Ursa Major Setting Over the Arizona Landscape

This stunning capture showcases the iconic Ursa Major constellation making its descent below the Arizona horizon. The photographer utilized a focused stacked panorama to bring out the intricate details of both the celestial bodies and the terrestrial landscape.

Technical Details:

• Camera/Lens: Sony a7rIII and Sony 24mm f1.4 GM
• Exposure: 180s at f2.8, ISO 800
• Technique: Focused stacked panorama

Achieving the Star Highlight Effect:

For those aspiring to capture similar star detail, the process involved careful post-processing. The photographer employed star reduction techniques in Photoshop on most stars, while selectively preserving and enhancing those within Ursa Major. A "Soft Light" brush, set to double the size of the stars and using the same color as the star itself, was used to add a subtle glow. This meticulous approach truly makes the stars in Ursa Major pop against the darker sky.

We hope this inspires your own night sky photography adventures!