Valley of the Gods: A Celestial Masterpiece in the Southwest
A few days ago, I captured a mesmerizing image of the Milky Way arching over some monumental geological formations in one of the most spectacular landscapes of the US Southwest. This image was in the planning for a long time, and making it a reality has been incredibly rewarding.
My goal was to showcase the Milky Way’s intricate details alongside the iconic geological formations of the valley, with Castle Rock Butte as the centerpiece. The image highlights prominent celestial features like the Milky Way Core and strong airglow bands.
To achieve this, I used a dual-camera setup with an astro-modified Sony A7III for the sky and a Sony A1 for the foreground, paired with a Benro Polaris star tracker for precise long exposures.
Technical Details:
- Sky: Sony A7III astromodified + Sony 20mm f/1.8, 3x2 panorama, 90 sec, f/2.2, ISO 1250
- Foreground: Sony A1 + Sony 14mm f/1.8, 90 sec, f/1.8, ISO 6400
This shot is a testament to the planning and dedication required to capture such a moment, and it truly highlights the incredible beauty that lies above and on our own planet.
