Capturing the Cosmos at Double Arch, Utah
This past week, I had the incredible opportunity to camp within the majestic Arches National Park in Utah. Naturally, it felt only right to try and capture one of the park's iconic landmarks, and for me, that meant Double Arch.
My goal was to frame the shot with the opening between the two grand arches, aiming for a perspective that looked almost straight up. This led me to attempt my largest panorama yet, a multi-row stitch that truly showcased the scale of this natural wonder.
To make the Milky Way pop and add a unique flair, I decided to experiment with different focal lengths. I used a 16mm lens for the foreground to capture the grandeur of the arches, and a 24mm lens for the sky to make the Milky Way appear more prominent. The process of stitching together all the individual frames was incredibly rewarding, revealing a perspective that exceeded all my expectations. This shot is definitely going to be a personal favorite for a long time to come.
Technical Details:
Gear:
- Sony a7iv (h-alpha mod)
- Viltrox 16mm f/1.8
- Sigma 24mm dg dn art
Sky:
- 6-panel panorama
- 8x60s exposures
- f/1.4 aperture
- ISO 800
Foreground:
- 18-panel panorama
- 2s exposures
- f/9 aperture
- ISO 320
The experience was nothing short of otherworldly, and I couldn't have asked for a better night to capture such a stunning celestial display.
