The Sky's the Limit

When was the last time you tried something photographically you’ve never done before? I mean like underwater photography, free-lensing, aerial photography, or astro photography?

Yeah, I know some things are often out of reach. For my Alaska friends the Northern Lights are maybe within closer reach for you than they are for me? But they are on my "To Shoot" list!

On IG I follow nyonair – a team of “pro image-makers, motion content specialists, and production helicopter pilots” that take to the air over NYC for clients – yeah, a bit out of my reach for sure!

first editing attempt

Last month while on vacation near Yosemite National Park, the sky came within my reach as I attempted to capture the Milky Way. This is definitely not the best of shots but I wanted to share it anyway, because well, this is how we learn from our mistakes. We also share in our triumphs and in our work that needs more work. It’s humbling.

Ansel Adams said, “Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop.” Wow!

second editing attempt

This is not one of them (all the same frame, just different editing & sooc RAW). But I’m not discouraged. Remember the first time you tried to capture fireworks? The excitement? It was there that night. As soon as the 30 seconds were up and my viewfinder showed the faint Milky Way in the dark frame…I was thrilled!

But, I think my focus was off, I could have picked a better foreground, I think it should have been later into the night or early morning…blah, blah, you know all the things we think of after the fact. Then you get home and look at it while editing and it starts all over again…it’s so noisy, I have no idea how to get this to look good, etc.

SOOC

I was not working solo, my crew was chatty and wheeling a flashlight around…now I wish I had tried different exposures and settings. But I’m ok with just having tried, and I’m already thinking of when and where I could go try again now that I’m back home in MN.

So, what have you been up to lately? Have you had time to push your photographic envelope? What’s on your wish list of shots to try?

p.s. I follow a page on FB called "Yes, you can see the Milky Way", go there to see the wonderful inspiration that got me excited to try. Wowza!!