Alpha Universe Podcast

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 the beginnings of her process. In her book, Reflection, Brooke has assembled a collection of her work and organized it thematically. We spoke about the book, how it came about and her interest in exploring dark themes.

The Alpha Universe Podcast is part of the Alpha Universe Podcast Network. See more at alphauniverse.com/podcasts

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 Christopher talked about fellow Alpha Collective member Cath Simard’s recent NFT drop on Super Rare. You can see more about it our article HERE.

One of the early adopters of NFTs was JN Silva. See more about his projects HERE.

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 Female Plus grant at alphauniverse.com/alpha-female. You can also see last years’ winners and their projects HERE.

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 Canyon to the mesmerizing opening sequence to Netflix’s House of Cards. Drew is here to talk about the technology of timelapse, his surprising revelation about the new Sony Alpha 1, and the processing power he uses to produce his latest projects.

See more about Drew at alphauniverse.com and subscribe to his YouTube channel HERE.

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 advancements in this new addition to the Sony Alpha lineup.

See more about the Sony A7S III at alphauniverse.com.

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 home in the Canadian Rockies to enjoy the solitude and stillness with her camera and the Milky Way.

Rachel is also an avid teacher who has started going all online with her astrophotography workshops during COVID 19. You can sign up for her workshops at her website, astralisphotography.com.

See more about Rachel and our step by step guide to setting up Bright Monitoring on your camera in the shownotes for this episode 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 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 production to study cinema from around the world and to exchange ideas with small groups of friends and colleagues online.

This is the first time we’ve had an opportunity to feature an interview with a leading Hollywood DP on the podcast. It’s an opportunity to get a glimpse into that world during this strange and challenging time. Jeff Berlin connected with Maddox remotely for this interview.

You can see more about Maddox at SonyCine.com. Subscribe to the Alpha Universe Podcast at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode of was produced in conjunction with Jeff Berlin and SonyCine.com.

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 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 sudden halt, Chris Burkard has been looking to the future and what’s on the horizon.

See more about Chris Orwig here. See more about Chris Burkard here. You can join Chris Burkard's 3.6 Instagram followers here.

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 outdoors indoors. Erin purchased some HO- and N-scale model railroad figures and, within the confines of her apartment, she started to craft macro scenes. Through her macro lens, Erin created places where she could let her mind wander and explore. Through the hashtag #ourgreatindoors she invited her community and the whole world to come along on a journey during quarantine. The idea has caught on in a big way and Erin has been featured on television, online and in print. We spoke from our respective coronavirus home offices over Skype.

See more including our step by step camera setup guide for macro at alphauniverse.com.