topic Re: Death Valley Milky Way Shoot in General Discussion

Death Valley Milky Way Shoot

LuckyJames — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 19:30:09 GMT

I have two nights booked for the New Moon, weekend of Sept 3rd for a astrophotography trip to Death Valley. With all of the wildfire smoke pretty much from Baja California to Greenland, and certainly settling in the valleys, do I postpone to the spring, or give it a shot. I'm a year one Milky Way chaser so need expert advice please.

Warm Regards - James

Re: Death Valley Milky Way Shoot

kvbarkley — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 19:14:24 GMT

No one can say, but I would check the prevailing weather pattern a week before you go, if it is South to North, you should be OK.

Have you tried to call the ranger station and ask them what the conditions are?

Re: Death Valley Milky Way Shoot

LuckyJames — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 19:35:16 GMT

Thanks for your response, yes, I chatted with the ranger this morning, he couldn't see the mountains from the station. I can cancel 48 hours prior to check in. I'm curious if anyone has experience of Milky Way photography in a smoky environment, and what that does to the image. One photographer suggested it may give the stars an "ethereal" look. I'm more inclined to think tight chest and red eyes.....

Re: Death Valley Milky Way Shoot

wq9nsc — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 00:27:31 GMT

If this is going to be a major trip you wouldn't do often, I would cancel and reschedule for a better time. You might get lucky and have great conditions but the odds are high that there will be a lot of undesirable "stuff" between you and the view you want to get. Smoke/haze is not going to make things better and I would skip the "ethereal" look opportunity, it would probably still be a fun shoot for you but not if this is going to be a rarely done shoot for you.

The smoke could well be like going out to shoot on a night with significant overcast and you probably wouldn't do that.

Rodger

Re: Death Valley Milky Way Shoot

ebiggs1 — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 14:29:36 GMT

The "holy grail" for sky shooters is clear and dark skies. But you never know until you try. All shoots are learning experiences.

If it is a once in a lifetime trip, remember, it just might be!

Re: Death Valley Milky Way Shoot

LuckyJames — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 19:22:46 GMT

Well its a 7 hour drive from NorCal and the hotel is not inexpensive. It is probably a one off, so many other sites, Utah, Grand Canyon, The Wave etc that we want to visit, so I am inclined to push it to the Spring. Thanks all for your thoughts and guidance.

Warm Regards - James

Re: Death Valley Milky Way Shoot

ebiggs1 — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 20:22:33 GMT

Good luck

Re: Death Valley Milky Way Shoot

jrhoffman75 — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 21:09:48 GMT

@LuckyJames wrote:
Well its a 7 hour drive from NorCal and the hotel is not inexpensive. It is probably a one off, so many other sites, Utah, Grand Canyon, The Wave etc that we want to visit, so I am inclined to push it to the Spring. Thanks all for your thoughts and guidance.
Warm Regards - James

Add White Pocket to that list.

Re: Death Valley Milky Way Shoot

LuckyJames — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 16:10:37 GMT

Added to the bucket, thank you.

Re: Death Valley Milky Way Shoot

ebiggs1 — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 16:16:05 GMT

BTW, make sure you check your sky charts before planning a trip.

Re: Death Valley Milky Way Shoot

LuckyJames — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 16:19:47 GMT

I live by photopills!