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.