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PhotoActive

PhotoActive

By: Jeff Carlson & Kirk McElhearn
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About this listen

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 203: Do You Have $10,000 to Spare?
    Feb 14 2026

    The best-selling compact camera in Japan is from... Kodak? We’ve talked about compact cameras in the past, but it remains a fascinating part of the photo marketplace as people look for something different than mirrorless and DSLR cameras. By the way, do you have $10,000 to spare on a new 35mm lens? Leica’s Noctilux-M 35mm f/1.2 ASPH was just announced at that eye-watering price. Lastly, Jeff covers some new Lightroom features in the latest versions.

    (Photo: Leica)

    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!

    • I Asked AI to Predict the Weather. It's About as Reliable as a Groundhog - CNET

    • Compact Camera Sales More Than Doubled Last Year in Japan | PetaPixel

    • Regarding the price of the Ricoh GR cameras, Kirk was thinking of the prices in the UK. In the US, the prices are $1,600 and and $2.200.

    • Noctilux-M 35 f/1.2 ASPH. | Leica Camera US

    • Leica 35mm Noctilux-M f/1.2 ASPH Review: A Long Time Coming | PetaPixel

    • Adobe Lightroom Classic release notes

    • Aftershoot

    • Thomas Pynchon: Vineland (Kirk said it was published in 1980; that should be 1990)

    • How 'One Battle After Another' Shot the Car Chase Scene Like a Gritty '70s Film - YouTube

    Jeff’s Snapshot

    • The Uncool by Cameron Crowe

    Kirk’s Snapshot

    • One Battle After Another

    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.

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    32 mins
  • Episode 202: Pixelmator Pro Returns
    Feb 3 2026

    Now we know what Apple is doing with Pixelmator Pro after its acquisition of Pixelmator: it’s part of the new Apple Creator Studio bundle. Also, we celebrate the latest black and white camera to hit the market, the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome, and ponder large-format photographer Sally Mann’s discovery of digital photography.

    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!

    • The Ink Drinker, Seattle

    • Episode 60: Machine Learning with Andrius Gailiunas and Pixelmator Pro

    • Ricoh GR IV Monochrome PetaPixel Video

    • Sally Mann, Digital Camera World

    • Episode 141: You Say You Want a Resolution

    Jeff’s Snapshot

    • Reflections: On Cinematography, Roger Deakins

    Kirk’s Snapshot

    • None

    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
    30 mins
  • Episode 201: What’s Real
    Jan 3 2026

    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, 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!

    • Now that phones alter our photos without us knowing, how do we know what’s real?

    • Episode 114: Bryan Jones on Why Color Doesn't Exist

    • Leica Q3 firmware update

    • Leica’s engraved fonts

    • Leica TikTok

    • Actions Ring - On Screen Overlay

    • 3M Precise Mouse Pad

    Kirk’s Snapshot

    • Logitech MX Master 4

    Jeff’s Snapshot

    • Moment Tripod Mount for MagSafe

    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
    33 mins
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