The "Milky Way" test of a boondocking site
I know there are many definitions of boondocking, and that is a good thing. But here is one possible test -- if you are not in a campground and you can see the Milky Way under clear skies, you are re...
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Both of these shots were taken in June of 2016 in the Toiyabe National Forest, not far from Carson Pass, maybe 20 or 30 miles from South Lake Tahoe. In the first shot, I "painted" the trailer for less than a second with an old-school incandescent flashlight -- I tried to use an LED flashlight, but it gave the trailer a bluish cast. Both shots were 30 second exposures at an ISO of 3200. We also lit a candle inside the trailer to give the windows a warm glow -- the LED lights inside the trailer were too harsh:
By the way, check out the layered clouds on the left side of the shot -- I got lucky, and the clouds moved into position just as I triggered the shutter.
In this shot, we had to hold still for 30 seconds -- it was harder than it sounds:
Overall, these were fairly dark skies. Looking to the north, toward Tahoe, there was a little light pollution. But looking to the south, toward the Milky Way, it was pretty dark. The biggest problem was from air traffic -- I had to take a few shots to get one without airplane lights streaking across the image.
In case anyone is wondering, there is no special equipment needed for these sorts of pictures -- just a tripod and a camera that will take a long exposure. A digital SLR makes it easy, but I have seen similar shots taken with a basic point and shoot. (I have never done that, though.)
By the way, check out the layered clouds on the left side of the shot -- I got lucky, and the clouds moved into position just as I triggered the shutter.
In this shot, we had to hold still for 30 seconds -- it was harder than it sounds:
Overall, these were fairly dark skies. Looking to the north, toward Tahoe, there was a little light pollution. But looking to the south, toward the Milky Way, it was pretty dark. The biggest problem was from air traffic -- I had to take a few shots to get one without airplane lights streaking across the image.
In case anyone is wondering, there is no special equipment needed for these sorts of pictures -- just a tripod and a camera that will take a long exposure. A digital SLR makes it easy, but I have seen similar shots taken with a basic point and shoot. (I have never done that, though.)
