August 1, 2021
Though a bright sliver of an orange hazy moon illuminated Long Island’s North Fork so brightly, the Milky Way waved hello faintly. And though I am attempting this shoot again next week, with the arrival of the New Moon, the subtle Milky Way is still so dreamy. ❤️ 🌻 🌌 Read more…
July 11, 2021
In the back of my mind during a recent road trip was the fact that it was time for the New Moon. Since shooting the Milky Way is often less fruitful in the East, I didn’t make any plans around astrophotography. But as the sky darkened and that familiar cluster Read more…
July 4, 2021
I really wanted to do this cosplay-astro shoot, a genre I may have invented as I have never seen other pictures fitting it… though admittedly I haven’t looked very hard. I wanted to battle my friend, galactic style. And so a portion of my suitcase contained the costume for this Read more…
July 1, 2021
With a Milky Way twinkling vibrantly above, it is not difficult to capture a magical shot. But just down the dark path were the abandoned trains of the San Diego Railroad… so, astro-urbex it was. The contrast of the glowing beauty of our Universe and the lifeless decay of train Read more…
June 30, 2021
Last time I was in Borrego Springs in February of 2020, it was the trial of my then-new camera base. Since then I have discovered that the settings were way off when I did my night shoot, resulting in disappointing shots. This time, much more exciting and dynamic shots near Read more…
I want to share how lovely my stay at La Casa de Zorro in Borrego Springs was. Well-needed and fantastic in every way, especially after roughing it, I tried to capture all its fun in pictures. It’s a great place to settle in before and after area star-gazing. They even Read more…
June 28, 2021
I first visited Joshua Tree National Park in 2017 (see here). This time I’d camp in the park despite the excessive heat warning to see its dark skies, my 17th dark sky park. Things to know: The moon rises like the sun, just as powerful in my camera’s lens. Read more…
June 26, 2021
With my mermaid top crafting moving along, I have been having plenty of mermaid photoshoots. It’s kind of my new favorite thing to do. So many shoots have been on Staten Island because 4 of my mermaids live there… and it’s convenient for me. The moon showed up. I’ve decided Read more…
June 13, 2021
An astrophotographer who lives on the East Coast is a glutton for disappointment. With the entirety of it lit up like a Christmas tree, nary a dark sky in sight, photographic astro missions are often unsuccessful in spite of all my efforts. So when I decided to tack on a Read more…
May 3, 2021
Even though there was just a slither of time that we shot the stars on the first evening at Hither Hills, arriving home with the sky on my memory card was invigorating. And I can’t wait for another star shoot. Though the whipping wind shook my camera, just seeing the Read more…
A Spring camping trip to Montauk’s Hither Hills State Park would be challenged by the weather unfortunately. But I try not to let my opinion, which is pretty insignificant to the forces of nature, overshadow the enlightenment of experience. The lesson: The wind and the rain win. And you just Read more…
January 3, 2021
With my visit to Big Cypress National Preserve I would accomplish visiting both of Florida’s IDA-certified dark sky parks. Though the skies were plentiful in the preserve, the rise of a spectacularly bright moon, along with constant vehicle traffic, along with no time for daytime exploration to seek a spot Read more…
December 17, 2020
I might have spent a collective total of 4 hours on Clear Sky Chart trying to choose a spot within a 100 mile vicinity to best view the Geminids Meteor Shower. After clouds in my initial spot, Sunken Meadow Park, I headed to the Vanderbilt Planetarium, convinced the grounds would Read more…
To follow, light in various wavelengths from Long Island’s Sunken Meadow State Park. The scouted location seemed to be the best option to view the Geminids Meteor Shower in light of a wide-reaching cloud cover and an emergency dentist appointment to make in Brooklyn the follow morning. Unfortunately the bright Read more…
October 23, 2020
With a full afternoon on my own at Yellow Dog Village, I shot three memory cards full of pictures. I greatly appreciated the means to explore on my own in safety. But there was a heavy heartache in what remained, in the remnants of life preserved in each room.
I spent the afternoon exploring the deserted homes within Yellow Dog Village, a town stricken by many hardships. Many of the families of Yellow Dog left their belongings. And as the current owner of attempts to bring it new life as a historical village, he allows photographers beyond the electric Read more…
October 19, 2020
[Oh my.] The Orionids Meteor Shower will be peaking on my birthday. So naturally, I have to accept the sky’s invitation. I’d have to find the dark, program my camera, sit back and watch the show, hoping for better luck than when I attempted to catch the Perseids this time Read more…
October 18, 2020
Camp Hero State Park. This might just be my favorite place for a star shoot. Abandoned / Dark sky / Conspiracy theory / By the Ocean. I mean, c’mon. Though the horizon is always filled with light, the site makes for some gorgeous shots. And because I wasn’t alone and, Read more…
Despite the light of the campsites, the stars were plentiful and bright. And the Milky Way and shooting stars also showed up for the party. Here are a few of my favorite shots before heading to Camp Hero to shoot next to the radar tower. I enjoyed the campsite much Read more…
September 6, 2020
An astroshoot in New York City? Sure, let’s do it. There were a few stars and a very bright Jupiter and Mars, though the billions of other celestial bodies were shy of the bright lights in the big city. Still very worth the while… The 9/11 Tribute lights were on. Read more…
August 23, 2020
Though Tonopah, Nevada is not dark sky certified by the IDA, it was rated as the #1 stargazing destination in the United States by USA Today at one point. And it has an official stargazing park, The Clair Blackburn Memorial Stargazing Park that has concrete picnic tables set for you Read more…
August 22, 2020
I kind of dropped the ball with this night shoot. Though exhaustion and the heat during the day played a part in my not finding the right spot for my shoot, there was also construction, lots of traffic and nonstop visitor action… and my shooting with way too sensitive ISO Read more…
August 19, 2020
As thee first IDA-certified park ever, I was really looking forward to visiting Natural Bridges National Monument. One of the darkest skies of the National Park system, my daytime exploration would provide me with an evening plan. I wanted to talk with a Ranger and I wanted to secure a Read more…
August 18, 2020
I re-entered Arches National Park when the sky grew dark and found it to be just as busy as it was in the daytime. Perhaps it seemed more so as every passing vehicle would impact my every shot. I decided I’d go to the area called Wall Street for several Read more…
August 17, 2020
Even though true night would start hours later and because of dangerous cliffs and the prospect of losing my footing in the dark, I began shooting at the start of the Milky Way rise… 9:10 to be exact. Look how visible it is despite the sky still being very light-filled. Read more…
August 16, 2020
Another extraordinary sky fell upon this extraordinary landscape. And I had some big photo plans. First, I’d need the Milky Way. And boom, there it is. Next, I’d need a good spot. Yes, this would be perfect. Then–become a Galaxy Fighter! Yes, a weird idea I had on my couch Read more…