I was with five equally strong-willed friends at the highest elevation I've ever hiked, Mt. Whitney Trail Camp at 12,000 feet, on our way to the summit at 14,505 feet. That night, the temperature dropped to around 20°F, and the winds were strong and gusty. I managed to take only a few photos before setting my camera to Interval Timer mode for a Circumpolar shot. Looking through the photos a month later, I regret not taking more time to focus on better compositions and light painting.
Shot with Nikon D750 + Rokinon 14mm f/2.8
2024/08/23
Trail Camp, Mt.Whitney
Tags: Rajani RAJANI CHAND Rajani Chand Nair Milky Way mt.Whitney dark sky stars starry night mountain Wild trail camp
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TL;DR: Captured at 12,000 feet above sea level on a windy, freezing night using camera's interval timer (unattended)
Despite my team's advice to leave my photography gear behind, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to shoot under one of the darkest, most unpolluted skies I’d ever encounter. So, against their well-meaning suggestions to optimize my load, I carried my Nikon D750, Rokinon 14mm f/2.8, and a carbon tripod, adding to an already heavy backpack.
The night was brutally windy and freezing, and I knew staying outside the tent for 3-4 hours to capture a circumpolar shot could be risky. But I went ahead and shot 300-400 frames using the built-in interval timer. Thankfully, my calculations paid off. I finally got the chance to review the shots today, and I’m glad I took the risk.
2024/08/23
Trail Camp, Mt.Whitney
Tags: circumpolar polaris Star trails Night night photography Night shot mt.Whitney trail hike trekking tent rocks national geographic Rajani Rajani Chand Rajani Chand Nair Rajani Nair natgeoyourshot
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One thing I love about this country is, despite its cities, one can drive for about 2 hours from any populated area to find a place in the wilderness where you can enjoy dark sky. I was on a backpack training session, for the upcoming Mt.Whitney expedition, to the Henry W.Coe State park. I decided to carry my camera and the wide angle. Though it substantially increased the weight I carried, I am pretty happy about the outcome!
Henry W.Coe State park
Nikon D7500 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8
Tags: Rajani Nair Rajani RAJANI CHAND LensAndGlare wilderness Henry Coe state park Nikon D750 Nikkor 14-24mm camp tent Milky way dark sky galaxy California
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This large granite boulder created a tunnel over Generals Highway until the road was rerouted. At the first sight of it, the idea of photographing the Milky Way over the tunnel struck me, and I immediately began composing the shot in my mind. The only challenge was staying away from the car park alone at night. Finally, my daughter couldn't resist the offer of a Frappuccino! We kept talking loudly throughout the shoot to keep any wild animals at bay. This photo was the result of two frames - one exposed for the milky way and the other for the rock lit by my mobile flash.
Tunnel rock, Sequoia National Park
Nikon D750, Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8
Tags: sequoiakingsnps sequoianationalpark Tunnel rock tunnel Milky Way night photography stars Generals Highway RAJANI CHAND Rajani Nair Rajani LensAndGlare
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It wasn't an easy decision to stop in the middle of nowhere on Generals Highway late in the night and stay alone outside of the car for about 30-40 mins despite the Bear warnings. Literally, only one car passed me for all that time. Well, I am super happy about the outcome and also the fact that I came back alive in one piece!
😂 PS: Dark sky has been my passion forever, but I am no stupid to risk my life without taking enough measures.
Nikon D750
Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8
Tags: sequoianationalpark darksky milkyway highway Night night photography Night shot night sky natgeo natgeoyourshot sequoiakingsnps national geographic D750 Nikon 14-24mm rajani RAJANI CHAND panorama
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