Cook'n Up the Milky Way in Joshua Tree
As with the old truck I posted last week, I'm sure a bullet-riddled, 50's era oven isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Joshua Tree National Park, but here we are! Haha I found this near one of the old mine sites in the park, harkening back to the area's gold and copper rush days.
This shot combines careful foreground lighting with an extended exposure of the night sky, enhanced by specialized filters.
Technical Details:
- Foreground: Multiple 30-second exposures for light painting and ambient light, f/8, ISO 1600.
- Sky: Approximately 57 minutes total integration time, f/2.8, ISO 1600, with 210-second exposures using a specialized astronomy filter (Optolong's LQEF).
I've found that for my camera, ISO 1600 offers the best balance of noise, dynamic range, and color depth. While newer camera processors might suggest ISO 800 for slight improvements, the practical difference in the final result might be minimal.
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