PhotoActive

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**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:

**Episode 78: Everyday Photo Retouching** Oct 09, 2020
Show notes

You may think of “retouching” as a high-end photo skill for professionals—and it is—but there are also many types of retouching that every photographer will run into. In this episode, Jeff covers many of the techniques he uses, from removing dust spots in clear skies to erasing unwanted objects from photos, as well as portrait retouching that’s accessible to anyone. This is an extra-long episode with lots of example images, so don’t forget you can view the photos in some podcast players (like Apple Podcasts or Overcast), and of course you can also view them at PhotoActive.co.

**Hosts:**

Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram

Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram

Subscribe to the PhotoActive Instagram account

**Show Notes:**

(View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co)

**Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!**

Adobe Lightroom

Luminar 4

Pixelmator Pro

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop Elements

**Our Snapshots:**

Jeff: Share Apple Watch Photos Face

Kirk: Ted Lasso

**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.*

Watch this video on YouTube

**Episode 77: Photo a Day Challenge** Sep 25, 2020
Show notes

Photo a Day Challenge
We gave ourselves a simple challenge to create one photo every day for the month of August. It’s advice we give often: shoot often, shoot what’s nearby, use your photographer’s eye to find beauty in the everyday experience. Were we successful? And what unexpected challenges arose?

**Hosts:**

Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram

Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram

Subscribe to the PhotoActive Instagram account

**Show Notes:**

(View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co)

**Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!**

Jeff’s Photo a Day Shared Album

Kirk’s Photo a Day Shared Album

**Our Snapshots:**

Jeff: SanDisk 16 GB Thumb Drive

Kirk: Joel Meyerowitz: How I Make Photographs

**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.*

Kirk’s Album

Jeff’s Album

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Jeff Carlson

(Original unedited version) Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

**Episode 77: Photo a Day Challenge** Sep 25, 2020
Show notes

Photo a Day Challenge
We gave ourselves a simple challenge to create one photo every day for the month of August. It’s advice we give often: shoot often, shoot what’s nearby, use your photographer’s eye to find beauty in the everyday experience. Were we successful? And what unexpected challenges arose?

**Hosts:**

Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram

Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram

Subscribe to the PhotoActive Instagram account

**Show Notes:**

(View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co)

**Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!**

Jeff’s Photo a Day Shared Album

Kirk’s Photo a Day Shared Album

**Our Snapshots:**

Jeff: SanDisk 16 GB Thumb Drive

Kirk: Joel Meyerowitz: How I Make Photographs

**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.*

Kirk’s Album

Jeff’s Album

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Jeff Carlson

(Original unedited version) Photo by Jeff Carlson

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

Photo by Kirk McElhearn

**Episode 76: Shooting and Developing Film with Angus Haywood** Sep 11, 2020
Show notes

This week we talk to landscape film photographer Angus Haywood about building his own darkroom in a shed behind his house, seeing the world in a square aspect ratio, and the pace and people you experience when shooting film.

**Guest:**

Angus Haywood, Instagram, Facebook

**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!**

Bosham Gallery

Episode 74: Michael Kenna and His New Book ‘Buddha’

Piezography Inks

**Our Snapshots:**

Jeff: Avalanche

Kirk: - Kirk: Shooting in High ISO

**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.*

Angus Haywood with his Hasselblad 503

**Episode 75: Creative Garden Photography with Harold Davis** Aug 28, 2020
Show notes

The summer and fall are some of the best times to visit and photograph gardens, so we’re happy to welcome Harold Davis back to the PhotoActive podcast to talk about his newest book *Creative Garden Photography*. We cover photographing public gardens, your own garden, getting creative with light tables when the weather is sour, lighting, and more.

**Guest:**

Harold Davis
Instagram

**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!**

Creative Garden Photography, by Harold Davis (Use code **GARDEN40** to get 40% off when purchasing from Rocky Nook.)

Episode 50: Harold Davis Creative Black and White

Visiting a Garden of Cars

Picture This app (iOS)

**Our Snapshots:**

Jeff: Peak Design Clutch

Kirk: Cézanne: The Rock and Quarry Paintings

**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.*

The gardens at Villandry, in a spread from Harold Davis’s book.

Visiting a Garden of Cars , Harold Davis

**Episode 75: Creative Garden Photography with Harold Davis** Aug 28, 2020
Show notes

The summer and fall are some of the best times to visit and photograph gardens, so we’re happy to welcome Harold Davis back to the PhotoActive podcast to talk about his newest book *Creative Garden Photography*. We cover photographing public gardens, your own garden, getting creative with light tables when the weather is sour, lighting, and more.

**Guest:**

Harold Davis
Instagram

**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!**

Creative Garden Photography, by Harold Davis (Use code **GARDEN40** to get 40% off when purchasing from Rocky Nook.)

Episode 50: Harold Davis Creative Black and White

Visiting a Garden of Cars

Picture This app (iOS)

**Our Snapshots:**

Jeff: Peak Design Clutch

Kirk: Cézanne: The Rock and Quarry Paintings

**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.*

The gardens at Villandry, in a spread from Harold Davis’s book.

Visiting a Garden of Cars , Harold Davis

**Episode 74: Michael Kenna and His New Book 'Buddha'** Aug 14, 2020
Show notes

We’re pleased to welcome back Michael Kenna to the PhotoActive podcast. In this episode, we chat with him about his new book Buddha, how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected a photographer that spends much of his time traveling, and the value of finding treasure in one’s photo archive.

**Guest:**

Michael Kenna
Instagram

**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!**

Michael's books mentioned in the podcast:

Buddha

Rafu

Holga

Mont St. Michel

Publishers:

Prestel

Nazraeli press

**Our Snapshots:**

Jeff: Sugru

Kirk: MetaImage app

**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.*

Amida Buddha

Rock Garden and Roof Shadow , Tosa Kokubunji, Kochi, Shikoku, Japan. 2012

**Episode 74: Michael Kenna and His New Book 'Buddha'** Aug 14, 2020
Show notes

We’re pleased to welcome back Michael Kenna to the PhotoActive podcast. In this episode, we chat with him about his new book Buddha, how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected a photographer that spends much of his time traveling, and the value of finding treasure in one’s photo archive.

**Guest:**

Michael Kenna
Instagram

**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!**

Michael's books mentioned in the podcast:

Buddha

Rafu

Holga

Mont St. Michel

Publishers:

Prestel

Nazraeli press

**Our Snapshots:**

Jeff: Sugru

Kirk: MetaImage app

**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.*

Amida Buddha

Rock Garden and Roof Shadow , Tosa Kokubunji, Kochi, Shikoku, Japan. 2012

**Episode 73: Real Estate Photography with Rich Baum** Jul 31, 2020
Show notes

Rich Baum joins us this week to talk about real estate and interior photography, a type of shooting that relies as much on discipline and adherence to rules as it does on creative problem solving. If you’re looking to expand your photographic skills or push into the field as a career, good news: you can get started pretty easily by shooting the rooms you’re already in!

**Guest:**

Rich Baum Photography
Instagram
YouTube Channel

**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!**

Luxury Home Magazine

Rich’s YouTube Channel

Shooting Spaces Podcast

Romantic Puget Sound Water View Getaway, the AirBnB that Jeff photographed

Really Bad MLS Photos (Private Facebook group)

Clarification of Expectations, YouTube Video

Architectural Digest

**Our Snapshots:**

Jeff: Epson SureColor P600 Inkjet Printer

Kirk: Michael Kenna: Buddha

**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.*

Photos Jeff shot for an AirBnB listing on Whidbey Island, WA.

**Episode 72: Night Skies with Glenn Randall** Jul 17, 2020
Show notes

Comet Neowise is streaking across the sky as we publish this latest episode of the PhotoActive podcast. How can you capture it, or any views of the night sky, in photos? We’re happy to welcome Glenn Randall, author of the book Dusk to Dawn, to talk all about photographing the night sky, from lens choices to composition to post-processing.

**Guest:**

Facebook page
Glenn Randall 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!**

Dusk to Dawn, a Guide to Landscape Photography at Night, by Glenn Randall

PhotoPills

Photographer’s Ephemeris

SunSurveyor

Bahtinov Mask

Roger Clark

**Our Snapshots:**

Jeff: PhotoStatistica app

Kirk: Fujinon XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

**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.*

Milky Way over Bear Lake II

Aurora over Mt. Monolith

Milky Way from Dead Horse Point

Perseid Meteor Shower over the Titan II

Pheasant shot using Kirk’s Fujinon 55-200mm Lens

**Episode 72: Night Skies with Glenn Randall** Jul 17, 2020
Show notes

Comet Neowise is streaking across the sky as we publish this latest episode of the PhotoActive podcast. How can you capture it, or any views of the night sky, in photos? We’re happy to welcome Glenn Randall, author of the book Dusk to Dawn, to talk all about photographing the night sky, from lens choices to composition to post-processing.

**Guest:**

Facebook page
Glenn Randall 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!**

Dusk to Dawn, a Guide to Landscape Photography at Night, by Glenn Randall

PhotoPills

Photographer’s Ephemeris

SunSurveyor

Bahtinov Mask

Roger Clark

**Our Snapshots:**

Jeff: PhotoStatistica app

Kirk: Fujinon XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

**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.*

Milky Way over Bear Lake II

Aurora over Mt. Monolith

Milky Way from Dead Horse Point

Perseid Meteor Shower over the Titan II

Pheasant shot using Kirk’s Fujinon 55-200mm Lens

Episode 71: The Exposure Square Jul 03, 2020

Show notes

You may be familiar with the Exposure Triangle for determining exposure in photos, which is made up of ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. In this episode, Kirk explains that it's actually an Exposure Square we need to consider. We also discover the limits of Jeff's knowledge of film photography terms, since his photographic experience is almost entirely digital.

Hosts:

Jeff's website, Jeff's photos, Jeff on Instagram
Kirk's website, Kirk's photos, Kirk on Instagram
Subscribe to the PhotoActive Instagram account

Show Notes:

(View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co)

Rate and Review the PhotoActive Podcast!
Episode #8: Gordon Laing on Taking Great Photos In Camera
ISO (Wikipedia)
Aperture (Wikipedia)
Weegee (Wikipedia)
Why Your Camera Makes Airplane Propellers Look So Weird, Resource Magazine
Episode #70: One-Light Portraits with Sandra Coan
Video call quality: webcam vs iPhone vs DSLR, by Jeff Carlson
How to look your best on a video call, by Jeff Carlson

Our Snapshots:

Jeff: Dazzne Video LED Lights
Kirk: Flash: The Making of Weegee the Famous

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.

Episode 70: One-Light Portraits with Sandra Coan Jun 19, 2020

Show notes

Portrait photography can seem awfully daunting if you’ve never done it. How many lights do you use? Which modifiers are the best? Do you need a studio? How much money should you spend to get started? Oh, and how do you relate to the person in front of your camera? We talk with pro portrait photographer Sandra Coan about shooting with just one light and one modifier—using film!—and her book Crafting the Natural Light Look.

Guest:

Hosts:

Show Notes:

(View show notes with images at PhotoActive.co)