#CreatorConversations is an AMA (Ask Me Anything) series hosted by @sonyalpha on Instagram. As part of the series, we were joined by Mike Meyers (@mmeyers76) of the Sony Alpha Imaging Collective. See some of the highlights below as he shares his favorite gear, tips for timelapse and more. Visit the Instagram post for the full AMA and make sure you’re following @sonyalpha and #CreatorConversations to stay connected. Learn even more about Mike's gear for cityscapes in his What's In My Bag article, his process in this workflow article and his best camera settings for epic landscape shots in this one.

"I think it’s important as a creator that you never stop learning and trying new things.” – Mike Meyers #CreatorConversations

"What is your favorite camera/lens to work with?" – @kimble28

Mike: “For camera definitely my α7R IV. I love all the megapixels I have to work with and the dynamic range and the built-in intervalometer for timelapses work. The 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master is my workhorse lens but I really like the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM and the 12-24mm f/4 G as well.”

"Why Sony?" – @martinowayan

Mike: “When it comes to mirrorless they make the best cameras, hands down. so when I got my first camera it was a Sony. I loved it right away and have stuck with them because they consistently have the best cameras and lenses out there.”

"What tips do you have for someone just starting out in landscapes?" – @kkpeakphotography

Mike: “Shoot as much as you can. The more you shoot the better you’ll get and the more you’ll start to develop your own style. And try to learn as much as you can. Tons of great free resources out there. Check the Sony Alpha Universe site as well (also free obviously).”

"What equipment are you using for time lapse photos?" – @tribecaphotographer

Mike: “Always my Sony α7R IV now. The built-in intervalometer makes it super easy/fast. For lenses it depends on the shot.”

"How does the galaxy timelapse work? I mean in terms of exposure because the timelapse spreads across day and night." – @ankur_dalal

Mike: “I used the built-in intervalometer on the α7R III for that one. If you put it on aperture priority, it will adjust for exposure as it gets darker (or lighter).”

"What do you aim for/use to align hyperlapse videos while you’re shooting? Grid? Verticals?" – @robbie_ralph

Mike: “You want to keep the camera level (obviously) so I use the level guide. And I use adjustable spot focus to pick a point then keep that aligned with the same spot on my subject throughout the hyperlapse. Obviously don’t move the adjustable spot once you start shooting.”

"I also noticed a lot of your shots are directly facing the sun. Do you use zebra? Histogram? How do you manage that?" – @robbie_ralph

Mike: “Shooting into the sun means a huge dynamic range. It’s too much to properly expose for the shadows and sun in one frame. If you’re going to expose for one frame, I suggest exposing more for the highlights. But the best way to do it is to do a 3-shot or 5-shot bracket and exposure blend them in photoshop. There are a lot of tutorials on that you’ll be able to find easily.”

"These days, how do you tell the difference between a great photo and something that has been Photoshopped? These are beautiful but so pristine they could have been 'made' to look that way." – @flexem2

Mike: “I think judging what is a great photo is all relative. Some feel like you shouldn’t edit much at all. Others feel anything is fair game. I’m somewhere in between as far as my personal style. I think being free to edit your shots however you like is one of the things about photography that makes it appealing to so many people.”

See the full AMA here.