Rivers of Sky & Land

The remote reaches of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Wilderness (BWCAW) in northern Minnesota have some of the darkest night skies in the continental United States. These are perfect conditions for viewing the Milky Way right down to the horizon, as seen in this image. In populated areas, much detail is usually lost to light pollution. Coupling the Milky Way with a carefully selected foreground object gives tons of options for creating memorable images. Since the best views are during the summer, now’s the time to start planning. Here’s how to make this shot!

During the day, select your foreground to align with the Milky Way’s position after nightfall. PhotoPills and The Photographer’s Ephemeris are great apps to use to find out how to do this. Mark the position with a small pile of rocks, crossed twigs or some other object that will stay in place until night. Next, set your camera’s focus on Manual and pre-focus on a distant object on the horizon. Use gaffer’s tape to hold this focus in place for the evening.

Rivers of Sky and Land-WM (1)

At night, return to your location and set up your gear. Securely lock down your camera, being careful not to disturb the focus. Begin exposing, adjusting the composition and exposure as-needed. Recommended settings are:

ISO 3200 – 12,800
Aperture – f/4.5, f/2.8 or similar – basically as wide open as possible
White balance – 4750K is a good place to start.
15 seconds shutter speed to start – adjust as necessary

Monitor the histogram, keeping the exposure as far to the right as possible without star-streaking, generally in line with the Rule of 500 – simply divide the number 500 by the focal length of the lens in mm and this will be the maximum recommended shutter speed in seconds.

Other equipment you may find useful includes a headlamp, preferably with red light, or red plastic taped over a white light; a compass, cable release, focusing loupe and a comfortable chair.

And if you’d like to learn how to easily create images like this yourself, come join us on our new Night Photography course!

– BPSOP Instructor Mike Shaw

Mike Teaches: Star Trails & Night Photography

“I just wanted to thank you for another wonderful class. I have to confess that each week when I read the new assignment, my first reaction was mild panic and a deep certainty that I would not be able to produce anything worthwhile that fit within the parameters you had set. But before I knew it, the ideas started to flow, and I quickly became obsessed (no, that isn’t too strong a word!) with exploring the possibilities. I can honestly say that the photos I produced in response to your assignments are among my favorites. Thanks for bringing out a creative side I didn’t know I had!”

Barbara Geiger
Understanding Color

“Thank you so very much for this course! It’s allowed me to take the blinders off and present my images for what I want them to be without being a slave to the “reality” of the camera. I would also add that in conjunction with your printing course, this has been the most useful course I’ve ever taken. Your notes are more than comprehensive and your comments and critiques are direct, clear, and always directed to the improvement of the art.”

Bill
After the click

” I want to thank you for this class and for your patience and availability to answer all of my questions. I have learned very much through this class. I have used LR in the past, but mostly for editing images. I now have a better grasp in the organization of my images, an even better understanding of editing images, and an understanding of the value of presets. I still have a lot to learn, but this has put me on the road to be able to improve my photography. Again, thank you! ”

Dale Yates
Lightroom Quickstart

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