In this episode of the Alpha Universe podcast, Christopher Robinson, editor of AlphaUniverse.com speaks with fine art photographer and Sony Artisan of Imagery Brooke Shaden about her new book, Reflection . Brooke Shaden is one of the most inspiring artists working with a camera today. To call her work simply self portraits barely scratches the surface and only hints at the layers with each image. She is a Sony Artisan of Imagery for whom the photographs she takes with camera and lens just mark t...
Jul 25, 2021•20 min•Season 5Ep. 6
In this episode of the Alpha Universe podcast we connect with landscape photographer and Alpha Collective member Nate Luebbe ( @nateinthewild ) about NFTs. In Tech Talk we take a look at a feature in some Sony cameras that allows you to make huge image files up to 240 megapixels. Then we get some Do This Now tips from Nate Luebbe for taking your first steps into the world of NFTs. Here are links to Nate Luebbe’s NFT’s on Open Sea HERE and on Foundation HERE . Also, in our interview, Nate and Chr...
Jun 04, 2021•25 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this episode of the Alpha Universe podcast, we're talking about the Alpha Female grant program. Alpha Universe Podcast host Christopher Robinson connects with Sony’s Michaela Ion to find out more how to apply for an Alpha Female Plus grant worth more than $8000 in cash and gear. Now in its fourth year, the Sony Alpha Female Plus program continues to grow and evolve. Throughout 2021 and into 2022, there are some 12 grants available for photographers and filmmakers. You can apply for an Alpha F...
Apr 29, 2021•27 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Alpha Universe editor Christopher Robinson speaks with timelapse cinematographer Drew Geraci. In Tech Talk, we’ll rundown some camera setup tips for shooting timelapse. And finally we’ll wrap up with Drew Geraci sharing his top tip for aspiring timelapse movie makers in Do This Now. Drew Geraci is a timebending cinematographer who has built a vast library of work that includes everything from captivating commercials for Cartier to breathtaking timelapse captures across the Alps and the Grand Can...
Apr 08, 2021•21 min•Season 5Ep. 3
We’re taking deep dive into the new Sony Alpha 7S Mark III with Sony PRO Support National Manager and all-around Sony camera expert, Mike Bubolo. The latest model in the Alpha 7 S lineup is one of the most highly-anticipated cameras since mirrorless technology took over from DSLRs and it’s been purpose-built for video, hybrid shooting and low light. Alpha Universe editor Christopher Robinson connected with Mike Bubolo over Skype to get the inside story on some of the most significant advancement...
Oct 09, 2020•31 min•Season 5Ep. 2
AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson speaks with landscape and astro-photographer Rachel Jones Ross. In Tech Talk, we go through a camera setting that changes the game for photography after dark. And we get some Do This Now tips from Rachel Jones Ross for making high-impact astro-photos and astro-landscapes. Rachel Jones Ross became a photographer because of astrophotography. Rachel, who is also a member of the Alpha Imaging Collective, takes advantage of long winter nights near her hom...
Jul 22, 2020•30 min•Season 4Ep. 12
In this special episode of the Alpha Universe Podcast, we’re taking a look into the motion picture side of content creation. During the coronavirus shutdowns that have halted film and television production in Southern California, SonyCine.com editor Jeff Berlin interviewed cinematographer Tommy Maddox-Upshaw . Maddox, who has worked on Fox’s Empire series as well as the FX series Snowfall and Netflix’ s Huge In France ( see all of his credits on IMDB ), has been taking the time away from product...
Jun 12, 2020•28 min•Season 4Ep. 11
This Alpha Universe Podcast is all about lenses. AlphaUniverse.com 's Christopher Robinson speaks with Lensrentals founder and all around optical mad scientist, Roger Cicala to talk about what makes a great lens and a proper lens review. We connect with Sony's El-Deane Naude to get the inside story on what makes a G Master lens a G Master. And Roger Cicala comes back to offer up some Do This Now Tips about how to clean a lens the right way....
May 28, 2020•36 min•Season 4Ep. 10
On today’s show, guest host Chris Orwig continues his conversations with mentors, colleagues and friends with the incomparable Chris Burkard. Burkard’s images are well known to his 3.6 million Instagram followers , but there’s much more to him than just social media. Chris Burkard’s humility, his humanity and his unwavering dedication to his family make him who he is as a photographer and entrepreneur. In the midst of the coronavirus shutdowns, as he saw his business come to a complete and sudde...
May 06, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Alpha Universe editor Christopher Robinson connects with travel writer and photographer turned macro world shooter, Erin Sullivan ( @erinoutdoors ). In Tech Talk, we’ll go through of the best camera settings for macro photography. And we get some Do This Now tips from Erin Sullivan for anyone looking to create their own macro world in quarantine. Erin Sullivan is frequently on the move. When the coronavirus lockdowns started in March and travel became impossible, she got creative and brought the...
Apr 29, 2020•24 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Today we’re running a special show for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Guest host Chris Orwig interviews conservation photographer Cristina Mittermeier. Cristina is a co-founder of Sea Legacy and she has made it her life’s mission to use her images to help empower indigenous peoples and to bring attention to the natural world and convert apathy into action. See more about Cristina Mittermeier and Chris Orwig at AlphaUniverse.com ....
Apr 22, 2020•38 min•Season 4Ep. 7
AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson speaks with veteran sports photojournalist and portrait pro, Patrick Murphy-Racey about his #2042020 project, the lost craft of shooting in black and white and why he was driven to do more than binge-watch Tiger King during the national coronavirus shutdown. In Tech Talk, we’ll explain how to set up a Sony Alpha mirrorless camera to shoot in black and white. And for photographers who want to make "seeing" and shooting in black and white second nature...
Apr 21, 2020•31 min•Season 4Ep. 6
On today’s show, guest host Chris Orwig continues his series of conversations with creative colleagues, friends and mentors. Chris is joined by the ever thoughtful adventure photographer and filmmaker Ben Moon. Chris and Ben talk about getting to where you’re going by pointing your compass at what’s important to you and discovering the sometimes hidden opportunities that lay upon that path and about dealing with the unique challenges presented by the coronavirus. See more about Chris Orwig and B...
Apr 15, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Alpha Universe editor Christopher Robinson speaks with pro portrait photographer and educator Chris Orwig. In Tech Talk, Sony’s El Naude explains the difference between Sony Eye AF and Real Time Tracking AF technologies. And we get some simple, and powerful Do This Now tips from Chris Orwig for lighting portraits. See more in the shownotes at AlphaUniverse.com .
Apr 10, 2020•32 min•Season 4Ep. 4
On today’s show, guest host Chris Orwig continues his series of conversations with creative colleagues, friends and mentors. Chris is joined by fellow photographer and Sony Artisan of Imagery, Colby Brown as they talk about how coronavirus travel restrictions are affecting Colby’s work and professional life and the positives that are coming out of this unique time in our history.
Apr 07, 2020•59 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Photojournalist and portrait photographer Paul Gero joins Alpha Universe editor Christopher Robinson to talk about his Portraits In The Time Of Corona project. Shooting pictures from the porch to adhere to social distancing guidelines, Gero is creating a unique look at life in his small mid-western town during this unprecedented time. We also walk you through the how to set up your Sony Alpha or RX camera to livestream. The setup is easy and the step up in image quality from your computer webcam...
Mar 31, 2020•18 min•Season 4Ep. 2
On today’s Alpha Universe Podcast we’re doing something new. Over the coming weeks, portrait photographer and Sony Artisan Of Imagery Chris Orwig will be an occasional guest host of the podcast. Orwig will be interviewing his friends, mentors and colleagues to talk about what they are doing to move forward in these days of social distancing and isolation. In the first in this mini series, Orwig talks with Caroline Jensen. See more about Chris Orwig and Caroline Jensen in the show notes at AlphaU...
Mar 26, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Special guest Matt Parnell from Sony joins AlphaUniverse.com's Christopher Robinson to talk about what Kando means, the power of "Wow" and how Kando Trip 3.0 was born. At this unique multi-day event in Sunriver Oregon, hundreds of photographers, YouTubers, filmmakers and other creatives are immersed in dawn to night workshops and special shooting opportunities.
Aug 14, 2019•11 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Sony's Michaela Ion joins AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson to talk about Alpha Female 2.0. We learn about the prize package, mentorship, how you can apply and why the program matters. See how to apply at AlphaUniverse.com/alpha-female/
Jul 30, 2019•21 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Colby Brown is constantly in motion. The landscape], travel and humanitarian photographer is on the road for more than half the year. In addition to being a professional shooter, Colby also keeps an active website with detailed gear reviews and he had an opportunity to test the new Sony a7R IV with the Sony 200-600mm G lens in Alaska. AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson caught up with Colby when they were both in New York for the a7R IV launch event. Having had a chance to use the new ...
Jul 23, 2019•21 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Alpha Universe Editor Christopher Robinson sits down with Sony’s El Deane Naude to talk through the new a7R IV. The new high-resolution mirrorless camera has a new 61 megapixel full-frame image sensor, 16-image Pixel Shift Multi Shooting, Real Time Tracking and Animal Eye AF, Real Time Eye AF in video mode and more. El-Deane walks us through the new features and capabilities for today’s photographers and filmmakers. See more at AlphaUniverse.com...
Jul 16, 2019•23 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Everyone wants to be a story teller, and few do it as well as photojournalist Nancy Borowick. She's the kind of photographer who reveals the heart of a story through incredibly intimate photos. AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson talks with Nancy about her shooting style and how it was born out of a personal project that she didn't originally intend to share. In Tech Talk, Sony's Amy Koppmann explains how to use lens stabilization in conjunction with camera stabilization. And we get so...
Jul 02, 2019•31 min•Season 3Ep. 3
With the 2019 Major League season just underway, pro sports photographer and new Artisan Of Imagery, Jean Fruth joins AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson to talk about photographing the action on and off the diamond. In Tech Talk, Sony’s El Deane Naude gives us insight into the extended battery life in the latest generation of Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras. Then Jean Fruth returns to offer up some of her top tips for photographers who are want to capture all of the action on the b...
Apr 16, 2019•28 min•Season 3Ep. 2
After a special shoot at a UFC gym north of Los Angeles, Sports professional Patrick Murphy-Racey sat down with Alpha Universe editor Christopher Robinson to talk about the version 5.0 firmware update for the Sony a9 and how the update “makes the camera reborn.” See more at AlphaUniverse.com
Jan 15, 2019•23 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Alpha Universe Editor Christopher Robinson connects with Sony’s El Deane Naude about the new a6400. The latest 24.2 megapixel APS-C camera has Real Time Tracking AF, 4K video, and a flip-up touchscreen. El-Deane explains the ins and outs of the new AF system, what Real Time Tracking AF is and how it incorporates advancements in tracking Eye AF, as well as some of the features that vloggers in particular will be interested in. “We've come to a point where the technology allows itself to be put on...
Jan 15, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Sony's Michaela Ion and Alpha Universe editor Christopher Robinson discuss the just-launched Alpha Female program and how it aims to level the playing field for women in creative fields. At the heart of the program are $25,000 and mentoring from the Sony Artisans Of Imagery. Join us as Ion describes how Alpha Female came into being and how you can apply for the Find out more at alphauniverse.com/alpha-female
Sep 14, 2018•14 min•Season 2Ep. 11
AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson talks with Matt Parnell about Sony's growth from zero a few years ago to be the leader in full-frame interchangeable lens cameras in the US. Parnell and Robinson also discuss the new Be Alpha campaign, the massive reach of the @SonyAlpha community and how the Sony Alpha brand is positioned for the future. See more about Be Alpha and @SonyAlpha at AlphaUniverse.com and in Instagram.
Sep 01, 2018•12 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In this episode of the podcast, AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson speaks with photographer, writer and international man of mystery, Kishore Sawh, Editor-In-Chief of SLR Lounge . Based in Miami, Kish is also a devoted dog lover and, when he's not writing about trends in photography or making pictures, Kish works with a variety animal rescue organizations including PetsInDistress . In Tech Talk, Sony’s El Deane Naude explains the ins and outs of the Sony Live View Display Setting Effe...
Aug 10, 2018•27 min•Season 2Ep. 9
AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson connects with Hollywood set photographer Jennifer Clasen. Born into a photography family, Clasen didn't simply follow in her father’s footsteps. We discuss how a global gap-year trek she took during college kindled her love of making photographs and how twists and turns along her path brought her to independent film set and began a career shooting behind the rolling cameras. In Tech Talk, Sony’s El Deane Naude explains how high-speed silent shooting ...
Jul 11, 2018•30 min•Season 2Ep. 8
EXCLUSIVE: AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson talks with professional sports photographer and Sony Artisan Of Imagery Patrick Murphy-Racey about the new Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master lens. Murphy-Racey had a chance to use the lens on the sidelines and he describes it’s performance and how it worked in conjunction with his α9 cameras. See more including Patrick Murphy-Racey's photos from the game at AlphaUniverse.com.
Jun 27, 2018•14 min•Season 2Ep. 8
