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)

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• 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)

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)

Before you go out to do some photography, how do you determine where to go? Jeff had a portrait session booked and discovered that the location was fenced and blocked -- but scouting in advance gave him time to find a new spot. We talk about tools and techniques for finding the best photo spots and conditions.

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!

• Google Maps

• Storm Radar app

• TPE

• Lumy

• Best Budget Coffee Grinders for 2026, CoffeeGeek

Jeff’s Snapshot

• MiiCoffee DF54 Single Dose Coffee Grinder

Kirk’s Snapshot

• Ankarsrum Mixer

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.

Jeff defends his spot throughout the day in the Piazzale Michaelangelo in Florence, Italy. (Photo: Jeff Carlson)

One of the photos from that spot in Florence. (Photo: Jeff Carlson)

The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE)