CANADA 50°52’09.8”N 115°39’02.9”W
“Capturing the night sky captures a moment somewhere, out there, once upon a time”
There’s a lot of things to consider from “photo pill” and other aurora apps to help forecast your shot, to all the equipment and camera settings, but rarely do people talk about preparing yourself to safely endure the long night. I do a ton of expedition shooting, and my first tip is to always put personal safety and comfort for endurance above all else. In so many cases I’ve seen photographers miss shots just because they needed to tap out – they chose to pack an extra lens instead of the parka and gloves. I have never been one to undertake adventure for photos, I take photos to adventure, and to tell stories about my adventures. It is always about the experience first for me, because I truly believe the depth of my work from adventure to wildlife comes from the depth of the experience. I can’t expect my work to evoke thought and emotions in an audience if I do not feel it when I am standing behind the lens. Astrophotography is no different, be it the overwhelming burst of awe I feel when auroras dance above, or the calm blues of self-reflection as I wait for the long exposure. In astro, with such scarce light, the colours are part of our imagination to interpret in the editing process, and depending on the creative vision, the final product can be the result of a simple single image, or hundreds of captures over hours of shooting combined into one stunning image. You can choose to convey the magic that exists in our reality that few see, or the movement of time through space with star trails. Regardless of who you are and how you shoot, there is no excuse with the long exposure, slow shooting of the night sky, to take it in and get lost in the scene as your images expose.
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MOTHER VOLUME ONE
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