PhotoActive

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.

  1. What’s Real

    1 DAY AGO

    What’s Real

    Is your phone not accurately capturing the world around you? An article in the Guardian questions whether image processing in smartphones is making photos that aren’t genuine. Also, Leica released a firmware update that radically changes the entire interface, leading to a discussion of how important the UI in our cameras is when making photos. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website (https://jeffcarlson.com), Jeff's photos (https://jeffcarlson.com/portfolio/), Jeff on Instagram (http://instagram.com/jeffcarlson), Jeff on Glass (https://glass.photo/jeff-carlson), Jeff on Mastodon (https://twit.social/@jeffcarlson), Jeff on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/jeffcarlson.bsky.social) Kirk McElhearn: website (https://www.kirkville.com), Kirk's photos (https://photos.kirkville.com), Kirk on Instagram (https://instagram.com/mcelhearn), Kirk on Glass (https://glass.photo/mcelhearn), Kirk on Mastodon (https://journa.host/@mcelhearn), Kirk on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/kirkville.com) Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co (https://www.photoactive.co/home/episode-201-whats-real)) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) Now that phones alter our photos without us knowing, how do we know what’s real? (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/23/smartphones-photos-filters-pictures-software) Episode 114: Bryan Jones on Why Color Doesn't Exist (https://www.photoactive.co/home/episode-114-jones-color) Leica Q3 firmware update (https://leica-camera.com/en-GB/photography/q?cpid=c018e3e0aee64121a88a95ad52b645b1#firmware) Leica’s engraved fonts (https://arun.is/blog/leica-font/) Leica TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@leica_camera_official/video/7587076089801952544) Actions Ring - On Screen Overlay (https://www.logitech.com/en-us/software/logi-options-plus/actions-ring.html) 3M Precise Mouse Pad (https://amzn.to/4jhTDW6) Kirk’s Snapshot Logitech MX Master 4 (https://amzn.to/499oK1f) Jeff’s Snapshot Moment Tripod Mount for MagSafe (https://www.shopmoment.com/products/moment-pro-tripod-mount-for-magsafe) Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site (https://photoactive.co) 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 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/photoactivecast/) 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.

    33 min

  2. 23/12/2025

    All Our Cameras

    Two Hundred episodes! To celebrate roughly seven and a half years of the PhotoActive podcast, Kirk and Jeff picked some favorite photos from the digital cameras they’ve owned. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website (https://jeffcarlson.com), Jeff's photos (https://jeffcarlson.com/portfolio/), Jeff on Instagram (http://instagram.com/jeffcarlson), Jeff on Glass (https://glass.photo/jeff-carlson), Jeff on Mastodon (https://twit.social/@jeffcarlson), Jeff on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/jeffcarlson.bsky.social) Kirk McElhearn: website (https://www.kirkville.com), Kirk's photos (https://photos.kirkville.com), Kirk on Instagram (https://instagram.com/mcelhearn), Kirk on Glass (https://glass.photo/mcelhearn), Kirk on Mastodon (https://journa.host/@mcelhearn), Kirk on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/kirkville.com) Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co (https://www.photoactive.co/home/episode-200-all-cameras)) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) Episode 35: Martin Parr Shot My Portrait (https://www.photoactive.co/home/episode-35-parr) Martin Parr on collecting photobooks, shooting tennis, and the challenges of modern street photography (https://www.popphoto.com/how-to/martin-parr-interview-collecting-photobooks/), Popular Photography Remote Scottish Postboxes (https://martinparrfoundation.org/product/remote-scottish-postboxes/), Martin Parr Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site (https://photoactive.co) 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 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/photoactivecast/) 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.

    40 min

  3. 08/12/2025

    Vroom Vroom

    We get views into two very different types of photography in this episode. Jeff travels to Nevada for the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix where the cars’ speed is a challenge to photograph... but not as difficult as the rules set by the Formula 1 organization. Then we look at the fascinating dye-transfer process and how this dying art is being used to print William Eggleston’s prints. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website (https://jeffcarlson.com), Jeff's photos (https://jeffcarlson.com/portfolio/), Jeff on Instagram (http://instagram.com/jeffcarlson), Jeff on Glass (https://glass.photo/jeff-carlson), Jeff on Mastodon (https://twit.social/@jeffcarlson), Jeff on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/jeffcarlson.bsky.social) Kirk McElhearn: website (https://www.kirkville.com), Kirk's photos (https://photos.kirkville.com), Kirk on Instagram (https://instagram.com/mcelhearn), Kirk on Glass (https://glass.photo/mcelhearn), Kirk on Mastodon (https://journa.host/@mcelhearn), Kirk on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/kirkville.com) Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co (https://www.photoactive.co/home/episode-199-vroom)) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) The Insane Logistics of Formula 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Cvu1iPpzos) Clive Mason (https://www.instagram.com/clivemasonphoto/), Getty Formula 1 Photographer William Eggleston's Guide (https://amzn.to/4pscdg0) William Eggleston: The Last Dyes (book) (https://amzn.to/4ptf1JJ) William Eggleston: The Last Dyes (exhibit info) (https://www.davidzwirner.com/exhibitions/2024/william-eggleston-the-last-dyes) Dye destruction print (https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/d/dye-destruction-print) The Last Cibachrome (https://elysee.ch/en/2025/01/the-last-cibachrome/) Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site (https://photoactive.co) 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 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/photoactivecast/) 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.

    34 min

  4. 29/11/2025

    I’m Not an Animal

    We’ve got several things to discuss in this episode, from little-known settings in the iPhone Camera app, to shooting panoramas, to the Leica M EV1 and to Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website (https://jeffcarlson.com), Jeff's photos (https://jeffcarlson.com/portfolio/), Jeff on Instagram (http://instagram.com/jeffcarlson), Jeff on Glass (https://glass.photo/jeff-carlson), Jeff on Mastodon (https://twit.social/@jeffcarlson), Jeff on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/jeffcarlson.bsky.social) Kirk McElhearn: website (https://www.kirkville.com), Kirk's photos (https://photos.kirkville.com), Kirk on Instagram (https://instagram.com/mcelhearn), Kirk on Glass (https://glass.photo/mcelhearn), Kirk on Mastodon (https://journa.host/@mcelhearn), Kirk on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/kirkville.com) Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co (https://www.photoactive.co/home/episode-198-animal)) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) Leica M EV1 (https://leica-camera.com/en-US/photography/cameras/m/m-ev1-black) Leica M EV1 PetaPixel Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExvNUZfsUh0) Snapshots: Kirk & Jeff: Frankenstein (https://www.netflix.com/title/81507921) Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site (https://photoactive.co) 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 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/photoactivecast/) 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.

    37 min

  5. 03/11/2025

    Overenthusiastic in Your Opinion

    What started with a couple of new settings related to the iPhone Camera app quickly devolves into a discussion of Apple’s Liquid Glass effect in iOS 26, changes and consistency in the Camera app’s interface, and whether all of this is too confusing for most people taking photos with their iPhones. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website (https://jeffcarlson.com), Jeff's photos (https://jeffcarlson.com/portfolio/), Jeff on Instagram (http://instagram.com/jeffcarlson), Jeff on Glass (https://glass.photo/jeff-carlson), Jeff on Mastodon (https://twit.social/@jeffcarlson), Jeff on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/jeffcarlson.bsky.social) Kirk McElhearn: website (https://www.kirkville.com), Kirk's photos (https://photos.kirkville.com), Kirk on Instagram (https://instagram.com/mcelhearn), Kirk on Glass (https://glass.photo/mcelhearn), Kirk on Mastodon (https://journa.host/@mcelhearn), Kirk on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/kirkville.com) Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co (https://www.photoactive.co/home/episode-197-iphone-misc)) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) Acorn 8 (https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/) Use iPhone camera tools to set up your shot – Apple Support (https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph3dc593597/ios) Review: iTunes 11 adds cool features, but can be jarring to longtime users | Macworld (https://www.macworld.com/article/219864/review-itunes-11-adds-cool-features-but-can-be-jarring-to-longtime-users.html) Take Control of iPhone Photography (https://takecontrolbooks.com/iphone-photography) iPhone 17 Pro vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL: I Pitted Smartphone Royalty Against Each Other - CNET (https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/iphone-17-pro-vs-pixel-10-pro-xl-i-pitted-smartphone-royalty-against-each-other/) RICOH GR IV Monochrome High-end Compact Digital Camera Development News - Ricoh (https://us.ricoh-imaging.com/ricoh-gr-iv-monochrome-high-end-compact-digital-camera-development-news/) Snapshots: Kirk: Cory Doctorow: Enshittification (https://amzn.to/4hpnuek) Jeff: Napster View (https://www.napster.ai/) Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site (https://photoactive.co) 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 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/photoactivecast/) 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.

    37 min

  6. 20/10/2025

    Has Camera Tech Hit a Plateau?

    Has camera technology plateaued? We’re seeing technical advancements in image processing and autofocus, but what about the core parts like sensors? Also, we spend three hours talking about the Apple Watch Ultra 3 (not actually 3 hours). Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website (https://jeffcarlson.com), Jeff's photos (https://jeffcarlson.com/portfolio/), Jeff on Instagram (http://instagram.com/jeffcarlson), Jeff on Glass (https://glass.photo/jeff-carlson), Jeff on Mastodon (https://twit.social/@jeffcarlson), Jeff on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/jeffcarlson.bsky.social) Kirk McElhearn: website (https://www.kirkville.com), Kirk's photos (https://photos.kirkville.com), Kirk on Instagram (https://instagram.com/mcelhearn), Kirk on Glass (https://glass.photo/mcelhearn), Kirk on Mastodon (https://journa.host/@mcelhearn), Kirk on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/kirkville.com) Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co (https://www.photoactive.co/home/episode-196-plateau)) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) Snapshots: Kirk: Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9603208/) Jeff: Freewell iPhone Pro Filmmaker Basic Kit (https://freewellgear.com/collections/smart-phone/products/iphone-pro-filmmaker-basic) Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site (https://photoactive.co) 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 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/photoactivecast/) 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.

    35 min

  7. 03/10/2025

    Hands On with the iPhone 17 Pro

    Fifty percent of the PhotoActive podcast got a new iPhone 17 Pro, which means one of us has been testing the new cameras and can report back with first impressions. Who could it be? However, fifty percent of the podcast also got hands-on time with the other new phones, the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. Listen to find out who got what, who’s seen what, and what we think after the first weeks with Apple’s new cameras... we mean phones. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website (https://jeffcarlson.com), Jeff's photos (https://jeffcarlson.com/portfolio/), Jeff on Instagram (http://instagram.com/jeffcarlson), Jeff on Glass (https://glass.photo/jeff-carlson), Jeff on Mastodon (https://twit.social/@jeffcarlson), Jeff on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/jeffcarlson.bsky.social) Kirk McElhearn: website (https://www.kirkville.com), Kirk's photos (https://photos.kirkville.com), Kirk on Instagram (https://instagram.com/mcelhearn), Kirk on Glass (https://glass.photo/mcelhearn), Kirk on Mastodon (https://journa.host/@mcelhearn), Kirk on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/kirkville.com) Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co (https://www.photoactive.co/home/episode-195-iphone-17)) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site (https://photoactive.co) 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 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/photoactivecast/) 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.

    37 min

  8. 12/09/2025

    iPhone 17 and Apple’s Fall Event

    The new iPhone models are here, a yearly event that we look forward to mostly to see what Apple has done with the iPhone cameras. Does a 48 megapixel telephoto camera capable of 8x zoom appeal to you enough to buy a new iPhone Pro? Is the svelte shape of the new iPhone Air compelling enough to pay more for, despite it having just one camera and less battery life? Or did you see the Cosmic Orange color of the iPhone 17 Pro and made your decision immediately based on that? We look at what Apple announced and what we’re looking forward to. Hosts: Jeff Carlson: website (https://jeffcarlson.com), Jeff's photos (https://jeffcarlson.com/portfolio/), Jeff on Instagram (http://instagram.com/jeffcarlson), Jeff on Glass (https://glass.photo/jeff-carlson), Jeff on Mastodon (https://twit.social/@jeffcarlson), Jeff on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/jeffcarlson.bsky.social) Kirk McElhearn: website (https://www.kirkville.com), Kirk's photos (https://photos.kirkville.com), Kirk on Instagram (https://instagram.com/mcelhearn), Kirk on Glass (https://glass.photo/mcelhearn), Kirk on Mastodon (https://journa.host/@mcelhearn), Kirk on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/kirkville.com) Show Notes: (View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co (https://www.photoactive.co/home/episode-194-iphone-event)) Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast! (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) Apple Thinks Orange Is the New Black. It Isn't (https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-thinks-orange-is-the-new-black-it-isnt/), CNET Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast newsletter at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site (https://photoactive.co) 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 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/photoactivecast/) 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.

    42 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff Carlson & Kirk McElhearn
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    201
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jeff Carlson & Kirk McElhearn
  • Show Website
    PhotoActive

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