The very most important occasion that I have come to enjoy in my life is Night Photography. When hearing the term, astrophotography, My whole entire mood lights up. The reminiscing of past photo shoots during the night and being able to drive out into the cold, fresh atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest. Picture this, you're driving on the road out to where there is nothing around but the pitch black of night along with the rolling hills of the Palouse. You finally reach your destination to where you're perched upon a mound surrounded by the scent of evergreen trees and the very fresh air that you breath, deep within a forest. It's silent. You crouch down and listen to the life around you. Even though you may not be able to see anything during the night, you know that you are not alone. The hoot of the owl, the chirp of the birds and the crackling of the branches that the very wildlife step on. Then, as you tilt your head towards the sky, you see the most amazing part. The galaxy.
Astrophotography is something that I cannot explain to you by just writing the experience down on paper. It's something that brings a whole other side to life. Most people, when night time hits, it's bedtime. However, for me, I see this as an opportunity. This being said, around one or two AM, I pack up my gear and drive about an hour away from the city (this is because of light pollution and being able to see the stars clearer when away from light). I usually take a good friend of mine with me because during the night, very strange and scary things can happen and it's always nice to have company! When locating my spot I usually look for a clear opening to the sky as well as a subject to incorporate into my photography. Setting up and embracing the life around me, it's truly shocking to think that very few people actually get the chance to witness the milky way with their naked eye. Most people will spend their entire lives in light pollution. This is something I am thankful for and wish everyone could experience it.
Capturing the stars and looking up at the sky, you can't help notice that there is so much more out there for us to discover. The galaxy, an atmosphere that has unimaginable limits and that earth is just a small fraction of space. I encourage you, wherever you are, to take the time and take friend out, away from the city, away from the light and go enjoy nature at its finest hours. We live our lives being machines to our daily routines of school or our jobs. But that's not what life is about. We aren't meant to live to only die working for a dream that we could only hope for. Enjoy whats before you and not what you think may be ahead of you. Living in the present and not in omission to what is around you. Go out and enjoy nature, not destroy it.
