
PhotoActive
Jeff Carlson and Kirk McElhearn discuss photography and the Apple ecosystem. We cover using an iPhone or any other camera with Apple hardware and software, and we welcome photographers to discuss their work.
Latest episodes

Mar 29, 2019 • 44min
Episode 39: Tripods with Mason Marsh
Many photo situations call for stability, and that means setting up a tripod. But the options when choosing one quickly become complicated: height, weight, materials, price, and don’t forget the head that holds the camera. To help sort it all, we welcome photographer, educator, and former photojournalist Mason Marsh to the show.
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:
Mason Marsh
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)
Production Note: We’ve decided to change the frequency of episode releases to fortnightly (every two weeks) due to current commitments we both have.
Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
Jeff’s recent tripod: 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey Mag Alloy Tripod Kit w/AirHed Neo
Kirk’s tripod: Vanguard Alta Pro
3 Legged Thing Albert
Peak Design Cuff, which Mason uses to secure his camera to the tripod as backup protection
Mason’s tripods:
Small: Really Right Stuff TFA-01 Ultra Pocket ‘Pod
Medium: Really Right Stuff TVC-23 MK2
Large: Gitzo Tripod Systematic Series 3 XL (Amazon Affiliate Link)
Clamp: Really Right Stuff Travel Clamp Kits
Mason’s Ballheads:
Small: Really Right Stuff BH-40 Ballhead
Large: Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ballhead
Panorama Head: Really Right Stuff PG-01 Compact Pano-Gimbal Head Head
Platypod: Ultra (Amazon Affiliate Link)
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: 3 Legged Thing Toolz Multi-Tool
Kirk: The Fujicron quartet (16mm f2.8)
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast mailing list at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site to be notified of new episodes and be eligible for occasional giveaways. If you’ve already subscribed to the mailing list, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group to discuss the podcast, share your photos, and more.

Mar 15, 2019 • 39min
Episode 38: Levels and Curves with Nik Bhatt
We welcome back Nik Bhatt, of Gentlemen Coders and RAW Power fame, to pick his brain on editing photos using levels and curves: what the differences are between the two tonal adjustment tools, and how to use them. We also talk about understanding the histogram, and touch on editing white balance and why we may be using the eyedropper tool wrong.
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)
Production Note: We’ve decided to change the frequency of episode releases to fortnightly (every two weeks) due to current commitments we both have.
Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
RAW Power
PhotoActive Episode #26 - RAW Power 2.0
Download the RAW file we used as an example in this episode (21 MB)
Batch Processing in Apple Photos, by Kirk
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: White Wall AR, iOS app
Kirk: White Balance Gray Cards
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast mailing list at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site to be notified of new episodes and be eligible for occasional giveaways. If you’ve already subscribed to the mailing list, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group to discuss the podcast, share your photos, and more.

Mar 1, 2019 • 35min
Backups and 360-degree Photography
We're tackling two topics in this episode of PhotoActive. First up, all-important backups! We emphasize backups all the time, but what does a good backup system look like? Then, after the break, we turn a never-ending corner and look at 360-degree photography, an interesting and creative niche.
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)
Production Note: We’ve decided to change the frequency of episode releases to fortnightly (every two weeks) due to current commitments we both have.
Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
PhotoActive Episode #27 - Flying High with Ian Schray and Drones
Backblaze Hard Drive Stats for 2018
Backups for Busy Creatives, Jeff’s article at CreativePro.com
How to Back Up Your Mac to Multiple Time Machine Disks, Kirk’s article at his website
Take Control of Backing Up Your Mac
Samsung T5 Portable SSD - 500 GB - USB 3.1 External SSD
A 360-degree photo shot by Jeff, at Facebook
Samsung Gear 360 at Museum of Flight, video at YouTube
The Best 360-Degree Camera, The Wirecutter
Ricoh Theta V 360 Spherical Camera
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Peak Design Shell
Kirk: Drive Docks
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast mailing list at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site to be notified of new episodes and be eligible for occasional giveaways. If you’ve already subscribed to the mailing list, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group to discuss the podcast, share your photos, and more.

Feb 15, 2019 • 33min
Episode 36: Photographing with Constraints
In this episode of PhotoActive, we have some specific ideas about photographing with constraints. Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge of individual shooting features (such as aperture or shutter speed) or get out of a creative rut, imposing constraints on yourself can actually turn out to be a freeing exercise.
Sponsor
Gentlemen Coders RAW Power 2 lets you process raw files on your Mac with full control over Apple’s raw engine, offering features previously available only in Aperture. It has exceptional highlight recovery, as well as noise reduction, capture sharpening, gamut mapping, and more. RAW Power also works with JPEGs, TIFFs, and other standard image formats. RAW Power 2 runs as an extension in Apple Photos or as a standalone app. RAW Power 2 for iOS is a full photo library app that offers the same features, and works with your existing Photos library. Learn more at rawpower.app.
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)
Production Note: We’ve decided to change the frequency of episode releases to fortnightly (every two weeks) due to current commitments we both have.
Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
PhotoActive #10 - Quintin Lake’s Long Photo Walk
Photo: Ripening
PhotoActive #3 - Black and White
In the Real World, the William Eggleston documentary
PhotoActive #8 - Gordon Laing on Taking Great Photos In Camera
Three Notable New Photobooks: Don McCullin, Michael Kenna, and Todd Hido
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Using iOS Shortcuts to Import Photos into Lightroom CC Mobile
Kirk: Bright Black World, by Todd Hido
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast mailing list at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site to be notified of new episodes and be eligible for occasional giveaways. If you’ve already subscribed to the mailing list, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group to discuss the podcast, share your photos, and more.

Feb 1, 2019 • 37min
Episode 35: Martin Parr Shot My Portrait
For this week’s episode, we’re moving to the other side of the camera. Kirk had the opportunity to get his portrait done by world-renowned Magnum photographer Martin Parr. He shares what it was like to be the subject, not the photographer.
Sponsor
Gentlemen Coders RAW Power 2 lets you process raw files on your Mac with full control over Apple’s raw engine, offering features previously available only in Aperture. It has exceptional highlight recovery, as well as noise reduction, capture sharpening, gamut mapping, and more. RAW Power also works with JPEGs, TIFFs, and other standard image formats. RAW Power 2 runs as an extension in Apple Photos or as a standalone app. RAW Power 2 for iOS is a full photo library app that offers the same features, and works with your existing Photos library. Learn more at rawpower.app.
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)
Production Note: We’ve decided to change the frequency of episode releases to fortnightly (every two weeks) due to current commitments we both have.
Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
I Had My Portrait Shot by Martin Parr
Martin Parr's photos
Martin Parr Foundation
Remote Scottish Postboxes, by Martin Parr
Britain Through the Eyes of the Photographer Who Knows It Best
The Gucci Timepieces that Appear in Martin Parr’s Photographs Shot Around the World for #timetoparr
Gucci Is Dropping a Super-Limited Book Inspired by Legendary Post-Punk Band New Order
Vogue Brazil Cover
The Last Resort: See photo #21 for the photo of a woman lying on a towel next to heavy machinery.
Yousuf Karsh’s photos of Winston Churchill
Martin Parr Portrait Studio 2019
#Martinparr on Instagram
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: The Photographer’s Guide to Posing, by Lindsay Adler
Kirk: ExifTool
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast mailing list at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site to be notified of new episodes and be eligible for occasional giveaways. If you’ve already subscribed to the mailing list, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group to discuss the podcast, share your photos, and more.

Jan 18, 2019 • 36min
Episode 34: Ben Long's Complete Digital Photography
Author, educator, photographer, and all-around knowledgeable guy Ben Long joins us this week to talk about the 9th — yes, ninth — edition of his comprehensive book “Complete Digital Photography.” We cover how photography and people’s expectations about photography have changed since the early versions of the book.
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:
Ben Long (Complete Digital Photography, Instagram)
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)
Production Note: We’ve decided to change the frequency of episode releases to fortnightly (every two weeks) due to current commitments we both have.
Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
Complete Digital Photography, Ninth Edition, by Ben Long
Pentti Sammallahti
Richard Misrach
Desert Cantos, by Richard Misrach
Jerry Uellsman
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey Aluminum Tripod Kit w/ AirHed Neo
Kirk: Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 Aluminum Tripod with SBH-100 Ball Head
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast mailing list at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site to be notified of new episodes and be eligible for occasional giveaways. If you’ve already subscribed to the mailing list, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group to discuss the podcast, share your photos, and more.

Jan 14, 2019 • 34min
Episode 33: The Language of Photo Editing
When we edit photos, we have a good idea of what the Exposure slider does—it makes everything brighter or darker throughout the image. But you’ll also find controls for Whites, Brightness, Brilliance, and others, depending on the software. What’s the difference? In this episode, Kirk and Jeff look at just what various editing controls do, so you have a better idea of which ones to use and how they affect your images.
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)
Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: OWC USB-C Travel Dock
Kirk: Use your iPhone light as a flashlight
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast mailing list at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site to be notified of new episodes and be eligible for occasional giveaways. If you’ve already subscribed to the mailing list, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group to discuss the podcast, share your photos, and more.

Jan 4, 2019 • 29min
Episode 32: New Year's Photo Ideas
What is 2019 going to look like? While we aren’t interested in making resolutions that are easily forgotten or ignored, we do have lots of ideas to spark your photographic creativity. Chief among those: Be less critical more often.
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)
Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
Episode #14 - Chris Marquardt Goes Wide-Angle
Leica M Monochrom
#chimping at Instagram
#shakespearehouse at Instagram
#kerryparkseattle at Instagram
Oblique Strategies cards
Obliques app (iOS)
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: The Photo Ark: One Man’s Quest to Document the World’s Animals, by Joel Sartore and Douglas H. Chadwick
Kirk: Apple Pencil 2
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast mailing list at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site to be notified of new episodes and be eligible for occasional giveaways. If you’ve already subscribed to the mailing list, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group to discuss the podcast, share your photos, and more.

Dec 28, 2018 • 33min
Episode 31: The Benefits of Digital Asset Managers
Do 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)
Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
Affinity Photo
Luminar
Adobe Lightroom CC
Adobe Lightroom Classic CC
Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan
Take Control of Lightroom CC
Alien Skin Exposure X4
Dropbox
First look: Skylum Luminar 3 adds support for photo libraries, Digital Asset Manager to follow, by Jeff Carlson, at DPReview
Luminar Roadmap, Skylum.com
The Photographer’s Guide to Luminar, by Jeff Carlson (forthcoming)
Buy Luminar using this link and help support PhotoActive (Affiliate link)
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Lumy app
Kirk: American Winter, by Gerry Johansson
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast mailing list at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site to be notified of new episodes and be eligible for occasional giveaways. If you’ve already subscribed to the mailing list, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group to discuss the podcast, share your photos, and more.

Dec 21, 2018 • 36min
Episode 30: Jason Snell Takes Control of Apple Photos
If you want to learn all about something, write a book about it. Or, to avoid yourself a lot of work, read someone else’s book about it! Jason Snell has written several versions of his book Take Control of Photos, and he joins us to talk about what’s new in Apple’s photo software and ecosystem for the Mac and iOS devices. We also talk about making print books and calendars, features that were removed from Photos earlier this year, and how machine learning is going to play a more important role in photo software.
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 Luma Loop’s mounting hardware is custom designed so you don’t have to choose between a strap or a tripod mount. Get 10% off any purchase with the code PHOTOACTIVE. https://luma-labs.com
Guest:
Jason Snell (SixColors.com, Twitter, Instagram)
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)
Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
Take Control of Photos
iCloud Storage Plans and Prices
Samsung T5 Portable SSD - 2TB - USB 3.1 External SSD
Books and calendars in Photos for Mac: What are the best options?, SixColors.com
Motif
Mimeo Photos
Shutterfly
Luma Labs from the factory floor Instagram account
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Whoosh! Screen Shine ($13)
Kirk: SD Card Reader
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast mailing list at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site to be notified of new episodes and be eligible for occasional giveaways. If you’ve already subscribed to the mailing list, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group to discuss the podcast, share your photos, and more.