Join us as we once again explore the best of the world of photography from this past week, taking a close look at some tutorials, special features and great photography. This weeks list features a wide range of topics and subjects, with something here that is sure to please everyone. We truly hope you enjoy perusing these links as much as the Toad did himself in bringing this list to you.
TUTORIALS
How to Photograph Lightning (With Awesome Examples) – join us right here on Light Stalking as we explore the techniques required to capture stunning images with lightning as the main subject. This is a tricky genre of photography to create, and having this great set of tips and tricks in your back-pocket is sure to help you achieve amazing results as you head out into a storm on a hunt for this incredible visual phenomenon.
Manny Ortiz Demonstrates Off Camera Flash Vs Available Light In A Photoshoot Video – join Manny Ortiz as he shows us the differences that can be realized in shooting with natural light and with off-camera flash. The ability to control ambient versus artificial lighting is a powerful tool that we can apply in our workflow, and being able to see the differences as Manny works is a great way to get inspired to go out and try for yourself.
10 tips for candid street photography – this brief tutorial covers a set of very helpful tips and tricks for those practicing street photography. Sample shots are included with each point, helping you to see what is being described in an effort to help you achieve your own intended results.
The Photoshop Filter Gallery for Beginners Part I – the Photoshop filter gallery is briefly explored in this post that shows you how to apply the various filters, and what to expect in the form of output from applying them. These filters can be a great way to add artistic features to a specific shot, and this is a great way to get started with them.
How tilt shift lenses work to correct distortion and make scenes appear miniature – the magic behind tilt-shift lenses is revealed in this short video presentation that shows you how these optics can be used in the field for various applications. The video includes sample images that show you how the two main features of tilt-shift lenses work in real-world scenarios.
Overcoming Your Fear of Photographing Strangers – if you are looking for inspiration to get out there and photograph strangers in candid situations, this is an article you won’t want to miss. Years of practice and experience come together in this post, revealing some insights that are very helpful in overcoming our own inner voice of doubt so you can capture truly great images.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Polar bear pics win prize, headed to Smithsonian – my personal love for bears comes to life in this series of award-winning shots that showcase a beautiful polar bear mom with her two cubs. These shots are all worthy of their status and are sure to tug at your heartstrings as they did mine.
Las Fallas in Valencia — a once-in-a-lifetime experience… – Sherry Galey shares a wonderful personal experience she had in March as the annual Las Fallas celebration was underway. She comes away with an awesome series of photographs from the event that really leaves us feeling as if we were there with her, taking in all the sights and sounds of an amazing festival.
Drone captures unique view of Ottawa's iconic landmarks – as aerial photography becomes a bigger thing in the field of imagery, we are finding more and more presentations that are created from the air that are producing amazing footage. This CBC news article showcases some of Canada’s best-known landmarks in the capital, revealing never-before-seen shots of these architectural wonders from a brand-new perspective.
Celebrated Hay River photographer Adam Hill says goodbye to the North – Adam Hill has created an amazing collection of photographs from spending over 8 years embedded in the far northern regions of Canada. His story is incredible, including the fact that one of his shots is featured on a coin that celebrates Canada’s 150th birthday. This article features a great selection of his photographs.
A rare interview with Victor Hasselblad from 1967 – the man behind the iconic brand and vision of Hasselblad is interviewed in this old broadcast filmed by Swedish National Television in 1967. This fascinating interview gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how the company and products were designed and created.
GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY
The Final Moment – Daniel F.’s dramatic landscape shot features a foreboding natural rock formation against the backdrop of a brooding sky. In the far distance, the setting sun casts its color palette across the vista, creating a strong sense of hope and joy as you take in the natural wonders.
– The eye that controls us – – this incredible shot from J0S0K reveals a great forgotten staircase that creates terrific geometry and a vanishing point as you stare down the spiral that hasn’t been trod upon in many years. The terrific textures and details from years of neglect work in perfect harmony with the natural lines and shapes to create this compelling photograph.
Holuhraun … – take to the air in an exciting helicopter ride with this incredible shot of an active volcano taken by Iurie Belegurschi. Nature has an amazing way of creating natural art, in this case we visually enjoy the vibrant orange tendrils of flowing lava against a stark and dramatic landscape.
Moulton Barn IR – Michael Criswell uses infrared in this shot to capture this iconic scene by revealing an alternate spectrum from the one we are used to seeing typically. This fresh perspective of this world-famous barn is sympathetic to the barn and it’s surroundings, making an instant classic.
Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo – fast moving light trails lead you into this frame that focuses on an architectural bridge span in the distance. Yoshiro Ishii does a great job with this shot with a great composition and mastery over shutter speed to create the vertigo-inducing shot that exhibits motion in a still frame.
Dolphin Play – Pine Island Sound, Florida – dolphins are amazing animals, particularly when captured in their natural habitat in a playful mood. This wonderful photograph comes to us from Len Saltiel, and is a great portrait of two of these creatures as they play in the wake of the boat he is using as a photography platform.
The breath of the sea – a strange feature near the shore of the ocean creates a spot that appears to be sucking the ocean into a bottomless fracture in this amazing photograph from Dino Marsango. Dino uses the sun that sits just over the horizon line to accent the seascape with wonderful colors and reflections that add perfect elements to this amazing picture.
Signs of Life – Lisa Gordon uses a shallow depth-of-focus to capture a series of close-up shots that reveal the magic of life as winter finally gives way to spring. Lisa focuses on flowers and a bead of water to compress the universe we live in daily into a frame with a perspective that definitely makes you stop and take pause of the wonder all around us.
Shipwrecked Supertanker – a huge supertanker sits wrecked near the shore as a massive brooding storm lingers overhead to add a perfect dash of drama to this shot that exudes artistic tension. The story behind the photograph adds a perfect dimension to this amazing shot, captured and shared here by Robert Downie.
Malayon Flying Fox – if you are unfamiliar with this bat, widely considered to be one of the world’s largest examples of this species, this portrait will absolutely amaze you. Wayne Beauregard captures this portrait of one of these creatures as it hangs from a tree in a pose that makes for a photo that is hard to avert your eyes from.
sharing the love – beautiful blue waters frame this amazing shot that showcases a pair of sailboats making time as they move across the waters with dramatic mountains forming a perfect backdrop in the distance. Kurt Arrigo composes and processes this scene just perfectly, creating a scene that invites you in where the fresh sea air moves through your hair.
Yellow Lotus – flower enthusiasts might get excited after reading the title of this shot from Tim Stanley, but it really is a post meant for car enthusiasts. This great shot features a vibrant yellow Lotus sports car sitting pristine at a car show, revealing it’s beautiful flowing lines and eye-catching color.
Dubai Marina – Daniel Cheong delivers another of his trademark images that feature the incredible architectural features of Dubai captured from a high perspective. Daniel always reveals incredible details in his shots, showcasing the buildings and features of this amazing city that literally sprung up in the middle of the desert.
light and lines – Frank King shares a terrific architectural piece with this photograph that features the inside of a large facility, captured just as it opened but before it was full of people. The contemporary architecture creates strong leading lines and a great vanishing point, showing off this space for what it truly is.
High up – the city of Toronto forms the bokeh backdrop for this shot by A Frenchman In NY that uses a shallow depth-of-focus to create a unique view. The instrument panel of the helicopter that provides this incredible view is the prime subject in focus in this shot that creates a distinctive feel.
Paducah, Texas – Mike Olbinski is a well-known storm chaser who captures the most stunning and dramatic photographs of storm systems in the United States as they move through the region. This shot features an incredible lightning strike that seems to emanate right from the heart of the storm itself.
Blue Monday – Merlin Kafka creates a distinctive and amazing shot, post-processing this fabulous scene with cinematic tones to highlight the inherent drama and beauty of the region. This shot centers the world-famous medieval monastery sitting on a tiny island in the center of Lake Bled with a muted reflection for added interest.
The Dome – a Paris landmark is visually explored from the interior in this amazing architectural study by Manjik photography. Wonderful details and textures in the old stonework come to life in this composition that also features a wonderful and delicate color palette to frame and highlight the prominent visage of this building's dome.
