Buzzard Roost - High-ISO version added

I was hoping for a Big Mac when I got back to the car after an all-night shoot, but no luck (McDonalds - Arches - it was a joke but I think it has been used up by now...

I have added a high-ISO version later on down the list for those who don't read the Journal...

Spectacular shot Tim. I like how the arch compliments the circular shape of the star trails. But geez, so much for me posting a similar image with static stars that I shot back in December!

Really neat image Tim. Interesting how the star trails at LR are tracking in the opposite direction from the UL stars. What is the reason for that?

I have no idea what causes that Wayne, but I see it when I point towards the south. This was with a 14mm lens so there will be distortion, however I don't see that distortion when pointed at the North Star. I'm sure someone here knows the answer...

Hey John, I've got some high-ISO images too with the rising crescent moon in the very bottom I'll put on the Journal one of these days. Isn't it fun being down there in the middle of the night?

Nice! The stars are cool and I really like the glow under the arch.

Well whatever the reason, your ability to capture subtle relationships between the elements in your images is what sets you apart from us mere mortals. Most viewers would never notice that the outlines of the arch mirror the star trails across the sky ... top & bottom. Cool!

I hope I can be as good at that as you are when I grow up!

Hey Wayne, I appreciate your confidence but that was just dumb luck. I never look for these things - ever - I just compose what looks good to me and shoot. I would say the ability to find such things in an image has more to do with the viewer understanding what they want to see much more than the photographer. However, I do know a lot of photographers who talk about all that stuff, but as soon as that conversation begins my eyes glaze over and my mind wanders to something else - I really could care less about all that stuff - probably due to me being an untrained hack, ha!

Tim, I look forward to reading your journal about the nine hours spent underneath the great arch. Seeing the arch underneath a sky full of stars is an unforgettable experience.

I think this is my favorite star trails shot of yours yet, Tim. The pattern of trails above and below the arch make it flow so well, and the glow underneath is beautiful.

There's something about this place that is just magical.

Zack, sounds like that tuition money is being put to some good use! Thanks for the lesson.

What a great shot!

For those of you who don't read the Journal, here is the high-ISO version.

Both look really nice!

I actually think the high ISO one is better with the moon in it.

Wow!

nice, Tim, I prefer the second version

I'd have to go with the second one, though both are stunning. I saw that crescent moon this morning and was wishing I was somewhere besides on my way to work. Did anyone else see that faint star right next to the bottom of the moon Tuesday morning?

I like the the second one better as well. I have gotten up early the past two mornings for the moon. Tuesday my shot just didn't work out and today there was no moon to be seen, maybe to much city light. I don't know but I couldn't see it. Yes Bill I did see the star at the bottom of the moon Tuesday. I am no expert but I suspect it could actually be a planet.

I have been thinking about the idea of doing a moon shot through the arch, guess you beat me to it Tim.

Nice look Tim. You getting any sleep these days?

Hey Ed, actually yes. With the long exposures I can get a full night's sleep! Often I will set up the camera in daylight, then drive back home and continue with my normal routine, then return the next morning to pickup the camera - piece of cake. This one was a little more complicated though as you can read in the Journal - too far away to drive back to my comfy bed. I had planned to sleep at the arch but I had too much junk with the 20# battery, so I just hiked out to the car and then back in at 4 in the morning for the additional exposures. Got more sleep than I normally would have at home.

Zach - there is a photographer in Utah who has made a big name for himself with incredible glowing photos of the canyon country - he shoots an 8 x 10 and the giant prints in his gallery are truly stunning - he claims all of his images use "natural light." One day he got arrested for building fires at the bases of these natural features inside national park lands and scarring the rock with the flames - I heard he totes a pile of those fire logs you can buy at the grocery store to build his fires. Using fire as a light source is great, but you must also use a fire pan to keep from creating the scars. Use whatever light source you choose, but don't try to tell everyone it is "natural" - these photographers who make wild claims about their images being natural, not manipulated, etc., are normally far from it...

I think they are both winners! The campfire below makes the shot... I do like the High ISO version just as much. It looks so good that it might even look fine without the moon