North Star over Vogelsang, Yosemite, California
I setup a 30 minute exposure with the intention of catching the North Star. I figured the light from the moon and the tent would light up the rest of the fra...
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I setup a 30 minute exposure with the intention of catching the North Star. I figured the light from the moon and the tent would light up the rest of the frame. The streak that goes through is my headlamp going to and from the tent. The mule I noticed afterwards and was an added surprise bounus to the photo
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Dec, 2014Views
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Awards
Action Award
Contest Finalist in Favorite Travel Memory Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Lapse Of Time Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Isolated Cabins Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The Stars Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Night Wonders Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Creative Reality Photo Contest
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at Vogelsang High Sierra Camp in Yosemite National Park. It is a backcountry camp about a 7 mile hike from the road in the Southeast corner of the park.Time
This was probably about 11 o'clock at night with a nearly full moonLighting
I chose to have the tent in the foreground knowing it would be lit up from the inside by candles and headlamps as everyone went to bed. I liked the full moon because it helped to light up the rest of the picture even though I think it does fade the stars a little. I faced North knowing the north star is stationary in the sky and the other stars always appear to rotate around it. The light in the front is someone leaving and returning to the tent. The exposure was exactly half an hour. If you notice the mule in the picture hardly moved the entire time.Equipment
I used a canon 60d with a small tripod that used to be my grandfathers but still works great and packs up kind of small. I used a wireless remote to start and finish the exposure but timed it myself.Inspiration
I knew I had a good foreground with the tent being lit up. I also knew I could get the North star in the shot allowing me to have a little bit of an idea how the stars might look in the shot. The rest was unexpected.Editing
Just tried to darken the sky a little to bring out the stars a little more.In my camera bag
A wide angle 15mm lens and my usual 18-135 IS lens. I always have a remote timer and extra batteries. I also carry a small solar charger to help charge extra camera batteries. I also have a small camera dolly set up I made myself for time lapses. Extra memory cards always.Feedback
Take a few practice photos in the same area to figure out what the star patterns might be. put something in the foreground of your star trail photos otherwise they can be confusing. Don't be afraid to light the foreground or shoot under a bright moon just don't light it to much and blow out the foreground.
