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PhotoActive

PhotoActive

By: Jeff Carlson & Kirk McElhearn
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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.© 2026 Jeff Carlson & Kirk McElhearn Art
Episodes
  • Episode 213: Jeff Goes to the Dark Side (Sony)
    Jul 9 2026

    We’ve mocked YouTubers who make a fuss about selling all their camera gear to switch brands and systems, only to do it all again later for clicks. Well, the universe has a sense of humor, because that’s just what Jeff has done—the first part, anyway. He sold his Fuji X-T3 and lenses in became a Sony photographer. And it was the last thing he expected. We also talk about Apple raising the prices of most of its products.

    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!

    • GTA 6 is the cheapest 3D universe GTA game at launch (when adjusted for inflation) - Reddit

    • Apple Just Increased Prices on MacBooks, iPads, and More - MacRumors

    • Episode 204: Storage Prices — PhotoActive Podcast

    • Apple's Price Increases Extend to Refurbished Macs and iPads - CNET

    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.

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Episode 212: Craig Grannell on Apple’s New AI Photo Announcements
    Jun 21 2026

    Apple introduced its next OS 27 systems at its Worldwide Developers Conference, which included changes to the Camera and Photos apps that revolve around AI features. Actually, that’s almost literal: the new Spatial Reframing feature lets you rotate a scene and generative AI fills in the missing details. Is it a slide into AI slop or a legitimate tool to help photographers? We’re joined by writer and photographer Craig Grannell to talk it out.

    Guest:

    • Craig Grannell: Revert to Saved, Craig on Mastodon, Linktree

    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!

    • In my opinion, Apple is about to take a very dangerous step towards fake photography – here’s why, by Craig Grannell at Amateur Photographer

    • Apple's Spatial Reframing Is Generative AI I Can Get Behind as a Photographer, by Jeff Carlson at CNET

    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.


    Titus Making Bread (AI Photo by Kirk McElhearn using Apple Playground iPadOS 27 beta app)


    Titus On a Skateboard (AI Photo by Kirk McElhearn using Apple Playground iPadOS 27 beta app)


    Titus Current Tech (AI Photo by Kirk McElhearn using Apple Image Playground iPadOS 26 app)


    One of Apple’s Spatial Reframing examples; notice the new white building created behind the subject. (Photo: Apple)

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    41 mins
  • Episode 211: Obsessive Isn’t a Bad Word
    Jun 12 2026

    We often talk about framing a photo to get the best composition, but sometimes we don’t nail it. Or we realize in editing that a tighter crop would be better. Or something crept into the edge of the frame at the last second. In this episode, we talk about cropping photos, whether AI cropping is worth trying, and why there’s only One True Aspect Ratio.

    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!

    • LUMIX L10 Uncompromising Image Quality

    • Panasonic Lumix L10 Review: Compact, Stylish, and Capable | PetaPixel

    • Episode #13 - Aspect Ratios and Why They're Important — PhotoActive Podcast

    • When editing this episode, Kirk went to the Guardian website, and the photos of the day were not all in 3:2 aspect ratio, whereas he is sure that in the past they almost always were. Most photos in this daily selection are in 3:2 but this is changing. Photos of the day | The Guardian

    • Enlarging easel: this is the tool you use to crop when printing photos with an enlarger.

    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.


    Lumix L10 Aspect Ratios (Credit: Panasonic)


    Kirk’s bread (Photo by Kirk McElhearn)

    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
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