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We are loving seeing the holiday savings on Sony gear! Notably, the Sony Alpha 7III is at its lowest price ever, for a limited time. This camera can be a game-changer for creatives. Check out the video below where Gerald Undone talks about how it is his “Most Important Camera.” Other fantastic deals are going on as well! You can also save on the Sony Alpha 7 II camera body and Sony Alpha 7 II and 28-70mm lens, or the Sony Alpha 7 IV, Sony Alpha 7R IV and Sony Alpha 7R III. Plus there are savings on many lenses, including G Master Or G-Series lenses. Check out the full list on the Sony Promos Page!

There are myriad styles and techniques used to capture a portrait. Whether you’re a master of black and white, a vibrant color enthusiast, or experimenting with unique techniques, this challenge is the perfect platform to spotlight your signature style. Join us in celebrating the differences in our styles and the stories we choose to tell by sharing your favorite portrait photograph here and telling us how you were able to do it. Every contributor will earn points towards advancing in our community rankings.

Black and white photography has a timeless charm, often evoking a range of emotions or creating a sense of nostalgia. We invite you to share a black-and-white photo that you've created. Share an image that resonates with your emotions or has a unique story, and tell us all about it, how it speaks to you, and what emotions it evokes. In our challenge, we encourage a focus on the basics—quality of light, contrast, composition, and texture. Every contributor will earn points towards advancing in our community rankings.

The holiday savings continue at Sony with deals like $500 off the Sony Alpha 7 III and Sony Alpha 7 II and $100 off the Sony ZV-E10. You can also save on a variety of Sony lenses, including $100 off the Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Master, Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master, Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master, Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master, Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master and many more. Click HERE to go to our Promos page to see all the deals available.

Black Friday deals on select Sony gear have arrived, and now is the time to start checking off that holiday wishlist. Special deals currently available include $400 off the Sony Alpha 7R V, $500 off the Sony Alpha 7 III and Sony Alpha 7 II and $100 off the Sony ZV-E10. You can also save on a variety of Sony lenses including $100 off the Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master, Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master, Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Master, Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G, Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G and many more. Click HERE to go to our Promos page to see all the deals available.

Question from social: Thanksgiving meals are always so bland lookin - how do you make a Thanksgiving meal photogenic?

Question from social: How do you manage to not get hungry when you're shooting food for restaurants?

Question from the forum: Nodav asks: "I'd love to know what's your favorite shoot that you've done and why?"

Question from the forum: Avmil asks: "how do you lay the food out to look good? That may sound silly but I feel like it's hard to make food on a plate look appetizing and not just like a pile of mush... though maybe that says more about my cooking than photo techniques"

Suzi Pratt is a veritable creator who focuses on event and restaurant photography. Suzi is also known for her tech reviews as Gemini Connect on YouTube. You can check out some of Suzi’s work on her Instagram (@suzipratt).

The holiday season is approaching, and we recognize that there are myriad ways to celebrate. However, one universal element we all embrace is the joy of food. Across various cultures, food serves as a means to foster connections, offering an opportunity to relish delightful, festive meals with loved ones. To revel in the culinary delights you savor, we invite you to showcase images of your favorite foods. Share the yummy details and delicious spreads for a chance to have your work spotlighted. As a token of appreciation, every contributor will earn points towards advancing in our community rankings.

Veteran pro sports shooter @pm-r put the new Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master lens to the test from the sidelines. See why he says it was worth the wait. “It’s been a long wait and it was worth it. To get a 300mm f/2.8 this small, lightweight, sharp, and fast as it is… it’s flat out amazing.” You can read more about the new lens and Patrick’s insight by visiting Alpha Universe HERE.

Check out the news of the addition of two new products to the growing Sony Alpha full-frame camera and lens lineup – the Sony Alpha 9 III and Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master. You can read more by clicking the link HERE.

Click HERE to join our special livestream event on November 7th at 9 AM ET.

Blue hour is an enchanting period, often occurring just before sunrise and after sunset, providing photographers with a canvas filled with soft, diffused light. We want to see your blue hour photography that looks just like magic. The creative possibilities are endless. As the day transitions into night, the sky bathes in a mesmerizing blue hue, making it the perfect canvas for photographers to craft their masterpieces. Cityscapes come alive with the interplay of artificial and natural light, while bridges and their intricate designs become works of art against the twilight sky. Reflections on calm waters offer enchanting mirror-like vistas, and silhouettes against the vivid horizon create striking contrasts. Whether it's urban exploration, portraiture, or the serene beauty of coastal landscapes, blue hour lends its unique charm to each subject. Share your vision of the magic of twilight with your blue hour photos and share how you captured it.

We're thrilled to share that the Creative Space in NYC is right around the corner. Get ready for November 8th and 9th, as we're preparing for this to be a memorable event with shooting sets, incredible giveaways, photo walks, and engaging stage talks. In the area? Register for Sony Creative Space HERE! If you have been to a Sony Creative Space over the years, we'd love to see any photos you've taken while you've been there.

Nadja Baumgartner (@naba_natur) got started in photography four years ago and she quickly became interested in macro. “I find it fascinating to make visible what is invisible to the naked eye," she says. "In addition, I have always had a huge passion for animals. With my photography, I can draw attention to the small, inconspicuous creatures that are so important for our existence and an intact ecosystem. With my photography, I hope to transfer the fascination of these amazing creatures to others. I photograph these animals in their natural habitat without touching, disturbing or moving them. Ethics plays a big role in my photography. If I notice that an animal feels uncomfortable, I prefer to do without a good photo. The next opportunity will certainly come along.” We got a tour of Baumgartner’s camera bag to see what gear she uses to reveal those tiny worlds. Keep reading to learn how this lean and mean kit helps her capture the up-close details. Camera: Sony Alpha 7R V: I bought the Sony Alpha 7R V last winter. Before that, I had been shooting with the Sony Alpha 7R IV for some time. Actually, I had no reason to change, but when I heard that the Sony Alpha 7R V has new integrated focus stacking, I just had to have it. This makes focus stacking much easier for me. At first, I had to get used to the fact that I no longer move the camera manually, but hold it still, but now I find it ingenious. So, I can create much faster and more precise stacks. In addition, the Alpha 7R V has an enormously high resolution of 61 megapixels. This allows me to crop my photos as needed and still publish them very large. The image stabilizer is also incredible. This is important for me because I shoot without a tripod and always handheld. Otherwise, I would have too little responsiveness with my very active subjects. Another milestone is the new intelligent autofocus. In macro photography, I usually shoot with manual focus. But in winter I also photograph larger animals and I have to say, it's the most awesome autofocus I've ever tested. Lens: Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G: The 90mm fixed focal length is the ideal lens for macro photography. I still have enough distance to the subject and still have extremely good resolution. It has a particularly soft bokeh and, again, a powerful image stabilizer. Because the lens groups move within the lens as I focus, no insects or spiders are disturbed by movement. As I said earlier, ethics is of the utmost importance to me, so this is a must-have feature for a macro lens. The ease of switching from autofocus to manual focus lets me react extremely quickly when the situation changes or the animal moves. I love this lens and can't imagine a better one for my needs. Accessories: Sony HVL-F60RM2 Flash: I photograph almost exclusively with flash. For this, I chose the Sony HVL-F60RM2, because it is very powerful. Even with larger stacks it can keep up with the speed of the camera and does not overheat. For example, even stacks of 80 frames go effortlessly. Raynox DCR-250: For more extreme magnification I use the Raynox DCR-250, so I am flexible in handling. For animals I can get very close to it mounted, for more skittish or larger animals simply removed. Diffusor: A very important accessory is my macro diffuser from AK Diffusor. I used to have a homemade one that served its purpose, but with the new diffuser the illumination is much better. Even very shiny animals appear in a nice, subdued light. Extra Batteries: It’s also important for me to always have enough batteries and rechargeable batteries with me because on a good day, I can take a thousand photos. If I forget one of these accessories, I can actually turn back right away, because without all the equipment I do not achieve my desired quality of photos. Share what’s in your bag and how you capture macro photos.

Suzi Pratt (@suzipratt) is an event, food, and restaurant photographer. She is also well-known for her tech reviews at Gemini Connect on YouTube. It's our pleasure to announce that Suzi will be participating in an AMA right here on the forums on November 16th from 10 AM PST - 12 PM PST. We will be talking about photography, content creation, and more. If you'd like to ask Suzi questions ahead of time, post in this thread, and our forum moderators will ensure they get posted during the live event for Suzi to answer.

If you were out for this past Saturday’s annular solar eclipse, we’re eager to view your photos. Share your photos of the “Ring of Fire” or the solar eclipse here and share your experiences and insights. You can find a great photo and tips on editing from Sony Brand Ambassador and photo editor extraordinaire Matt Kloskoswki at the link below. https://alphauniverse.com/stories/get-ready-to-photograph-the-october-14-ring-of-fire-eclipse/

There can be various ways to capture frozen moments as you walk through the streets anywhere in the world. We want to see your favorite street photos and how you were able to capture them. Street photography is an art form that thrives on its fast pace and the unpredictable nature of urban life. Every corner turned, every face encountered, and every fleeting second presents a new opportunity to freeze a moment in time. It’s a challenge that photographers around the world embrace with open arms. Remember, street photography is about storytelling, so let your photos narrate the vibrant tapestry of life in our city. You can share your favorite street photos by replying to this thread with your work, and don’t forget to tell us all about it. We want to know where you were and how you captured frozen moments. Use this as an opportunity to gain extra points to rank up and there are possibilities for a chance to have your work featured.