برچسب: August

  • August Contest Winners, Unseen Beauty And More! – The Weekly Light Stalking Community Roundup

    August Contest Winners, Unseen Beauty And More! – The Weekly Light Stalking Community Roundup

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    Welcome to our weekly community wrap-up.  It’s been another great and exciting week on the Light Stalking forums with some great photography by the community. Members have been submitting high quality photos the past few weeks, which makes it even more exciting.

    Here is the Photo Of The Week that is judged by Federico every week. This week’s photo of the week is by Patrick and you can read what Federico had to say about this photo in the link here – Photo of the Week – September 19th

    Copyright Patrick

    We announced the contest winners for August 2025 last week. Take a look at the winning photos here – August 2025 Photo Contest Winners: The Art of Reflection

    First Place: The Ghost in the Machine – Copyright Patrick

    The weekend photography challenge from last week was “Unseen Beauty” and members had their creative take on the theme with very interesting shots – some of them are shared below.

    Copyright David C
    Copyright Patrick
    Copyright Michael
    Copyright Tersha
    Copyright Patrick
    Copyright Pat Garrett
    Copyright Pat Garrett
    Copyright Patrick
    Copyright Robert Apple
    Copyright Tersha
    Gonna get things moving round here – Copyright Patrick
    Copyright Tersha

    This week, we have a new challenge that has some very beautiful submissions already. Join the challenge here – Light Of The Ordinary

    Here are some amazing shots from the past week that we thought were great and should be included here:

    Daniel shared a photo of the early morning moon:

    Copyright Daniel Krueger

    Patrick shared a few interesting images:

    A double double exposure of an abstract piece of digital art – Check out the art here – Doubles

    Copyright Patrick

    And some abstract photos here

    Copyright Patrick

    Robert shared a photo from his drive through Redrock country:

    Copyright Robert Apple

    An unusual photo of a tree here:

    Copyright Robert Apple

    And a photo of an animal rolling in the dirt here.

    Copyright Robert Apple

    Marty shared her experience about her favourite unexpected photographic discovery. Check out the discussion here.

    Purslane sawfly – Copyright Marty

    Steve shared a sports photo that shows determination – Still Pushing

    Copyright Steve

    Steve also shared a 3 shot vertical panorama of a church here:

    Copyright Steve

    David shared a magical photo – Into the enchanted woods

    Copyright David C

    And some photos from the Westmorland show in Cumbria here

    Copyright David C

    Tersha shared some stunning flower photos.

    Michaelmas Daisy

    Michaelmas Daisy – Copyright Tersha

    Hollyhock and bee

    And a tortoiseshell butterfly here:

    Copyright Tersha

    Discussions:

    • How do you improve? – Rob started a very interesting discussion on how photographers may fall into a few different groups. Join it here.
    • Steve started a discussion on Magnetic Filters. Join over here to participate.

    If you are someone who captures images with your smartphone, we have a Mobile Photography Challenge where you can post your mobile photos and also check out the works by other photographers. The images must be captured and edited on a smartphone. Join to submit the photos over here.

    There are also some members’ picks that are featured. These can be chosen by any of the members and are put in a whole new thread of their own and called out as being a great addition and shot for the forums. Check out those stunning captures here.

    Patrick started a thread late last year – “Community Inspired Photo Story Challenge” – capture a story in 3 to 6 photos that hold personal significance and post them with a brief description. While that thread was started to be completed within a week, it has been open with ongoing submissions for the past year and is still open where members can post their stories.

    Here are some throwdowns to follow and post your own photos, or you can start your own throwdown too.

    • 2025 Reflections Throwdown – a unique way to capture your own reflection, whether abstract or otherwise. There are many beautiful images to go through for some inspiration.
    • Your Pets – Share photos of your pets here.

    And, there are images posted in the Shark Tank forum where members request for constructive criticism/feedback on their photos.

     If you’d like to join in with our members, feel free to join us on the forums.  We’d love to see you there, and we are a friendly bunch.



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  • August 2025 Photo Contest Winners: The Art of Reflection

    August 2025 Photo Contest Winners: The Art of Reflection

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    We’re happy to announce the winner of August’s competition, “The Art Of Reflection.”

    For those who don’t know, the Light Stalking Monthly Photography Competition carries a $100 People’s Choice Award and a $100 Overall Winner Award. The People’s Choice Winner is selected by a vote of the community, whereas our guest judge selects the overall winner.

    The “Art Of Reflection” Photo Contest

    Reflection in photography is a compositional technique where one uses reflective surfaces either natural or manmade, to capture interesting images that may sometimes look very dreamy and even abstract. One’s creative vision and perspective can help to capture reflection photos that may sometimes look like an illusion.

    When capturing reflection photos, you can apply it to any genre of photography like landscape, architecture, street, nature, still life, etc. Using the right perspective, angles and powerful compositional techniques will result in compelling and visually appealing images.

    The contest theme for August was “The Art Of Reflection” and the photos from the participating members included submissions covering various genre in photography like macro, portraits, abstracts, nature, landscape, still life, etc. The submitted photos portrayed unique interpretations of the theme with images shot using great compositional techniques and under good lighting.

    When choosing the winning photos, we wanted to make sure that the decision process was based on a good interpretation of the theme, followed by other factors like light, composition, story, details, creative vision, etc. The results are entirely subjective and there are no losers in any competition as we all know.

    Here are August’s winners:

    First Place: “The Ghost in the Machine” by Patrick

    The Ghost in the Machine – Copyright Patrick

    Patrick shared a beautiful photo which is a self portrait with an abstract twist, in which he has used abstract patterns on one half of the frame, while revealing the reflection and part of the subject, which is himself, on the other half. The use of lighting in this photo is quite clever if you look closely. The subject is illuminated from both sides, so that the reflection has illumination on one side and the subject itself on the other.

    The colours in the photo are also warm and work well together to give the photo a classic look. The composition is also spot on with a combination of compositional guidelines. Congratulations Patrick on the win and for capturing such a clever and well planned image.

    Second Place: “One single leaf” by Tersha

    One single leaf – Copyright Tersha

    Tersha has captured a photo of a single leaf and its reflection. This is a semi-abstract image with a wonderful choice of colours, composition and background. The leaf itself has a combination of complimentary colours that make the image stand out and visually pleasing.

    The composition in this photo is quite interesting where the petiole acts as a leading line drawing the attention of the viewer to the centre of the image and then the various lines all pointing towards the same area. Overall it is a beautiful photo and congratulations Tersha for capturing it.

    Third Place: “Admiring Pigeon” by Doug H

    Admiring Pigeon – Copyright Doug H

    Doug has captured an interesting photo where a pigeon is admiring its own reflection. The moment that Doug has captured is quite interesting and arouses curiosity. There are quite a few elements in the frame that contribute to the composition of the photo and draw the viewer’s attention straight to the subject.

    The colours in the photo look quite analogous keeping the contrast subtle but the lines and patterns are strong and make up for it. Congratulation Doug on capturing this interesting photo.

    People’s Choice Award Winner

    Our monthly photo contests also come with a People’s Choice Award. The winner of this part of the contest receives $100 worth of store credit on Light Stalking which they can spend as they please on our blueprints, drills, courses or Presets.

    Spiral – Copyright Tersha

    The most popular photo for August, voted by the contestants was “Spiral” by Tersha, which has won the people’s choice award. This is a very simple reflection photo with a good choice of colours. The contrasting subject and background colours makes the image pop. Congratulations on the win Tersha.

    We are almost three weeks into this month’s photo contest and still have a few days left to submit photos to our September’s monthly contest. This month, our theme is an interesting one, “The Beauty Of Everyday Life.”

    If you would like to join and enter some images into our monthly contest then take a look at your options here.



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  • 1st of August – 30th of September 2023 — Mikko Lagerstedt

    1st of August – 30th of September 2023 — Mikko Lagerstedt

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    I’m excited to announce my new exhibition, ‘In the Solitude of Nature.’ It’s an exhibition including my best photography from the Nordics of the past ten years of my photography journey.

    The exhibition is in the Redi Shopping Center, in Finnfoto Gallery in space A2-03, starting on the 1st of August 2023 and running until the 30th of September. The gallery is open 8-23, and it’s free entry. Below are the exhibition notes if you want to read about it.

    Exhibition information

    ‘In the Solitude of Nature’ is a photography exhibition that showcases Mikko Lagerstedt’s profound vision of Nordic landscapes and atmospheric moments. Capturing unforgettable landscapes from the morning mist to the darkness of night. The images do not just capture places; they capture emotions, bringing you closer to the silence of nature.

    On display are photographs from Finland, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden, revealing the hidden treasures of these places. The photos are stories created through light, shadow, and color. They are an invitation to step away from everyday life, take a deep breath, and step into the heart of the Nordic countries, where the beauty of the landscapes is untouched, and time seems to stand still.

    The exhibition photos present images from both near and far, reminding us that we do not always have to travel to the ends of the Earth to experience magnificent landscapes. The ‘In the Solitude of Nature’ exhibition beautifully manifests different seasons, weather conditions, and locations.

    Each photograph in the exhibition holds a story or message. It is up to you to find them.

    Mikko Lagerstedt (b. 1982) is an internationally acclaimed landscape photographer specializing in minimalist and atmospheric landscape images. Born and raised in Finland, the rural landscapes of his childhood in Kauhava have instilled in him a love for nature and art. His photographs are like visual poems, telling stories through light, shadow, and color.

    Lagerstedt’s initial inspiration for photography was born in 2007, on a trip to a relative’s cottage when rain turned into sunshine. It created a stunning combination of fog and light, which he captured with his compact camera— this beautiful moment sparked the desire to document and photograph such atmospheric moments. More than 1.7 million people worldwide follow Mikko’s images on social media.

    His images have gained widespread attention and recognition globally. They can be found in the book “Masters of Landscape Photography,” which features photographs from the most renowned landscape photographers. His works have been featured in prestigious publications, including BBC, Business Insider, Daily Mail, and The Telegraph. Additionally, Mikko has worked with photographer Konsta Punkka on the YLE mini-series Exploring Earth, filmed in Patagonia, Chile. One of his most famous photos, “Reflect,” gained special attention when renowned real estate agent Ryan Serhant shared it on social media.

    Lagerstedt’s style is characterized by a minimalist approach, capturing the essence of the world in all its splendor – from the peace of a foggy morning to the ethereal brightness of the Northern Lights. He aims to evoke emotions by capturing fleeting moments of nature and creating a deeper connection between the viewer and the landscape.

    The meditative nature of landscape photography is emphasized in his work, where being present in the moment and capturing the diversity of nature in his own way is vital. The goal of his images is not just to interest people but also to make them feel something when looking at them as if they were in the picture themselves.

    In Finnish – Suomeksi

    Luonnon hiljaisuudessa

    ‘Luonnon hiljaisuudessa’ on valokuvanäyttely, joka esittelee Mikko Lagerstedtin syvällisen näkemyksen Pohjoismaiden maisemista ja tunnelmallisista hetkistä. Aina aamun usvasta, yönpimeyteen taltioiden unohtumattomia ja ajattomia maisemia. Kuvat eivät vain vangitse paikkoja, ne vangitsevat tunteita, tuoden sinut lähemmäksi luonnon hiljaisuutta.

    Esillä on valokuvia Suomesta, Norjasta, Islannista ja Ruotsista, jotka paljastavat paikkojen piilotetut aarteet. Valokuvat ovat tarinoita, jotka on luotu valon, varjon ja värin avulla. Ne ovat kutsu pois arjesta, hengittää syvään ja astua Pohjoismaiden sydämeen, missä maisemien kauneus on koskematon ja aika tuntuu pysähtyvän.

    Näyttelyn valokuvien tarkoitus on esitellä kuvia läheltä sekä hieman kauempaa. Muistuttaen, että aina ei tarvitse matkustaa maailman ääriin, jotta voi kokea upeita maisemia. Eri vuodenajat, sääolosuhteet ja paikat näkyvät upeasti ‘Luonnon hiljaisuudessa’ -näyttelyssä.  

    Jokainen näyttelyn valokuva kätkee sisäänsä tarinan tai viestin. Sinun tehtäväsi on löytää ne.

    —  

    Mikko Lagerstedt (s. 1982) on kansainvälisesti tunnettu maisemavalokuvaaja, joka on erikoistunut minimalistisiin ja tunnelmallisiin maisemakuviin. Syntynyt ja kasvanut Suomessa, lapsuuden maalaismaisemat Kauhavalla ovat luoneet hänen rakkautensa luontoon ja taiteeseen. Valokuvat ovat kuin visuaalisia runoja, jotka kertovat tarinoita valon, varjon ja värin kautta.

    Lagerstedtin ensi-inspiraatio valokuvaukseen syntyi vuonna 2007, matkalla sukulaisten mökille, kun sade muuttui auringonpaisteeksi. Tämä loi upean sumun ja valon yhdistelmän, jonka hän taltioi kompaktikamerallaan. Tämä kaunis hetki herätti halun tallentaa ja valokuvata tällaisia tunnelmallisia hetkiä. Sosiaalisessa mediassa Mikon kuvia seuraa yli 1,7 miljoonaa ihmistä ympäri maailmaa.

    Kuvat ovat saaneet laajaa huomiota ja tunnustusta eri puolilla maailmaa. Niitä löytyy kirjasta ”Masters of Landscape Photography”, joka sisältää tunnetuimpien maisemavalokuvaajien valokuvia. Töitä on esitelty arvostetuissa julkaisuissa, kuten BBC, Business Insider, Daily Mail ja Telegraph. Lisäksi Mikko on työskennellyt yhdessä kuvaaja Konsta Punkan kanssa Ylen lyhytsarjassa Exploring Earth, joka on kuvattu Chilen Patagoniassa. Yksi suosituimmista valokuvista, “Reflect”, sai erityistä huomiota, kun tunnettu kiinteistövälittäjä Ryan Serhant jakoi sen sosiaalisessa mediassa.

    Lagerstedtin tyylille on tunnusomaista minimalistinen lähestymistapa, joka vangitsee maailman olemuksen sen kaikessa loistossaan – aina sumuisen aamun rauhasta revontulien eteeriseen kirkkauteen. Pyrkien herättämään tunteita tallentamalla luonnon ohikiitäviä hetkiä ja luomaan syvemmän yhteyden katsojan ja maiseman välille.

    Maisemavalokuvauksen meditatiivinen luonne korostuu työssä, jossa on oltava läsnä hetkessä ja taltioitava luonnon moninaisuus omalla tavallaan. Kuvien tavoitteena on, että ihmiset eivät vain kiinnostu niistä, vaan myös tuntevat jotain katsoessaan niitä, aivan kuin he olisivat kuvassa.



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