Alabama Hills Milky Way #2

[JimFox]

This is from 10 days ago up in the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine. This is Cyclops Arch, a super weird looking arch that is almost more like an octopus when you stand inside it as it has so many arms.

Captured with the Nikon Z8 and Laowa Zero-D 10mm f2.8. This is the only "slow" lens that I will use at night, that 10mm wide view is just so juicy. This early in the season some of that juice is lost for sure, and I probably should have angled it more to the left, but my goal with this camera was to try and get the Milky Way coming out of the top of the Cyclops. I also had 2 other camers set up more to the right that were angled to the left more to capture more of the Milky Way. The Milky Way is not as balanced in this one as I would have liked, but I think it still works.

So 2 crops. First is the Pano crop. This 10mm is so wide that it makes it perfect for pano crops of the night sky. The other is a normal 2:3 crop. I can't quite make up my mind as to which I prefer. I do like the pano because it includes more of the mountains (and Lone Pine Peak) in the background, where as I am not sure with just Lone Pine Peak in the background with the 2:3 format that now Lone Pine Peak becomes a bit of a distraction.

Nikon Z8
Laowa Zero-D 10mm f2.8

25 secs
ISO 6400
f2.8

All comments are welcome,

Jim

#1

#2

 

[AlanLichty]

I think I prefer the first one with more emphasis on the ground layer than the sky. The ground feels like the scene stealer in this case.

 

[John Holbrook]

Wonderful image—very, very nice.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

I like the positioning of the MW relative to the arch. I like both the compositions.

 

[JimFox]

I think I prefer the first one with more emphasis on the ground layer than the sky. The ground feels like the scene stealer in this case.

Thanks Alan, I lean towards #1 as my favorite as well, but am not 100%.

 

[JimFox]

Wonderful image—very, very nice.

Thanks so much John!

 

[JimFox]

I like the positioning of the MW relative to the arch. I like both the compositions.

I appreciate that Jameel. It was fun to find.

 

[Comet Hunter]

I love them both and eager to try my had at the milkyway again with my new Laowa 15mm. i need to get up to the blue ridge mtns to find some dark skies. Excellant captures!

 

[JimFox]

I love them both and eager to try my had at the milkyway again with my new Laowa 15mm. i need to get up to the blue ridge mtns to find some dark skies. Excellant captures!

Thanks so much Ed! It's that time, you have 2 weeks to plan for the next MW sighting. And the Blue Ridge Mountains would be awesome.

 

[murali]

Amazing. I also prefer #1. well done.

 

[BlackRockArt]

This is from 10 days ago up in the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine. This is Cyclops Arch, a super weird looking arch that is almost more like an octopus when you stand inside it as it has so many arms.

Captured with the Nikon Z8 and Laowa Zero-D 10mm f2.8. This is the only "slow" lens that I will use at night, that 10mm wide view is just so juicy. This early in the season some of that juice is lost for sure, and I probably should have angled it more to the left, but my goal with this camera was to try and get the Milky Way coming out of the top of the Cyclops. I also had 2 other camers set up more to the right that were angled to the left more to capture more of the Milky Way. The Milky Way is not as balanced in this one as I would have liked, but I think it still works.

So 2 crops. First is the Pano crop. This 10mm is so wide that it makes it perfect for pano crops of the night sky. The other is a normal 2:3 crop. I can't quite make up my mind as to which I prefer. I do like the pano because it includes more of the mountains (and Lone Pine Peak) in the background, where as I am not sure with just Lone Pine Peak in the background with the 2:3 format that now Lone Pine Peak becomes a bit of a distraction.

Nikon Z8
Laowa Zero-D 10mm f2.8

25 secs
ISO 6400
f2.8

All comments are welcome,

Jim

#1
View attachment 88341


#2
View attachment 88342

Both are excellent phots, I prefer the 1st a bit more.

Nice lighting of the arch, love it.

Oliver

 

[Kyle Jones]

I like number 1 better. I think it is more balanced. The MW is a little too close to the edge in the 2nd

 

[JimFox]

Amazing. I also prefer #1. well done.

Thanks Murali, glad you like it.

 

[JimFox]

Both are excellent phots, I prefer the 1st a bit more.

Nice lighting of the arch, love it.

Oliver

I appreciate that Oliver.

 

[JimFox]

I like number 1 better. I think it is more balanced. The MW is a little too close to the edge in the 2nd

Thanks Kyle, my feeling as well.