrument without turning in to a Philistine. Just like everything else in life, it's about moderation.

I think about photography a lot. It's probably the second most pervasive thought running through my head. But I can't take pictures all the time. I have responsibilities: family, pets, laundry, bill paying, car maintenance, businesses to run and places to be. I'm lucky that I get to express my creativity as much as I do. 

And the cool thing about gear is, I can think about technology, lenses, and cameras while I'm folding my T-Shirts (yes, I do my own laundry). I can mentally debate between the Sony a7 and Olympus E-M1 while I'm buying kitty litter. These are the things that keep me excited about photography when I can't take pictures.

I'm fine with, "It's not all about the gear." Of course. I'm an artist too. But I'm not going to let anyone rain on my parade. I'm having too much fun. 

-Derrick

Sad Story of Singer Kelly Rowland

We say it all the time: back up your data. But in most cases, we might as well be exclaiming, "Woof, woof, woofwoofwoof!" Because there are still too many people who just don't understand. 

I mention this because of the sad story of singer Kelly Rowland (a founding member of Destiny's Child and a judge on Fox's the X-Factor). She dropped her iPhone, it died, and she lost everything on it. And everything includes "behind-the-scenes shots of her reunion with Destiny's Beyonce and Michelle Williams at the Super Bowl" (source USA Today). 

No iCloud, no Dropbox, nothing. .. but memories.

Kelly remarked afterward that she didn't realize how much stuff accumulates over time. And since those photos are no longer tossed into a shoebox under the bed, you can lose them without taking the proper steps. 

I know most kids aren't going to listen to me as I wax enthusiastically about the virtues or automated backup. But I'm hoping that some listen to Kelly. She's doing a good turn here, and on behalf of all the nagging nerds in the world, we thank her. 

-Derrick

Nimble Extremists

I love enthusiasm, but I am not a big fan of extremists. In part, I'm sure this is because I see the world in shades of gray rather than black and white. 

So I'm often a bit concerned when someone posts a comment or sends an email stating that they are going to "sell all my old equipment and invest in a compact system camera with all new glass. "

What's the red flag? 

In my opinion, no single camera set-up is going to accommodate every photographic challenge. I think we need a variety of tools to capture the world as we envision. It's like having a set of screwdrivers instead of just one. 

As we move forward and add new gear to our kits, I recommend that we sell off the redundancy. A perfect example is when I bought the Canon 70D DSLR. My 60D, which I absolutely loved, was sold to help me finance the new camera. 

What I didn't do was sell the 5D Mark II full frame body because it is my only full frame camera. And I certainly didn't jettison the OM-D kit just because I was suddenly enamored with the new Canon APS-C. 

I sell equipment all the time. My goal is to stay light and be ready to meet a variety of photography assignments. I love the little cameras. But I'm smart enough to know that I need the big ones too. 

 -Derrick