Inspirational Photographers of the Month - July 2017
We're cruising through summer, and boy have we had the pleasure of some truly incredible images being shared on PhotographyTalk!
Whether you like landscapes or portraits, macro or street photography, or something in between, the collection of photos we amassed in July is one of our best yet.
If you missed our Inspirational Photos of the Day, we've got each one from July for you listed below.
Enjoy the view, and kudos to all the photographers featured below!
July 1, 2017 - Norma
This photo captures gorgeous lighting in a way that makes the scene have more depth.
Notice the long shadows stretching across the frame - they help provide contrast with the bright sky and indicate the distance to the trees in the midground as well.
If you're photographing towards the sun, try to filter it through something, like Norma did with the trees.
July 2, 2017 - Karen Marie
When you think "maternity photo," I'm betting you don't think of something this beautiful!
The low perspective of this shot puts mom's belly on full view, something that's aided by the bright white background.
Notice how the form-fitting gown also accentuates the baby bump and also makes mom look like a million bucks!
The details in the gown and the fabric in the foreground add just enough detail to make this shot more visually appealing.
July 3, 2017 - Wolfgang Pairitsch
Who knew that abstract and landscape photography could look so good?!
This shot reminds me of an impressionist painting, one that captures the imagination and encourages you to use your imagination to determine what's been photographed.
That's the beauty of abstract photography - you can give viewers just a taste of something and let their imaginations run wild!
July 4, 2017 - Jens Klettenheimer
One of the cardinal rules of landscape photography is to include foreground interest into the shot.
As you can see in this stunning image, the photographer did just that by incorporating the rocks and plants in the bottom left corner of the frame.
Not only is the texture of these features something to behold, but the bright green and deep red coloring of that area contrasts nicely with the dark cliffs on the right side of the image.
I think you'll agree that the result of this is a foreground that's incredibly eye-catching and inviting!
July 5, 2017 - Garry's Vision & Imagination
As our editors said when they described this image, "Garry's Vision & Imagination sure brought this gorgeous landscape to life!"
If you lack imagination for your photos, try a long exposure shot like Garry's.
As you can see, the lengthened shutter speed helps create a dreamy, ethereal look that might just spark your creativity even further!
July 6, 2017 - Daniel
One of the most powerful tools at your disposal in a landscape photo is leading lines, which Daniel used to perfection in this shot.
Notice how there's not just one leading line, but three - the two railings on the left and right and the line of lights leading upward in the middle of the shot.
The framing here is spot on, too, with the tower in the middle of the image. That gives the photo great balance and symmetry.
July 7, 2017 - Tiny Time Photography
A great way to get a better portrait of a child is to put them in an environment in which they can have fun.
In this instance, the field of flowers is like a giant playland for this adorable little girl, and with her attention on her surroundings, the photographer was able to capture this cute candid shot.
Adding a beautiful little dress to the mix sure helped, too!
July 8, 2017 - Rui Santos
One of the hard parts about macro photography is trying to get the entire subject in sharp focus.
That's hard to do because the depth of field is often razor thin.
However, you can get around that by focus stacking, as Rui Santos did in the image above.
That's the kind of sharpness of detail you want if you wish to create a highly impactful macro shot!
July 9, 2017 - Norma Rickman
When creating a black and white photo, it's important to remember to incorporate shapes and patterns to increase the visual appeal of the shot.
In this case, the shape of the mountain peak in the background anchors the image, with the shape of the boathouse and the pattern of its siding helping to add some interest.
Speaking of interest, note how your eye is immediately drawn to the people on the dock. If your image is lacking, try adding people to the frame!
July 10, 2017 - Susan Moss
Shooting during golden hour provides you the opportunity to capture some pretty amazing colors. But so too does blue hour, that period right before golden hour in the morning and right after it in the evening.
In this shot, Susan Moss captured the best of both worlds, with warm golden tones on the left and cool blue tones on the right.
With the skyline of the city anchoring the shot, it makes for one heck of an impressive photo!
July 11, 2017 - Amber Fite
This dark and moody landscape offers a different take on landscape photography that's both dramatic and eye-catching.
The hint of texture in the foreground grass adds visual interest while the warm tones of the sunset give the shot some drama.
The silhouette of the mountains against the sky is an appealing visual touch as well!
July 12, 2017 - Dave
Titled "Shimmering Rocks," this shot is inspiring because of its use of common landscape photography tricks.
First, the leading line of the water in the rocks draws the eye deeper.
Second, the low perspective offers a strong view of the texture of the rocks.
Finally, note how the horizon line is perfectly straight. It's a simple trick, but one that has tons of impact!
July 13, 2017 - Tony Guinn
Using a long shutter speed isn't just for blurring water - it can also be used to create gorgeous abstract effects like those you see above.
By adding blur to the shot, this typical beach scene takes on a whole new life, with strong lines and gorgeous colors.
The presence of the bird to anchor the shot is just the icing on the cake!
July 14, 2017 - Dan Blackburn
In another gorgeous example of blue hour photography, we see how the predominantly cool tones in this shot help set off the bright pink cloud in the background.
Also worthy of pointing out is how the trees frame the shot, albeit very subtly.
Their presence to the left and right of center further helps us direct our attention to the mountains and clouds in the background.
July 15, 2017 - AstroDave
What's impressive about this shot isn't just the gorgeous, arching Milky Way...
It's also the incredible level of detail in the foreground of this image.
By including the ruins of the building in the foreground, we get a better sense of the size and scale of the scene - the building is large, but the Milky Way is MUCH larger!
July 16, 2017 - Artur Stanisz
The drama in this shot is unmistakable, as the sheer rock wall of the mountain rises toward the sky.
In this case, the drama is only accentuated by the conversion of this image to black and white.
If you want to get the most impactful black and white photos, shoot in RAW and in color, and then use post-processing to convert it to black and white.
July 17, 2017 - Destin Sparks
As the editors stated when this photo was chosen for Inspirational Photo of the Day, "Panoramic landscapes can be hard to do well, but Destin Sparks makes it look easy with this incredible image!" No doubt!
What makes this shot so compelling is the vibrant colors and gorgeous contrast throughout the shot.
It might look easy, but trust me - this was a tough shot to get!
July 18, 2017 - April Elizabeth Photography
Talk about a stunning portrait!
This image has a lot going for it, but what drew my eye immediately was the incredible gown the model is wearing.
Not only is that color eye-catching, but adding some movement to the gown elevates the shot to a totally new level.
That's why this was one of the most popular images we shared last month!
July 19, 2017 - Trevor Anderson
When it comes to a dramatic landscape, this one might just take the cake for the month of July!
Titled "Drift to Red," this image has it all, from a gorgeously blurred waterfall to intense colors to leading lines and eye-catching shapes.
Note how the low-hanging clouds on the left add a sense of mystery to the shot as well.
It's no wonder this was one of our top viewed images of the month!
July 20, 2017 - Karen Marie
In this adorable example of newborn photography, Karen Marie was able to pose this little beauty in a way that takes the cuteness factor to a whole other level.
Wrapped in a beautiful, soft blanket, this little girl is so comfortable that she cracks a smile.
Note how the floral crown adds a bit of color and texture to the shot that helps give it more visual appeal, but without being overwhelming.
Great work, Karen!
July 21, 2017 - Daniel
What probably caught your eye first about this shot is the beautiful reflection of the lake house in the still waters, right? Or perhaps the colors of the sunset?
For me, I actually noticed the detail of the texture of the lake house first.
Just look at how the light highlights the rough side of the building. That's some great detail!
July 22, 2017 - Donnnnnny
In another example of a black and white beauty, we see how a low contrast shot can be a gorgeous monochrome image.
Typically, strong contrast is used for black and whites, but in this case, the softness of the fog helps bring down the contrast for a serene, gorgeous image.
The reflection of the plants in the water gives this photo a nice symmetry too!
July 23, 2017 - Jens Klettenheimer
In another example of how to use leading lines, this beauty benefits from all the strong lines leading our eyes deeper into the shot.
Note how the lines also help define the curvature of the landscape, giving the image almost a sense of movement.
The color of the lavender combined with the color of the sunset creates a dynamic viewing experience as well!
July 24, 2017 - Bryan Pereira
Titled "Gentle Giants," this shot by Bryan demonstrates the value of being on the same eye level as the animal you're photographing.
By doing so, you create a more intimate portrait in which the viewer feels more connected to the animal.
What's more, by being at the same eye level, you give viewers the sense of what the world looks like from the animal's perspective.
That's how to tackle wildlife photography!
July 25, 2017 - Walter
Sunsets are great subjects on their own, but when you combine a sunset with still water, you've got a magical combination!
In this shot, the colors and textures of the clouds have twice the impact with the presence of the water.
Note how the boats on the horizon - though small - add a touch of detail that gives the shot more depth.
July 26, 2017 - Colin Parnell
When creating an abstract photo, you can focus on any number of features to make the image eye-catching.
Look for interesting colors or shapes. Use textures or patterns to create something whimsical.
Heck, as you can see above, you can combine all of those elements to create something that's mind-bending and quite fun to view!
July 27, 2017 - Suzy Martinez Photography
Creating a more unique portrait is sometimes just a matter of adding interesting props and wardrobe selection.
In this shot, adding the formal chair to the decidedly informal landscape creates an interesting visual tension.
Throw in a couple of gorgeous, flowing gowns that add a pop of color, and you have a recipe for one awesome portrait!
July 28, 2017 - Paulo
Manmade objects and landscapes make for a great pair, as you can see in the image above.
In fact, I'd say the boats are what make this shot...
Imagine this image without them - it would lack the same structure and detail that draws your eye and grabs your attention.
If you find that your landscape photos are just a bit boring, find ways to add human elements to them.
July 29, 2017 - Stargazing
Well, this shot is out of this world, isn't it?!
Since most of us don't have the gear to take photos like this, it's fun to see something that's totally different from the norm.
However, even though the subject is a nebula a million miles away, it was still important to capture the colors and details in perfect sharpness.
I'd say mission accomplished on that front!
July 30, 2017 - Jeanne
As our editors pointed out, what's interesting in this shot is that Jeanne used a shallow depth of field.
By keeping the foreground flowers as the focus of the shot, the mountain and landscape in the background become supporting players.
If you ask me, this unique take on landscape photography turned out pretty good!
July 31, 2017 - Alex W. Photography
There are a couple of things about this shot that really impresses me.
First, and most obviously, is the abundance of lighting strikes that fill the sky.
Second, it's the way the shot was created - by combining 43 images together to get this single, impressive composite.
When it comes to capturing things like lighting, creating a composite takes the pressure off snapping an image at just the right time.
Besides, when you combine them together, it makes for one heck of a light show!
With that, you have 31 inspiring photos to get your creative juices flowing in the coming weeks.
Use this inspiration to your advantage, take some amazing shots, and upload them to our galleries so we can have a look.
You never know when your photos might be selected for a feature!