hes N.P Canon 1DX - Sigma 20mm Art lens ISO - 12800 - f2.3 - 20 seconds Tv
If you’re going to shoot the Milky Way in Arches National Park, September is the time to go - the summer heat has dissipated and the galactic core is still well above the horizon and you can shoot and still be in bed before midnight.
Having said that, the viewpoint is perhaps a quarter mile off the park's main road, which means shooting is subject to passing traffic, which means headlights, and this was my third or fourth attempt at this shot because the passing headlights ruined my first few exposures, but by 10:30 PM the only people in the park are fellow photographers. Unfortunately light painting is no longer allowed in Arches by the Park Service although I don’t know who’s gonna stop you. In any event, I borrowed a Sigma Art Lens for this shot and lit balance rock with a panel so I could have even light. The purpose of light painting is to create drama, which is what I tried to do here.
6 comments posted
Ian Cambourne
Congratulations on a very strong image Butch. Crazy that light painting isn't allowed there anymore, but maybe the park service and other authorities have had a few too many reports of strange lights in the middle of nowhere, a bit like ET phoning home. Just enough painting and processing in this one. The Milky Way and rock/ground are well balanced and don't over power each other. Composition of the elements is also very good. Posted: 12/12/2024 01:37:47
Butch Mazzuca
Thanks Ian, I used to live about three and half hours from Arches NP so it was easy for me to get there in the fall - I've been there about 5 or 6 times, hiking, biking, etc., and spent a day or so shooting on three of those occasions - dark skies, the galactic core rises early in the fall (in this hemisphere) and it has an interesting angle in relation to the earth in August and September, which makes creating a good composition easier. Posted: 12/12/2024 03:47:14
Gary Jones
Very nice composition Butch. The elements are all well arranged, so you did some hiking to find the right location. The lighting on Balance Rock is enough to show some depth and highlights, without being overpowering. My eye shifts from the Milky Way to the Rock and holds me. I was photographing in Arches 6-7 years ago and doing some light painting and found that the light painting from other photographers was often distracting to what I was trying to do. But with some patience, I was able to get some nice images and then worked to hike, in the dark, back to our car. Posted: 12/17/2024 21:03:11
Butch Mazzuca
Thanks Gary, I'll miss going there every year since we've moved - anyway, thanks for your kind words Posted: 12/17/2024 21:13:17
Sherry Icardi
I love Arches, the beauty is overwhelming , and only enhanced by your background of the Milky Way. I give you a great deal of credit for the time needed to execute this image..... far more than the actual image took to complete. The result is engaging and makes you want to visit again and again.
It's been a while since I was there with a group of photographers (2014, I think). We actually started in Monument Valley then worked our way into Utah. One of my favorite NP trips, and reminds me of how much I love traveling in the South West! There is so much beauty between Arizona, Utah, and Colorado.....and fun places to hike and explore! Your image projects the beauty of the area and as well as the skill to obtain difficult images like this. Posted: 12/17/2024 21:38:41
Butch Mazzuca
Thanks Sherry - yup - cant go wrong with any of those states - thanks for your kind words, much appreciated
