Just to get this out of the way first as it’s always asked: "Is that what the Milky Way really looks like with your naked eye? Can you really see that many stars in the night sky?" The answer is, "Yes and no." You really can see it quite clearly with your naked eye (if you are in an area with very little light pollution and no moon light), it's just not as bright as I can see with my camera. Here is a photo from Royce Bair showing what the sky will look like to just your eyes. If you have never seen it I highly suggest finding a dark sky far away from cities on a moonless night and checking it out!
For a few days a year this shot is possible if a number of factors come together. First off, you need a new moon, giving you a few days where the vertical milkyway alignment is still possible in November with a dark sky. Then you obviously need fresh snow which at this time of the year is usually the first heavy snowfall of the season. Finally, you need a clear day that isn’t windy and is cold enough the snow doesn’t melt or blow off the trees and stays clear throughout the night so you can actually see the stars...pretty difficult task during November, in the mountains, in the PNW. Plus probably a few other criteria I’m forgetting. It’s also interested that while Baker definitely doesn’t have the darkest skies around, I don’t remember there being that much light pollution, so I’m curious if the snow reflects enough light to make a difference. The glow to the right is mostly Vancouver BC while the glow to the left is mostly Seattle and Portland.
As always, thanks for viewing! If you would like to see more of my photos please feel free to follow me on Instagram or check out my website www.rosssvhphoto.com
Shot Info:
Nikon D610 w Samyang 14mm f2.8
Foreground: ISO200, 14mm, f/5.6, 30s
Stars: ISO1000, 14mm, f/4, 180s (star tracker used for extra long exposure)
![image showing Rare conditions finally lined up at Mt Baker for me to get a shot I've been envisioning for years (OC) [1335x2000] @rosssvhphoto](4e6c3c28-aa2a-50ef-8d1a-5e8e4d867189.jpg)
ImageResolutionBot on November 21st, 2018 at 13:44 UTC »
The actual resolution of this image is 1333x2000, not 1335x2000.
tsarscream on November 21st, 2018 at 14:47 UTC »
I love this work. gorgeous exposure of the Milky Way, seemingly erupting from the summit.
also, the snowcaps on the trees are brilliant; they echo the top of Mt Baker and elegantly tie the composition together. terrific job!
debuggerfly on November 21st, 2018 at 15:29 UTC »
Just to get this out of the way first as it’s always asked: "Is that what the Milky Way really looks like with your naked eye? Can you really see that many stars in the night sky?" The answer is, "Yes and no." You really can see it quite clearly with your naked eye (if you are in an area with very little light pollution and no moon light), it's just not as bright as I can see with my camera. Here is a photo from Royce Bair showing what the sky will look like to just your eyes. If you have never seen it I highly suggest finding a dark sky far away from cities on a moonless night and checking it out!
For a few days a year this shot is possible if a number of factors come together. First off, you need a new moon, giving you a few days where the vertical milkyway alignment is still possible in November with a dark sky. Then you obviously need fresh snow which at this time of the year is usually the first heavy snowfall of the season. Finally, you need a clear day that isn’t windy and is cold enough the snow doesn’t melt or blow off the trees and stays clear throughout the night so you can actually see the stars...pretty difficult task during November, in the mountains, in the PNW. Plus probably a few other criteria I’m forgetting. It’s also interested that while Baker definitely doesn’t have the darkest skies around, I don’t remember there being that much light pollution, so I’m curious if the snow reflects enough light to make a difference. The glow to the right is mostly Vancouver BC while the glow to the left is mostly Seattle and Portland.
As always, thanks for viewing! If you would like to see more of my photos please feel free to follow me on Instagram or check out my website www.rosssvhphoto.com
Shot Info:
Nikon D610 w Samyang 14mm f2.8
Foreground: ISO200, 14mm, f/5.6, 30s
Stars: ISO1000, 14mm, f/4, 180s (star tracker used for extra long exposure)
Processed in Lightroom and Photoshop