Star Trails Over North Rim - Grand Canyon NP, Arizona * Nikon D5, 14-24mm, f/2.8, ISO 1240 * This image was taken on my recent trip to the North Rim. Along with shooting the Milkyway, star trails are the ubiquitous subject at night. There are many techniques for collecting the light for later processing in Photoshop. In this case, the image is a compilation of 10 four minute exposures stacked together so it looked like a forty minute long exposure. * There are many challenges shooting this way, not the least are composition and focus. Both are problematic because you simple can’t see... it’s a guess until you start shooting. As hard as it is for us, it was practically impossible for film photographers because you couldn’t see tests out in the field. You would set your camera up, shoot your images, and hope for the best until you film got back from the processor. Truly and exercise in patience. * Before we start saying “woe is me,” just remember what it was like for those that didn’t have our technological improvements. This certainly adds perspective. ____________________ * #Nikon #Nikonphotography #naturephotography #night #astrophotography #startrail #nightphotography #landscapephotography #grandcanyon #arizona

Night With Milkyway and Moonglow - North Rim Grand Canyon NP, Arizona * Nikon D5, 14-24mm f/2.8, f/2., 30 sec, ISO 12,800 * I’ve imagined a Milkyway over the Grand Canyon image for about five years, since I got interested in night photography. I tried to get that shot once about four years ago with less than satisfactory results. Despite lots of intention to try again, scheduling a visit in the right night/moon illumination conditions is a challenge. Well, it all came together last weekend. * While the moon hadn’t set yet, making night imagery a challenge, I’m helped by the relatively good amount of cloud cover leftover from the afternoon monsoon showers. Normally I don’t like clouds when shooting the Milkyway. In this case, it helps a lot, making a really complex image. Not only that, the clouds really help lower the Moon’s intensity by hiding it to the right of this image. About an hour later with the moon below the horizon, the image here is a lot different. * If you’re wondering, the two lights on the canyon wall are mostly likely hikers making a descent into Phantom Ranch on the Colorado River. This is pretty impressive considering the lights are about 20 miles away from where I’m shooting. ____________________ * #Nikon #Nikonphotography #naturephotography #milkyway #night #astrophotography #grandcanyon #arizona #northrim