Mmeece wrote:
Fantastic images! Some of my favorites landscapes I've seen on the site. I'm not familiar with AZ at all. What part of the state is this?
Southwest. All of the images are from more remote areas in the Kofas and the surrounding BLM areas on the south, East and north. These are within 4-6 drive for me and are good for a weekend trip.
Lovely work. I especially like the first three (even more after hearing that they are not drone shots), and among them I think the first is my favorite, with the other two right behind.
graytrekker wrote:
What a beautiful set of images. I love the lighting in #2 and the astro (#5) is very well done, too.
I also like the 1/8 waning moon. It allows for stars, yet can also light the landscape.
Well done!
Doug
Yes, that is key, it can help avoid overlaying a dusk shot for the foreground on a night shot for the sky. This happens once or twice every year, where the full arc of the MW is 35-45 degrees above the horizon by the time the moon starts coming out behind the peak around 3:30am. There is a window of 30 minutes to shoot before the morning glow washes out the sky.
Alas I am a weekend warrior and those conditions have not recurred on a weekend since I took this shot on 4/3/2016. There is a lot that can be improved about the composition but I have not had the chance to attempt it. In 2026 the conditions will come close to repeating on repeating on 3/14 and 4/12. Mid April is likely to be oppressively hot, but mid March could be feasible. My calendar reminders are set.
If anyone will be in the area around that time and is interested in joining me drop me a DM. I can provide 4x4 transport from the paved road to the trailhead. If the forecast looks promising I will likely stick around for the entire weekend and also do the hike to the location for #1-3.
I second everything that has been said. My favorites are the 1st 4 and the ones with the chollas. I live in NM and do quite a bit of MW shooting so maybe my next challenge could be the conditions you describe with the moon. I usually avoid it like the pest but you found a cool combination.
These are amazing! My wife and I may be relocating to Tucson. If so would love to connect as I’ve never lived out west and I’m really looking forward to exploring the landscapes.
The first is by far my favorite.
