The River Zion

jsecordphoto · May 31, 2015

This photo was easily the highlight of my entire trip to Utah, and one I dreamed of capturing for months before heading out there. This view of the Virgin River and the Watchman is probably the most iconic view of this amazing National Park, taken from the Canyon Junction bridge. You'll see this view everywhere while out there- on travel guides, keychains, postcards, etc., but I hadn't seen any photos of it with the Milky Way. My first night in Utah, there was a few hour window of clear skies, and I was so lucky to capture this image just before the clouds moved in. I really fell in love with Utah, and miss it so much already!

I used a new technique for this image, stacking ten exposures at ISO10,000, 10" each for the sky, rather than one 25 second exposure at ISO3200. This really reduced the noise and increased detail, but it did mean more processing. I'll be doing this from now on when I can. I also took an 8 minute foreground exposure at ISO1600

LilyBee · May 31, 2015

Gorgeous

jsecordphoto · May 31, 2015

LilyBee said:
Gorgeous

Thanks!

Matt Glick · May 31, 2015

That's incredible.

huytrang90 · May 31, 2015

Just beyond words. Good job.

Usul · Jun 1, 2015

Amazing picture. That kind of nightckape photos I would like to take myself.

weepete · Jun 1, 2015

Stellar job!

John Hunt · Jun 1, 2015

That is great! Your Utah shots are making me think I need to plan a trip.

bribrius · Jun 1, 2015

very nice pic. Good explanation of how you did it as well. Thanks for posting .

Jerry_ · Jun 1, 2015

Great capture.

jsecordphoto · Jun 1, 2015

Thanks everyone! This photo is really a culmination of everything I've been learning and working on- shooting and processing, for the last year or so. I knew I had to make it count, not like I can easily go back during the next new moon haha. Really happy with this