This shot of the Milky Way at Two Jack Lake in Alberta, Canada is one of my favorite shots from 2018.  I was able to use all the components of Nightscape Photography I’ve learned from Brad Goldpaint to plan and capture this shot.  While I originally planned to have the Milky Way coming straight out of Mt. Rundle, I waited until Mars became visible, since there was very little wind allowing for a nice reflection.

This image of the Milk Way gliding over Crater Lake has been a two-year challenge! That’s why it’s my favorite night image! For the past two summers, wildfires hampered my plans. Finally in June, I thought it would work. I drove up to Crater Lake with a friend, spent two days enjoying the majesty of Crater Lake; however, at night, the fog rolled in and spoiled our efforts.

This was a challenging year – Not as much flexibility in getting away to shoot, acquired some ancient slow glass and married them to fast new bodies to over come their limitations, weather, when I did get away, was not so cooperative. Met a great many new photographer friends, the company was awesome. I am still enamored with the possibilities fish-eyes provide shooting the night sky. This capture has all this year was – shooting with new photographers, old lens, fisheye, weather and air glow! Looking forward to the next year to push what these lenses and bodies can do! Hope to see some of the alum, out there.

This image is my favorite because of the challenges involved in getting to this location, but also the fun and bonding experience that resulted from the adventure. Also, it was a challenge processing the image, but with help from a patient friend, I am pleased with the result.

I took this image the night after the conclusion of the Mt Shasta 5 Day Alumni Workshop. Staying an extra day gave me time to visit a waterfall with my classmate Greg. I used several new techniques we learned in workshop both taking and processing the image. I titled this image “McCloud Skies” and entered in the CalEPA employee annual fall photo show. It sold immediately and I had quite a few requests for prints from people who missed purchasing it. One print went to a coworker who’s family has been in the McCloud area for generations. The response to this photo made my photography year!

This is my favorite night photograph of 2018. I had planned to take Milky Way picture in Ontario for last couple of years. In 2017, the location I had chosen did not work out because the road to get there was private with no public access. In July 2018 I happened to be in Toronto area visiting family. This location was near Kwartha Lakes. We pulled off the road with dark sky and found this tree aligning with Milky Way and Jupiter just above the horizon. This was my first shot that I planned using Photo Pills and Google Earth which worked out.

I captured the Persieds in 2018 using a fisheye on the Canon 6D and the iOptron SkyGuider Pro tracking mount. I’ve tried numerous times for such a composite and this was the first win! Location was near Lake Rosevelt in Arizona at one of our favorite boondockin camping spots. Why my favorite? I’ve tried so many times for meteor showers and finally nailed it!

The absolute magic of the aurora, at Charlie Dome, Alaska. The ancients believed this was the gods coming from the heavens to speak to them personally. And that it what it felt like.

This is my favorite night image I shot in 2018. I live in Kentucky in an area where there is a lot of light pollution. During the Perseids Meteor Shower I drove 75 miles away to Patoka Lake in Birdseye, Indiana. I captured a Perseids Meteor as it streaked between Mars and the Milky Way.

This is my favorite night photo because of being able to hike up to the location and enjoy the beauty and quietness.  The sheer magnitude of our surroundings was remarkable. It was a wonderful experience!! Thanks Brad! On a side note: My favorite day photo is of the field full of Indian Paintbrush with Mt Shasta in the background.  The hummingbirds were feeding, then at dusk, some much larger birds were flying super close to us.