I love fall. White Salmon River, Washington State #photography
Remote
Jeff Carlson
@jeffcarlson@twit.social
mastodon 4.7.3Writer. Photographer. Late-nighter.
Author of numerous books about photo and video editing software, Apple devices, and more. Co-host of the PhotoActive podcast. Senior Writer at CNET. he/him
757 Followers
325 Following
27 Posts
Joined November 10, 2022
Twitter:
Instagram:
VERIFIED BY PRESSCHECK.ORG:
Hey photographers! It’s time to change the copyright year in your cameras and image editing software to 2026
Take Control of iPhone Photography, 2nd Edition
The big 2nd edition of my book on how to take great photos with your iPhone is now available!
http://jeffcarlson.com/2026/04/18/take-control-of-iphone-photography-2nd-edition/
More fall. Mount Adams.
I might take some heat about this take on Apple's new Spatial Reframing feature, given what many people (and photographers) think about generative AI, but it could be an actually useful tool. Everything will depend, of course, on how well it works. From me at CNET:
You never forget the first time you pilot a drone over water. Only this time, I deliberately tossed it into the drink. I've got a hands-on article about the HoverAir Aqua drone at CNET: https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/hands-on-with-hoverair-aqua-a-drone-that-isnt-afraid-of-the-water/
Take Control of Apple Watch, Sixth Edition
The new edition of my essential guide to Apple Watch is now out, with a bunch of new material.
http://jeffcarlson.com/2025/11/03/take-control-of-apple-watch-sixth-edition/
Winter storm tip: Are you an active Apple Watch owner obsessed with closing your rings but the big storm has you safe inside? You can pause activity rings and not lose your streak: Activity app > tap rings > choose Pause Rings.
Stay safe out there friends. More tips and Apple Watch secrets are in my book: https://www.takecontrolbooks.com/apple-watch/
I visited Valve a couple weeks ago for a secret sneak peek at their new Steam Frame VR headset, Steam Machine PC, and new Steam Controller. I went as photographer with Scott Stein and Faith Chihill, and we had an enjoyable day playing the new gaming hardware that will debut in 2026. https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/i-tried-valves-steam-frame-machine-and-controller-coming-in-2026-steam-os-is-coming-for-your-face-and-tv/
In addition to these steps, a friend reminds me to block the TV from accessing the Internet on your network. I have an eero WiFi system and the app lets you pause connections to individual devices.
If you haven't heard of Clawdbot, now named Moltbot, you absolutely must read this entertaining article by Macy Meyer at CNET : https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/from-clawdbot-to-moltbot-how-this-ai-agent-went-viral-and-changed-identities-in-72-hours/
I’m doing something cool tonight (Wed, 1/21): The Ink Drinker, a great new *bar for book lovers* in Seattle, is starting an InfoDump series of guest speakers. I’m taking about AI and Photography at 7pm, talk + Q&A
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTuQezjDitj/?igsh=c2hobHAyNzFmaDBu
A Look Inside T-Mobile’s Emergency Response Teams
Big truck big truck I got to ride in a big truck
http://jeffcarlson.com/2025/12/17/a-look-inside-t-mobiles-emergency-response-teams/
Didn't intend for this to be so timely, with flooding here in the PNW, but today CNET published my large feature about T-Mobile's emergency response. I had great access to professionals who get deployed when events such as hurricanes, wildfires and floods break out.
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/inside-t-mobile-emergency-response/
Time for a smartphone camera battle! https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/iphone-17-pro-vs-pixel-10-pro-xl-i-pitted-smartphone-royalty-against-each-other/
Presumably because I'm a journalist, I've had a Twitter blue check for years (I think I applied? Long time ago). For Mastodon (and other services), Presscheck.org is building a database of verified journalists. My verification was approved tonight: https://presscheck.org/journalists/jeff-l-carlson
Replying to
@MikeTRose@saturation.social @aftershow_podcast@techhub.social Oh no, what did I do now?
My colleague Vanessa Hand Orellana wrote an excellent labs-tested article comparing the performance of top smartwatches -- running 30 miles over two months! Talk about sweating over every detail. Great read for anyone looking at their health, not just for athletes
Here's a detail about the Verizon outage I haven't seen anywhere else. Informed speculation, because Verizon hasn't shared the real cause, but analyst Roger Entner says a software update affecting 5G SA (Standalone) could be why it seemed to hit newer phones only. More here: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/fat-fingers-may-have-caused-verizons-network-outage-according-to-analyst/
If your AirPods Max are unresponsive, put them in the freezer. Really!
My chilling tale at CNET: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/if-your-airpods-max-are-not-responding-try-this-literally-cool-fix/
I’ve had an adventurous couple of weeks for work. Flew to Chicago to fly on a plane around Wisconsin testing Starlink Wi-Fi then flew back home: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/watch-the-world-series-live-on-a-plane-uniteds-starlink-wi-fi-can-do-it/
Can cleaning products turn an orange iPhone 17 Pro pink? CNET's Andrew Lanxon tested to find out: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/i-tried-turning-my-cosmic-orange-iphone-17-pink-heres-what-happened/
Last week I spent time with folks from Visit Seattle and Sky Elements to get a behind-the-scenes look at how they're putting on Seattle's World Cup Scoreboard drone show. 400 drones in 6 shows showcase that day's Seattle World Cup game teams and final score.
https://www.cnet.com/culture/sports/world-cup-seattle-drone-scoreboard/
Seattle-area photographers! Saturday 5/23 is my next pair of Lightroom Classic in-person courses at Kenmore Camera. Morning session covers Library mgmt, and afternoon is all about editing! Bundle both classes at a discount rate or attend just one. Getting down to the wire, so sign up now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adobe-lightroom-classic-workshop-series-live-w-jeff-carlson-tickets-1983392188427?aff=oddtdtcreator
eSCENE Temporary Home
Several years ago, just as the Web was starting up, I started an online literary magazine (ezine) called eSCENE, which served as an online equivalent to Best American Short Stories. I asked for other ezine editors to submit the top 10 percent of the stories they published during the year; I contacted the authors asking permission to review the stories; and then, with the help of a guest editor and assistant editor, we published the best.