“Milky Way Twilight” by Matt Anderson

This is a multiple exposure of the Grand Tetons with a pre-dawn glow, light painting, and the Milky Way above; a long exposure for the sky and stars (25 seconds), a second exposure with light painting (bulb mode), and a third exposure of the first light bathing the mountaintops (1/8 second), all taken hours apart. Below you can see the Snake River twisting through the scene. Some distant smoke and fog layers the hillside and mountain bases. If you’re meticulous with your execution and processing, I think you’ll find amazing star captures can be obtained without using an AstroTrac.

Processed in Lightroom and blended in Photoshop. The combination of a Nikon D800E and the 14-24mm f/2.8 AF-S with cable release makes a formidable combination that can obtain superior results with good technique, careful planning, and at times, some luck! – Matt Anderson

Equipment and settings: Nikon D800E, Nikkor AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED zoom lens, MC-36 Multi-Function Remote Cord (cable release), Carbon tripod with Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead with PCL-1 panning clamp. And a very warm coat! – Multiple exposure: 25 second exposure (sky and stars), 1/8th second (mountaintop glow), Bulb mode open exposure (light painting for foreground) – aperture N/A

This image is available as a print here. To see more of Anderson’s work, visit his website at www.MattAndersonPhotography.com. Follow him on Whytake, 500px, 1x, Flickr, Google +, Facebook and Twitter.