calebgrosse
FollowThis is one of the first star photos I took. I had seen some of my dads night photography from Africa and I immediately fell in love with the idea of taking pic...
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This is one of the first star photos I took. I had seen some of my dads night photography from Africa and I immediately fell in love with the idea of taking pictures of the night. This is me in the photo and I took the photo. I set the timer and took off in a sprint towards this sign I wanted to stand on. While it looks like I am in awe, I actually swaying back and forth trying to stay balanced on the sign. Even though this was one of my first pictures, it is still one of my favorites. Most people think I took this photo after sunset, but the yellow in the photo is actually light pollution from a town about 20 miles away.
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Awards
Action Award
Legendary Award
Lucky 3 Award
Contest Finalist in Into The Night Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Starry Starry Night Photo Contest
Featured
Member Selection Award
Contest Finalist in Covers Photo Contest Vol 35
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Genius
Superior Skill
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bartelle
April 12, 2017
I am just starting to shoot the Milky Way and stars on the OBX. This is a beautiful shot and gives me hope that I will end up with something this good. Keep up the great work.
calebgrosse
April 12, 2017
Thank you so much and good luck! Get the photopills app if you can, it will help with planning!
charliepeepers
April 23, 2017
I can't find any words to describe this. This is one of the very best, most awe inspiring photographs I have ever, or probably will ever see. Thank you for sharing your art. Wow!
calebgrosse
April 23, 2017
Thank you! It's very encouraging to know that the photos we take can and do impact people.:)
Winslowphoto
May 18, 2017
do you live in NC? I'm over by Raleigh and there is so much beauty in this state, brilliant shot
calebgrosse
May 18, 2017
My parents do, so when I am here I always try and do some shooting. And thank you so much!
Michael_Shake
September 30, 2017
Great shot! The human element to me makes the photo. I'm planning a trip to that area and was hoping I could see the Milky Way at an overlook on the parkway. I was thinking Cowee or Caney Fork would be good, any thoughts?
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at the highest point of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. I am self taught photographer that learns from looking at other people's images and reading.Time
I had recently gotten my first DSLR as my undergraduate graduation present. Almost as soon as I got my camera, I set to work researching how to take star photos. This photo was taken at 11:02 PM on August 27th of 2014. While this evening was special in several ways, one thing that was very nice for the taking of this photo was the fact that there was no wind, even at an elevation of 6053 feet. This is an important part of this photo as I am both the photographer and the subject of this photo. I had to run about 50 feet and try and balance on a thin sign, this took several tries and would have been much more difficult if it had been windy.Lighting
Most people who don't know much about photography or night photography assume that the yellow in the photo comes from the sun setting or rising. It is actually light pollution from a city about 20 miles away. In taking the first several photos of just the milkyway, I felt like the photo was lacking to a certain extent. The images I was seeing in my view finder failed to capture the sheer vastness of the night sky above me. I wanted to viewer of my photo to see what I saw that night.Equipment
I used a Nikon D3200 with a 18-105 mm lens and a Tripod. I also set a 10 second timer so I could get time to run and find balance on the sign.Inspiration
Star Photography is what first sparked my interest in owning a DSLR. I was determined to learn how capture the night sky. I would love to say that after 3 months of having a camera I just had all the skill and knowledge necessary for taking amazing photos at night, but I didn't. While I was home in NC that week I went out and drove around looking for stars every night that it was even remotely clear. On this particular night I was went a different direction on the Blue Ridge Parkway in search of the the milky way. Once I found it. I simply got out of my car and started shooting. In taking this particular photo, I was trying to show my own insignificance in the universe, while also demonstrating my connection to it.Editing
This photo was taken when I was a brand new photographer and sadly I shot it in JPEG. With that being the case, there has been very little editing possible with this photo. The minimal editing done to make this photo possible was done in lightroom.In my camera bag
My camera bag is far more equipped now. But when I took this photo I only had my dad's 18-105 mm lens, and my 55-200 mm stock zoom lens that came with my camera. Outside of that, my only other piece of equipment was my tripod. People are often under the impression that you need the best and most expensive gear to capture good photos. I believe that this photo is proof that is not the case.Feedback
Plans are nice, and if you have time, take the time to make one for your next shoot. But it never hurts to be spontaneous and just go and shoot. At times I find that I get so hung up on making a plan, finding the best locations, waiting for the best time of day, or even waiting for that next piece of equipment that forget to actually take pictures. For the creative mind, there are photo opportunities everywhere. Just start shooting.