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  • September 2025 Photo Contest Winners: The Beauty of Everyday Life

    September 2025 Photo Contest Winners: The Beauty of Everyday Life

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    We’re happy to announce the winner of September’s competition, “The Beauty of Everyday Life.”

    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 “Beauty of Everyday Life” Photo Contest

    Capturing the beauty of everyday life is a priceless thing and it is one that helps the photographer to capture even the most ordinary moments of everyday life in a very beautiful and artistic way. This could be the little fleeting moments happening in the natural world around us, the little moments happening indoors at home or candid moments in public places.

    Some ways in which the beauty of everyday life can be photographed are, finding and photographing beauty in moments that are often overlooked everyday, creatively using a particular type of light on a day because the Sun decided to peek out of the clouds at a certain time to illuminate a spot, capturing the daily life of humans, could be a hug or even a genuine smile or laughter, etc., or even capturing the intricate beauty or patterns in the subjects around us – both nature and manmade.

    Participants of September’s contest cleverly submitted their interpretations of the theme that included moments from nature, moments in public and private places, their own candid moments and so on. The photos were all meaningful, portraying an interesting story.

    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 September’s Winners:

    First Place: “Everyday on the birdbath” by Tersha

    Copyright Tersha

    Tersha’s photo of a little bird on the birdbath was a sweet moment captured and one that reminds us of the importance of looking after the wildlife around us. The head of the bird has a bit of motion blur, that shows the bird enjoying its time in the bath which may be its daily activity that it looks forward to (as the title says). Also, with the bird looking into the bath, it can make one very curious what the next moment will be.

    The composition is also spot on with a simple rule of thirds and the background blurred to make the bird and the bath stand out. The golden light at the back also helps with a good contrast in the photo – the bright sun outside and the shadier area where the bird is enjoying its time at that particular moment.

    Congratulations on capturing this beautiful photo and the win Tersha!

    Second Place: “The ride” by Robert H

    Copyright Robert H

    This photo by Robert is a clever use of the golden ratio and Robert has captured the simple joys of everyday life beautifully in this photo. The light is quite hard and there must have been a lot of colours in the photo but Robert’s choice to convert it to black and white has helped focus the attention on the moment and to remove the harsh effects of the light itself.

    Capturing the photo from the back has also introduced a kind of mystery and intrigue in the photo but at the same time complements the pattern of the seating area. Robert has made use of the right settings to freeze the moment and the details across the frame are tack sharp. Congratulations Robert on this beautifully captured image.

    Third Place: “The Beauty of Everyday Life” by Patrick

    Copyright Patrick

    Patrick chose to submit a collage that showcases the beauty of his everyday life. I think this is a clever way to portray one’s own story, if you have the creativity and patience to do so. Looks like Patrick is working on a very creative project and has captured the “behind the scenes” of the process, himself working and also chilling and enjoying the process .

    Presenting images in the form of a collage is not an easy one from an artistic point of view. The images need to work well together and they need to have some sort of connection in terms of story, theme, colours, etc. The images in Patrick’s collage look great with perfect range of tones while also telling us a bit about his everyday life. This is a very clever submission Patrick and congratulations!

    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.

    Copyright Patrick

    The most popular photo for September, voted by the contestants was “I’ll be watching you” by Patrick, which has won the people’s choice award. This is a very powerful photo, typical of our loyal friends who always keep an eye out and are always curious about what we are up to. The look on the dog’s face and the way Patrick has framed this image, works well together making it a great storytelling shot and a great moment to keep as one of the beauties of everyday life. Congratulations on the win Patrick.

    We are almost three weeks into this month’s photo contest and still have a few days left to submit photos to our October’s monthly contest. This month, our theme is, “Abstract Realities.”

    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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  • Everyday Stories, Abstract Flowers – The Weekly Light Stalking Community Roundup

    Everyday Stories, Abstract Flowers – The Weekly Light Stalking Community Roundup

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    Welcome to our weekly community wrap-up.  It’s been another very exciting week on the Light Stalking forums with great photography by the community and with new members joining in. The photos and discussions in the forums have been amazing and very inspiring the past few weeks, which makes it even more exciting. A lot is happening with members sharing images from their travels, projects, etc.

    Here is the Photo Of The Week that is judged by Federico every week. This week’s photo of the week is by Tersha and you can read what Federico had to say about this photo in the link here – Photo of the Week – October 3rd

    Copyright Tersha

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

    This week, we have a new challenge that has some very beautiful submissions already. Join the challenge here – Patterns of Life

    Here are some storytelling shots from the past week’s challenge that we thought were great and should be included here:

    Elderly gentleman making maple syrup in his hand built sugar shack – Copyright Michael
    Remembering – Copyright Patrick
    Every step you take, Every move you make I’ll be watching you – Copyright Patrick
    Life imitates art – Copyright Click
    Copyright Lon Davis
    Always searching for the next frame – Copyright Patrick
    Long walks – Copyright Patrick
    Beauty surrounds us, technology can absorb us – Copyright Pat Garrett
    Hands, tying flies for fishing – Copyright Tersha
    Copyright Frogdaily

    Here are photos shared by members in other forums like General Photo Chit Chat, Landscape Photography, Macro Photography, etc.

    Dail shared a beautiful abstract photo of a flower that she shot when she was at the sunflower farm in the rain.

    Copyright Dail F

    Daniel shared an interesting post here – In Just 9 Days – The Sun and Moon Celestial Dancing! It is so interesting to see the comparison where the moon is illuminated differently during various phases.

    September 17, 2025, Moon leading sun after moon rise – Copyright Daniel
    September 26, 2025, Sun leading moon at sunset – Copyright Daniel

    Tersha shared an almost surreal photo of a wasp on a flower here:

    Copyright Tersha

    And a photo of a French Red-legged partridge here.

    Copyright Tersha

    Patrick is working on a new series of artworks and has photographed them creatively. Take a look at the photos here.

    Copyright Patrick

    Robert shared a powerful photo of a buffalo. Read about how he captured it here.

    Copyright Robert Apple

    Robert also shared a photo of a lonely tree in a vast landscape. Check it out here.

    Copyright Robert Apple

    An image of a lost place

    Copyright Robert Apple

    And a gorgeous stormy landscape here:

    Copyright Robert Apple

    Robert shared another photo of a wolf lichen, shot with a shallow depth of field here.

    Copyright Robert Apple

    Steve shared a minimal photo of a vine trying to make its way up a wall:

    Take joy in small things – Copyright Steve

    And a photo of people fishing

    Copyright Steve

    Patrick shared photos of soap bubbles. Check out the rest of the images here:

    Copyright Patrick

    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. Here are some interesting photos captured on a smartphone:

    Copyright Rob Wood

    Michael shared a very interesting photo that he shot when waiting at the doctor’s office.. He said that he started chuckling when he saw the sharp’s box and empty glove box looking like some little medical elf winking and laughing at him.

    Copyright Michael

    Patrick’s urge for chocolate and therefore a visit to the shop gave him an opportunity to capture this photo on his way back home.

    Copyright Patrick

    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.

    • Trees That Go Bump In The Night – Robert has started a throwdown and invited members to share their unusual photos of trees (Not Your Normal tree photos)
    • 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.

    Patrick shared a very compelling reflection image:

    Copyright Patrick
    • Your Pets – Share photos of your pets here.
    • Rob started a new throwdown – “Abstract Flowers” – a very interesting one and it has some very creative and absolutely stunning shots already. You can participate here and we have shared some images below.
    Copyright Rob Wood
    Copyright Robert Apple
    Copyright Patrick
    Copyright Marty E
    Copyright Tersha
    Copyright Steve
    Copyright Frogdaily

    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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  • Bringing the Sigma BF Home: Everyday Photography with Style

    Bringing the Sigma BF Home: Everyday Photography with Style

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    Photographer Meg Loeks with the silver Sigma BF camera and 50mm F2 lens.

    What’s not to love about the new BF camera by Sigma? With a strikingly sleek aesthetic, a solid aluminum build, and a minimalist design, it’s as durable as it is intuitive.

    When I’m out with my children, I need a camera that feels like an extension of myself. I want it to feel like second nature, effortlessly there for every moment. The BF camera is just that and more. From playful afternoons at the arcade with my son to breezy moments at the beach with my daughter, this beautiful, stylish camera lets me stay present and focus on what matters most.

    SIGMA BF CAMERA
    50mm F2 DG | CONTEMPORARY
    F2, 1/200s, ISO 400
    SIGMA BF CAMERA
    50mm F2 DG | CONTEMPORARY
    F2, 1/2500s, ISO 100

    If I had to pick just two words to describe the BF camera it would be sophisticated and effortless. The sleek, modern design is visually appealing. With looks this good, it could double as modern home decor. This camera’s minimalist design ensures it remains effortlessly user-friendly. A camera doesn’t have to be complicated, and Sigma ensures that with a simple yet stylish aesthetic.

    The Sigma BF is as durable as it is intuitive.

    Compact and lightweight, the body is suited for life on the go, making it an ideal everyday companion. Though lightweight, the camera boasts a sturdy construction and solid build which is especially favorable for a photographer like me who’s often out chasing adventures with my kids in tow.

    I’ve always found that composing through the LCD screen gives me a clearer sense of my frame.

    One of my favorite features is that there are no memory card slots. The seamless, internal storage design once again makes everything feel effortless. With no cards to manage, it truly keeps things simple and worry-free.

    And as someone who rarely ever uses a viewfinder, I also appreciate its omission allowing for a more compact, sleek camera design and modern LCD screen. As a photographer specifically specializing in children’s portraiture, I’ve always found that composing through the LCD screen gives me a clearer sense of my frame. Not to mention, helping me capture key moments without missing a beat.

    SIGMA BF CAMERA
    50mm F2 DG | CONTEMPORARY
    F2, 1/2500s, ISO 100
    SIGMA BF CAMERA
    50mm F2 DG | CONTEMPORARY
    F2, 1/200s, ISO 250

    The camera’s continuous capture rate is swift at 8 frames per second. I occasionally found it too quick, in fact, and switched to single capture for more precise control. When my children were on the move, continuous capture was indispensable for freezing those fast-paced, fleeting moments. The autofocus accuracy in low-light conditions, particularly when my son was darting around the arcade, was nothing short of impressive.

    The Sigma BF also camera features automatic face and eye detection for both people and pets, enabling seamless subject tracking. What’s more, the function is active by default, further streamlining the friendly user experience.

    SIGMA BF CAMERA
    50mm F2 DG | CONTEMPORARY
    F2, 1/200s, ISO 400
    SIGMA BF CAMERA
    50mm F2 DG | CONTEMPORARY
    F2, 1/200s, ISO 250

    For more precise control, I could switch to single point focus whether in single or continuous autofocus modes. While the autofocusing features of this camera are more curated, they’re ideal and efficient for anyone on the go, allowing for more time to stay immersed in the moment rather than fumbling with countless focus settings.

    SIGMA BF CAMERA
    50mm F2 DG | CONTEMPORARY
    F2.5, 1/160s, ISO 125

    Another feature I genuinely love is the touch screen focusing. It’s something I’ve frequently used in the past, so I was pleased to see it thoughtfully included in this camera’s design.

    The BF feels like the perfect travel companion, equally at home when you’re doing everything or nothing at all.

    Last but certainly not least, the image quality is outstanding. Given the Sigma BF camera’s minimalist design, I was thrilled by how sharp and detailed the photos turned out. Even in low light conditions, the clarity and definition held up beautifully. I was also really drawn to the camera’s film-like color rendering. It brings a nostalgic, cinematic feel to images that’s intentional and beautiful.

    SIGMA BF CAMERA
    50mm F2 DG | CONTEMPORARY
    F2, 1/2500s, ISO 100
    SIGMA BF CAMERA
    50mm F2 DG | CONTEMPORARY
    F2, 1/200s, ISO 640
    SIGMA BF CAMERA
    50mm F2 DG | CONTEMPORARY
    F2, 1/200s, ISO 320

    Sigma unveiled nine updated prime lenses that color-match the sleek BF camera to maintain a cohesive look. My go-to portrait lens is the 50mm F2 DG | Contemporary, and I was consistently impressed by its focusing performance in a range of challenging lighting conditions, from low light to backlight, while my children were constantly on the go. The bokeh was smooth and round, adding to the overall sense of magic I was able to capture. From icy mornings in our yard to playful adventures at the arcade, the bokeh quality enhances the overall mood and atmosphere of my images.

    SIGMA BF CAMERA
    50mm F2 DG | CONTEMPORARY
    F2, 1/2500s, ISO 100
    SIGMA BF CAMERA
    50mm F2 DG | CONTEMPORARY
    F2, 1/200s, ISO 640

    Though its minimal design is far from ordinary, this camera is perfectly suited for everyday moments. Its thoughtful design and sleek aesthetic make it ideal for those who value both form and function. It feels like the perfect travel companion, equally at home when you’re doing everything or nothing at all. There’s beauty in keeping things simple, and Sigma makes that possible with the BF camera, letting you stay immersed in the moment rather than gadgets and settings.

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  • Capturing the Beauty of Everyday Landscapes — Mikko Lagerstedt

    Capturing the Beauty of Everyday Landscapes — Mikko Lagerstedt

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    Today, I want to share some insights on finding and capturing the hidden beauty in everyday landscapes. In recent years, there has been a trend to seek out and photograph the most spectacular views, often replicating the same composition down to every detail. While these images may be visually stunning, they only sometimes showcase true creativity or originality. I’ve personally done the same, but it’s good to practice finding beauty near where we live. Traveling is always inspiring, but I firmly believe you can see beauty almost everywhere – even in the most mundane places by thinking creatively.

    As a landscape photographer, I’ve learned that even the most ordinary places can become breathtaking works of art with the right conditions, approach, and perspective. So, let’s challenge ourselves to break free from the popular trend and explore some tips on capturing the magic in the ordinary!

    the Art of Observation

    To discover the beauty in overlooked places, you must train yourself to observe your surroundings more intently. Make a conscious effort to notice the details, textures, and colors that make up the world around you. Look for patterns, lines, and shapes you might not have seen before. Developing a keen sense of observation will help you identify the hidden gems in ordinary landscapes.

    Become more open and attentive to your environment. Observe how light changes throughout the day and how weather and atmospheric conditions can alter the landscape. By being mindful of these changes, you can uncover unique compositions and captivating scenes in the most unexpected places.

    Don’t be afraid to return to the same spot multiple times to capture it under different conditions. Experiment with various lighting, weather, and angles to reveal new aspects of the scene that might have gone unnoticed during your first visit. This approach challenges your creativity and helps you develop a deeper connection with the location.

    The story about the photograph Edge.

    A place I have visited more than a hundred times. A place where I thought I would never find a new perspective to photograph. However, on this day, I kept my mind open and tried to see if I could capture something unique. As the sun set, I looked for anything that caught my eye. I saw how the thin ice had come to the lake shore, making this beautiful foreground, reminding me of the long winter. While composing the shot, I saw how the treeline created a line between the frame, with the clouds almost perfectly replicating it. I took the photograph and was pleased with how it turned out. It was already quite dark, yet, the horizon was bright. I wanted to emphasize the mood in post-processing and used the EPIC Preset collection to add more contrast and darken the sky with the built-in masks.

    Equipment & Camera Settings

    Nikon Z7 II, Nikkor Z 14-24 mm f/2.8 S & RRS Tripod and Ballhead
    1/6 sec, f/9.0, ISO 64 @ 15.5mm



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