Photography
Related: About this forumTemple of the Sun & Moon, with Milky Way, at the Vernal Equinox

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah - March 2026
©2026 Bo Zarts Studio
Biophilic
(6,852 posts)mwmisses4289
(5,359 posts)1WorldHope
(2,252 posts)It looks like a painting and I've never seen anything like that in my life. Do we live on the same planet? 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
JoseBalow
(10,004 posts)I would frame and hang that in my home.
ultralite001
(2,874 posts)I want this on my wall as well
Truly a masterpiece
niyad
(135,846 posts)two lighter spots (bands, I would guess), in the outcroppings of that rock formation, look like eyes. And what looks like a horse rearing up, to the left, above the lighter cloud. And some of the temple guardians. Yes, of course I am weird!
Thank you so much for this truly amazing image.
chowder66
(12,757 posts)Jean-Luc
(11 posts)Bo Zarts
(26,488 posts)Shortly thereafter, the foreground was shot at ISO 3200 f/1.8 and 120 seconds. Both images were merged in Adobe Lightroom. After merging, the foreground required a lot of lightening to make it work.
However, even in the moonless dark there was enough starlight to (barely) see the foreground. I shot these images with a Sony A7-R5 full-frame mirrorless camera and a Sigma 17-40 mm f/1.8 DC Art lens, on a very sturdy tripod. The Sigma lens is new, and I absolutely love it.
Once the "blue hour" started, at about sixty minutes before sunrise, it was a different ballgame. During "blue hour" I moved from national park land to nearby BLM land (Bureau of Land Management) where drone flying is legal, and forgot about the starry sky altogether to concentrate on the incredible geology and topography of the area. I'll probably post some of those drone (DJI Mini 5 PRO) shots later.
chowder66
(12,757 posts)ultralite001
(2,874 posts)Thx for sharing the details...
AZ8theist
(7,826 posts)..you are my new favorite DUer!!
Anyway to see your collection?
Trying to educate myself on the intracacies of digital photography. It's daunting sometimes, but my thirst for knowledge overrides my doubts.
Martin68
(28,409 posts)patphil
(9,382 posts)Thank you Bo Zarts.
MiHale
(13,311 posts)FemDemERA
(957 posts)This is so stunningly beautiful! Thank you for sharing it.
CapnSteve
(451 posts)I got my new (to me) Rokinon 12mm and went to Star Party 2025 and started trying to make night sky photos.
I have a long way to go...you are am inspiration!
Exp
(1,093 posts)BeneteauBum
(1,021 posts)Peace ☮️
AllaN01Bear
(30,298 posts)Zorro
(19,052 posts)For those who haven't ventured there, the rock formations are absolutely astonishing to see.
IrishAfricanAmerican
(4,557 posts)Old Crank
(7,488 posts)Very nice, but here in Munich we are lucky to see some stars once in a while.
3catwoman3
(30,377 posts)Mother Nature has the best special effects.
stage left
(3,391 posts)SusieCreamcheese
(60 posts)Astonishing! I can see the Milky Way from my front porch in rural New Mexico. It's up there folks, but most of us can't see it due to nighttime light pollution. Join Dark Sky International if you wish to help preserve the wonders of the night.
Grumpy Old Guy
(4,447 posts)I have an astro trip coming up with the new moon this month. I can't wait.
calimary
(91,717 posts)What a shot!!!
Hassler
(4,996 posts)Pyramids in Mexico I visited in 1972. Beautiful regardless.
AZ8theist
(7,826 posts)Nice work, there BZ!!!
Alliepoo
(2,854 posts)One of the most beautiful photographs Ive seen in my entire life.
ZDU
(1,654 posts)Wow.