Mike Kelley

Associate Editor, Architecture & Interiors Photographer http://www.mpkelley.com +Mike KelleyFacebook
I'm currently a Los Angeles-based architectural and interiors photographer. I graduated from the University of Vermont with degrees in environmental science and digital art, and after graduating, I moved to the Lake Tahoe area to follow my dreams of becoming a professional snowboarder. While I was fortunate enough to have traveled all over the world competing, injury eventually forced me to consider a different career. Shortly after, a chance encounter led me from full-time hobby photographer to full-time working photographer (funny, this life). I had always been interested in photography, but never imagined that I would be working as a full-time photographer, and I'm very excited to be able to share my knowledge of architectural photography, lighting, compositing and retouching with everyone who reads Fstoppers.

[Wildlife] Amazing, Intimate Shots of Lions In Their Natural Habitat

Brothers Will and Matt Burrard-Lucas make quite the team. They’re wildlife photographers based in Britain who have devised some clever means to get closer to some of the world’s most dangerous animals. In 2009, they created a remote-controlled camera nicknamed BeetleCam and set out to photograph animals in their natural habitat. Armed with the knowledge they gained from the first trip, they went back a second time, and their results are nothing short of stunning. [more]

[OMG] Nikon Uses 5d2, Phantom HD Footage To Promote D800

In what must be one of the largest faux-pas in camera news ever, Nikon has  used footage shot on Canon 5d Mark IIs and what appears to be a Phantom HD camera to promote their D800. But it doesn’t end there. Not only did they use footage from their competitors’ cameras  in the ad, but they also allegedly did not ask permission to use that footage in the first place.  Get the scoop after the jump. [more]

[Video] The 5d Mark III and The Jaw-Dropping, Head-Scratching Sport of Radball

Canon France has just released what has got to be the most interesting promo video for a new camera in some time. Not only do we get a sneak peek at the video quality and capabilities of the 5d Mark III, but we also get a look into the sport of Radball: something I can only describe as “soccer meeting BMX meeting Urban Outfitters.”

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[Video] Behind The Scenes With The Writer And Director Of ‘The Artist’

By now, most of us have at least heard about the box-office hit known as The Artist. In case you haven’t, it’s a near-silent film that was met with critical appraise and even managed to win a few Oscars this weekend. In this video, we get a sit-down chat with the writer and director of The Artist, and a behind-the-scenes look at the production of the movie. As a casual movie fan, I can say that upon my first viewing, [more]

[Video] Pennsylvania Photographer Versus The Law

Some of you may remember the post from a few weeks ago titled Photographer Vs. Security: The Ultimate Showdown. Well, it looks like yet another photographer has been harassed and decided to make light of the situation. Jason Macchioni, a Pennsylvania-based photographer, had a run in with police in his area and as is par for the course these days, tempers flared. Check out the video in the full post.

February 25, 2012

Fstoppers Reviews The New Pocket Wizard Plus III Radio Triggers

Today, Pocket Wizard has rolled out the newest in their line of wireless flash triggering devices: the long-awaited update to the industry-standard Pocket Wizard Plus II, the Pocket Wizard Plus III. We at Fstoppers have been playing with them for awhile, and we’re here to give you all the details, including an exclusive video look at the new Pocket Wizard Plus III. Continue to the full post to see it all. [Pre Order The Pocket Wizard Plus III Here]

February 22, 2012

[BTSV] Fighting G-Forces For An Air & Space Cover

This has to be one of the most awesome opportunities that could be granted to a photographer. Last fall, Ed Darack was asked to shoot a cover for Air & Space Magazine, and decided to show the world how he did it. Check out the video in the full post.

February 22, 2012

[Pics] Seven Amazing Climbing Photos And How They Were Made

When it comes to getting the shot, I can’t think of many genres of photography where more guts are required than that of climbing photography. Not only do the climbers have to scale seemingly impossible routes, but the photographers are more often than not right on the wall with the climbers, lugging DSLRs and a few lenses up with them too. Check out some jaw-dropping photos after the jump.

February 18, 2012

[Video] Erik Johansson Discusses His Mind-Bending Photography

At a recent TED Talk, conceptual photographer Erik Johansson broke down his approach and method into a bite-size chat. While many photographers consider their work finished as soon as they hit the shutter button, apply contrast, and upload to Flickr, Erik decides to take it further (quite a bit further, in fact). His images make you stop and think and may take a few minutes to sink in. If you’re one of those who asks “yeah, but is it photography?” don’t say I didn’t warn you. Check out the video in the full post.

February 15, 2012

[Photojournalism] The Beautiful World Press Photos Of The Year

Samuel Aranda, a Spanish photographer, has won the 2011 World Press Photo of the Year award with his image of a veiled woman holding a wounded family member after a demonstration in Yemen. View the full post to see a sample of the other top entries and a link to the slideshow of the best of the year.

February 11, 2012

[Gear] Canon Releases 24-70mm f2.8 L II, New Wide Angle Primes

After many years of speculation and countless false rumors, Canon has released a replacement for the venerable 24-70mm 2.8 L, along with a few new wide-angle primes: the 24mm f2.8 IS and the 24mm f2.8 IS. Get all the specs and my thoughts in the full post.

February 7, 2012

[BTSV] Behind The Scenes At The Winter X-Games

In this behind the scenes video from Vimeo (say that five times fast!), we get a look at the wide variety of gear that is used to capture the action at Winter X. From freelance photographers and videographers to full-scale production efforts, this video has a little bit of everything. See the video, which displays a staggering amount of gear, in the full post.

February 4, 2012

[Interview] Pulitzer Winner and Celebrity Photographer Brian Smith

Name a celebrity. Yep, go on. Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney, Zooey Deschanel, Ben Stiller, Samuel L Jackson. How about an athlete? Serena Williams, Jeff Gordon, Shaquille O’Neal. Brian Smith has worked with them all. I recently sat down with Brian for an Fstoppers exclusive interview and he was glad to share his insight, techniques, and advice with us. Check out the full post for the entire text.

January 28, 2012

[Video] Photographer Vs. Security: The Ultimate Showdown

How would you react if security officers told you that you were breaking the law by photographing a building from public property? One British photographer was faced with just that question, and here is how he reacted. View the full post to see the video, which is funny, sad, eye-opening and jaw-dropping all at once.

January 21, 2012

[Funny] The Battle at F-Stop Ridge, Part 2

Everyone remembers the original Battle at F-Stop Ridge, the live-action camera battle that had camera enthusiasts everywhere laughing. The creators of the video, The Camera Store, in Calgary, AB, created a sequel and I’m happy to say that it’s just as awesome as the original. Check out the full post to see it.

January 18, 2012
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