Debate: Did the dark sky preserve near Moab change how you shoot or just frustrate you?

I was out at the Canyonlands dark sky preserve last October during the new moon. Got there at 9 pm and it was so dark I literally tripped over my own tripod bag setting up. Now here's my thing - I used to just do single exposure widefield shots all the time. But after that night where I spent 45 minutes stacking 15 second subs because the milky way was so crisp, I started wondering if all that extra work is actually worth it for a forum post. Some guys I met there were all about the deep stack method with gradient removal and everything. Others just pulled out their phone and got a solid shot that looked good enough on Instagram. So which side are you on - do you go for the pro level processing that takes hours after the trip, or do you keep it simple and post what you see? I'm genuinely torn after that experience near Moab.

2 comments

2 Comments

hannaht2929d ago

Honestly I think people overthink this stuff. You spent 45 minutes stacking subs for a picture that 99% of people will scroll past in 2 seconds on their phone. Is it really that serious?

skyler_mitchell29d ago

oh man @hannaht29 you're not wrong but also you're kinda missing the point (lovingly). like yeah 99% of people will scroll past it in 2 seconds but that 1% who actually notice the stacking details? they're the ones who matter, right? it's like putting on a full face of makeup to go to the grocery store - you're doing it for yourself more than anyone else, honestly. plus that 45 minutes of stacking is basically free therapy, you know? cheaper than a therapist and you get a pretty picture out of it.