Rust and Stardust
The Midwest is known for farmlands. Not always glamorous, but necessary for our health and survival. Even an old manure spreader can look almost magical under the starlight shine of the Milky Way.
In my line of work, when circumstances line up, it’s important to jump on the opportunities presented.
Following local parks on Facebook brought me to this open air horse/dog/glider park for the first time because I learned their outdoor lights were not working until further notice. The perfect circumstances for a night time photographer.
Luck can be on your side if you look for it.
Day planning is very important in night photography.
Getting a sense of the place before showing up at night can put your mind at ease as you navigate the terrain in the dark.
I brought my dog, Rey, to the park with me to scout subject possibilities and star positions.
My dog, Rey, scouting the horse park with me, meeting Dodger who is featured in the next image.
Twin Towers Park is a large open greenspace, featuring horse jumps and barns. I was able to not only capture the old manure spreader, but also these 2 other scenes the night the lights were out at the park.
Sky Horse Ground Horse.
The Dark Horse leaps over the horse jump. Rho Ophiuchi is the cluster of stars off to the right above the tree. This is a 35mm vertical panorama. I love the juxtaposition of the horse head horse jump and the Dark Horse Nebula in the same image. I was lucky to catch this park when their outdoor lights were not working.
On the horse’s neck is written, “In memory of Dodger”.
It’s like Dodger’s memory is floating above the horse jump, and the dandelions scattered in the grass are reflections of the stars in the sky.
Pine Sentinels present the Milky Way.
When the outside lights are out at a park, you go and try to photograph the stars. The lights from the houses across the street did a great job lighting up the barn, and someone's light in the distance of the far side of the park shined bright as a beacon under the tree. The stars were also able to come out more than normal due to the extra darkness not normally allowed. A fabulous chance to showcase the line of pines pointing up to the sky and to the lone tree under the Milky Way.
