The Milky Way over Joshua Tree National Park on a cloudy night.
The Milky Way over Joshua Tree National Park on a cloudy night.
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Awards
Chatter Award
Contest Finalist in Night Time Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Green Shades Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Enchanted Nights Photo Contest
Legendary Award
Contest Finalist in Exposures Marketplace Project
Contest Finalist in A Milky Way Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The Stars Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The Milky Way Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Long Exposure Experiments Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Compositions 101 Photo Contest vol4
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davidcochran_7518
September 28, 2017
Nice use of shot framing, frame is full without being overloaded
chrisantoniniphotography
September 29, 2017
Thank you. Yes, composition is definitely important without making it feel busy.
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Behind The Lens
Location
I have spent so much time hiking the unique landscape of Joshua Tree National Park and never taken the same picture twice. The amazing thing about this place is there is something unique around every turn, behind every new boulder you scramble past. This spot was just a few hundred yards from my campsite. The depth that the boulders create really leads the eye into the image. And though clear skies are often preferred when shooting the stars, sometimes clouds make it even more dramatic. I love that this small band of clouds provided an interesting mid-ground (or mid-air, in this case) and perfectly frame the rising Milky Way. I am very proud of this image and hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed capturing it.Time
I shot this image around two o'clock in the morning as the Milky Way was rising over the valley floor. It was not the optimal time of year for Milky Way viewing. But thankfully the dramatic skies helped enhance the shot.Lighting
I used my head lamp to do some minor light painting on the foreground boulders, just to give them some life and add depth to the scene.Equipment
I shot this with the Canon 6D, Rokinon 14mm f2.8, and my Manfrotto tripod w/ball head. I also used a Petzl Tikka headlamp with green gel to illuminate the foreground.Inspiration
Joshua Tree NP is one of my favorite places to photograph. You can capture stunning night skies just two hours outside one of the biggest cities in America. The amazing thing about this place is the sense of serenity that comes with being in the desert. Especially in the middle of the night, when the world is sleeping.Editing
As with all of my images, I only did basic lighting and color adjustments in Lightroom.In my camera bag
My gear usually consists of equal parts camera gear and hiking gear. For my camera setup: Canon 6D, Rokinon 14mm f2.8, Canon 16-35mm f2.8, Canon 24-105mm f4, Manfrotto Tripod w/ball head. Then I like to always have my Petzl headlamp, a good pair of hiking boots, Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket, and music...always music.Feedback
Don't expect perfect skies every time. And keep shooting even if conditions change. Sometimes the less-ideal conditions produce greater images. When shooting nature, work with it. She's not going to change for you, so take what she gives and create. And always use a tripod.