Scala dei Turchi (#3850), 2009.  This 72 x 86-inch image is one of eight large-scale color photographs c-prints included in Massimo Vitali’s upcoming exhibition at M +B in Los Angeles, California. Internationally respected for his depictions of masses at play in various beach scenes, ski locations and tourist destinations, Vitali has garnered praise since he began photographing in this signature style in 1994. His subjects, often sunbathers and tourists, forget about his presence, as he waits for moments such as the one shown here while perched 20 feet in the air on a platform. The exhibition opens September 11, 2010 and runs through October 16, 2010.  Concurrent with the exhibition is the release of Vitali’s third monograph published by Steidl titled Landscapes with Figures 2.

© Massimo Vitali / courtesy of M+B. Sacred Russian Pool (#3140), 2009, c-print on diasec, 72 x 86 inches, edition of 6.

© Dwight Okumoto

Scorching molten lava flows into and boils the incoming surf on the Big Island, Hawai’i. More images by Dwight Okumoto can be seen in The Great Outdoors 2010 online gallery.

Crystal Thornburg surfing in Central California.

Surf trips come up rapidly, as quick as the swells that show up on surf maps, and the photographers and editors who cover them very seldom have a lot of time to plan their work. Grant Ellis has been the photo editor for Surfer Magazine for almost seven years. He started as a surf photographer and followed professional surfers around the world for three years, having surfed from the age of 8. Surfer works with a large number of photographers and surfers to find and produce the stunning images in the magazine.

Ellis says that he can track the swell as it moves across the Pacific or Indian oceans through the emails from his photographers around the world. And if big waves are the greatest thrill in surfing, getting an image in Surfer’s Big issue is the ambition of most surf photographers.

Because surf images reflect the many nuances of light and water, editors at Surfer do rounds and rounds of color proofing to make certain each image is just right. The wave comes through, and they do their best to catch it.

Pictured here is a selection from Surfer’s Big issue.

© Allen Hughes.

An anonymous Santa Cruz surfer takes a chance in hopes of scoring at The Lane.

© Edwin Morales.

Keala Kennelly, one of the most passionate big wave surfers set a record in 2005 at Teahupoo, riding the biggest tow in wave by a woman. She has appeared in Blue Crush, Step Into Liquid, and co-starred in the HBO series John from Cincinnati.

© Andrew Chisolm.

Kelly Slater, nine times world champ and the greatest surfer ever, surfing at Shipsterns Bluff in Tasmania.

© Jason Childs.

Pepen Hendrik, driving deep into yet another new discovery, as fellow Balinese surfer Lee Wilson screams himself hoarse on the way back out after his. Toad Rock, Java. The only two guys in the water all day.

Participant in the annual Victorian Extravaganza carnival – Llandudno, Wales, 2007.

Pete Kelly’s latest show evokes memory through strong associative, emotional and surreal imagery – stretching reality toward a timeless fantasia – with subject matter ranging from distant landmarks to ethereal landscapes to historic horse races in Tuscany. The solo show opens on September 22nd at The Robin Rice Gallery in New York and will be on view through October 31, 2010.

Buzludia was one of the countless monuments erected in central Bulgaria glorifying the socialist ideology. This photograph is part of an upcoming book by Linda Ferrari Socialist Monuments in Bulgaria 1944-89: A Visual Introduction. See more of her work here.

This photograph is part of Joseph Rodriguez’s book East Side Stories: Gang Life in East L.A. He has been documenting the American domestic environment for many years. See more of his work here.

Contrails from a streaking jet bisect the Moon as Jose Lins observes from the French city of Arles.

Lins’ image was included in the winners gallery of the 2010 PDN World In Focus travel photography contest. The 2011 Contest is currently open for entries until September 7, but enter today to avoid late fees. A People’s Choice winner will also be selected.

© Stephen Mallon

Next Stop Atlantic – an exhibition of Stephen Mallon’s work is opening at the Front Room gallery on September 10th, 2010. This stunning series features the process of artificial reef building off the East Coast in the U.S. The exhibit will be running September 10th through October 3rd.

See more of Stephen Mallon’s work here.

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