Alpha Universe Podcast

AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson speaks with 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 high-impact astro-landscapes. Rachel also conducts online astrophotography workshops. See more at her website, astralisphotography.com. See more including a step by step guide to setting up Bright Monitoring in the shownotes at AlphaUniverse.com.

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 Empire &Snowfall cinematographer Tommy Maddox-Upshaw. This is the first time we’ve had an opportunity to feature an interview with a leading Hollywood DP. We get a glimpse into that world during this strange and...

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.

On today’s show, guest host Chris Orwig speaks 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 sudden halt, Chris Burkard has been looking to what’s on the...

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.

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.

AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson speaks with veteran sports photojournalist, Patrick Murphy-Racey about his #2042020 project, the craft of shooting in black & white and why wants to do more than binge-watch Tiger King during the coronavirus shutdown. In Tech Talk, we’ll explain how to set up your Sony Alpha mirrorless camera to shoot in black & white. And for photographers who want to make "seeing" in black and white second nature, Patrick Murphy-Racey has some Do This Now tips.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 is stunning.

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...

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.

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. Apply at https://alphauniverse.com/alpha-female/

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

Nancy Borowick is 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 intend to share. In Tech Talk, Sony's Amy Koppmann explains how to use lens and camera stabilization together. And we get Do This Now tips from Nancy Borowick on the kind of photojournalistic story telling that she’s famous for.

New Sony Artisan of Imagery Jean Fruth joins AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson on the podcast to talk about how she photographs baseball 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 baseball field this spring and summer.

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

Sony Alpha Universe editor Christopher Robinson connects with Sony’s El Deane Naude about the new Sony 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. See more at AlphaUniverse.com

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