And the envelope please …

If you remember, in yesterday’s post I talked about my advanced planning process (and tools) which goes into a photoshoot. I promised today I would post the results of that planning and last night’s photos. Before revealing the images, let me comment that it is EXTREMELY rare that I go somewhere at night where I have never been to that location during the daytime. Quite frankly, it is not a good idea to stumble around in the dark at a spot you have never seen during the day. However, Google Maps Satellite View indicated both a boat launch and a bridge at my desired location … plus no hiking in the woods was required. I was comfortable with my unusual decision.

I had hoped to photograph the Milky Way around 10:15 pm, but clouds prevented that action. Skies cleared by 12:30 am, and it was still before moonrise. My only unforeseen issue was the cold air temperature (41F) resulted in fog and mist starting to form. By morning we would be socked in with fog, but at 12:30 am the skies were clear. Fog was already forming over the Cross River as I took my photographs. I expect by 1:30 am my desired photographs would have been impossible.

Milky Way over the Cross River (I light painted the scene / river with my small flashlight for about 1 second)

Post update … three nights later the air cleared … no moisture or forest fire smoke. This image resulted!!!

Northern Lights (very mild) over Gunflint Lake (I literally just turned around in place from where I was photographing the Milky Way! The Big Dipper may be seen just above the horizon and Aurora)

I was pleasantly surprised when I got up this morning to learn / read that the magazine Outdoor Photographer has a large article in the current issue speaking to the exact same planning process. I actually read this magazine (downloaded copy) via my local public library. They send me an email when the current virtual copy is available. Thus, even though I am only a mile south of the Canadian border in deep wilderness, I visited my public library this morning. You can use the same digital tools!

• Read my blog post about RBdigital and your local public library.

Here are three screenshots from Outdoor Photographer … specifically the cover, navigation, and the first page of the article on this blog post’s topic (Visualize, Plan, Shoot).