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Behind The Lens
Location
Coyote Buttes is a section of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness managed by the Bureau of Land Management, spanning extreme south-central Utah and north-central Arizona, south of US 89 halfway between Kanab, Utah and Page, Arizona.Time
Blue hour thru midnight.Lighting
This picture is a composite consisting of an early evening shot (blue hour) and much later in the evening to capture the milky way. The milky way was shot with multiple shots using a 50 mm 1.8 then stitched together in post and layered back into the original.Equipment
Tripod, shutter release, Canon 7d a 28 mm and a 50 mm Canon lens.Inspiration
Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness is inspiring enough but the skies out there at night, they are something else. I don't think I have seen better Milkyway skies since my time on the open ocean in the south China sea. The wide open space and complete lack of light pollution produces some of the best night skies. worth the time it takes to get the shot.Editing
Post consisted of stitching and layering multiple shots to achieve the complete picture I was looking for.In my camera bag
In the past I was a pack rat when it came to gear but these days I find myself more of a minimalist taking only what I feel I will need for a specific shoot. Camera, tripod a lens or two, protective and cleaning gear then maybe a filter or two. Less is more, it makes me stop and think thru my shots rather than rely on gear to do the work.Feedback
A great location always helps. take your time, plan ahead and be patient. Look at what others are doing for inspiration and give it your own twist. I try to look at pictures I like and think of how I would have shot it differently. I am a bit of a surrealist and lean more towards a fantasy look while trying to stay on the cusp of realty. Sometimes it works and the rest of the time I learn from my mistakes. Most importantly enjoy yourself and take pictures that make you happy and if someone else likes them even better!