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Astrophotography on Mt. Evans | Milkyway Core hangs delicately over this Colorado Bristlecone Pine Tree | Mt. Evans Wilderness
How many Milkyways do you think this #Colorado bristle pine 🌲 has seen?! This tree has one spectacular view.. Pinus aristata typically found between 7k and 13k vertical feet, these trees live the high life (if you know what I’m saying). The oldest known bristlecone pine grows on Black Mountain, here in Colorado and its’ estimated age is 2506 years old... that’s a lot of Milkyway viewings - lucky tree. I’ve had this shot in mind for a while, basically every time I pass the Mount Goliath Natural Area, Mt. Evans Wilderness, Colorado — I tell myself how cool it would be to capture one of those trees with a juicy #milkywaygalaxy over it. I shot this during the most recent #perseidmeteorshower peak on August 12th, 2018. More #astrophotography to come...
MountGoliathmilkywaySacredTreeBristleconepinefrankie spontellifrankieboyphotographyastroastrophotographygalaxystar photography
Snowshoe Indian Peaks Wilderness - The Outbound Network
I submit an adventure to the Outbound network on winter hiking in Indian Peaks Wilderness, Ward, Colorado -- below is the full hike write up:
A long but extremely scenic hike tucked in Colorado's Indian Peaks wilderness. Due to winter road work and road closures this will add 4 miles to the normal 2.3 mile trail. This portion of the hike is frustrating because you are walking along a closed road, exposed to wind and conditions for 2 miles before reaching the trail head.
• Park at parking lot outside Indian Peaks entrance gates
• Walk 2.1 miles to reach trailhead for Long Lake
• During beginning of walk we used spikes / also optional snowshoe trails
• Locate Long Lake trailhead
• Snow packed trail (you will need microspikes or as winter continues snow shoes)
• Once you reach the trailhead you can either keep walking on the road through the campground to access to the lake trail or start when you see Long Lake trailhead sign (which will come first)
• Long Lake trail is 2.3 miles moderate-traffic trail (we have seen moose and other wild life back here)
• Trail is out-and-back route
• Conditions are usually blisteringly cold at the Lake's edge so time up your sunrise or sunset photography as you won't be spending much time here
• Exit 2.3 mile trail back on to Brainard Lake Road (currently under construction)
• We used the micospikes almost all the way back to the car and logged a total of 7.1 miles of hiking for the day
•
• ——
Be warned - the winds in this area can be extreme so check weather, twice before heading out to do this hike.
• Warm hiking clothes / double layers
• Face protection from high wind
• Hiking Poles
• Mico-Spikes or snowshoes or cross country skies -- check conditions for snow levels first
• Warm coffee
• Camera / Tripod
• Plenty of water
• Trail snacks
• Gloves / Hats / Full winter gear needed
Gain traction using your photography
Today’s tip is all about gaining traction and creating momentum for your freelance photography business. Something that has helped me create more traction for my freelance business would be saying yes to opportunity. No matter how you apply your camera for various work projects there is a good chance there is someone out there willing to pay you for your work and your time – it’s a matter of finding those individuals. As soon as I started to say yes to more random opportunities I immediately felt like more connections were made and other opportunities began presenting themselves. When i say Random I will start with my story in which i was reached out to for two images for the cover of magazine features for Parker and highlands life style magazines. As messed up as this sounds there is already someone doing your job for free whether they have a smart phone or an expensive camera; people are already out there giving their work away for free (and it absolutely kills me too). However; when a local magazine reaches out to you to use two of your images on the cover of their magazine I highly recommend saying yes — IF and ONLY IF they promise to credit you for your work. Because I opened myself up to this opportunity and said “Yes” instead of “No” it has opened the door to many other photography projects for me. Because I was personable and easy to work with the magazine editors approached me to do six other PAID photography shoots plus meeting leads for new photo work. This takes me back to my original point about how important it is to remember to say Yes and consider any opportunity as it may open the door for more work. There are many ways to make money using your camera, this is just one small example about how I turned one unpaid opportunity into more consecutive paying photography gigs.
Tips for capturing low light tent glow shots
This was taken during summer camping season of 2017 - we found a really great spot somewhere hidden in Mt. Evans wilderness and set up camp for Milkyway shots and sunrise photography. Before heading to Echo Lake to shoot Milkyway images I turned on my LED light inside my tent and we stood still for about 20-seconds. Admittedly the light in the tent is slightly too bright, but to make shots like these happen your going to need an LED or small tent light. I setup my tripod and set my camera to standard astrophotography settings: WIDE 16mm F4 and tried a few different lengths to see which one looked best. 20 seconds seemed to do the trick with the F4 still allowing for some crisp detail and contrast in the stars and night sky. Another tip would be to stand really still and take a few different exposures because there's a chance you'll be moving in one or two. Also, we shine the light up, down and at our feet to give the image a sense of scale and to show some people looking out at the view.
Camera settings: F4 for 20'' ISO3200
Camera: Sony A7Rii x Sony Zeiss 16-35mm F4
Captured: August 2017EvansCampTripfrankie spontellifrankieboyphotographytentglow shotlong exposuretipsphoto tipscampingcolorado
Rise and Shine Denver Colorado
After sleeping on a mountain side the night before we drove up to Mt. Evans early enough to watch the blue hour turn into this. An amazing color storm erupt on the horizon behind Denver, Colorado and the perfect little sliver of moon was set above the city lights twinkling in the distance. I set up my tripod and as the wind picked up the temperature dropped quickly - I set my focus on the moon and made sure I could see plenty of layers in the mountains that lead my eye to the amazing city of Denver. Here's what I was able to capture...
Camera settings: F13 shot at 6'' ISO100
Camera: Sony A7Rii x Sony G-Master 90mm FE2.8
Captured: August 2017EvansViewColorSpectrumDenverfrankie spontellifrankieboyphotographycity scapelandscapeMt Evanslong exposuremoon
Camp Hermit Hollow, Estes Park, Colorado
As soon as Spring hits I am looking for new places to camp and explore. This campground (Hermit Hollow) is just outside Estes Park, Colorado and a short drive into Rocky Mountain National Park. I experienced seeing my first bear at this camp site, nothing more than a hungry Moma bear trying to find some food for her cub. Beware of shooting at night here, but overall an amazing campsite with fantastic views and sweet spots for sunset and sunrise photography. Not to mention the close proximity to RMNP, if your looking for a campsite and new area to explore check this spot out. Aside from the bears at night, campground was peaceful and I enjoyed listening to the fire crackle underneath the dark Colorado skies as the moon rose above me. The first loop of campgrounds has some phenomenal sites, some with picture perfect views of the valley just outside camp.
Camera settings: F10 shot at 30'' ISO3200
Camera: Sony A7Rii x Sony Zeiss 16-35mm F4
Captured: June 2017HarmitCampMarmotOrangeGlowtentfrankie spontellifrankieboyphotographyhermit hollow campgroundrocky mountain national park
Light trails over Genesee Parkway, Colorado
Constantly in motion - we are always moving, humans never stop moving. Here's a unique spot I found using the Outbound App - this is a great location that looks West into the Rockies just outside of Denver, Colorado. During some beautiful light and conditions you can capture an epic sunset and a side of amazing light trails from the always busy I70 West.
Camera settings: F22 shot at 10'' ISO80
Camera: Sony A7Rii x Sony Zeiss 16-35mm F4
Captured: April 2017GeneseParkwayOverlookfrankie spontellifrankieboyphotographycoloradolong exposurelight trailscoloradotographygenesee parkway
The Golden Taj, Agra, India
From time to time I'm able to go back and dig through my travel archives of photography, here's one I found recently from traveling to India. We had settled into Agra, India for the night in anticipation of shooting the Taj Mahal in the morning light. We left for dinner and found a rooftop spot to watch the sunset on one of the most beautiful wonders of the world. India is a crazy place to visit indeed, if you have the chance to travel there take it! It will certainly be a once in a life time opportunity. Learn more on our travel blog: meetyouthere.me if you need any travel to India tips.
Camera settings: F3.5 shot at 1/125'' ISO100
Camera: Sony A7 x Sony Zeiss 55mm F1.8
Captured: Nov. 2015indiataj mahalagraindia traveltravel photographyphoto blogsony alphasony a7