Under the Stars at the Tanks
Joshua Tree National Park is a photographer's dream, especially after the sun dips below the horizon. Recently, I found myself at a spot known as "The Tanks," a unique rock formation with a fascinating cave-like opening. The moment I saw that cave, I envisioned it illuminated against the vast canvas of the night sky.
As luck would have it, a family arrived with a portable fire pit, casting a warm glow into the cave. While they eventually left due to the cold, their presence provided the inspiration I needed. We then used handheld lights to carefully illuminate the rest of the foreground, bringing out the textures of the rock formations and creating a sense of scale.
The Gear and the Grabs
This shot was made possible with a full-spectrum modified Canon R5 and a Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 lens set at 24mm. For the foreground, I employed multiple 30-second exposures at f/8 and ISO 800, utilizing a visible light filter to capture the illuminated scene.
The sky, on the other hand, required longer exposures to gather enough light. I used ISO 1600 with an aperture of f/2.8, taking 20 exposures of 210 seconds each. For tracking the stars and enabling these long exposures, I relied on the iOptron Skyguider Pro, a fantastic piece of equipment that really made this shot possible.
A Touch of Human Presence
I particularly love how the subtle lighting on the rock formation adds a sense of human presence without introducing a person into the frame. It creates a narrative, inviting the viewer to imagine themselves in this incredible landscape. The combination of a well-exposed foreground and a detailed night sky truly brings this scene to life.
It was an incredible night capturing the magic of Joshua Tree. If you'd like to see more of my work, feel free to follow me on Instagram:
