PhotoActive

Jeff Carlson & Kirk McElhearn
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Oct 5, 2018 • 36min

Episode 19: Michael Rubin and Classic Photos

Conversations about photography can lead to unexpected places. Although Jeff has known Michael Rubin since the days when they were both writing technology books for Peachpit Press, it wasn’t until recently that he learned about Michael’s extensive collection of fine-art photography. Of course, he had to introduce Michael to Kirk, which resulted in this episode where we enjoy an enthusiastic conversation with Michael about two prints in his collection: Arnold Newman’s “Igor Stravinsky, 1946” and Elliot Erwitt’s “New York City, 1950.” Sponsor Neomodern treats your photos like art, offering simple, affordable concierge printing and framing. Neomodern works with you to make gorgeous work from your images that you'll be proud to hang on your walls. Go online or drop in to the gallery at 1898 Union Street in San Francisco. https://www.neomodern.com Guest: Michael Rubin Michael's Instagram Neomodern Everyday Photography Every Day Hosts: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram Show Notes: Arnold Newman: Igor Stravinsky, 1946 Arnold Newman: Portraits Jerry Uelsmann photos Elliot Erwitt’s America – New York City, USA. 1950 Elliot Erwitt's jumping dog (Paris, France, 1989), and other photos by Erwitt Joel Meyerowitz, Girl on a Scooter, 1965 f/8 and Be There Robert Frank Street Line Michael Talks about Newman’s “Igor Stravinsky, 1946” at Neomodern Harry Callahan’s Trees in Chicago Our Snapshots: Jeff: Phottix Ares Wireless Flash Trigger Set Kirk: In My Room, Saul Leiter 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.
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Sep 28, 2018 • 39min

Episode 18: Katrin Eismann on Photographic Literacy

Guest: Katrin Eismann Katrin's Instagram School of Visual Arts (SVA) Digital Photography Program Adobe Photoshop Restoration & Retouching (4th Edition) by Katrin Eismann, Wayne Palmer, Dennis Dunbar Hosts: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram Show Notes: Kodak (Wikipedia) Apple QuickTake (Wikipedia) Renowned film director Wim Wenders hits out at 'phone photography' Michael Kenna's photo of Stonehenge Robert Capa: In Love and War 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. Our snapshots: Jeff: A Photojournalist's Field Guide: In the trenches with combat photographer Stacy Pearsall Kirk: Paul Hart: Farmed 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.
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Sep 21, 2018 • 33min

Episode 17: Prime vs Zoom Lenses

Photographers often focus on cameras, but it’s the lens that can have the most impact on your photos. In this episode, Jeff and Kirk talk glass: lenses. When do you want a prime lens, which has a fixed focal length, and when does a zoom work better? Why are prime lenses often better? And why not just use one zoom lens that hits both wide and telephoto ranges? We sort out an often confusing topic. 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: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram Show Notes: Fujifilm X-T3 Episode #14 - Chris Marquardt Goes Wide-Angle Fujinon XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS Episode #16 - Buying and Selling Camera Gear Episode #13 - Aspect Ratios and Why They’re Important 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. Our snapshots: Jeff: Fall Foliage Maps, Clear Outside app Kirk: Lensbaby Velvet 56 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.
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Sep 14, 2018 • 33min

Episode 16: Buying and Selling Camera Gear

Do you have a pile of old cameras and lenses stashed in a closet somewhere? Or do you sell your used gear to make way for new goodies? What about buying previously-owned cameras and lenses? This week, Kirk and Jeff talk about buying and selling your photo gear: where to do it, pitfalls to avoid, and more. 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: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram Show Notes: LensRentals.com Borrow Lenses Fujifilm Refurbished (UK) Apple Refurbished Lake in Catskill Mountains, 1971 (Woman Throwing Crutches), Joel Meyerowitz MPB.com Ebay How to Make the Most Money Selling Your Camera Gear, Fstoppers Tips for Buying Used Camera Gear, Digital Photography School How to Buy Used Lenses, Photography Life 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. Our snapshots: Jeff: Toffee & Honey Kirk: Joel Meyerowitz: Taking My Time 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.
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Sep 7, 2018 • 30min

Episode 15: Time-Lapse Photography

Time-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: Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram Show Notes: A Student Took a Selfie Every Day for Eight Years and It’s the Best Time-Lapse The Longest Way, by Christoph Rehage How Does the iOS 8 Time-lapse Feature Work?, Studio Neat blog Hyperlapse app Benny Hill - End Show Clip Intervalometer example Miops Mobile Dongle (be sure to pick the right model for your camera) Sample Time-Lapse Shot with Miops Mobile Dongle, created by Jeff for a DPReview article The Same Time-Lapse with a Push-In Camera Move Sunset Hill 360-degree Time-Lapse, also by Jeff The BEST way to make a TIME-LAPSE!, by Peter McKinnon Adrift, a great time-lapse example Sequence for Mac Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast mailing list at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site to be eligible for a random giveaway of Photographer’s Ephemeris apps and all future prize drawings. If you’ve already subscribed to the mailing list, you’re automatically entered. Our snapshots: Jeff: Top Photographer Kirk: Affinity Photo Workbook 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.

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