Jumbo Rocks Stars | Joshua Tree National Park
Experience the magic of Joshua Tree National Park after dark! This incredible shot captures the iconic Jumbo Rocks formations bathed in the ethereal glow of a starlit sky. It's a testament to the raw beauty of nature and the power of astrophotography to reveal hidden wonders.
Capturing the Cosmos
This stunning image was captured in late January, during a Bortle 3-ish night, offering exceptionally dark skies ideal for astronomical observation and photography. The creative process involved a meticulous approach to capturing both the terrestrial landscape and the celestial sphere.
Technical Details:
- Camera: Canon 5D Mark IV
- Lens: Rokinon 14mm f/2.8
- Surface (Foreground): 3 exposures, each 4.5 minutes long.
- Stars (Sky): Tracked, 16 exposures, each 90 seconds long.
- ISO: 1600
- Location: Joshua Tree National Park
This combination of settings and equipment allowed for the capture of incredible detail in both the foreground rocks and the vast expanse of stars above. The tracked exposures for the stars ensure sharp, unstreaked celestial objects, while the multiple exposures for the foreground provide ample dynamic range to capture the scene.
For those interested in the finer points of how this shot was achieved, a more in-depth explanation can be found in this video:
The result is an image that is both spooky and incredibly beautiful, showcasing the unique character of Joshua Tree under a magnificent night sky.
