The Night Sky over California
California Milky Way Photography and Astrophotography
For the past few years, I have been capturing Milky Way photography and images in the night sky over my home state of California. My passion for astrophotography and star photography happened during the first night I shot the Milky Way. I knew that star photography would be something I would focus on for a long time. Here are some of my favorite images that I have taken on my adventures.
Here is one of my favorite astrophotography images, taken in Santa Barbara California. This was one of my first attempts at tracking the Milky Way to retain detail in the core. The tree was on top of a hill and I was standing at the bottom, giving me the ability to move around and plan the exact position to catch the Galaxy rising in the right spot. It also gave me the ability to get a clean Milky Way rising right above the horizon without a ton of light pollution.
The image is a mix of two different photos. One was a 50-second photo taken of the Galaxy which uses a star tracker device that follows the stars and allows you to take long exposures without star blur. The second photo was a 50-second exposure without the star tracker for the tree and the hill. The positioning of the Milky Way was left natural as to how I viewed it in person. These photos were taken no more than 1 -2 minutes apart.
There is something so magical about a lone Oak Tree complemented by the Milky Way Galaxy. Throughout my years in college, from 2009-2013, this became one of my favorite subjects for my star photography.
Another incredible night shooting Milky Way Photography over Santa Ynez. The green glow you are seeing in the sky is called ‘airglow’.
These two star photography images were taken in the Eastern Sierra Mountains of California. This was by far one of my favorite night sky photography adventures.
It is hard to believe these incredible cracks exist, shaped by time. Taken in Death Valley National Park.
I have always found my fondest memories in photography are when they are shared with good friends. This night in Death Valley was shared by Justin Grimm and Erin Babnik.
This image was one of my favorite night sky photographs for a long time. We stayed up all night in the Anza Borrego Desert shooting Milky Way photography, taking my friend’s 4×4 Jeep around to some incredible spots.
One of the many reasons I love living in California is the variety of landscapes for night sky photography. In the same day, you can be in the mountains and then drive to the beach. Another day, you can be around rolling hills of oaks and then head to some incredible desert landscapes. The California coast gets pretty foggy during the summertime, but every once in a while, it is magical when you get treated with a clear night.
What you are seeing is a vertical panorama of moonset through the famous Pfeiffer Beach archway in Big Sur. The moon was fairly dim during this phase (18% or so) giving slight visibility to the Milky Way overhead. As the moon dipped down closer to the horizon the Galaxy became visible enough to even see some subtle nebula colors. The panorama consists of about 5 shots overlapping starting from almost completely overhead all the way facing down at some rocks near the tripod legs.
Hi,
The Milky Way and the sky looks soft and nice, with all the details.
How to do this effect?
Breathtaking photos! Were all of these taken with the A7R?
Thanks Nik, the images were taken with the Canon 5D Mark3, Canon 6D, Sony A7R, Sony A7Rii and Sony A7S.
Hi Michael, amazing work. Bowling ball beach images were certainly my fav.
I recently purchased a Canon t5i and I am headed to death valley this Friday (10/21) and one of things I wanna do is take a MW shot. I am no photographer by any means. Can you please tell me where specifically in DV did you take those images? Devil’s golf course?
Also, do you have a cheat sheet for newbies like me?
Here is the camera that I have – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J34YO92/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Thanks
Michael, I love your pictures. What always get me is the way people, or you, look so sharp in the portraits made with a long exposure shot.
This is absolutely amazing.Never have i felt more good searching for photographs.Mind blowing.
All of these photos are AMAZING!! What lens would you recommend for me to even attempt to take photos like these? I have a Canon T6i and a Sony a6000.
Your photos are stunning. If I can ask, what time of the year and evening were the photos in Northern California shot? Thanks
so nice pictures… thank u bro
Can you tell me where I can go in northern ca. to film the Milky Way at this time?
What canon lens did you take the Milky Way photos with?
Amazing work! I love every single one of them. Can you share more infor about the “star tracker device” you used? Thanks!
Dear Shain,
Your photos are amazingly inspiring to me, I’m an amateur astrophotographer. I’m heading to Death Valley in a few days and my goal is to capture a MW panorama. May I ask, for your panorama shots, do you use a wide angle or a telephoto? I do have a star tracker so I can do longer exposures as well 🙂 So excited and would love any tips/advice.
Thank you.
your photos are absolutely amazing. im a amateur travel photographer. your photos inspired me in many ways.
appreciate if you could share tips on how to spot the milky way?
thanks and can’t wait to see more mind blowing photos 🙂
Awesome Shots! Stunning… Incredible work, really!
Top notched stuff!
Ohhh man! SICCKKK!! You are one of the best astrography photographers i have ever known. May i ask you what type of Star Tracker do you use please?
Thanks so much! I use the Vixen Polarie Startracker for some of my images.
Thx you!
Stunning Great Photography!
Thank you Robert!
Great pics ! What lens did you use for the oak tree photos? You should came to brazil for some nightpics!
Thanks! I used the Rokinon 14mm, Sigma 20, Nikon 14-24 and Canon 85
Hey man,
Mad respect for all your work. I just moved to SF and I love taking pictures of the Milky Way. Your CA locations will definitely inspire some of my upcoming trips as I plan for this spring. Do you have any recommendations for a good gear and supply shop in the area? I’d love to keep it local as I break into time lapse photography. (I shoot with a Sony A77)
Cheers,
LOVE your milky way images. You’ve processed them so well too!
Excellent photos.. which months in California did you took the photos specifically ones in Santa Barbara & Santa Ynez?
I am planning a trip next week in SFO and would love to have spots to observe such amazing view of mother nature..
Wow! Love your work, truly captivating! Great compositions and stunning vistas
Very inspiring artwork !
Hello there, I’m very impress , all the photos is awesome just want to know what month and time did you take MILKY WAY in Santa Barbara and SANTA YNEZ? What time and month you take MILKY WAY in Joshua Tree National Park. We been wanting to see MILKY WAY and take some photos with my Nikon D7000. A really appreciate if you can tell me the time and month.
Thank you
Jimmy
Hi,
Love the photos. I’m gonna be in California in mid February. I’m bringing my Nikon equipment with me and want to try Star Photography in Joshua tree. Will the milky way even be visible then during this month or will it be visible early morning.
Thanks
Nick
Love your picture of the Trona Pinnacles. Just cruised that road on Monday night. Just absolutely loved the Milky Way, The wind was blowing with 20 miles per hour, so we were on the East Side of the Pinnacles. Had a perfect composition with Scorpio and Sagittarius framed by the Milky Way. However, I had to content with observation only. Photography is back on the drawing board. We drove out at 3 am. WE imagined driving on Mars. The Trona MiningTrain was brightly lit and thank heaven did not block the exit road.
All gorgeous!! Seriously, so epic I can’t stop scrolling through them. I’ve never been to Davenport or Santa Ynez, but they are now on the top of my list.