Top 10 WeeklyFstop Photos: Sky

Top 10 WeeklyFstop Photos: Sky

Get your eyes ready for some truly beautiful shots of the sky shared to our ongoing weekly photo theme by talented Fstoppers readers. 

Taking pictures of the sky may seem obvious and easy, but taking a photo beyond a snapshot takes some planning and know-how. The vivid colors of a sunset may fall flat without the correct exposure setting. Capturing the cosmos under the night sky might sound like a fun time, but the first time you try to autofocus might surprise you. Did you know there is a maximum exposure time calculated based on your lens' focal length before the earth's rotation will make your stars into blurred streaks? Taking photographs of amazing storm clouds might sound exciting, but make sure you're protected in case the storm ends up directly overhead. Whatever you are looking to try, it is always a good idea to put in some research and learn from other people's mistakes. As soon as you think you know it all, your growth stops. Strive for more.

Taking part in photo themes is a great way to challenge yourself to exit your comfort zone and learn some new photography skills. Be sure to check out next week's theme as we are pulling in another Fstoppers writer as a guest judge!

10. Lance Claypool

9. John Crisp

8. Manaf Kamil

7. Wesley Chang

6. Andrea Re Depaolini

5. Brad Wenskoski

4. Kaden Classen

This is such an awesome photo. Love the colors and the dust behind the equipment.

3. Stephen Holst

Great light and edge of the storm here.

2. Mads Peter Iversen Photography

Iversen may or may not have faced an imposed handicap due to his fellow writer status. This shot is epic. Thanks for sharing.

1. Jowell Protasio

First, let me just admit I am a huge sucker for light beams. They make for such a dramatic scene. You can almost hear the angelic choir in the background. Great feel to this shot. Congratulations and thanks for joining in with us.

Honorable Mentions

Spencer Lawn Photography

Steven Madow

Evan F Smith

Shintaro Design

What Is This Week's Theme and How Do I Enter?

In an effort to mix things up a bit, I've tagged in Fstoppers Writer Andy Day to judge this week's theme. Day has an eye and a passion for photographing adventurous activities like parkour, climbing, and bouldering. Wikipedia tells us that street sports are an expression of the spontaneous, improvisational, and creative origins of sport adapted by human ingenuity to the urban environment. Since this falls completely outside my comfort zone, and my knee hurts just thinking about jumping off of buildings, consider Day our ringer. We can't wait to see what you come up with. 

Street Sports

To enter, simply use the hashtag #weeklyFstopStreetSports (capital letters are not necessary) on any public Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Flickr post between now and our next weeklyFstop article. Please keep it to one entry per week to keep it fair and less cluttered.

Here are the previous week's results for anyone who may have missed them:

  1. Leading Lines
  2. Bold
  3. Color
  4. Yours
  5. Simplicity
  6. Monochrome
  7. Music
  8. Light
  9. Action
  10. Thankful
  11. Bokeh
  12. Toys
  13. Snow
  14. Frozen
  15. Warmth
  16. Sunrise
  17. Landscape
  18. Favorite
  19. Gathering
  20. Green
  21. Pink
  22. Gold
  23. Happiness
  24. Macro
  25. Street
  26. Long Exposure
  27. Circle
  28. Outdoors
  29. Shadows
  30. Old
  31. Work
  32. Play
  33. Grow
  34. Portrait
  35. Water
  36. Party

Remember, there is no guarantee posting a photo will result in it being featured. If you happened to submit but fell short, please don't be discouraged. Keep shooting and try to gain techniques or ideas from the photos that are selected. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, feel free to contribute in the comments. I'm always open to future theme suggestions. I hope you are all enjoying the theme as much as I am.

Michael B. Stuart's picture

Michael B. Stuart is a photographer at Stu Stu Studio in Lewiston, New York. Besides shooting weddings with his wife Nicole his specialties include long exposure, abstract monochrome creations, architecture, and bokeh. Work has been featured online by Adobe, Flickr, Google, and 500px with the most popular photo receiving over 950 million views.

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7 Comments

9 and 1 are stunning! great gallery!

Thanks, Pedro!

Thank you.

WOW amazing photos.. number 1 is glorious!

Glad you both agree. Thank you, Peter!

(insert gasp emoji) Thanks for this fun weekly topic. I missed the previous ones, but I'm glad I got to this one. I shot the one in Santorini. It was my Honeymoon and we got lucky with this shot. Oh and this was taken with my old D90 and the kit lens too, and a cheap $50 tripod. HAHA!! My fav on this topic was #2. I'm a sucker for night photography/astrophotography, and smooth & silky water. Thanks a bunch again! :)

Even better to hear it was on a honeymoon. Great shot! You are welcome.