Milky Way Over "Big Eyes" (#2)

 The "Big Eyes" rock formation is a favorite of mine. I came across it while out hiking in the middle of nowhere (although technically still within Joshua Tree National Park boundaries) a little over two years ago. And almost exactly two years ago, my friend Mitch and I were spending a moonless night photographing the Milky Way over Big Eyes (click here to see that post). Unfortunately, it turned out to be a cloudy night and the MW was only partially visible (see photo below). We didn't give up (or get any sleep), and later that same night, we did end up getting some good vertical shots of the MW after the clouds had cleared. 

 

Fast forward a couple years to late April, 2025. Mitch is busy, so I'm doing a late afternoon solo hike out to Big Eyes for a second attempt at a horizontal shot of the MW. I guess I'm officially "hooked" on night sky photography. I find myself unable to pass up a new moon night during the summer months, and if I do have to pass it up, I get twitchy and grumpy. Yup, definitely hooked! Anyway... I'm hiking out to the area a couple hours before sunset. This will give me time to explore some arches in the area and get my gear set up for the MW shoot.

 

Shadow Arch

 

Shadow Arch, opposite view.

 

Omicron Arch, silhouette.

 

I think this one has been named "Arch Support". It's hard to photograph, but if you crawl underneath it and shoot up...

 

...it looks pretty cool. Then the hard part is getting back up, and picking all the cactus spines out of your clothes!

And now at my main event, Big Eyes, at 6:30pm, with plenty of time to get set up for the evening. I'll just be putting a tarp on the ground with a sleeping pad and blanket. It's a lot easier (and my pack is lighter) without a tent and sleeping bag. 

 

The photo above reminds me: I purchased a remote camera trigger. I saw another photographer using one to great effect. It allows me to move around and light paint during long exposure shots and to take photos without any risk of accidentally bumping the tripod. And of course I can take selfies. They are great fun!

 

Although it's windy, there are no clouds in the sky. As long as this wind doesn't stir up too much dust, it should be a good night. Just after sunset, I decide to place my LCD lights in the "eyes". I'll be taking photos with the eyes natural (no lights) and lit up. Let me know if you like one better than the other!

 

Adjusting the lights before the stars are out.

 

3:06AM   Version 1: Natural/no lights.

 

Version 2: Lights, high contrast.

 

Version 3: Lights, average contrast, lighter foreground.

 

 

Can't resist having more fun with my remote camera trigger. Guess I should have turned off my headlamp!

 

Camera settings: For the Milky Way, my lens aperture is fully open (f 2.8); ISO at 6400; exposure time is 8 seconds; I'm using a wide angle lens with a focal length of 16mm. I usually get a handful of shouts, with minor adjustments up and down on the ISO and exposure times. I use Photoshop noise reduction (rather than stacking), and then basic edits (contrast, brightness, clarity) to try to make the stars and MW as visible as possible. 

 

On one of my 8 second exposures, I just barely noticed a streak across the sky. It was a meteor, and it was quicker than a blink of an eye. I wasn't sure I really saw it, but thankfully it does show up (just barely) on my photo. I cropped the photo to make the meteor more visible.

Thanks for joining me on another fun evening under desert stars!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.