Just returned from 10 day biking/hiking trip to Steamboat Co. Had the opportunity to do a great side trip to Arches National Park (outside of Moab Utah) and grab some great shots of the spectacular/iconic rock formations against the backdrop of the Milkyway Galaxy!
I started shooting about 10:30pm when twilight had receded and the night sky was in full bloom. For you tech-heads out there….here’s how I grabbed these images:
- I used a full frame SLR with a very fast fixed focal length lens (Canon 6d and Rokinon 16mm f 2.8).
- The Camera was mounted on a tripod, with the lens held open for approx 25 seconds (F2.8 @ 2000 ISO). Long enough to get a proper exposure, short enough to avoid star trails. Ie. the stars rotate around the North Stars….if you leave the lens open too long…you get streaks.
- I illuminated the rock formations using two techniques. A. I started using LCD flashlight with colored gels…to bring out the natural color of the rock. I typically positioned the camera in front of the arch, then painted the arch with light from the side. I trigged the camera using a remote blue-tooth shutter release. B. When the moon came out later in the evening, I used that as the additional light source.
North Window. Snitz standing beneath with gelled light.
Milkyway Galaxy creates a great backdrop!
Looking up through the Double Arch
Author providing side illumination for Turret Arch.
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The Tower of Babel, moonlit later that evening.
