The Milky Way Glows Over Brian Head, Utah
A chilly night atop one of Utah's many stunning mountains yielded incredible views with wildflowers, lush green fields, and the glowing Milky Way. Sitting at 10,467 feet above sea level and away from any major sources of light pollution, this entire area is a treat for astronomy and astrophotography lovers.
This is a composite image, masterfully crafted from shots taken on the same night, from the same location. The photographer utilized a Nikon D850 with a Sigma ART 50mm F1.4 DG HSM lens. The foreground was captured during blue hour, a technique chosen to preserve detail in the landscape while bathing the mountain in a soft glow. The celestial spectacle of the Milky Way was photographed between 10:30 PM and midnight, with multiple exposures stacked to minimize noise and enhance clarity.
To achieve sharp stars without trailing, the sky images were taken using a star tracker. Without it, 15-second exposures at 50mm would have resulted in noticeable star trails.
While the initial plan involved focus stacking to ensure sharp focus across the entire foreground, the elements had other ideas. Significant wind movement in the wildflowers and grass made this technique impossible. Consequently, the focus was ultimately placed on the mountain. Despite this challenge, the photographer is pleased with the outcome and plans to return next year during the wildflower bloom to try again!
The comments section of the original post was filled with admiration for the shot, with many expressing a desire to experience such dark skies, lamenting the impact of light pollution in their own locations.
