I left everything else behind.

Spend a night with ‪@LonelySpeck‬ and ‪@mike_abramyan‬ shooting astrophotos from the Eastern Sierra. Thanks to ‪@JoshuaCrippsPhotography‬ for hosting us in Lone Pine, CA for this trip. This film is dedicated to the memory of ‪@AlynWallace‬.
Gear Links (These are affiliate links that help support our channel):
Main Astro Camera: bhpho.to/3ubMbkc
Cinema Camera: ebay.us/5u66nD
Fast Wide Angle Astro Lens: bhpho.to/3s1GDL9
Vlog/Wide Angle Astro Lens: bhpho.to/3oWfjfq
Fast Standard Astro Lens: bhpho.to/3s1STve
Super Telephoto Lens: bhpho.to/3uiM7z8
Shotgun Mic: bhpho.to/3q1DPuw
Travel Tripod with Leveling Base: bhpho.to/37TL67T
Waterproof Carbon Fiber Tripod: bhpho.to/3LNDaYE
Software:
Lightroom Tools: lonelyspeck.co...
Adobe CC: bhpho.to/3w6cn1k
Planning App: www.photopills...
Starry Landscape Stacker: apps.apple.com...
About me: I'm Ian Norman, co-creator of lonelyspeck.com. I'm a dad, engineer and photographer that loves to shoot night photos.
Fun Fact: Nearly all the primary footage was filmed in 14-bit raw on a magic lantern hacked Canon EOS M from 2012 using Danne's Crop Mood Build from Feb 2024.
Get $10 off the Revelion Preset Pack with code: KZbin @ lonelyspeck.co...
Music and Audio:
I Am a Man Who Will Fight for Your Honor by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommon...
Sagan, Carl. The Pale Blue Dot: Short Recording. Audio. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/it....
This film features the use of the Sony Alpha a7C and the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 Lens
#youtubenewwave
#milkyway
#photographer
#lonelyspeck
#photography
#astrophotography
#cinematic
#easternsierra
#minimalist
#minimalism
#travel
#astrophotographer #sonyalpha #viltrox #magiclantern

[@mike_abramyan]

Your images came out so beautiful! I'm really glad we got to shoot together and can't wait for our next adventure.

[@johnecoady]

If that's not timelapse perfection I don't know what is. The Alyn tribute just made it. Sublime Ian. Thank you.

[@stevebrown263]

Ian, At 5:08 in the movie, you demonstrate your exceptionalism. Between your photography prowess and your command of Lightroom you have crated the most exceptional b&w photo of the sierras that I have ever seen, and at 71 years old I've seen a lot! Ansel Adams was great, but for me that masterpiece knocks his out of the water! I look forward to picking up your presets very soon. Thanks for the movie and thanks for honoring the late Alyn Wallace, another uniquely gifted individual, who we miss very much.

[@LonelySpeck]

Steve, thank you so much for the kind words. I still feel like I could learn a lot from Ansel Adams so you're very kind. Alyn was one-of-a-kind awesome and also so very kind to me in our too few conversations. Such a tragedy for the photography community as a whole to not have him any more.

[@helencogan2187]

WOW!!! Ian..this was beyond beautiful…I teared up…”for Alyn Wallace”… YOU AND HE have been/ are an incredible inspiration to me and my astrophotography journey…You have such a gift. THANK YOU for sharing it with us. I will check out your preset pack. Be well AND congrats- Atlas Norman..!!!🎉🎉

[@LonelySpeck]

Thanks so much @helencogan2187! We love our little Atlas.

[@greglarUK]

A masterpiece and the perfect tribute to Alyn, from the bottom of my heart, thank you ❤

[@brentwalthall9690]

Lovely work, lovely tribute. You are the first astrophotographer I found and followed, Alyn was the second. Both inspiring. Thank you.

[@billbarraclough9653]

Beautiful, eloquent and profoundly moving. Thanks Ian, glad to see you back here.

[@mattcostanza]

Amazing video Ian! So happy you are back! I really liked the tribute to Alyn Wallace as well. I actually met Alyn in Oregon when he visited the US. I will cherish that rare experience for the rest of my life. He thought a lot of you. You inspired and helped me learn astrophotography even before Alyn Wallace. Looking forward to your future videos!

[@arcer63]

What a great set of amazing photos and videos. Excellent closing on this as well. Well said...

[@AlperTakci]

Great video and amazing photos. Years ago, my first self learning experience when editing astro photos was through your website. Eastern Sierras just absorb me emotionally whenever I go there. Just an unbelievable place to be and to shoot at night. Thank you for the inspiration and great art!

[@AnnLouiseRamsey]

Beautiful video. Thank you, Ian. Your photography is so exceptional and inspiring. ❤

[@Bill-NM]

Superb video. Eloquent. Gorgeous. Impactfull. Sublime.

[@lianalehua7424]

Thank you for sharing your experience. The tribute to Alyn. Just classy. Thank you. Thank you. ❤

[@ntompson000]

Completely stunning Ian. Magnificent

[@RobLuskey]

Fantastic video. Thank you for sharing. Very inspiring.

[@richards3192]

Lovely video, from the heart. Many thanks.

[@matej.mlakar]

Ian, I really don't know what to say. I’ve been sitting here for minutes, trying to find the right superlative to describe this. Your cinematic approach to vlogging is truly great and the images too of course. The way you replaced the dot with the Earth - just breathtaking. And the tribute to Alyn was so touching, because I still remember his speech at Pinnacles and how your astro images about that place sparked something in him. It’s incredible to think about how long you’ve been doing this and the profound impact you’ve had on so many people. If I ever lose my own spark for astrophotography, I know your vlogs will be there to remind me why I fell in love with this hobby in the first place.

[@LonelySpeck]

Matej, thank you! It means so much to hear that from a fellow astrophotographer. Alyn was a gift to us all and I'm so sad that he is gone. You're the first to comment on the dot. It was a last minute idea before I published, but I'm so glad that I put it in there. When I bring my daughter to Slovenia for the first time, can we meet up? Cheers! -Ian

[@matej.mlakar]

@@LonelySpeck I would consider this as an absolute PRIVILEGE.

[@AstroReyyID]

Glad you're back, I'm also saddened by the passing of Alyn Wallace who was one of the astrophotographers who helped me in my early days as an amateur astrophotographer.

[@RussellMcCollom]

Awesome. I like the way it was edited and put together. Photos were great.

[@Neal_Lightfeldt]

Glad to see you're back posting. Great video, very evocative. Both you and Alyn were people I followed from when I first started learning about nightscape photography. It's funny, I wasn't that far away from you when you were shooting the Aurora. I was at Fossil Falls which is about fifty minutes south ofAlabama Hills, and I got a very similar shot as yours with lots of reds and oranges. I'd never shot the Aurora before and hadn't planned to that night, but there it was. That, coupled with the meteors, made for a decent shot. Glad to see you're back.

[@robtraverssmith]

Lovely story telling, Ian. Compelling reflection of our universe & the role of photography.

[@TheRhike]

Incredible Video, that’s for doing it and for sharing it, great great work

[@johnsmith1474]

The shot at 9:50, where the totally blown out Moon reads as some alter-universe Sun at night, is a visual/psychological achievement. Whenever we can see nature in a completely new way that does not seem contrived, as this does not, it stirs the soul. And I gotta compliment you on your iconoclast philosophy and deeply moral approach to photography, bravo!

[@johnecoady]

Well said.

[@henrytoro]

Dude, I'm not one to go out of my way to post comments but the photos at 9:56, 12:00, and 14:10 are fucking legit. good work dude! wish I had half of your photography skills.

[@yoshidaco]

As a photographer who is in love with the Eastern Sierra, to me this is one of the most beautiful and touching videos ever seen about the subject. Also, sincere condolences to Alyn. Thank you.

[@davidburchettephotography6513]

Absolutely gorgeous images and video! Love it!

[@tjcuneo]

The Eastern Sierras are a very magical place and your message is so appropriate. Enjoyed the beautiful images/video you made. Thank you.

[@justin-goodson]

Hello Ian. What a beautiful and moving film! The dedication to Alyn was especially meaningful. Many thanks for your thoughtful work.

[@hyeonyongkim1652]

I started astrophotography first time referring your articles. Good to see you again

[@stevethompson8154]

I always take the time to just sit and enjoy the experience. I might not get a shot or two in that session but I never regret it.

[@bovrilsarnie]

Beautiful film Ian. Well done

[@mangoldm]

Because of your videos we visited Alabama Hills last month. Wonderful scenery all around. Thank you. 🙏

[@LonelySpeck]

Glad I could inspire you to explore such a beautiful place! So accessible and just grand.

[@chachacha4]

Very moving. When I started this Astrophotography hobby I was influenced by you and Alyn. I never met him, and was suprisingly moved by his passing. You tube, well done, can create a strong emotional connection. You have done that here. Armed with his book, and your presets, I am invigorated to get out, up the 395, and commune with nature.

[@LonelySpeck]

Wonderful Phil! If you're not already familiar and you'd like any personal recommendations about highway 395, please shoot me an email at [e-mail]

[@jackbronziet373]

for alyn❤

[@dominiclester3232]

What a great video, thank you🎉🎉It’s been ages and respect for the Alyn dedication!! We even saw the red Aurora in the south of England, U.K.

[@angeldc54]

Thank you so much Ian. You certainly are an inspiration. And yes Carl Sagan is also an inspiration for me. We live in a very special planet that we are responsible to care about.

[@RafaelCBeltrame]

Wow! What wonderful video! ❤

[@TahoeDogProductions]

Absolutely great production showing off this beautiful area.

[@Ericpare]

SPECTACULAR ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@jpmissdeNice]

Great video. I feel exactly the same when I'm out shouting landscapes and nightscapes in the french south alps. You are one of my inspirations for years alongside the missed Alyn Wallace. "I wish you good luck and clear skies".

[@LonelySpeck]

Clear skies.

[@rudigerwolf9626]

Ian, so glad you made this. It is a joy to watch, especially on Thanksgiving weekend. Thank-you so much.

[@LonelySpeck]

You're welcome! Happy Thanksgiving to you!

[@skiesandscopes]

This is hauntingly beautiful. I love it

[@barrykorzen7505]

What a wonderful video! Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@toddyungwirth]

So good. Keep it up!

[@thirdmort]

Man, this makes me miss living out west. Going camping was always an excuse for astrophotography. Living in SE Michigan, its been so hard to do any. Thanks for sharing

[@charlathompson872]

Inspired. Thank you.

[@keithhanssen7413]

Enjoyable and meaningful video. Thanks for taking time to make it. Beautiful place and you definitely did it justice.

[@gavinheppenstall766]

G Day & clear skies 🖖

[@Henrihalle]

Great Film!

[@rcraigmacrae]

Subscribed! That’s exactly why I do this as well. Great vid.

[@alexberman4508]

Amazing and mesmerizing video, great photos and an extremely touching ending. As others said, you’ve inspired me to go out and shoot at night so many years ago. Thanks!

[@jenesuispasbavard]

Love love love HDR videos!

[@LonelySpeck]

@@jenesuispasbavard thanks! I've been working hard to bring HDR to all my future videos

[@JCBShortFilms]

Lovely video, Ian!

[@tony_r_pierce]

Beautifully done!

[@fxmixer]

Beautiful

[@WarrenRoddy]

Well done. I love the Eastern Sierras, too. Next time you’re in Lone Pine hit Merry Go Round for next level fried rice.

[@stanmoniz]

One of the most beautiful and true videos I've seen in a long time. So inspiring Ian. Let me know, if you need a friend to join you on your next 395 adventure. Let's continue to keep that gear simple. In retrospect, that all we need.

[@robertsouzza5529]

Thank you!👍🏻📷

[@Kchernek]

Fan of your editing and pacing in this one.

[@LonelySpeck]

Glad you liked it! I've been really trying to learn and improve for my last few projects so I'm hoping that's making a difference.

[@royal_captain_1773]

What a vidéo Ian, absolutly beautiful...Did you shoot the night vidéo (10:25) with the eos M? It is a fantastic production and what a tribute to Alyn... I am sure he was there somewhere, In the sky, in your heart...he was there.

[@LonelySpeck]

A few of those shots are from the EOS M, yes. I didn't have a fast wide angle lens (just f/4) for the EF-M mount so I was limited to blue hour exposure before things got too noisy. Most the other night video is my Sony a7c or footage from Mike Abramyan's Sony ZV-E1. Clear skies.

[@royal_captain_1773]

@@LonelySpeck Thank you for all this précision, ZV-E1 and the A7SIII are probably the best cameras for low light video. Again beautiful production! regards, and clear skies.

[@eliseoiglesias]

SALUDO DESDE PANAMA

[@michaelmckeag960]

The image at 5:15 is a reminder that moving water is not the only element in a scene that may benefit from a long exposure.

[@LonelySpeck]

I'm so glad you appreciate that one. That was a surprise shot of my trip and one of my favorite.

[@AlexanderDGL89]

Great video, loved it, the mood was perfect. Gonna buy your luts. Can you explain more about your settings for those galaxy photos? Is it S&Q mode?

[@LonelySpeck]

Hi Alexander... not S&Q mode... Interval Timer Function. For the long time lapse sequences, I set an interval of 16 seconds, with a 15 second exposure and let it run until the battery ran out. (f/1.8, ISO 640). Interval timer allows me to capture raw stills so that I can keep the full resolution images for editing. S&Q mode only saves a 4k video file on my camera, which is less flexible than a bunch of stills. I compile my timelapses with the timelapse+ plugin for Adobe Lightroom.

[@AlexanderDGL89]

@ thank you♥️

[@TheJohncoffee1234]

Lange ist es her, gut das du wieder da bist

[@LonelySpeck]

Yes! Too long. Thank you!

[@TheJohncoffee1234]

​@LonelySpeck did you used some sort of AI to get german speech? That's why I initially wrote in german

[@LonelySpeck]

@@TheJohncoffee1234 KZbin just started doing that this week! How did it turn out? I don't understand much German so I'd be interested in knowing how well it translated into other languages.

[@TheJohncoffee1234]

@@LonelySpeck it's okayish to be honest. I didn't know that's a thing. Odd I'd prefer to listen to you in English.

[@LonelySpeck]

@@TheJohncoffee1234 Haha!, I just listened to the German version. It's strange! Not sure how I like the sound of it since it doesn't sound like my voice, but it's at least nice for connecting to more people who would prefer to hear it in their own language.

[@aaotcis]

Could you do a video that shows how to capture the cleanest / sharpest image of moving object (satellite/space station/ et el)? That's a skill set I'd like to learn. Thank you in advance

[@alma175w]

Fantastic - shout out to @mike_abramyan!!!