Joshua Tree National Park Stargazing

Posted on | September 29, 2011 | 13 Comments

Milky Way Galaxy at Joshua Tree National Park

Since photographing the Milky Way in the Eastern Sierra two years ago I’ve thought of trying my luck at Joshua Tree National Park. Based on previous experience, I figured that the most effective way to do night photography would be to choose a moonless evening that way the photo actually looks like night photography. As I was shooting this photo, a pack of coyotes started howling one at a time from every direction. It was an eery sound and we were a little spooked but luckily they didn’t approach us. What I regret was that I didn’t record any video from this photo shoot as that would have been awesome to have captured the sound of those coyote howls even as dark as it was. I do have an idea for a future photo shoot so hopefully the coyotes are back out in full force next time as well!

See more Joshua Tree National Park photography.

Category: Inland Empire, Joshua Tree NP
Tags: California > national parks > scenic nature

Comments

13 Responses to “Joshua Tree National Park Stargazing”

Jim Goldstein
September 29th, 2011 @ 10:23 am

I really like this one Richard. Nice job and I look forward to hearing those coyotes soon.
Russ Bishop
September 29th, 2011 @ 10:55 am

Nice Richard. I had some similar fun with light painting in Anza-Borrego on my last trip.
QT Luong
September 29th, 2011 @ 10:58 am

Good idea, but remember that the sound quality straight from the DSLR is quite lousy. In this case, I’d use a portable recorder (very light and just a few hundred $s).

Interesting shot by the way.
David Leland Hyde
September 29th, 2011 @ 11:06 am

The Milky Way looks great here. I like your sky and the red Joshua Tree. I believe I prefer it this way without the actual light source in the image.
Richard Wong
September 29th, 2011 @ 11:12 am

Thanks guys.

QT – true. I did try a digital sound recorder a few years ago and it definitely picks up on sounds you don’t even hear with your ears. I’m thinking that I might get a mic for the camera and do a light painting video next time and hopefully the coyotes are out.
Mark
October 2nd, 2011 @ 5:54 am

Nicely done Richard!
Derrick
October 2nd, 2011 @ 12:23 pm

Love it! I really enjoy these night time scenes. Quite relaxing.
Richard Wong
October 2nd, 2011 @ 4:58 pm

Thanks guys.
latoga
October 2nd, 2011 @ 10:20 pm

Nice view of the Milky Way. This reminds me that I have my Joshua Tree photos from February still aging on the hard drive…sigh.

My suggestion is don’t waste you time with audio recording on camera. I’ve been doing that for the past few videos I’ve recorded and processed and the 5Dm2 generates a lot of digital noise that’s hard to get rid of. Take QT’s advice and go with a separate recorder. I need to rent one soon to do some testing…thought that would mean videos of MG…
Richard Wong
October 3rd, 2011 @ 1:03 am

Thanks Greg. I was watching some videos that Vincent Laforet has on his site and he also recommends recording the audio separately but I can’t get my head wrapped around how you sync the video with the audio then if they aren’t recorded together?
Ross Fountain Video – Butchart Gardens : In the Field: Photo Blog by Richard Wong
October 3rd, 2011 @ 6:01 am

[...] my recent experience with coyotes howling at Joshua Tree National Park late at night while photographing the Milky Way, I realized how limiting still photography is when it comes to [...]
scott
October 13th, 2011 @ 9:15 pm

Cool shot. I like your story about the coyotes. I camped out in the Serengeti several years ago and had lions roaring outside my tent during the night. I would have loved to have recorded it, but I don’t know if I’ll be brave enough to do that again!
Richard Wong
October 14th, 2011 @ 1:15 am

Thanks Scott. Wow! That would be a truly scary experience to have lions right outside your tent. You probably made the right decision to stay in the tent since you’re still here to share this story.