Milky Way Over Washington Pass: A Night of Camaraderie and Light Trails
What an incredible night under the stars at Washington Pass! I wasn't expecting to encounter anyone out on a Sunday evening, but it turned into a fantastic opportunity to connect with two fellow astrophotographers. It was quite amusing that we all had nearly identical setups – the Sony A7RV paired with MSM trackers.
My laser pointer for polar alignment was being a bit stubborn and wouldn't shine through the hole properly. Thankfully, one of the other photographers had a spare MSM laser pointer and was incredibly generous in lending it to me. I really appreciated their kindness and the general sense of camaraderie amongst us.
The vibrant car light trails you see in the shot were a fun collaboration. I had one of the other astrophotographers drive a few laps while I kept the shutter open, capturing those streaks of light against the celestial backdrop.
Technical Details:
Location: Washington Pass, WA
Equipment:
- Sony A7RV
- Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
- MSM Nomad
Sky Exposure (tracked):
- 1 x 240 seconds
- f/3.2
- ISO 800
Foreground Exposure (blue hour blend):
- 1 x 60 seconds
- f/5.6
- ISO 100
Car Light Trails Exposure (blend):
- 5 x 120 seconds
- f/4.0
- ISO 800
It's nights like these, filled with shared passion and a willingness to help each other out, that truly make astrophotography so rewarding. The Milky Way put on a spectacular show, and the addition of the light trails added a unique dynamic to the scene. A truly memorable experience!
