
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

Dec 14, 2018 • 27min
Episode 29: Christmas Gift Guide
Jeff and Kirk do their first Christmas gift guide. But they don't choose (much) gear.
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)
Zeiss Pre-Moistened Lens Cleaning Wipes
Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Decisive Moment
Pete Souza: Obama: An Intimate Portrait
Georgia O'Keeffe: One Hundred Flowers
Seagate Expansion 2TB Portable External Hard Drive
Michael Kenna: Huangshan: The Yellow Mountain
Michael Kenna's gallery of his Huangshan photos
Peak Design Everyday Backpack or Everyday Messenger Bag
Planet Earth II / Blue Planet II
Peter Lik
Amazon (or other) gift 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.

Dec 7, 2018 • 27min
Episode 28: Low-Light Photography
The winter months are dark for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, so how do you create good photos in dimly lit environments? Your camera wants to make the best exposure possible, but in low-light situations, that can lead to long shutter speeds and blurry camera motion. Kirk and Jeff cover the many options for dealing with dark scenes in this episode.
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
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!
Amazon Basics Monopod
An Introduction to the Inverse Square Law, Digital Photography School
Episode #21 - HDR (High Dynamic Range) Photography
Luma Labs from the factory floor Instagram account
Night Sight camera update for Pixel 3 is awesome, CNET
Leica M10 Sample Images
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Strobist
Kirk: Grant Simon Rogers (Instagram)
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.

Nov 30, 2018 • 29min
Episode 27: Flying High with Ian Schray and Drones
In traditional photography, a great piece of advice is to “zoom with your feet,” or, move yourself closer to a subject. What happens when the subject is 400 feet high? Or you want a unique viewpoint that wouldn’t be possible without a crane? This week we talk to Ian Schray about flying drones: quadcopters outfitted with cameras.
Guest:
Ian Schray (Twitter)
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!
The Committed Podcast
DJI Drones
DJI Pantom 2 V2.0 Quadcopter
DJI Phantom 4 Quadcopter (Ian’s model)
DJI Mavic Pro 1 (Jeff’s model)
DJI Mavic Pro 2
FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems information
DJI Fly Safe information
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Fstop Labs Accessories for DJI Mavic Pro/Platinum/Alpine White - Transport Clip Controller Transmitter Joystick Protector
Kirk: 133 Countries from Above, by Yann Arthus-Bertrand
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.

Nov 23, 2018 • 37min
Episode 26: RAW Power 2.0
This week we’re joined by Nik Bhatt, former developer of Aperture and iPhoto at Apple and now a distinguished gentleman at Gentlemen Coders. Using his deep knowledge of how Apple’s raw photo editing engine works, Nik has just released RAW Power 2.0, an app for macOS and iOS. We talk about RAW Power’s unique features and learn some of the fascinating ins and outs of raw image processing.
Sponsor
Gentlemen Coders, RAW Power 2.0 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 2.0 runs as an extension in Apple Photos or as a standalone app. RAW Power 2.0 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.
Guest:
Nik Bhatt
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!
RAW Power for macOS
RAW Power for iOS
Episode #6 - Raw vs. JPEG
Hands-on: RAW Power for iOS, DPReview
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018)
Kirk: Any Tripod
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.

Nov 16, 2018 • 32min
Episode 25: Understanding iCloud Photo Library
If 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://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!
Take Control of Your Digital Photos, by Jeff Carlson
The Next Track podcast
Set Up and Use iCloud Photos, Apple
Manage your photo and video storage, Apple
Buy more iCloud storage, Apple
Spect app
Photo browser utilities for the Mac: Quickly sort through a photo shoot, Macworld
Inside iOS 12: Photos Encourages More Engagement, TidBITS
iMazing HEIC Converter
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Mini Gaffer Tape Rolls
Kirk: Everyday Photography Every Day podcast by Michael Rubin and Suzanne Fritz-Hanson
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.

Nov 9, 2018 • 31min
Episode 24: Manual vs Automatic Camera Settings
We (good-naturedly) wade back into the question of “What makes a REAL photographer?” In this case, we’re talking about shooting using entirely manual controls or using the auto or semi-automatic modes on your camera. (Spoiler: Anyone with a camera is a real photographer.) We discuss when each approach works, and the advantages of knowing how shutter speed, aperture, and ISO all work together.
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)
Episode #21 - HDR (High Dynamic Range) Photography
Aperture Priority mode (Wikipedia)
Shutter Priority mode (Wikipedia)
The Exposure Triangle - A Beginner’s Guide (PhotographyLife.com)
Episode #8 - Gordon Laing on Taking Great Photos In Camera
f/8 and Be There - What We Can Learn from WeeGee’s Philosophy
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Road to Seeing, by Dan Winters
Kirk: iPhone XS Max
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.

Nov 2, 2018 • 33min
Episode 23: Printing Photos with Rick LePage
Do you print your photos? Although we know we should make prints, but getting from screen to paper isn’t always easy. It turns out, though, that printing is much easier today than it used to be. In this episode, we welcome photographer and publisher Rick LePage to talk about printing photos at home, from hardware to paper to inks.
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:
Rick LePage
Rick's Instagram
Complete Digital 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)
Kirk's Canon printer
Printerville archives
Red River Paper
Moab Paper
Fracture
Hahnemuhle FineArt Glossy Inkjet Paper Sample Pack
MOAB General Sampler
Canon Pro Paper Samples Pack
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Moo.com Business Cards
Kirk: Magnum square print sale
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.

Oct 26, 2018 • 32min
Episode 22: Editing Photos in iOS Apps
We’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'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)
The iPad for Photographers, Jeff’s book
Photoshop for iPad (Adobe)
"Finally: Real Photoshop on the iPad,” The Verge
Color Management (Wikipedia)
Snapseed
Affinity Photo for iPad
Review: Affinity Photo for iPad, DPReview
Lightroom CC mobile
VSCO
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: USB Camera Battery Charger (be sure to search for a model that supports your camera’s battery)
Kirk: Stalker, directed by Andrei Tarkovsky; Kirk's article about Stalker

Oct 19, 2018 • 32min
Episode 21: High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography
“HDR” used to bring to mind surreal landscapes with garish colors and very few shadows. Fortunately, high-dynamic range photography has matured beyond those early days, and is a useful technique for getting more detail out of any scene. The latest iPhone and other smartphone cameras use HDR liberally to create good shots in all types of situations. We talk about making HDR photos using traditional cameras and techniques and also the new iPhone's computational methods.
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:
Photos of Chipping Campden (Google images)
Graduated neutral density filter (round)
Graduated neutral density filter (rectangular, requires a holder)
Aurora HDR: A Photoversity Guide, Jeff’s book
Trey Ratcliffe's HDR
The Best Camera Lens Filters, Flashes, and Accessories for Taking Great Photos
The iPhone XS is a leap forward in computational photography, Jeff’s article at DPReview
Lightroom Classic CC
Lightroom CC (which does not have HDR capability)
Affinity Photo for desktop
Aurora HDR 2019
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: SanDisk Rescue Pro software
Kirk: Hoya Pro 1 Polarizing filter. (Be sure to search for the diameter that matches your lens.)
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.

Oct 12, 2018 • 34min
Episode 20: The Blur-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named
The recent release of iPhones that improve Portrait mode spurred us to talk about bok... Kirk can’t say the word. That’s okay, because neither can Apple VP Phil Schiller (correctly, anyway). Yes, we’re discussing background blur and shallow depth of field, how to get the effect with traditional cameras and lenses as well as the faux version in some smartphones, and why you’d want to in the first place.
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:
Bokeh (Wikipedia)
Bokeh in Pictures, The Luminous Landscape
Snow Rail, Jeff’s photo with extremely shallow depth of field.
Kirk's Flowers & Macro gallery on his photos website; there are a number of photos with shallow depth of field.
The Timeless Beauty of Cape Cod
Joel Meyerowitz: Cape Light
Lensbaby Sol 45
#iphoneportraitmode on Instagram
SD memory cards: The features and specifications to look for, Macworld
Best USB-C memory card readers, Macworld
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Westcott 1107 14-inch 1-Stop Diffuser
Kirk: SanDisk Extreme Pro SD Card
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.