Jeff Carlson & Kirk McElhearn

Shows

PhotoActive Hands On with the iPhone 17 ProFifty percent of the PhotoActive podcast got a new iPhone 17 Pro, which means one of us has been testing the new cameras and can report back with first impressions. Who could it be? However, fifty percent of the podcast also got hands-on time with the other new phones, the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. Listen to find out who got what, who’s seen what, and what we think after the first weeks with Apple’s new cameras... we mean phones. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon, Jeff on B...

2025-10-0336 min

PhotoActive iPhone 17 and Apple’s Fall EventThe new iPhone models are here, a yearly event that we look forward to mostly to see what Apple has done with the iPhone cameras. Does a 48 megapixel telephoto camera capable of 8x zoom appeal to you enough to buy a new iPhone Pro? Is the svelte shape of the new iPhone Air compelling enough to pay more for, despite it having just one camera and less battery life? Or did you see the Cosmic Orange color of the iPhone 17 Pro and made your decision immediately based on that? We look at what Apple announced and what we’re lo...

2025-09-1241 min

PhotoActive Photography Police and Google Pro Res ZoomAre you following the proper rules of photography, or are you at risk of being busted by the photography police? Maybe you’re shooting photos out of focus, or introducing light leaks, or using direct flash. All of these can be considered “bad” photography, but they’re also currently popular styles of shooting. Also in this episode, Jeff talks about his experience with the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and its Pro Res Zoom feature that uses generative AI to clean up images shot at up to 100x zoom. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagra...

2025-09-0729 min

PhotoActive Process, Product, and Problem SolvingAre you taking photos for yourself, or are you feeding the social media algorithms for brief dopamine hits when someone praises your images? In this episode, Kirk and Jeff ruminate on how the endless scroll of images is affecting how we enjoy and make photos. And we ask ourselves: what do we really want to photograph? Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon, Jeff on Bluesky Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon, Kirk on Bluesky Show Notes: ...

2025-08-1833 min

PhotoActive Macro PhotographyMacro Photography Don’t know what to photograph? No vacation plans? With macro photography, you can get great results literally in your back yard. What was once a style of photography that required specialized gear is now something you can do well with just your phone — though of course there’s plenty of gear available if you want to go deeper into it. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon, Jeff on Bluesky Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastod...

2025-08-0130 min

PhotoActive Fuji X-Half, AI Scaling, and Lightroom ChangesFujifilm’s new X-Half camera is a curious hybrid: a digital camera with analog feel but a modern price. We also discuss news of OM Systems possibly using AI upscaling in future cameras to boost resolution and look at a few changes in the latest versions of Lightroom. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon, Jeff on Bluesky Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon, Kirk on Bluesky Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co)...

2025-07-2131 min

PhotoActive Traveling with a CameraIt’s the night before you leave for vacation and you need to choose which camera gear goes and stays. Do you reach for the 300mm telephoto, knowing it can get great photos but is large and bulky? Or do you take the smallest camera you can carry to ensure you have it with you at all times? And what else needs to come along? In this episode, Jeff and Kirk think about being on vacation, equipment they’ve taken on past trips, and what they would take now. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on I...

2025-07-0434 min

PhotoActive WWDC 2025Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference is always the first glimpse at what we can look forward to with new Apple software, including a peek at the photo capabilities of the next iPhones. And with iOS 26 and the Liquid Glass interface, things are going to look a lot different in the fall. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon, Jeff on Bluesky Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon, Kirk on Bluesky Show Notes: (View show notes with images at...

2025-06-1330 min

PhotoActive Checking In on AI in PhotographyWe know, it seems like we just talked about AI in photography, but the field is moving pretty fast. Google announced improvements to their generative AI models, which are both impressive and sloppy at the same time. We also look at new AI-based landscape masking tools in Lightroom, speculate on what WWDC could bring to Apple’s Photo app, and more. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon, Jeff on Bluesky Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon, Kirk on Bluesky ...

2025-05-3133 min

PhotoActive A Surrender: Markus Naarttijärvi and Daniel AgeeIt’s another photo book! We’re joined by photographer Markus Naarttijärvi and publisher Daniel Agee to talk about Markus’s new book A Surrender. When we last talked to Daniel, he was at photo service Glass, but now he’s struck out on his own to form the publishing company Good Fight, and A Surrender is the first title. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon, Jeff on Bluesky Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon, Kirk on Bluesky Guests...

2025-05-1642 min

PhotoActive Quintin Lake’s Book The PerimeterQuintin Lake traversed the Coast of Britain over several years, photographing and documenting the journey. Now, he’s turned his well-received project into a new photo book called The Perimeter. We welcome Quintin back to PhotoActive not just as a guest, but as an in-person guest with Kirk in his house in the UK. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon, Jeff on Bluesky Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon, Kirk on Bluesky Show Notes: (View show no...

2025-05-0235 min

PhotoActive US Tariffs and Camera GearThe US government has begun to impose high tariffs on goods brought in from nearly every country in the world. Since most camera gear is made in Japan and China, what does this mean for the industry and, more important, for your own purchasing decisions? Since the policies are changing by the day, we decided to release this episode a week early. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon, Jeff on Bluesky Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon, Kirk on...

2025-04-1129 min

PhotoActive Fujifilm GFX100RF, A Medium Format Walking Around CameraWith the bonkers success of the Fujifilm X100VI, it seemed only a matter of time before Fuji made a compact camera based around its GFX medium format line. That’s the recently-announced GFX100RF, a new compact-ish, 100 megapixel, fixed-lens, $5,000 camera. We look at the inventions and the tradeoffs incorporated into this high-res entrant into the compact field. (Image: Fujifilm) Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon, Jeff on Bluesky Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon, Kirk on Bl...

2025-04-0432 min

PhotoActive Photoshop on iPhoneAdobe has released Photoshop for iPhone, a bonafide version of real Photoshop, not to be confused with Photoshop Express or other earlier variations. We take a look at this new app with one main question in our minds: Who is this for? A programming note: Toward the end of the episode we talk about using the Remove tool in Photoshop and Lightroom, but Jeff forgot to take screenshots. When he tried to reproduce the same actions later, he didn’t get the same results as described while we were doing it. So we apologize that we don’t ha...

2025-03-2429 min

PhotoActive Leica Lux Grip and App for iPhoneTwo episodes ago Jeff expressed cynicism about iPhone add-ons that try to make the phone more like a traditional camera. And yet here we are looking at Kirk’s new Leica LUX Grip accessory...and not hating it? Learn about why this could be the camera grip for the iPhone that succeeds where others falter, and how the Leica LUX app does some very smart things in the name of photography. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon, Jeff on Bluesky Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on In...

2025-03-0741 min

PhotoActive David Young’s Brief History of PhotographyOn this week’s episode we welcome David Young, photographer and author of the new book A Brief History of Photography: From the Very Beginning to the Age of Digital. It may feel like photography is only a little more than a hundred years old, but the principles of the art, from lens design to chemistry, have been around for centuries. We had a great conversation about things that surprised David while researching the book, the long obsession with ultra-wide apertures, and more. Author photo courtesy of Alex Hurst (Ireland). Guest: David Young, Flickr, Bo...

2025-02-2233 min

PhotoActive iPhone Camera AccessoriesPhotographers love to accessorize their cameras, and the iPhone is no different. A case is one thing, but what about other photo-centric add-ons? Should you buy an extra-wide or telephoto lens that snaps in front of the built-in cameras? What about grips and shutter buttons that make the iPhone feel more like a traditional camera? We weigh in with our opinions and experiences with these types of embellishments. (And Jeff accidentally uses the B-word.) Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon, Jeff on Bluesky Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's...

2025-02-1132 min

PhotoActive Photographing the LA FiresThe recent devastating fires in Los Angeles have created a lot of fire photography, and some of it compelling both for its content and its artistry. We talk about the challenges of photographing such extreme situations. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon, Jeff on Bluesky Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon, Kirk on Bluesky Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! Jake Sullivan...

2025-01-2428 min

PhotoActive AI in Photography in 2025We’ve been looking at various AI-related photography topics in recent episodes, such as using the Clean Up feature in the Photos app to remove unwanted items or the bigger question of “What is a photo?” Now it’s time to look broadly at what AI can offer photographers and where we think it’s going. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon, Jeff on Bluesky Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon, Kirk on Bluesky Show Notes: (View show...

2025-01-1035 min

PhotoActive Cleaning Up LibrariesAs we wrap up 2024, we’re realizing our photo libraries have grown quite a bit—in Jeff’s case, almost filling his cloud storage. So as we anticipate some holiday downtime, we’re turning our attention to strategies for cleaning up our photo libraries. Note that we’re taking the next episode off to celebrate Christmas, so our next scheduled episode is January 10, 2025. Happy holidays! Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Show Not...

2024-12-1327 min

PhotoActive What Is a Photo?Our recent discussions of AI and the Photos Clean Up tool have brought us full circle to the bigger question: What is a photo? Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Sponsor: Nitro from Gentlemen Coders Currently featured by Apple as an “App We Love,” Nitro is the new photo editor and manager for Mac, iPhone and iPad from the developer of RAW Power. And now, Nitro is on sale...

2024-12-0134 min

PhotoActive Photos Clean Up Aimless pedestrians wandering in the background of your photo? Trash on the ground in the foreground? Apple can help. In this episode we're looking at Clean Up, the new Apple Intelligence tool in the Photos app that uses generative AI to remove areas of a photo. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the...

2024-11-1832 min

PhotoActive iPhone Photo File FormatsIn our quest to better understand the often-confusing changes and additions to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro photo situation, we’ve decided to tackle the photo file formats. HEIF, ProRAW, JPEG-XL... there are a lot of options to choose from. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! Episode 172: Photographic Styles on iP...

2024-11-0438 min

PhotoActive Photographic Styles on the iPhone 16The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro introduce a new twist on an existing feature, and the result is... confusion and complexity. Photographic Styles can be very powerful, but it really requires you to dig into the details. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter at the bottom of...

2024-10-1835 min

PhotoActive iPhone 16 Pro Hands-OnNow that Kirk and Jeff have received their iPhone 16 Pros, it’s time to take them into the world and see how the new photographic features work. Is the Camera Control all it’s cracked up to be? Does a 48 megapixel ultra-wide camera make much difference? We talk about our first hands-on experiences with Apple’s new pocket cameras—sorry, mobile phones. Oh, and what about all this Apple Intelligence stuff? Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, K...

2024-10-0435 min

PhotoActive iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 ProIt’s that time again: new iPhones! By which we mean, of course, new Apple Cameras That Also Do Other Stuff. Kirk and Jeff are both upgrading their phones this year, largely due to the new Camera Control button but also the 48 MP (megapixel) ultra-wide camera and the new 48 MP Fusion camera that reads data fast enough to remove the shutter lag when shooting raw images. There’s a lot to discuss in this bonus-length episode! Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk...

2024-09-1344 min

PhotoActive Peakto 2.0 with Matthieu KoppIs your photo library spread out among different drives and apps? We’re not talking about maybe having a couple of Lightroom Classic catalogs—it’s not uncommon now for a photographer to have Lightroom libraries, Capture One libraries, Apple Photos libraries, even old iPhoto and Aperture libraries collected over the years. In this episode we welcome back Matthieu Kopp of CYME to talk about version 2.0 of the utility Peakto, which can bring sense to all of that accumulated chaos. As a bonus, Matthieu also shared a discount code for PhotoActive listeners to get 15% off any CYME app: P...

2024-08-1638 min

PhotoActive Image StabilizationMany cameras now feature IBIS: in-body image stabilization. But do you really need a stabilized body? Can you use just a stabilized lens? And for that matter, is image stabilization just a crutch for lazy photographers? Also in this episode, we ponder perfect photo destinations. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!

2024-08-0238 min

PhotoActive Sensors and LUTsTouting Panasonic’s new LUMIX S9 camera, a representative was quoted saying that Micro Four Thirds sensors are more difficult to understand than full-frame sensors, especially for people with “low camera literacy.” That piqued our interest, because many photographers assume that a full-frame sensor is just inherently better. But is that true? And is it really that confusing? We also touch on LUTs, which Panasonic is pushing on the S9 by dedicating a button to choosing different look-up tables for creative color rendering in camera. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass...

2024-07-1935 min

PhotoActive Pentax 17 and Photo Social AppsIf you're wondering whether film photography is really experiencing a resurgence in popularity, the announcement of the Pentax 17 is your answer. It's a brand-new film-only camera with some interesting design choices. Also in this episode, we talk about social media alternatives to Instagram for photographers. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Sponsor: Photo Scout from Cascable Photo Scout is an app for people who love to take photos...

2024-07-0733 min

PhotoActive AI and Photography from WWDCApple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) is where we learn about what’s coming in the company’s many operating systems, and this year was focused on machine learning features and AI - Apple Intelligence. That turns out to have a lot of significance on photography, such as in searching your photo library and making edits in the Photos app. We look at what was announced and how it will affect the way we work with photos in the fall. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhe...

2024-06-2131 min

PhotoActive M4 iPad ProApple has released the new M4-powered iPad Pro, and Kirk bought one straightaway. Is it worth buying for photographers? Plus, we mention what’s changed in the new Lightroom releases and welcome a new sponsor: Photo Scout by Cascable! Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Sponsor: Photo Scout from Cascable Photo Scout is an app for people who love to take photos, but don’t love checking suns...

2024-06-0336 min

PhotoActive Photo CriticismPart of enjoying photography is understanding photography. What makes a “good” photo? How much of that is based on the circumstances around its creation? In this episode, we talk about looking at photography with a critical eye. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Sponsor: Nitro from Gentlemen Coders Nitro is the brand new photo editor and manager from the developer of RAW Power. Designed for every photographer and ever...

2024-05-1739 min

PhotoActive Gear Acquisition SyndromeGear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) is a running joke among photographers (and musicians), but it's also a real thing that can spin us up with the desire to buy some new camera or lens. We look at what drives this compulsion, and try to be honest about whether it affects us as photographers. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Sponsor: Nitro from Gentlemen Coders Nitro is the brand new...

2024-05-0334 min

PhotoActive Nitro with Nik BhattGentleman Coder Nik Bhatt returns to talk about Nitro, his all-new photo editor for macOS (and soon, iOS and iPadOS). As the successor to RAW Power, Nitro has a lot to live up to. Nik talks about what prompted him to build a new app from the ground up, adding new features like masking, supporting cameras that Apple ignores, and more. Guest: Nik Bhatt Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon ...

2024-04-0539 min

PhotoActive Primed by SeeingWe were recently asked about where we find inspiration while making photos, which led Kirk and Jeff to muse on the idea of being primed to find photo subjects. It’s not enough to arrive at a destination with a blank slate—you’ll create better photos and enjoy the experience more if you prime yourself to see what’s in front of you. That can come from photo books, online photos of the same area, and more. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's p...

2024-03-2235 min

PhotoActive Fuji X100VI and the Appeal of Small Fixed-Lens CamerasThe entire Internet - yes, the whole thing, trust us - is going crazy for the new Fujifilm X100VI compact fixed-lens camera. What’s the appeal of this not-inexpensive camera? Its predecessor was in such demand that Fujifilm just stopped manufacturing it because it couldn’t keep up...for more than a year. And now the X100VI is backordered until summer. Is it all just influencer hype? [Main photo credit: Fujifilm] Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on I...

2024-03-0834 min

PhotoActive AI RevisitedIn five years, will our cameras look anything like today’s cameras? We’ve seen staggering advancements in AI technologies in photography, so in this episode we stretch our imaginations to think about where things are headed. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! Episode 157: Photos at the High End: Hasselblad 907x/CF...

2024-02-2335 min

PhotoActive Photos at the High End: Hasselblad 907x/CFV 100CWhat would you do with 100 megapixels? Jeff recently had the opportunity to shoot with the new Hasselblad 907x/CFV 100C, a medium format camera in the form factor of Hasselblad’s classic film bodies. This $8,200 (body only, of course) system made him rethink the photographic muscle memory he’s developed over the years, as well as the mental-muscle-memory of how to approach making photos. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Show Notes:

2024-02-0933 min

PhotoActive The Rescue Mission with Derrick StoryIt’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking the photos on your old hard drives are perfectly safe. But are they really? Our guest Derrick Story needed to extract 200,000 images saved in Apple’s discontinued Aperture software on an old Drobo storage array. Using a combination of an old MacBook that could run Aperture and modern software like Peakto for organizing the extracted images, he was able to restore them all. Guest: Derrick Story Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk...

2024-01-2639 min

PhotoActive Favorites from The Photo BookTo wrap up the year, we thought we’d turn our attention to selections from The Photo Book, a massive, rich collection of photography from some of the best photographers throughout the history of the art form. Out of hundreds of images, we each picked five photos and explain what about them caught our eyes. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co...

2023-12-1535 min

PhotoActive Lens BlurIt’s time to talk about the B-word again! Jeff couldn’t trick Kirk into saying “bokeh,” but this week we’re looking at a few ways to get background blur using Portrait mode in the iPhone and editing in Lightroom. Technology has improved quite a lot in the last couple of years, to the point where simulated bokeh can sometimes pass off as natural lens blur. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Show Not...

2023-12-0135 min

PhotoActive M3 MacsThe photographer’s dilemma rears again. Not only are we sometimes struck by gear acquisition syndrome when new cameras are announced, we run into it when new computers that can process our images come to market. In this case, it’s the new M3 MacBook Pro and M3 iMac models from Apple. Will the M3 processor make a difference when working with photos? If you bought an M1 iMac when it came out, is it time to upgrade? Kirk and Jeff hash it out. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff...

2023-11-1738 min

PhotoActive Android and AIGoogle’s Pixel phones are held up as the Android smartphones to follow, and their cameras are often pitted against the iPhone as examples of the state of the art. However, as Kirk discovered when he bought a Pixel 8, the details matter... such as the Pixel 8 not being able to use the full resolution of its main camera. Also in this episode, we check in with some new developments in the generative photography world with Adobe’s release of Firefly 2 and GenAI integration in Photoshop. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glas...

2023-11-0328 min

PhotoActive iPhone 15 Hands OnOn the surface, making photos with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro is relatively simple: pick a zoom level, pick a format (raw or not), and go. But as soon as you get just below the surface, you’re faced with a surprising amount of complexity. In this episode, we wade into all the megapixels (including from the iPhone 14 Pro) to try to make sense of it all. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon ...

2023-10-1329 min

PhotoActive Episode 150: iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 ProWho wants to talk megapixels and tetraprisms? In this episode, recorded shortly after Apple announced the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, Kirk and Jeff look at the specs and possibilities of the newest cameras-that-also-make-calls. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodon Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! Which iPhone 15 Is Right for You? The iPhone 15 Pro...

2023-09-2937 min

PhotoActive Daniel Agee on Glass Year 2In episode 111, we talked to the founders of the photo app and community Glass about their approach to making a social photo service that isn’t exhausting or frustrating like Instagram or many others. For this episode, we catch up with Daniel Agee, the head of Marketing and Community at Glass, to talk about Glass’s two year anniversary, eschewing VC funding, and how community is making such a difference. Guest: Daniel Agee, Photography, Daniel on Glass. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: webs...

2023-09-0140 min

PhotoActive Creativity with S J Watson“With writing I’m trying to use a story to create images, and with photography I’m trying to use images to create a story.” That’s S J Watson, best-selling novelist of Before I Go to Sleep. In this episode we talk to him about how street photography feeds his writing and vice-versa, and the way different endeavors contribute to creative mindsets. Guest: SJ Watson, Photography. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk on Mastodo...

2023-08-1833 min

PhotoActive Is Photo Editing Too Difficult?Is photo editing too difficult? Layers and sliders and specialized apps and lots of options are available to us for processing our digital photos. How much is too much, and are we moving away from photography and getting lost in software? Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! Episode 129: Visualizing the Edit Our Snapshots: Jeff: DJI...

2023-08-0431 min

PhotoActive Tea and CoffeeWhen we record PhotoActive, Kirk is at the end of his day in the U.K. and Jeff has just begun in Seattle, which means we both start off with steaming mugs of our favorite caffeinated beverages. For a change, we thought we’d make this the tea and coffee episode, essential ingredients for any photographer. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the Ph...

2023-07-2140 min

PhotoActive Kirk Simplifies with One CameraHe really went and did it. When Kirk decided to simplify his photography setup, he sold all of his Fujifilm cameras and lenses, put the Leica Q2 Monochrom up for sale, and bought a brand new Leica Q3. In this episode, we talk about the reasons behind such a drastic move and the advantages of simplifying your gear. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and...

2023-07-0735 min

PhotoActive Wrangling Libraries with Matthieu KoppIf you’re like Jeff and Kirk, you probably have multiple photo libraries spread across your disks. Whether it’s because you use several editing apps, or some libraries are tied to outdated applications (RIP Apple Aperture), you don’t want to lose track of all those photos. This week, Matthieu Kopp of CYME joins us to talk about converting and managing multiple libraries using CYME’s utilities Avalanche and Peakto, and why both tasks aren’t as simple as you might think. Guest: Matthieu Kopp, CYME Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagr...

2023-06-2334 min

PhotoActive Mike Shaw Wants You to Enjoy the StarsThe weather is warming up, the skies are clearing, and we point our eyes and cameras to the sky. But capturing the night sky well requires more than just snapping a photo of the heavens. Mike Shaw, author of the new book The Beginner’s Guide to Astrophotography, joins us to talk about what gear you need—yes, you can do it with a smartphone!—and how to make stunning star photos. Guest: Mike Shaw, Instagram Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's...

2023-06-0937 min

PhotoActive PhotomatorThe folks behind Pixelmator Pro have just released Photomator for Mac, iPhone, and iPad, and it’s won us over. Designed as a straightforward photo editor (versus the can-do-everything that is Pixelmator Pro), Photomator is surprisingly deep for an app that on the surface is non-intimidating. In this episode, we look at the new Mac version and why it’s likely to become Kirk’s main photo editor. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes...

2023-05-2636 min

PhotoActive You Say You Want a ResolutionCamera resolution is easy, right? More pixels, more quality, more options, more better! But as soon as you start digging into it, from the iPhone 14 Pro’s 48 megapixels to Sony sensors with 60 megapixels, all sorts of considerations make themselves known. Do you need that much resolution? How did we survive with less than 20 MP in the recent past? We pixel-peep and also look at the big picture. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes wi...

2023-05-1231 min

PhotoActive Denoise and Healing ToolsAdobe added a new AI-assisted denoise feature to Lightroom and a Remove tool in the public beta of Photoshop, both of which are impressive. But how many photographers find themselves using these and other tools? Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! DxO PureRAW 3 Bring on the noise: How to save high ISO files deemed ‘too noisy’

2023-04-2929 min

PhotoActive The Rant EpisodeIt’s time to rant. Are photographers spending too much energy in front of the computer instead of behind the camera? Does posting a photo to a public forum make it an invitation for criticism? And is there actually a good street photo of a woman looking at her cell phone amid all the copycats out there? This isn’t just curmudgeonly banter—we dig into some photographic issues that have been gnawing at us. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show...

2023-04-1432 min

PhotoActive DPReview and AI PhotographyWe had an entirely different topic planned for this episode and then learned just before recording that the website DPReview is being shut down after 25 years of covering digital photography and being the best resource for camera reviews. At about the same time, Adobe announced Firefly, its generative AI tool for making photos and artwork by typing text prompts. What does it all mean for photographers? Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show...

2023-03-3132 min

PhotoActive Zoom Lenses with Chris NiccollsChris Niccolls joins us this episode to talk about zoom lenses! Chris gets to shoot using most new cameras and lenses for DPReview TV, so we wanted to tap into his extensive hands-on experience with zooms. Do they require too many compromises? Why are some so expensive? And can we put to rest the idea that real photographers only shoot with prime lenses? Guest: Chris Niccolls, Instagram Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass, Kirk...

2023-03-1734 min

PhotoActive Photo PreconceptionsDo you use a particular lens or photographic technique because someone said that was the only way to do it? In this episode, we break down some common photo preconceptions. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! Joel Meyerowitz Retrospective at Kunst Haus Wien The Beauty of f/4 Lenses Our Snapshots: Jeff...

2023-03-0435 min

PhotoActive Metadata“I never metadata I didn’t like.” Do we need to spend hours entering metadata for our images? Or do we even care about metadata? We look at why metadata is important, and at some automated solutions like AI-assisted object recognition in the Photos app, Lightroom, and other tools. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! Oops! Did Vi...

2023-02-1729 min

PhotoActive Mike Hipple Lived Through ThatWe’re excited to welcome photographer Mike Hipple to talk about his latest book “Lived Through That: 90s Musicians Today.” What started as an artistic distraction to photograph creative people spawned a book of iconic 1980s musicians, “80s Redux!,” which he followed up with this book of notable music makers of the next decade. We talk about working on such a large project, dealing with unexpected adversity, and improvising on the fly. Guest: Mike Hipple: Instagram, website Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass, Jeff on Mastodon Kirk McElhearn: website, K...

2023-02-0332 min

PhotoActive New Year, New GoalsWhat will your photography look like in the new year? Although Kirk and Jeff are wary of making any New Year’s resolutions, they each came up with photographic goals to chase that involve learning new skills and pushing out of their comfort zones. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! The Real Deal: Field Notes from th...

2023-01-2032 min

PhotoActive The Best Focal LengthPerhaps you’ve heard that there’s an ideal focal length that is the closest approximation to the human eye. Or perhaps you’re a purist who can’t imagine shooting anything but a 50mm prime. In this episode, Jeff and Kirk dig into these preconceptions and talk about how focal length affects your photography. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the Phot...

2022-12-2338 min

PhotoActive Buying a New CameraOctober and November bring a deluge of new camera announcements, which gets our minds to thinking, “Do we need new cameras?” But buying a camera today is different than it was just a few years ago, with factors such as AI-based autofocus systems and much higher megapixel sensors that affect everything from memory cards to computer storage. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and...

2022-12-0932 min

PhotoActive Apple Photos Little-Known FeaturesIn this episode, we’re focusing our attention on features in the Photos apps for Mac and iOS/iPadOS. Did you know you can select text in images, select and copy subjects with a single touch, identify plants and animals, and identify duplicates in your library? We show you how. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! Hi...

2022-11-2534 min

PhotoActive Visualizing the EditWhen you look through the viewfinder of your camera, what do you see? Just the scene in front of the lens, or the version you know is possible when you edit the shot later in software? This week Jeff and Kirk talk about visualizing the edit while you’re shooting to get photos that look the way you remember or how you’d prefer them to be. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show...

2022-11-1131 min

PhotoActive New iPads and Lightroom UpdatesApple announced new iPad and iPad Pro models aimed at two very different audiences, but how do they look for photographers? Also new are updates to Adobe’s Lightroom line of products, bringing improved AI-based masking features to the broad suite of photo editing apps. Jeff and Kirk weigh in on these and more in the latest episode. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Ra...

2022-10-2833 min

PhotoActive Hands-On with the iPhone 14 Pro CamerasApple says every new iPhone is the Best Ever iPhone, but when it comes to the cameras in the iPhone 14 Pro, could that be more than just hyperbole? Find out why Kirk thinks this model is a game-changer, hear our opinions on how it stacks up to other phones on the market, and discover the pros and cons we’ve discovered when photographing with these remarkable portable devices. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (Vi...

2022-10-1438 min

PhotoActive Portfolio Building with William NeillPutting together a photo portfolio doesn’t need to be a daunting task. William Neill returns to PhotoActive to talk about his new book, The Photographer's Portfolio Development Workshop, and share advice on how to edit, organize, and present your best work. Guest: William Neill: Instagram, website Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! The Ph...

2022-09-3031 min

PhotoActive Gunning the Photonic Engine with the iPhone 14 CamerasHere we go again: Apple has released the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, with more camera enhancements including a new 48 megapixel sensor on the Pro. What is pixel binning? Is the Photonic Engine just marketing terminology? Kirk and Jeff break down what’s new…while waiting for the phones they ordered to arrive. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!

2022-09-1638 min

PhotoActive Food Photography with Lauren Caris ShortHow do you make mouth-watering photos of food? This week we’re joined by Lauren Caris Short, author of the beautiful new book The Complete Guide to Food Photography to talk about what it takes to be a food photographer. Lighting, food styling, composition... photographing food is a multi-disciplined photo endeavor. Guest: Lauren Caris Short: Instagram, website, YouTube [Photo of Lauren Caris Short by Tommy Reynolds] Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes:...

2022-09-0239 min

PhotoActive Learn Your CameraIt’s easy to forget that your camera is more than just a box that records light. It’s a sophisticated computer with a huge amount of control over the light that hits the sensor. In this episode we talk about why it’s important to (gasp) read the manual, experiment with features, and gain a better understanding of the camera’s capabilities. This isn’t just an exhortation to RTFM, but a practical look at what you can get out of it. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn...

2022-08-1934 min

PhotoActive The Photographer's RadarIn our last episode, Kirk asked a question that stumped Jeff: While on vacation, did Jeff ever think about not taking a camera with him for a day? Being a photographer of any level means you look at the world a little differently—you develop a “photographer’s eye,” but could that be a detriment? Is it possible to just enjoy one’s surroundings without looking for compositions and dynamic lighting? Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes:...

2022-08-0535 min

PhotoActive Jeff's European Photo AdventureJeff just returned from two weeks in France and Italy with almost 3000 photos, even though his was a family vacation and not a “photo trip,” per se. From choosing gear to bring and finding time to make photos amid demands of travel and family, it turned out to be an interesting photographic challenge. We talk about what Jeff experienced and learned for the next adventure. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with...

2022-07-2240 min

PhotoActive The Cameras of the FutureWhat do the cameras of the future look like? The ones we use now are vastly different from cameras just a decade or two ago, so it’s reasonable to assume that changes will continue to advance. Jeff and Kirk speculate on what’s coming. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! The Smarter Image column at Popu...

2022-06-2436 min

PhotoActive WWDC and New Apple OSesApple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) wrapped up last week, and with it a lot of news about hardware like the M2-powered MacBook Air and what's coming in macOS Ventura, iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and watchOS 9. In this episode, Jeff and Kirk look at what struck their interest for photographers. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! 2022 WWDC Keynote

2022-06-1037 min

PhotoActive Scott Kelby's Travel TipsScott Kelby joins us this week to talk about travel photography, using the years of experience he’s gained and now collected into his new book The Travel Photography Book. We often want to start by figuring out what gear to bring, but Scott makes that point that there are far more important things to consider first. Guest: Scott Kelby: Instagram, website Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with im...

2022-05-2737 min

PhotoActive John Cornicello on Lens DistortionIn episode 110, Kirk and Jeff talked about dealing with distortion when you’re editing your photos. Now we’re happy to welcome portrait photographer and educator John Cornicello to discuss distortion when you’re photographing. You know those grids of headshots that demonstrate how wide-angle lenses cause distorted features? They’re wrong, and John explains why. Guest: John Cornicello: Instagram, website Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at Photo...

2022-05-1329 min

PhotoActive iPad Photo EditingIs an iPad good for photo editing? It can be great for slimming your amount of gear on a trip, but what tradeoffs are involved? In this episode, Jeff and Kirk look at using an iPad or iPad Pro in a photography workflow, from importing images to culling and sorting to editing the photos. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the...

2022-04-2932 min

PhotoActive iPhone Camera Tips & TricksMillions of people take billions of photos using the built-in Camera app on their iPhones, so we wanted to do an episode all about the clever and sometimes hidden capabilities of this camera that’s always with you. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! Outsmart Your iPhone Camera's Overzealous AI Episode 102: The iPhone 13 Pro Ca...

2022-04-1536 min

PhotoActive Bryan Jones on Why Color Doesn't ExistAn offhand remark from our guest Bryan Jones when he was a guest on a previous episode stuck with us: “You know color doesn’t actually exist, right?” We had to invite him back to explain! Jones, a retinal neuroscientist, explains that color is really a shared hallucination and talks about how photographers can take advantage of this knowledge. Guest: Bryan William Jones: Instagram, website, Flickr Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View s...

2022-04-0140 min

PhotoActive Do Photographers Need the Mac Studio?Apple announced the Mac Studio, a brand new M1-based desktop Mac that smokes the performance of even the Mac Pro. But is it a good machine for photographers? Jeff and Kirk discuss what’s interesting about the Mac Studio and the new Studio Display. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! Episode #16 - Buying and Selling Ca...

2022-03-1836 min

PhotoActive Dan Bracaglia on Rediscovering JoyDan Bracaglia joins us again to talk about that perennial problem: rekindling the joy of photography. Especially in winter, it’s easy to remain uninspired about photography, when in fact we know that there are image possibilities everywhere. We chat about some unusual steps to find fun in photography. Guest: Dan Bracaglia: Instagram, website Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram, Jeff on Glass Kirk McElhearn: website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram, Kirk on Glass Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Re...

2022-03-0435 min

PhotoActive Photo StorageWhere are your photos stored? Internal disks, external drives, network-attached storage? In this episode, Kirk and Jeff talk about strategies for where to put and access all those digital files your cameras create. Hosts: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram Subscribe to the PhotoActive Instagram account Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! Episode 37: Backups and 360-degree Cameras Take Control of Your Digital Storage, by Jeff Carlson Our...

2021-08-2033 min

PhotoActive P Is for ProfessionalDo you capture photos using your camera’s automatic modes, or do you shoot using manual settings? Jeff and Kirk debate both approaches, looking at situations where each is appropriate and clarifying which features constitute “auto” modes. Hosts: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram Subscribe to the PhotoActive Instagram account Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! Episode 89: Buttons and Knobs Opinion: Do we really need all those buttons and dials...

2021-05-2837 min

PhotoActive The Exposure SquareYou may be familiar with the Exposure Triangle for determining exposure in photos, which is made up of ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. In this episode, Kirk explains that it's actually an Exposure Square we need to consider. We also discover the limits of Jeff's knowledge of film photography terms, since his photographic experience is almost entirely digital. Hosts: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram Subscribe to the PhotoActive Instagram account Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and...

2020-07-0336 min

PhotoActive Manual Focus Lenses and Jeff's New Luminar BookThe autofocus capabilities in today’s cameras are amazing, so why would anyone buy a lens that offers only manual focus? Jeff and Kirk talk about situations where autofocus isn’t a consideration, such as buying inexpensive fast lenses or using an adapter to mount one brand’s lenses on another brand’s camera (like Nikon lenses on a Fujifilm body). We also chat about Jeff’s just-released book, The Photographer’s Guide to Luminar 4. We’ll be giving away a few copies to subscribers of the PhotoActive mailing list, and we also have a 40% discount code to share. Hosts:

2020-04-2433 min

PhotoActive Sharing PhotosPhotos are meant to be shared, but with digital photos the options multiply. In this episode, Kirk McElhearn and Jeff Carlson look at several ways to share photos with friends and family. Hosts: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram Subscribe to the PhotoActive Instagram account Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! Mail Drop limits, Apple How to Use AirDrop to Securely Share or Transfer Files Use Shared...

2020-03-1332 min

PhotoActive Remote TriggeredIt’s time to step away from your camera. No, not put it away for the holidays—we’re talking about triggering the camera remotely! In this episode, Jeff and Kirk talk about various ways to trip the shutter from afar, such as using an Apple Watch to control the Camera app on an iPhone, remote cable releases, and products that control a mirrorless or DSLR via apps. Hosts: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram Subscribe to the PhotoActive Instagram account Show Notes: (View show notes...

2019-12-0632 min

PhotoActive Photos App in iOS 13 and macOS CatalinaPhotos App in iOS 13 and macOS Catalina Now that iOS 13, iPadOS 13, and macOS Catalina are out, Jeff and Kirk have some strong opinions on the changes made to the Photos app for each platform. It's time to rant a little. Sponsor Luma Labs - Everyone needs a camera strap that is both comfortable and practical. The Luma Loop lets you carry your camera as a sling or snug to your body when you’re not using it. The new Luma Loop 3.5 features custom designed mounting hardware so you don’t have to choose betw...

2019-11-0835 min

PhotoActive Memory CardsYour camera stores photos on memory cards, but trying to understand them is a confusing mess of acronyms, speed claims, and marketing. What’s the difference between a UHS-I SD card and a UHS-II card? We break it all down, including why you may not want the fastest (and more expensive) cards available. Sponsor Masters of Photography, online masterclasses with the greatest photographers in the world. Get 5% off any course with the code PHOTOACTIVE. https://mastersof.photography Hosts: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram ...

2019-05-1034 min

PhotoActive Bird Photography with Marie ReadWe’re excited to welcome Marie Read, author of the book Mastering Bird Photography (Rocky Nook), to the podcast. She talks about getting started with bird photography, where to find interesting birds, and, yes, we necessarily talk a bit about gear, since a good telephoto lens is essential for this type of photography. Sponsor Masters of Photography, online masterclasses with the greatest photographers in the world. Get 5% off any course with the code PHOTOACTIVE. https://mastersof.photography Guest: Marie Read Mastering Bird Photography, by Marie Read Marie Read Wildlife Photography on Facebook ...

2019-04-2633 min

PhotoActive The Benefits of Digital Asset ManagersDo you store your photos in an application or in specific locations on your hard disk? In this episode, Jeff and Kirk talk about the advantages of using a Digital Asset Manager (DAM) such as Apple Photos, Lightroom, or Luminar. Sponsor Masters of Photography, online masterclasses with the greatest photographers in the world. Get 5% off any course with the code PHOTOACTIVE. https://mastersof.photography Hosts: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co)

2018-12-2832 min

PhotoActive Understanding iCloud Photo LibraryIf you use Apple’s Photos app on your Mac or iOS device, are you also synchronizing your images via iCloud Photo Library? In this week’s episode, Jeff and Kirk talk about the pros and cons of Apple’s cloud service for photos. Why should you consider it? What are the downsides? And if you have your images in the cloud, is that considered a backup? (No, it’s not. We explain why.) Sponsor Masters of Photography, online masterclasses with the greatest photographers in the world. Get 5% off any course with the code PHOTOACTIVE. https...

2018-11-1632 min

PhotoActive Editing Photos in iOS AppsWe’ve talked about using an iPhone as a camera, but what about as a photo editor? The iPhone and iPad have come a long way since the early models, and they’re now quite capable digital darkrooms. But can you do “real” editing on them? Jeff and Kirk reveal how they use their devices with their photos, and cover some of the top editing apps for iOS. Sponsor Masters of Photography, online masterclasses with the greatest photographers in the world. Get 5% off any course with the code PHOTOACTIVE. https://mastersof.photography Hosts: Jeff...

2018-10-2632 min

PhotoActive Time-Lapse PhotographyTime-lapse photography can create dramatic short videos - think about clouds zooming overhead throughout the course of a day or flowers blooming in seconds - but creating time-lapse videos turns out to be remarkably easy. In this episode, Jeff and Kirk walk through the process of using the Time-Lapse mode in the iOS Camera app as well as capturing time-lapse photos with traditional cameras. Sponsor Masters of Photography, online masterclasses with the greatest photographers in the world. Get 5% off any course with the code PHOTOACTIVE. https://mastersof.photography/ref/27/?campaign=PhotoActive Hosts: ...

2018-09-0729 min

PhotoActive Black & WhiteJeff Carlson and Kirk McElhearn chat about black and white photos: the history of black and white photography, the various ways you can convert your photos to black and white, and how you can shoot and think in black and white. Sponsor Take Control Books. Get 30% off any Take Control Books purchase with the coupon code PHOTOACTIVE. Go to www.takecontrolbooks.com/photoactive Hosts: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram Show notes: See the full show notes, including photos, screenshots, and...

2018-06-1533 min

PhotoActive Managing Photo LibrariesJeff Carlson and Kirk McElhearn discuss why you want some sort of photo library in place, such as Photos or Lightroom, and their different approaches to managing their images. We dig into software, keywords, machine learning-based search, and the advantages (and annoyances) of cloud-based libraries. Sponsor Charcoal Book Club. Get 10% off a membership to regularly receive photo books. Go to www.charcoalbookclub.com and use the coupon code PHOTOACTIVE to get the discount automatically. Hosts: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram Show notes:

2018-06-0831 min

PhotoActive Introducing the PhotoActive PodcastJeff Carlson and Kirk McElhearn introduce PhotoActive, a podcast about photography and the Apple ecosystem. We explain what we plan to cover in this podcast, and how you can participate. Hosts: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram Sponsor Take Control Books. Get 30% off any Take Control Books purchase with the coupon code PHOTOACTIVE. Go to www.takecontrolbooks.com/photoactive Show notes: See the full show notes, including photos, screenshots, and more, here. Jeff's article from 2006 about his experience shooting photos i...

2018-05-3034 min