link here  | |  tools  |  share:
photo size: medium 640 new

bob simari
recent  |  interesting  |  random  |  favorites  |  contacts  |  sets  |  tags:  
view large
Zion By Starlight
Zion By Starlight

When we visited Zion National Park in mid winter it was cold and clear in the valley. As we were leaving the park for the day and making our way back to Springdale in early evening, I was impressed by the number of stars that were visible even as the peaks still reflected the day's last light. And so, after dinner in town, we returned and parked beside one of the park's campgrounds where a few hardy campers had fires burning. By now it was pitch dark except for the light of the few campfires and the millions of stars.

Now I haven't played very much with night time photography but decided to have a go at it. Being a bit lazy and a lot cold, I decided to forego the trials of setting up my tripod in the dark and chose instead to sit my D700 on the roof of our rented suv. With the lens wide open at f 3.2 and an exposure of about 30 seconds and iso set at 3200, I literally held the camera in place and depressed the shutter...I have to say that after I reviewed the photo I was stunned at the number of stars that were actually recorded as opposed to those which were visible to the naked eye. I was also very pleased to see that the campfire light had done a nice job of illuminating the overhead trees, providing a bit of perspective. The rocks seemed to glow, reflecting the light provided by the canopy of stars.

I only wish I had spent more time experimenting and taking a few more shots. However, I'm now hooked... I can't wait 'till I can get back to red rock country and begin experimenting in the middle of the night.

Please click on this photo to view on a black background which really does make a difference.

© All Rights Reserved
Taken on: February 16, 2012
Tags: Everybody's photos tagged with zion zion Everybody's photos tagged with national parks national parks Everybody's photos tagged with utah utah more » Everybody's photos tagged with rocks rocks Everybody's photos tagged with night night Everybody's photos tagged with stars stars Everybody's photos tagged with southwest southwest « less
Sets appears in:   • Interestingness   
Groups appears in:   • The Colours of: Autumn    • 1-2-3 Landscapes (1 A Day)    more » • Quest for the Rest    • ** Flickr's Best ** / post 1 award 2 / Moderated Queue    • Flickr's Best Landscape Photographers (Post 1 Award 2)    • Landscape Beauty !    • Mountain Trail Photo Nature Photography Group (POST 1/COMMENT 3)    • [ Wonders of Nature ]    • Best of U.S. National Parks    « less
Camera: Nikon D700, f/3.2, 34 sec, 17mm, ISO 3200 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: 17.0-35.0 mm f/2.8
Aperture: f/3.2
Exposure Time: 34
Focal Length: 17mm
ISO: 3200
Exposure Bias: -2/3 EV
Flash: No Flash
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
White Balance: Auto
Gain Control: High gain up
Color Space: Uncalibrated
Software: picnik.com
Show full info
Stats: 6,549 views / 8 comments
Zion By Starlight

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: