First Light: My Inaugural Astro Photography Adventure in Lake George, Mammoth Lakes
This is it! My very first attempt at capturing the magic of astrophotography, and what a location to start! Lake George in the breathtaking Mammoth Lakes, California, provided the perfect backdrop for my celestial debut. I'm thrilled to share this moment and eager for all the starry nights to come.
The Celestial Canvas
Mammoth Lakes is renowned for its incredible natural beauty, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, the stage was set for a different kind of spectacle – the night sky.
Behind the Lens: The Setup
For this maiden voyage into astrophotography, I utilized the following gear:
- Camera: Sony a7iv
- Lens: Sony 16-35mm G f4
Capturing the scene involved a dual-capture strategy to balance the light from the foreground and the sky:
- Foreground (Blue Hour): 16mm focal length, 2.5 seconds shutter speed, f16 aperture, ISO 100.
- Sky and Reflection: 16mm focal length, 25 seconds shutter speed, f4 aperture, ISO 6400.
The final image was a meticulous blend of these two exposures, brought together in Photoshop to achieve the best of both worlds.
Looking Ahead
This first attempt has ignited a passion, and I'm already planning future excursions to explore more of the universe through my lens. I'm incredibly excited to continue this journey and learn from every click of the shutter. Your feedback is always welcomed as I refine my skills!
