Milky Way Photography In The Bisti Badlands

[@earthling-fh2mg]

You guys are SO lucky to have the immensity and varied landscapes of the US while also being able to capture the core and Rho etc. In the UK, and particularly Scotland, Rho is so low in our skies and the fact we’re a tiny island just doesn’t allow for what you do (forgetting about the weather). I have a 14mm and 85mm Samyang (same as Rokinon) but rarely get to use them. Been a subscriber since I dunno - 2021? - and pleased every time I see a new one posted. This one, I was thinking it would have been good to see even more footage during the day(s) of where you went for the lunch/dinner etc. It would add to the ‘adventure/travelogue part of the story. Anyhow, as usual, great to ‘join’ you on your adventure. Another thing (possibly only of interest to me because I also share it with you) would be hearing more about the music side.

[@deltaastrophotography]

Yeah the Western US doesn't not feel like the same country as where I live. But then again it takes two days to drive there. 😂 I'll working filming some extra bits on my next trip. What more about the music would you like to hear?

[@earthling-fh2mg]

@@deltaastrophotography Two days! lol Aye that’s one big country you have there. I’ve been over quite a few times in years gone by. Mainly business. The nearest I got to that kind of rugged terrain however was Colorado. Re the music element, just seeing you play multiple instruments and you’d mentioned before that some of the music you use is your own compositions, I’d just be interested to see/hear some of it and how you went about creating it. I’ve noticed there seems to be a common thread, to an extent, between people who are into the old astronomy/astrophotography kick and also having, to various degrees, a creative side to them and music in particular. People, once appreciating one aspect of what someone produces (in this case, astrophotography), come to appreciate having a wider, or deeper, insight into the creator in general. Or perhaps that’s just me. I don’t think so, however. The music can, of course, be an entirely separate video(s).

[@davidletz9123]

Very entertaining video, Walt! Thanks for posting.

[@David-on7co]

Great Video! Really liked that it was the WHOLE trip from planning all the way through. Much more entertaining than just a how-to. I live in Alabama and would like to take a dark sky trip closer to the fall, so this was just what I wanted to see.

[@SteveZodiac777]

Great video Walt - I love your adventure stories! Wonderful photos!

[@davidjennings2733]

What an awesome adventure and great shot of the Milky Way.. Thank you for sharing.

[@mariopereira8261]

Beautiful trip through the desert, the nights must be as enchanting as they are scary, thanks for the photos, the photo is spectacular, an f/1.4 lens makes all the difference. Thanks Walt

[@pattimaclaughlin8059]

I love going on your adventures!!! That sky was to die for!!!!! When you are lost…look UP!!!!

[@keithhanssen7413]

I love this type of astro video. Thanks for taking us along.

[@grortyphx]

Absolutely first rate infotainment, Walt!! Fun to watch, and so many tips/tricks to learn!!

[@deltaastrophotography]

Glad you liked it! I love these types of videos.

[@mikedips]

What an amazing adventure and a beautiful astrophotography composition. What can you advise how to face our fears going out on a bortle 1 alone?

[@1chrisandrew1]

Hey Walt - great video. Suggest downloading a walking/tracking app on your phone. You don't need a cell signal as most support offline maps. If nothing else, you can then leave breadcrumbs on the app so you can find your way back - or you can retrace your steps if you found a good spot. We use this type of thing in Australia for our walks/adventures, where you can't risk getting lost out in the bush.

[@gr-astro]

Hi Walt, I love your videography style and of course how well you image the night sky. Great composition you got at the end and looks like an amazing place to wander around in!! I also have the Canon6D (astro-modded) and Rokinon 24mm lens and they are a great match for astro panoramas.

[@dougiesmart1623]

Nice one Walt, a great video there 😄. I really love this sort of a video which includes astrophotography along with an adventure. I'm a keen mountaineer and moderate astrophotographer and would love to combine the two hobbies. Keep the great images (and adventures) coming. Doug from Scotland, UK.

[@Wheeljack678]

I keep repeating myself, but again I would just like to commend you on the production-quality of your videos. Keep doing what you do - it's what makes these both interesting and entertaining. Side-note: I am really jealous of your latitude and that you can get skies like that within a "few" hours of driving. I'm almost at 60 degrees North, my astro-season ended in late April and doesn't start again until mid August. (no darkness at all) Thanks for taking us northerners along with you in the dark desert for spectacular milky way shots.

[@StarScaperPhoto]

Love your adventures dude! What a shot 😎👍

[@nitezpeed]

Great Video Walt, I really enjoy hunting for compositions in the Remote Deep Desert....I see you now are Addicted....LMAO!!!!....Bisti Badlands is a hidden jewel and Insanley Beautiful.... Living in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, I am blessed to be within a half day travel of the most insane Dark Skies and Locations the Southwest has to offer. Fast Aperture Lenses are a Game Changer.....It is amazing what opens up to you, and where it will lead you... Rokinon makes Great Glass for what we do....I have a Rokinon 85mm F/1.8 that I adore....Recently, I acquired a Sigma DG EX 17-35mm F/2.8 and OMG I Fell in Love....Doesn't Matter what camera I use, My 6D, my T6, My Sony A6000 It just delivers Insane results.... You will Find that your Editing using Fast Primes and Fast Short Zooms is much easier as well..and your need to Focus Stack is no longer an issue...No need for aggressive editing, your shots become more natural and pleasing.....Absolutely a Fabulous Image Walt....You have one of your best Images by far.......Can't wait to see the next one....

[@deltaastrophotography]

This was by far the easiest image to edit! Loving it!

[@andrewbrooks2001]

Wow!!!! Beautiful

[@RichardBO9]

Great video. I live in NM. Your next purchase, if you don't already own one, should be a GPS unit. This will help you get to your compositions in Bisti and a lot of other great places. As I am sure you experienced, cell phones are unusable here in many places.

[@edsmith-ug2kp]

Well done , fantastic vid, what an adventure.

[@huf67]

I bought 5 acres of land just outside of Trementina NM a few years back just for the sole purpose of being in dark skies. I was challenged to capture some headstones in my Milky Way shot so I sat in a cemetery next to the San Rafael Church for hours waiting for the Milky Way to be in the right position. I remember walking around under completely dark skies and seeing everything like you were talking about. Coming from Indiana we have no dark skies like NM so I felt exactly like you did. It was truly an emotional experience. Maybe I'll move there one day or maybe I'll just use it for taking more amazing astronomy shots. It was such a magical moment.

[@theresemoffat7403]

Awesome video

[@boneknacker]

Magical!!

[@MiguelScapin]

I have a 14mm Rokinon f/2.8 and it's an amazing lens. Since I live on a very raining state, I need to take a trip to better places. Great video, Walt. It's inspiring.

[@Tony-Elliott]

Great video Walt, excellent edit of images

[@deltaastrophotography]

Thank you!!

[@ridetheliger4176]

Very cool video, thank you!

[@NatarajanGanesan]

If it's fun AND science together, it's got be YOUR channel! 😁 It's one of the reasons I tune in often into your videos (or at least the KZbin floods me with). Didn't know you were in close by state.

[@MCGreenofly]

Great video, makes me want a faster lens even more than i did before. Cool beans

[@KarlKyhl]

Thanks!

[@KarlKyhl]

Thank you for this! use this for a 1.5 gallons of gas on your next trip! Did you consider using waypoints on your GPS equiped phone? Ever consider headed north instead of west ?

[@deltaastrophotography]

Thank you so much!

[@4sapphireb]

I noticed in the badlands I was getting too much light coming from Farmington. The winds are incredible but it beats being at work! Next time can I recommend an area east of Wagon Mound NM. There are a couple of dispersed camping sights of the Canadian River and it super dark.

[@DS-iu9ut]

Nice video, being from the 4th wettest state (Alabama), Not knowing much about that lens, I was wondering what the stars looked like when you zoom in on the picture. Where they round, oblong or like bats.

[@deltaastrophotography]

I haven't had a ton of time to experiment with it but, but as of now the stars are round until you get into the corners. Then at the very corners they are slightly bat shaped. This is at f/2.0 with a full frame camera. At f/2.0 the stars are also suffering from a bit of color fringing/chromatic aberration. I can't confirm if it cleans up at f/2.8 but I've heard it does. After using it more for a few months I'll do a review on it.

[@DS-iu9ut]

@@deltaastrophotography I have the Samyang 85mm lens set at F4, using a SV405cc camera. Like your lens the stars are round, until near the corners then they look like bats. Thanks

[@chuckclark1762]

I have been to Bisti several times. It is a wonderful place. I have learned to use my Garmin GPS to put in the coordinates to places I want to find. I go out in daylight and come back in the dark by following my outbound track. Also, there is a power plant in the distance when you are back in the flat area looking in the direction of the parking lot. Just walk towards the power plant lights in the distance.

[@deltaastrophotography]

@@chuckclark1762 I remember seeing that power plant at my regular campsite. I ended up camping in an area where I couldn't see it anymore but could still see the light pollution from it. I'm definitely getting a Garmin before I go back out there again. I love that place so much!

[@michaellorentzen1672]

I reserved a spot in arches national park that week. I got one night out of 6 😢 terrible wind and clouds ever night, and the day I left they got clear skies and aurora….sigh

[@kevinashley478]

Walt, I have to ask.... How in the hell do you find these locations?

[@deltaastrophotography]

Light pollution maps for a general area, then Campendium to find a place to camp. Then I'll see if I can find KZbin videos about that area for tips on sights to see.

[@nhaven5555]

Hi Walt, I really enjoyed that. Did you prefer Bisti or Valley of Dreams?

[@deltaastrophotography]

That's tough because Valley of Dreams had the wild horses. But I'm gonna go with Bisti because it seemed more camping friendly.

[@johncarter591]

So what's the coma etc like at f1.4 I'm after another lens to replace my f1.4 20mm Sigma as it's really bad in the corners! I only discovered this when I got the 40mm Sigma for tracked Panorama's and it really, really shows up the 20mm on how bad it is!

[@andrewjbrooks2605]

An inexpensive hand held GPS unit is a huge help in finding your way back to a car or campsite. Just mark the location of your car or campsite and the unit will guide you home. Beware though, the straight line path shown by the GPS unit may not be the safest. If you scout your location, turn on the trace route function while you travel back to your car or campsite and you’ll have a digital path to follow back to your spot in the dark. GPS units are about the size of a cell phone. In fact, you could use your cell phone to do this.

[@davefried]

I got the nikkor 20mm f/1.8 Z-S lens for the exact same reason. sadly there isn’t anything lower than a bortle 6 area within 500 miles of me.

[@chriscashwell7350]

If you continue wandering around the desert and other wilderness areas, you might try Gaia GPS. Cellular service is not required. Just remember to start the app and start recording your route.

[@deltaastrophotography]

Thank you! I'll try and get one before my next trip!

[@deltaastrophotography]

Oh this is an app! Ok I'll give it a shot!

[@chriscashwell7350]

@deltaastrophotography you're going to love it. For example, when you found your spot the first time, you could start recording and have a record for how to get right back. I use it all the time.

[@billvinson7859]

I want to get the 135mm Samyang lens for deep sky.

[@deltaastrophotography]

Me tooooo!

[@swimjigjake3567]

Why does this guy look like David Draiman? 😆 Or are you?

[@dw.in.michigan]

Great video. Great images, especially that one at the end! You should have named it the Bisti Boys. Just sayin. That F1.4 capability is a total game changer for sure. I've got 4 primes with that range. I just upgraded to mirrorless, and I'm amazed how much better the low light performance is vs my old DSLR, which was really good, had incredible dynamic range. I'm still using my DSLR lenses. I took my camera out the other night and used my 50mm. I had to stop down to F2.8 and drop my ISO to 2500. And my exposures were only 8 seconds. At that same location last fall, with the same lens but with my DSLR, I was shooting at 2 or F1.8, ISO 3200 or 4000. I hope you were aware or someone made you aware of the dangers of the arroyos out there. If not, have this info for next time - the term "flash flooding" can become a perilous reality. Those arroyos can carry water from miles away, so avoid camping in an arroyo overnight. I don't know how well the cellphone GPS works in those remote areas, if it's functionality is linked to cell signal, but you may want to invest in a cheap stand alone GPS unit that will allow you to drop way points. For one thing, you can mark any favorite spots, but more importantly, you can leave yourself a breadcrumb trail in the daytime so that you can hike it at night, but also use it to get back to your car, if you had to book it outta there before daylight. Glad you had safe, productive travels. Looking forward to the next one.

[@deltaastrophotography]

I watched a few videos about Bisti on the drive there and saw where I shouldn't set-up my tent in or near a wash due to flash flooding. I'll look more into that next camping trip. The idea of leaving breadcrumbs with a GPS is brilliant! I tried to get to a pin I left, but navigating to it proved to be far more of a challenge than I expected. After this trip and a bit of research I've decided to go down the Sony mirrorless route for this style of photography. I know it's gonna set me back a lot, but I think it will be worth it.

[@BaxxyGaming]

17:17 spooked me

[@deltaastrophotography]

Trust me, I was quite spooked out there myself. I was trying to keep it together for the video.

[@DLMVegas]

I'm trying to get info to you but this damn youtube keeps deleting my comments.

[@deltaastrophotography]

You can always find me on Instagram if KZbin keeps giving you problems.

[@DLMVegas]

This asswipes on youtube aren't letting me give you me email or website info. WTF. I have lots of info for you for your next Bisti trip.

[@DLMVegas]

KZbin still deleting any reply with my website or email address......

[@DLMVegas]

Instagram still problems as well

[@DLMVegas]

add the yahoo to my name above and see if that works. Seems like any attempt to put in an email or website the reply gets deleted here.

[@davefried]

hope you pinged your phone when you were at your car so you can use that as a beacon.

[@tonyzazzaro1275]

Dude, it’s called a compass getting lost once, yes getting lost twice. Unacceptable.

[@deltaastrophotography]

@@tonyzazzaro1275 A compass is meaningless when you are in a maze. And also we're astrophotographers. We can point out the North Star without thinking twice.

[@DLMVegas]

check your g male

[@dr.bayard2899]

beautiful ... i am going to see if in portugal i have dark spots to do the same cose i have same lenses but wed a canon m50 our a 1300D our buy an adaptativ for my olympus penf