Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (October 2024): Atul Saluja

The Fstoppers community is brimming with creative vision and talent. Every day, we comb through your work, looking for images to feature as the Photo of the Day or simply to admire your creativity and technical prowess. In 2024, we're featuring a new photographer every month, whose portfolio represents both stellar photographic achievement and a high level of involvement within the Fstoppers community.

Vincent Laforet's AIR Series Stops in Los Angeles Before Crossing the Atlantic for Europe

Vincent Laforet's latest AIR series blankets the City of Angels with a farewell series of shots before the project will head to Europe for the first time starting mid-May. As Laforet continues shifting cities (from the previously covered New York City, Las Vegas, and San Francisco projects), his aesthetic slowly changes in response to the varying challenges and differences between shooting each city. Fstoppers caught up with Laforet to discuss the ever-present surprises in shooting AIR and its transformation as it grows into a larger project supported by G-Technology and pre-orders for Laforet's "AIR" book.

Less Sitting Could Mean Healthier Photographers

You may want to stand as you read this. You see, there’s something about the digital photography workflow that keeps us glued to our chairs and fixated on our computer screens. We lean forward to check details and slouch in our chairs as the hands on the clock make their way around their enclosure. This practice could be described as addicting and we long to create a final image to share with the masses, however our bodies suffer the consequences of said practice without us really ever taking note of its aches and pains — our body’s subtle reminders that we’re humans and that we're meant to do much more than sit at a desk all day.

An Interesting Perspective On A Photoshoot I'd Never Do

When I first saw this video it put a big smile on my face. I really wish the photographer had shared some insight on this video since it seems like such a unique situation but we are just left with this short clip. You can see the final photos here but I'm not sure why they did not use a more interesting shot of the bear.

Koda from Academy on Vimeo.

Emotional Photographs From The Middle East Revolts

Getty photographer John Moore enjoys living life on the dangerous side of the lens. The Pulitzer Prize winner has traveled the world covering wars in Somalia, Afghanistan, South Africa, and Central America. Back in February he was sent out on assignment to cover the uprising in Egypt and wound up staying to report on the military actions of Gaddafi in Libya and revolts in Bahrain. Halfway through his travels, John's cameras were confiscated and he was left to shoot with one of these. The images in this video are intense but are probably the most remarkable photographs I've seen during these political uprisings in the Middle East.
How To Shoot Photos At Capitol Hill

I just saw this video pop up on the front of Vimeo.com and I knew I would love it before I even saw it. Chris Gregory does a fantastic job of capturing the life of a Capitol Hill photographer. There is so much more too it than I ever really thought about. Make sure you head over to his website and check out his amazing portfolio.
Photography, CGI, and AI: Can You Tell the Difference? An Interview With Steve Hansen

Which image in the banner is a photograph, and which is computer generated? Can you even tell anymore? With the addition of computer generated imagery (CGI) and artificial intelligence, the process of creating images has provided commercial photographers more tools than ever. I sat down with award-winning food photographer Steve Hansen to discuss this topic and to delve into the question: "Is it enough to just be a photographer these days?"

Nikon 70-200mm f/4G In Stock! Plus Great Deals on Fuji, Nikon and Mac!

A few weeks ago we announced the release of the Nikon 70-200mm f/4, a lens that has been around for years for Canon shooters, but until now unavailable for those of us in the Nikon camp. It's been hard to find but now B&H has it in stock! In addition to this, you can save a whopping $700 dollars off a Nikon D600 bundled with the 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 bringing the price BELOW $2000.

Finalists from Fstoppers Volume 1 Photo Contest on Viewbug

We've been partnering with Viewbug to host great contests with sweet prizes every week! One of our monthly ongoing contests is to give one entrant a chance to be featured on Fstoppers. Volume 1 of that contest is in the finalil stage, so head on over to see who is in the running to win that feature!

May Photo Contest: Prizes From Photoflex and Black Rapid

Every month here at Fstoppers we run a photo contest that is judged by one of our readers. We'd like to congratulate Adam Sund for winning the April Fstoppers Forum Photo Contest. Click the previous link to see his winning photograph and watch for his banner at the top of the site to see more of Adam's work.

As we do every month, the winner of the contest gets to pick the next theme and Adam has chosen "Underneath". Just like Adam, this month's winner will also win a custom image and website link on the Fstoppers rotating banner above and also a large Photoflex 42" Multidisc Reflector which is great for location and studio uses. The winner will also receive a Black Rapid Sport Strap. As always, our contests are judged by the winner of the previous month's contest so you have to impress Adam not anyone on the Fstoppers Staff. Have fun submitting to the May Fstoppers Forum Contest and good luck to everyone!

[BTSV] Contest Entry: "Broken Reality" (well produced)

Big props to photographer Kevyn Bryant and film maker Xavier Burgin for submitting a video that covers all the bases. For being one of their first BTS videos, these guys did a good job at laying it all out there for us. And gosh darn it, there is a quality to these guys that just makes us want to like them. We haven't seen awkward southern charm like this, since the likes of one (green) Lee Morris and one (wet behind the ears) Patrick Hall first took to the BTS camera, way way waaaay back in 2010. Nice work on the editing too Douglas Dillingham and good luck to you all. T minus 3 days and counting to get your contest entries in (that's Dec. 31st 2011).

Lensbaby Starts Kickstarter Campaign for Fisheye GoPro Lens

Snap-on lenses are a big thing in the iPhone world. They open up possibilities for whenever someone is working with a fixed focal length system with a lens that cannot be removed. Now, Lensbaby is giving its fans the option to do the same with their GoPro cameras.

A Small Taste Of What It Takes To Film A Ski Movie

In February, Patrick and I flew to Colorado to film Dave Lehl shooting snowboarders. It was an eye opening experience but it was still relatively easy for us because we were simply documenting the event. Warren Miller has a different task; he is in charge of shooting full length ski videos on film and they have to look perfect. This video will give you a very small glimpse of what that really means.

Warren Miller Films shoots at Heavenly - January 2010 from Deep Roots Media - Dane Henry on Vimeo.

Contest Entry: Benjamin Schmanke shoots a family Portrait

Benjamin takes us through a unique family portrait shoot. He shows his steps in creating a final image for the client, from selecting the location to post photoshop work. Benjamin does a great job with the shoot and providing details from the shoot. Check out his hard work on photoshop and the final image.

BTS [behind the scenes] Photo Shoot from Benjamin Schmanke on Vimeo.

Free creativeLIVE Workshop: Learn Photo/Video Fusion this Weekend

Update: Live Now! As a wedding photographer myself, I think the most important thing any photographer can do for their business is adding video to their services. I met Rob and Vanessa earlier this year and was excited to hear they are teaching this new "Fusion" video/photo hybrid to other photographers. On June 29 - July 1, creativeLIVE is airing their 3 day workshop for free! Learn how you can easily incorporate video into your photography business from two of the industry's leaders.

Peter Hurley:  Free Seminar At BH Photo Oct 6th

Many of you know we have been working our asses off producing our first full length Headshot Tutorial with Peter Hurley the most successful headshot photographer in the US. We wrapped up the final production on Monday and threw a fun Fstoppers party to celebrate the end of a very long but rewarding project (thanks for waiting guys). For those of you who are around the NYC area, Peter is doing a free seminar called The Basic Headshot at the BH Photo Store in Manhattan. The event starts at 3pm and Peter would love to answer your questions. After filming Peter work for over 5 days and recently experiencing his magic first hand, I have to say that what Peter brings to the table is useful for more than just headshots. If you make a living from shooting people in front of your camera (or want to make a living doing it) you need to check out Peter's seminar. It's guaranteed to change the way you work with your clients. Update: Watch most of the recorded lecture here (wonder who the guy is at 17:40).
Tamron Announces Development of Company's First Micro Four Thirds Zoom Lens

The micro four thirds format has really taken off in the past two years, and now that the market has shown staying power more companies are supporting the hardware. Adding to Sigma's news announced earlier, Tamron added to the party with their 14-150mm F/3.5-5.8 Di-III VC.

Weekly Contest: Win a Woodsnap Photo Collage Worth $1000

Fstoppers has partnered with the awesome folks at ViewBug to bring you sweet, sweet contests weekly! This week enter your best photo featuring tree trunks to win a WoodSnap Photo Collage worth $1000, with the People's Choice winner nabbing one worth $500. Woodsnap is a nifty way to showcase your images printed as custom wood wall art.

Tips for Photographing a New Year’s Eve Wedding

Although it’s fun to spend time with family and friends on New Year’s Eve, it’s also a blast to be out photographing a wedding when the clock strikes midnight. After all, this is the kind of wedding that can only happen once a year. I’ve compiled a few tips to make sure the couple gets hitched without any hitches. Many of these will also apply to snowy or chilly winter weddings.

Tips for Photographing the World's Largest Land Predator in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic

Have you ever thought of taking a trip to the sub-Arctic or Arctic to photograph polar bears and their habitat? Ever thought it might be your destiny to come nose-to-nose with the largest predator living on land? My latest article for Bradt Guides' Travel Club is all about taking photos of polar bears and their environment. I thought I'd share some of the tips and photos here.

Zero Budget Projects are a Myth

You can't do a project on a zero budget. If you actually spent a zero amount, that means you never did anything.

Mugshots: Something For Everyone

Crime docs, true crime, crime fiction, they all hold something of a collective fascination. Watching Donald Trump's recent Fulton County mugshot become one of the most circulated photographs of all time raises the question: why are so many of us fascinated by mugshots? As photographers, is there something in these rigidly photographed images that captures our attention?

$500,000 up for Grabs in This Year's My RØDE Reel Short Film Competition

RØDE is bringing back its popular short film competition, My RØDE Reel, for its fourth year, with a larger prize pool and more chances to win. With amazing prizes from over 20 of the biggest companies in the industry and talented judges like Philip Bloom, this competition has quickly become one of if not the largest for short films.

Photographic Virtues Series: Adaptability

In this series, I attempt to identify the key professional virtues I have found to be the most important in building my own career, as well as identifying traits of other successful photographers and business leaders that are most key to their success. Today’s virtue: adaptability.

Critiquing Your Work Does Not Make Someone a Troll

Before it starts to seem like I'm galloping around on my high horse, I'd like to say that this article is more of a reminder to myself than anyone else. I have made the mistake of dismissing someone as a troll just because they disagree with me. In many cases, It's much easier to simply dismiss someone as a troll if they criticize your work instead of taking it on the chin. This could be due to a number of reasons but when we do, we are breaking one of the cardinal rules.

Fstoppers Monthly Photography Contest

The September contest just wrapped up and I am happy to say that Shaadi Faris won. It will be shocking to many of you that Shaadi is not a professional photographer and does not have a website but he still won this contest with over 150 submissions. As promised, Shaadi now has a banner on the top of FS and he won a small LiteDome kit from Photoflex. Shaadi chose to make the theme for the October contest "sport" and he will be choosing the winner at the end of the month. Photoflex decided to raise the bar and give a Octodome NXT Kit to the winner this month! Head on over to the forum here to submit your image for this months contest. I'm am actually really envious that I can't compete in this contest; I want that bank!