Arches National Park by Rodney Lange

Double Arch ~ © Rodney Lange (click on image for a larger view)

Our Photo of the Week (POTW): Most photographers choose to crop in tight on Double Arch, in Arches National Park. Rodney's starry night scene is unique in that he has chosen to include so much of the sandstone formation that surrounds both sides of this compound arch, and the foreground leading up to it. The main subject is also dead center. Normally, this could make for a boring scene, but Rodney has overcome this by creating a diagonal line between the night sky and the landscape, as well as adding interesting texture and balance (the silhouetted Juniper tree, opposite the night sky constellations) to his composition.

Equipment, Specs, and Technique: Rodney used a Canon EOS 5D Mark III and the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II lens @ f/3.2 • 25 seconds • ISO 2500. Lighting painting was from the left, using the Dual Xenon Spotlight by Brinkmann. Although it has two beams, he usually uses just one, because it is often too bright. In this shot, Rodney had a friend at the camera to open the shutter and yell back to him the result of each shot from the LCD monitor. Rodney says he got lucky with smooth, even results, and no hot spots; although, "You would probably think we're a couple of clowns if you saw us shooting," he adds!

You can see more of Rodney Lange's photography on his Flickr photostream, his Flickr Night Shots, and his most popular via Flickriver.

Foreground is Everything

"Who Needs TV?" ~ © Michael Shainblum (click image for EXIF info)

In good Milky Way landscape photography, the right foreground makes the shot. It determines whether the photo is truly memorable, or just another another pretty night sky photo.

A pretty starry night sky is not enough: When I take my workshop attendees on their first attempt to photograph the starry night sky, they are blown away with what they can see on their LCD monitors. However, by the second night they begin to expect much more from their instructor and themselves. Even a beautiful capture of the Milky Way with a simple silhouette of the horizon line is not enough. They soon realize that it is the relationship with the foreground and the sky that really makes the shot. It is what they choose to put in that foreground, where they place it in relation to the sky, and more often than not, how they choose to light that foreground that determines how successful that photo will be in satisfying themselves and their viewers.

Photo of the Week (POTW): Michael Shainblum was able to bring all those elements together in this unique perspective that speaks volumes. Concerning this photo, he said, "Who honestly needs to watch trashy television programs or garbage commercials and advertisements, when right out our doorsteps are some of the most incredible viewing experiences…"

An interview with Michael and a time-lapse video of his home town, San Diego, was recently featured on the Roger Hedgecock Show. He is is currently pursuing a degree at Brooks Insitute of Photography in Santa Barbara. More of Michael Shainblum's photography can be seen on his website.