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Tristan Zhou has a head for heights. In his search for spectacular viewpoints, the Lightroom Ambassador scales skyscrapers and shoots from perilous positions high above the clouds. Often he asks for permission, he says. “The rest of the time it requires some ninja work.” Half a mile above a major metropolis there are other challenges for Tristan, especially when he flies a drone. “Sometimes there’s too much magnetic interference in big cities like Hong Kong and Shanghai, so I simply can’t get the shot I want.”

Tristan Zhou has a head for heights. In his search for spectacular viewpoints, the Lightroom Ambassador scales skyscrapers and shoots from perilous positions high above the clouds. Often he asks for permission, he says. “The rest of the time it requires some ninja work.” Half a mile above a major metropolis there are other challenges for Tristan, especially when he flies a drone. “Sometimes there’s too much magnetic interference in big cities like Hong Kong and Shanghai, so I simply can’t get the shot I want.”

Piyatat used to shoot coffee shop culture. Now he trains his lens on cities and people.

“At that time I got inspired by many things that relate to arts, crafts, and nature,” Piyatat explains. “As I’m not really good at writing, I found photography as my way of expressing the beauty in what I see.” Since then, he has expanded from capturing coffee shops to cities, landscapes, and even couples. Today, the Lightroom Ambassador travels the world, shooting wedding and engagement photos steeped in romance. 

 

“I always talk with couples days before I take photos of them,” Piyatat says. “I get to know about them, their special moments, and what they like to do together. I think this is how I achieve the feeling in my photography.” He shoots dramatic scenes in fields of flowers, bustling city streets, and in the shadow of India’s Taj Mahal. While traveling, Piyatat carries a multitude of Sony cameras and lenses but never leaves home without his trusty Sony a7m4 and a 55mm lens. 

High above the clouds is where you’ll find Tristan.

Tristan was born in Japan and grew up in China, where his mother encouraged him to take photos. After graduating from the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts with a BFA in photography, he studied film in San Francisco and now lives and works in Seattle. Tristan’s clients include HBO, Airbnb, and Sony. “I call myself an urban photographer because I spend most of my time in the cities,” he says.

 

“My creative journey actually started as a filmmaker, because I’ve always wanted to make movies,” says Tristan. “I started editing videos when I was in middle school and made up my mind to become a director. I eventually transferred to the San Francisco Art Institute to pursue my filmmaking career and worked as a videographer and director for a production company in San Francisco.” When he relocated to Seattle, he found himself bored and roaming the city with his Sony a7R IV camera. “I guess that’s how I started taking photos.”  

High above the clouds is where you’ll find Tristan.

Tristan was born in Japan and grew up in China, where his mother encouraged him to take photos. After graduating from the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts with a BFA in photography, he studied film in San Francisco and now lives and works in Seattle. Tristan’s clients include HBO, Airbnb, and Sony. “I call myself an urban photographer because I spend most of my time in the cities,” he says.

 

 

“I call myself an urban photographer because I spend most of my time in the cities.”

 

 

“My creative journey actually started as a filmmaker, because I’ve always wanted to make movies,” says Tristan. “I started editing videos when I was in middle school and made up my mind to become a director. I eventually transferred to the San Francisco Art Institute to pursue my filmmaking career and worked as a videographer and director for a production company in San Francisco.” When he relocated to Seattle, he found himself bored and roaming the city with his Sony a7R IV camera. “I guess that’s how I started taking photos.”

Tristan uses “ninja work” to find incredible viewpoints.

Modern technology has allowed Tristan to push the boundaries of photography. He likes to create composite imagery, inspired by movie visual effects and even video games. “I use composites to enhance the visuals for the sake of my own storytelling,” he says. And if a shot isn’t possible due to height restrictions or his personal safety, Tristan fires up his DJI Mavic 3 drone.

For Tristan, presets are a crucial part of developing his signature style.

Closer to sea level, back in his home studio, Tristan relies on customized Adobe Photoshop Lightroom presets to give his work a cinematic feel. “I think presets are a crucial part of creating a consistent look because they set the tone with just one click. I often don’t change the majority of the settings,” he says. “I always start by applying my go-to preset, then I adjust the white balance and exposure to make sure the image looks accurate. Maybe I’ll straighten the photo or experiment with masks depending on the lighting and the overall mood of the photo.” 

 

Tristan’s free Lightroom preset is designed for fellow urban photographers and explorers. “It’ll give users a solid foundation,” he

says. Then all you’ll need is some courage — and perhaps some ninja skills when height restrictions get in 

the way.

 

See more on Instagram.

Tristan uses “ninja work” to find incredible viewpoints.

Modern technology has allowed Tristan to push the boundaries of photography. He likes to create composite imagery, inspired by movie visual effects and even video games. “I use composites to enhance the visuals for the sake of my own storytelling,” he says. And if a shot isn’t possible due to height restrictions or his personal safety, Tristan fires up his DJI Mavic 3 drone.

 

Closer to sea level, back in his home studio, Tristan relies on customized Adobe Photoshop Lightroom presets to give his work a cinematic feel. “I think presets are a crucial part of creating a consistent look because they set the tone with just one click. I often don’t change the majority of the settings,” he says. “I always start by applying my go-to preset, then I adjust the white balance and exposure to make sure the image looks accurate. Maybe I’ll straighten the photo or experiment with masks depending on the lighting and the overall mood of the photo.” 

 

Tristan’s free Lightroom preset is designed for fellow urban photographers and explorers. “It’ll give users a solid foundation,” he says. Then all you’ll need is some courage — and perhaps some ninja skills when height restrictions get in the way.

 

See more on Instagram.