Milky Way Over Yosemite Valley
This stunning image captures the majestic Milky Way as it gracefully arches over the iconic Yosemite Valley. Taken from the renowned Tunnel View Overlook, this photograph offers a sweeping panorama of the valley's most famous landmarks, including El Capitan, Half Dome, Cathedral Rocks, and Bridalveil Falls.
Pushing the Limits: A 9-Panel Single Exposure Mosaic
The photographer, using an astro-modified Sony A7iii and a Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM lens, pushed their gear to its limits to create this incredible shot. It's a 9-panel mosaic, meticulously stitched together from individual 20-second exposures at ISO 3200 and f/2.0. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that each frame is a single, untracked, and unstaked exposure. This approach presented significant editing challenges, particularly in managing noise, but the final result speaks for itself – a testament to skill and dedication.
Behind the Shot: Gear and Technique
- Gear:
- Sony A7iii (astro-modified)
- Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
- Acquisition:
- 3x3 Mosaic
- ISO 3200
- 20 seconds per exposure
- f/2.0
- Location: Tunnel View Overlook, Yosemite National Park
Stitching the Vision Together
Creating a seamless panorama from multiple single exposures requires specialized software. The photographer utilized PTGui for stitching, a powerful program known for its accuracy in aligning and blending photographic panels. While Photoshop also offers panorama stitching capabilities, PTGui was the preferred choice for its reliable performance in this complex mosaic.
A Glimpse into the Cosmos
This image is a beautiful reminder of the wonders that await us when we look up at the night sky, especially from places as awe-inspiring as Yosemite Valley. The Milky Way, a band of light stretching across the heavens, is our galactic home, and to see it framed by such natural grandeur is truly a moving experience.
For more incredible astrophotography, check out on Instagram.
