

PhotoActive
Jeff Carlson & Kirk McElhearn
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 4, 2023 • 31min
Episode 147: Is Photo Editing Too Difficult?
Exploring the complexities of photo editing software, the evolution from analog to digital tools, and the impact of advanced editing software on photography. Contrasting tailored features of software like Lightroom with broader toolsets like Photoshop. Discussing simplified editing for amateurs with Apple Photos and the constraints of Apple's editing features. Exploring DJI Air 3 drone features and challenges with the Peak Design Micro Clutch camera grip.

Jul 21, 2023 • 41min
Episode 146: Tea and Coffee
When 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 PhotoActive Podcast!
YESPLZ coffee subscription
Creama.co coffee subscription
Morning coffee ritual article
Jeff’s Coffee Gear:
Acaia Black Pearl scale, ~$250
Cosori Pour Over, $30
La Pavoni Europiccolo, $1000
OXO Brew Gooseneck Kettle, $100
Rancilio Rocky grinder, $440
Timestamped content:
00:01:40 Coffee and tea's importance in photography.
00:03:49 Tea: a delicious beverage that enhances experiences.
00:07:30 College student finds love in caffeine-infused coffee.
00:12:53 Espresso in Italy and ritual of coffee.
00:15:45 Types of tea: white, yellow, green, oolong, black.
00:20:16 First flush harvest of Darjeeling tea.
00:24:40 Tea: A daily ritual with segmented breaks.
00:26:33 Instant coffee has improved in taste.
00:30:52 Bad matcha, learn to make it. Expensive or insipid if not done right.
00:35:29 Try different teas, don't be scared.
00:38:11 Chinese jasmine tea: hint of jasmine, good. Bad: bitter, visible flowers. Earl Grey: interesting, bergamot. Flavored teas: like cheap wine, added fruits.
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter 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, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes/Apple Podcasts 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.
Disclosure: Sometimes we use affiliate links for products, in which we receive small commissions to help support PhotoActive.

Jul 7, 2023 • 36min
Episode 145: Kirk Simplifies with One Camera
He 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 Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
Leica Q3
Leica Q3 Initial Review, DPReview
Episode 137: Zoom Lenses with Chris Niccolls
Episode 68: Revisiting Geotagging with HoudahGeo 6.0
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: ON1 Photo Keyword AI
Kirk: Dark Passage movie
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter 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, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes/Apple Podcasts 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.
Disclosure: Sometimes we use affiliate links for products, in which we receive small commissions to help support PhotoActive.

Jun 23, 2023 • 35min
Episode 144: Wrangling Libraries with Matthieu Kopp
If 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 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!
Avalanche
Peakto
Special deal! CYME is offering a 20% discount on their utilities Peakto and Avalanche until July 23, 2023 using the code PHOTOACTIVE20 at checkout when purchasing from CYME.
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Greg Williams Photo Breakdowns: The Stories Behind 100 Portraits
Kirk: Kindle Scribe
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter 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, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes/Apple Podcasts 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.
Disclosure: Sometimes we use affiliate links for products, in which we receive small commissions to help support PhotoActive.

Jun 9, 2023 • 37min
Episode 143: Mike Shaw Wants You to Enjoy the Stars
The 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 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!
The Beginner's Guide to Astrophotography, by Mike Shaw. Use code SHAW10 when buying from Rocky Nook to get 10% off.
International Dark Sky Association
[The World At Night (TWAN)](twanight.com)
Planit Pro app
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Skylight Forecast
Kirk: That Stunning ‘Succession’ Emotional Set Piece Was Shot as a Single 27-Minute Take
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter 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, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes/Apple Podcasts 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.
Disclosure: Sometimes we use affiliate links for products, in which we receive small commissions to help support PhotoActive.

May 26, 2023 • 36min
Episode 142: Photomator
The 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 with images at PhotoActive.co)
Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
Photomator
Pixelmator Pro
Acorn
Episode 141: You Say You Want a Resolution
Episode 140: Denoise and Healing Tools
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Tetris movie on Apple TV+
Kirk: Peak Design Micro Clutch Kickstarter
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter 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, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes/Apple Podcasts 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.
Disclosure: Sometimes we use affiliate links for products, in which we receive small commissions to help support PhotoActive.

May 12, 2023 • 31min
Episode 141: You Say You Want a Resolution
Camera 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 with images at PhotoActive.co)
Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
Leica M11 Monochrom
Episode 140: Denoise and Healing
List of Fujinon XF Lenses that Get Maximum Benefit from Fujifilm X-H2 (and X-T5) with 40 Megapixel Resolution, FujiRumors
Episode 137: Zoom Lenses with Chris Niccolls
How To Solve The 3x3 Rubik's Cube
The Speed Cubers - Netflix
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: UES APSC-16 DSLR and Mirrorless Digital Camera Sensor Cleaning Kits
Kirk: GAN 356 M, 3x3 Magnetic Speed Cube
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter 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, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes/Apple Podcasts 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.
Disclosure: Sometimes we use affiliate links for products, in which we receive small commissions to help support PhotoActive.

Apr 29, 2023 • 30min
Episode 140: Denoise and Healing Tools
Photography enthusiasts discuss the latest AI denoise tools in Lightroom and Photoshop, exploring noise reduction challenges, healing tools advancement, and removing people effortlessly from photos. They highlight a handy camera sensor magnifier and the launch of PhotoMator software with AI features for enhanced editing.

Apr 14, 2023 • 33min
Episode 139: The Rant Episode
It’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 Notes:
(View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co)
Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
The Ex-It Plan, PiXimperfect video
Joel Meyerowitz - Shoes in the Street (we can't link to an individual photo on his site, but here's the street photography page)
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Lightroom’s Content-Aware Healing Tool and The Ex-it Plan with AI and Photoshop, PiXimperfect
Kirk: Ember Mug
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter 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, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes/Apple Podcasts 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.
Disclosure: Sometimes we use affiliate links for products, in which we receive small commissions to help support PhotoActive.

Mar 31, 2023 • 33min
Episode 138: DPReview and AI Photography
We 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 notes with images at PhotoActive.co)
Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
PetaPixel TV
Samsung’s Moon photos are fake — but so is a lot of mobile photography
Jeff's Photo AI Newsletter
Our Snapshots:
Jeff: Adobe Firefly
Kirk: To Photograph Is to Learn How to Die, Tim Carpenter
Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter 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, you’re automatically entered.
If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes/Apple Podcasts 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.
Disclosure: Sometimes we use affiliate links for products, in which we receive small commissions to help support PhotoActive.


