Why I Didn't Buy an Apple Watch Today

I wasn't online last night shopping for an Apple Watch. It's rare that I pass on a new tech product designed by Jony Ive.  But to be honest, I'm not really that interested in it. I like my existing chronograph with leather band.

The Apple I fell in love with focused on desktop publishing, photography, and filmmaking. I thought Think Different was brilliant, even though personally, I preferred Think Differently. 

The tools they designed helped me become a better artist and an entrepreneur. Actually, I'm not sure what I'd be doing  today if it weren't for Steve Jobs.

But the Apple Watch is a departure from all of that. A $500 timepiece for the wrist is a fashion item. In my world, that's an accessory.

On the other hand, the iPhone is a necessity. And based on what we might see with the new camera in the 6S, it may become even more important to my work than it is already.

So I won't be writing any articles about the latest product from Apple.

That is, until later this year.

-Derrick

Pimp My Ride

Some guys like cars, others like cameras. (OK, well I love cars too, but you get my point.) And during the last week, I've been souping-up my E-M5 Mark II.

I started with a few stock accessories. First, I added the HLD-8G External Grip that looks sharp and provides more stability. Plus I gain an headphone jack to monitor the audio.

Then I switched optics to my all-time favorite, the silver M.ZUIKO Digital 17mm f/1.8 lens with metal lens cap. It's the closest thing to a chrome bumper that you can get for a camera. And to protect that beautiful glass, I added the Hoya 46mm EVO Antistatic Protector Filter that has 16-layer super multi-coating.

For the finishing touch (and after much searching), I scored the Gariz Genuine Leather XS-WB1 Camera Hand Strap for Mirrorless that looks absolutely sharp and feels great. And just to be on the safe side, I added a 3" screen protector for the articulated LCD. Nobody wants an unforeseen scratch to mar the glossy sheen of their viewing screen.

If you want to see what this all looks like, I've posted a shot of the E-M5 Mark II on my Flickr page.

When it comes to obsessive, photographers can hold their own with anyone.

And that especially applies to me.

-Derrick

We Need Something New

Here's where things stand at the moment.

Lightroom 6 is just around the corner. I'm sure it will be fine. Just fine. And the official release of Photos for OS X is imminent also. Yay.

Both present decent business opportunities for me. But it's a loveless relationship. I'm not excited. We'll go about our work and get the job done. But that's about it. It's boring sex if you ask me.

Am I jaded? Hardly. I'm spinning cartwheels over my latest camera, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II. I can't get it in my hands often enough. I want to write about it all the time. I feel like a 17 year old with a new muscle car. 

So I know I'm alive. Really, it's not me. It's them.

With Apple selling out to iPhone snapshooters and focusing on Dick Tracy watches, and Adobe plodding along with their mandated release schedules, who's left to knock our socks off? C'mon guys, what happens after we take the picture can be exciting too.

When it comes to photography software, we need something new. Someone, somewhere has to step up to the laptop and give us code to cheer about.

Cloud storage is not the answer. Hell, not even Apple can keep their servers online. I watch what Olympus is doing with pixel shifting sensors, Fujifilm with killer film emulators, Sony with jewel like cameras that take big pictures, and wonder why they can cause tingles when supposedly the smartest companies on the planet settle for catering to the masses.

I wrote about a free app called Fotor recently. Have you seen this thing? It's terrific. Can you imagine if those creative minds attempted to do something big like Lightroom? You would be racing to your computer after a shoot to play with the images.

Here's the thing... I'm not ready for an iPhone-only, cloud storage, auto everything world. I love photography. I want applications that live up to the standards of my cameras.

Right now, I'm a bachelor when it comes to post production. I'm not tied to anyone.

So, someone please,

thrill me.

-Derrick

Now that Aperture Is Near the End

In a few weeks, Apple will remove Aperture from the Mac App Store, and it will no longer be available. This marks the end of one of the best runs of my career.

I first learned about this software for pro photographers in 2004, while having dinner at an Italian restaurant in San Rafael, CA. I was invited there because my name ranked high in a Google search for iPhoto experts. Think of this meeting as a one-on-one focus group. The name Aperture never came up that night. But we talked at great length about how to improve photo management for serious shooters.

A few months later in 2005, Aperture 1.0 was announced by Apple. Soon after, I recorded the first lynda.com training with Scott Bourne, and I was asked by IDG to teach the first Aperture workshop at Macworld Expo in San Francisco.

Over the next few years I enjoyed incredible access at Apple, created the Inside Aperture web site for O’Reilly Media, recorded podcasts on the Apple campus with project manager Joe Schorr, and started the Aperture Resource Center on The Digital Story.

And things did not slow down from there.  I recorded another six Aperture titles for lynda, was invited to speak on photo management at camera clubs and user groups, started my own workshop series teaching the application, and used it daily for my photography work. 

Then in June, 2014 I received a call from Apple PR. “We are ceasing development of Aperture.” Our growing concerns were finally realized. By April 2015, Aperture will no longer be for sale.

I’ve been asked many times what I’m going do next. Move to Lightroom, maybe? I honestly don’t know; we rarely know our next move after a loss.

As I reflect on the last 10 years, I’m grateful for my good fortune. Accepting an invitation to dine at an Italian restaurant in San Rafael was one of the best business decisions I’ve ever made.

A lot has changed since then. Apple is a much different. DSLRs no longer rule photography. My work at O’Reilly remains online, but I haven’t talked to them in years. I will never have the opportunity to teach Aperture again.

To be honest, I really wanted this to keep going. But it’s over. And soon something new will come along. 

And when it does, the adventure begins again.

-Derrick

How I Made Money with Filters

Let me back in to this conversation by saying that this all came about because I've been selling some of my photography gear.

As part of my transition from DSLRs to more compact mirrorless cameras, I've shed a few lenses that I'm not using anymore. A big part of my selling success is that the glass is in great condition. These optics have no marks or scratches, and I pack them in the original boxes with all of the accessories.

Customers like this because they can save money compared to purchasing a brand new lens, yet receive something that looks just as good. And this brings me to filters.

From day one, I put protection filters on my lenses. I've been through all of the discussions about how they may compromise sharpness or degrade contrast. (Of course they're telling this to a guy who regularly shoots through hotel and airplane windows. What do I know?)

But the fact of the matter is, you can buy a good multicoated filter with excellent light transmission, or you can cheap-out for a hunk of glass glued into a metal ring. There's a big difference.

For example, I just bought a Hoya 46mm EVO Antistatic UV Filter for my Olympus 17mm f/1.8 prime lens. It features: 

• 16-Layer Super Multi-Coating 
• EVO Antistatic Coating that Repels Dust, Water, Stain, and is Scratch-Resistant
• Optical Glass Construction

This is a quality optic in its own right, and I don't think my pictures are going to suffer as a result. And since I have many lenses that take this filter size, I will receive years of service from my investment. (I may sell lenses, but I rarely sell filters.)

And this leads me to how I make money with filters. When I sell my lenses, I can list them as "Like New" or "Excellent" condition. This earns me $100-$200 more in revenue for each sale. The front optics are always perfect... they haven't even been cleaned because they don't need it.

I know nobody likes to buy filters (or car tires and things like that). But photographers who are on the go can better protect their gear by shielding that big hunk of glass at the end of their cameras from the elements of the world.

It's not so much an expense, as it is an investment.

-Derrick