Thursday, September 21, 2023

Milky Way Summer

 

Hard for me to believe that summer is over already. Wow, that went fast! This was the summer I became re-interested in Milky Way photography (the big one in the night sky, not the candy barπŸ˜‰). I had dabbled in the past and knew the basics. But for some reason it never caught on until this summer. Beginning in April 2023, I went out once a month on or around the new moon for five consecutive months. Some people say the hardest thing about MW photography is finding a compelling foreground, and getting the lighting (not too bright, but not too dark) and focus just right. So here's what I came up with over the pre-summer and summer of 2023 (all photos taken in Joshua Tree National Park).
 
April 2023: Bird Skull Rock
 
May 2023: "Big Eyes" in B&W
 
June 2023: Rock formation along Lost Horse Road
 
July 2023: "The Big Belch!" (Geology Tour Road)
 
August 2023: Old Pump House (bonus points for Perseid meteors!)
 
There you have it. These five photos represent a tremendous amount of time and effort, but if I had the chance, I would do it all again. My night photography skills have gotten much better, and summer nights under the desert stars are absolutely magical!
 
Thanks for stopping by!
Linking with Skywatch Friday.

50 comments:

  1. Wow! So professional and awesome ~ such a wonderful gift from nature and you captured it so well ~ thanks,

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  2. Your Milky Way photos are pure art

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  3. Wonderful ... you captured the mysteries of the universe through these photos!

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  4. ...these are magical!!! Thanks for sharing them.

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  5. They are indeed! These photos are well worth the effort!

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  6. A spectacular Milky Way, magnificently photographed each month. Congratulations.

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  7. June's my favorite. 2nd favorite would be August. That was a lot of effort, but it was worth it for the final result.

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  8. I appreciate the technical side of these. And the effort. That aside; these are very, very nice photos. Very well done my friend. πŸ‘πŸ‘

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  9. Thats great shots sir! I never tried milky way till date. Hope to find sufficient buffer to shoot the distant world

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  10. Truly Amazing milky way photos, Great captured.

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  11. Your astrolandscape is superb and amazing!

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  12. It's amazing how your dedication paid off with these stunning shots.

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  13. Bei all deinen Aufnahmen liegt Magie in der Luft!

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  14. Your hefty investment in time and effort is priceless to come away with these vast visions of our night sky! I wonder where these autumn days will take you?

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  15. I'd say you have nailed milky way photography. Your photos are superb. I think I need to up my game in nighttime photography of the sky.

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  16. You've taken us on one of your Milky Way trips a few times. The journey there was beautiful, and the goal was achieved brilliantly. These photographic highlights show this very well.

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  17. I have followed with awe. They're all terrific. In this post, I particularly admire The Big Belch and how you framed the MW through the gap. I don't think you've every posted your data. Is it about ISO3200, f2.8, 30 seconds?

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  18. All of these photos are amazing! I bought a Cannon Rebel SXi years ago that cost well over $1000 including accessories and I've only used it a few times. Shame on me! I should start using it instead of my camera phone.

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  19. I hav eto agreem they are awesome photos. The Candy bar is different to what is sold here, the wrapper is different and it looks like what we call a Mars Bar

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  20. Your shots are amazing. Think, Peter, for me the best moment to see the Milky Way is in winter! Brrrrr!
    (In summer it is always too bright).

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  21. I really am amazed at these photos! It's a beautiful place to take the photos but so much has to go right to make it happen! Just gorgeous! I am in awe!

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  22. All these shots were magical. I haven't seen the Milky Way (the big one in the sky) in so long. I think my favorite capture was still the Big Belch.

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  23. Those milky way shots are all amazing! I'm sure it takes lots of patience and practice to get them.

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  24. Wow, pretty darn impressive. I think my favorite is the Big Belch but, those meteors are pretty nice too. I hope you've printed some of these in large format.

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  25. Your photos are amazing! I understand that there must be a lot of work behind these pictures. They are so beautiful.

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  26. Every one is a work of art - and technical mastery too. I like the June picture for the way that the sky and the foreground fit together so well.

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  27. But what a wonderful collection. It was well worth the time and effort. Congratulations on such a great result.

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  28. Test to see if this posts.
    Outstanding night series!

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  29. I worry about your safety clambering around in the desert at night. But no one could argue with these beautiful results! More than enjoyable. Please have a beautiful weekend and thanks again. Aloha!

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  30. Okay, I am totally jealous and in awe of your milky way photographs! I certainly inspire to being able to take photos like that, but I have yet to even attempt. You are right though; the foreground really has a huge impact.

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  31. Congratulations on mastering your photography skill and capturing such stunning photos! Thanks for sharing your adventures.

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  32. Never tried it. You got some amazing photos here.

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  33. These are wonderful! But stay safe.

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  34. Dearest Peter,
    Your photos are quite stunning and those summer nights in the dessert are no doubt stunning.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  35. They´re all so very beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

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  36. I'm stunned by the beauty of these scenes. Makes me wish we had laws about light pollution.

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  37. I loved all of the Milky Way posts and it's wonderful to see your favorites from each month together. All amazing! thank you

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  38. Some of the most incredible desert and milky way photos I've seen. So wonderful.

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