Piangil lies approximately half an hour’s drive beyond Swan Hill in Victoria, situated near the threshold of the Australian outback. A modest rural locality surrounded by flat open farmland and distant horizon lines, it offers a profound stillness, especially under the vast dome of the night sky. This particular photograph was taken several years ago, during a period when I was deeply passionate about the art of light painting. At that time, I did not hesitate to rise in the small hours of the night, load the car with equipment, and make the journey into such remote reaches for the sake of a single frame of long-exposure magic.
How times have changed. These days, I find myself lacking the same energy or will to embark on such nocturnal expeditions. Age, it seems, makes its presence known not with fanfare but with small surrenders.
The lens I used then—a Laowa 12mm f/2.8, prized for its rectilinear precision and remarkable field of view—was sold a year later at a price that exceeded its original retail value. I remain mystified by the ways of eBay buyers; why one would pay more for a secondhand item than simply purchase it new from a reputable dealer escapes my understanding. Yet such are the strange economies of online marketplaces.
Sony A7RV
Laowa 12mm f2.8
Linking Skywatch Friday
Stunning photo! ☺
ReplyDeleteI have one in a similar style too... though of course not with the Milky Way. Back then, we were trying to observe a comet – but we only had mobile phones with us! (https://vis-si-realitate-2.blogspot.com/2023/02/cometa-c2022-e3-ztf-miercurea-fara.html)
Light painting with calligraphy is another form of art.
Delete...you are the master of night photography.
ReplyDeleteI just tried, Tom. A big gap compared to the well-known photographers doing this
DeleteAge is creeping up on all of us, I feel it too. Lovely photo.
ReplyDeleteDeath is inevitable
DeleteThat seems like a time-expensive pastime - definitely something for the very young and very enthusiastic.
ReplyDeleteYeah, very time consuming
DeleteWow, an amazing and beautiful shot.
ReplyDeleteThe country town is like haunted at night
DeleteBuena visión nocturna te ha proporcionado el objetivo.
ReplyDeleteThe lens is alright. I don't like how it lacks colour for milkyway
DeleteBeautiful capture of the night sky! Take care, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThank you Eileen
DeleteIt is so artistic and interesting! Beautiful as well. A combination of your light art and the wonder of the galaxy. I love your description of the process of ageing as small surrenders; this is SO right!!
ReplyDeleteRelinquishing controls bit by bit
DeleteThis is a stunning long exposure photo of the night sky, and your light painting is fun to see. I also experimented with light painting many years ago, but have not done that in a long time.
ReplyDeleteIt just takes a toll on our physical bodies
DeleteAbout aging. There is much to come. 😎
ReplyDeleteFun heh
DeleteTengo un amigo que le apasiona la fotografía nocturna, la de solo cielos y la de este tipo. Le digo que no se que le pasa siempre se le viene la noche encima.
ReplyDeleteSaludos.
The night crawler specie
DeleteI always enjoy seeing photographs of the Mily Way in the night sky! I know what you mean about age slowing one down, I sadly don;t use my heavy Nikon DSL camera as much as I used to, Now I rely on my cell phone camera.
ReplyDeleteLove that night sky! I know what you mean about the relationship between energy and age. Long drives to the middle of nowhere and long nights with little sleep aren't as appealing as they used to be!😂
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say? It is an amazing photo.
ReplyDeleteYes, ageing is like a process of small surrenders.
I admire your skill with night photography. Not something I spent much time on. Thank you for linking up.
ReplyDeleteYou have far more patience than I do!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the sky like this - well done.
ReplyDeleteso cool - I would love to have a go at this. Enjoy your weekend ahead. I am joining you at Thankful Thursday.
ReplyDeleteGlad you sold it and made a profit! Way too much wide-angle. But you probably had fun while snapping this.
ReplyDeleteYour night pictures are so very beautiful
ReplyDeleteLa pintura con luz y el escenario nocturno suman un resultado atractivo y creativo.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Stunning view, Brilliant photography. Greetings
ReplyDeleteBut an effort with an fantastic outcome.
ReplyDeleteThat's stunning :-D
ReplyDeleteGreat shot. I tend to not have the desire to head out in the evening or night anymore either.
ReplyDeleteAmazing image! Well done!
ReplyDelete"Small surrenders"...I like that phrase. Beautiful photo! The stars are amazing.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fantastic light drawing. I understand about small surrenders as we age. And so it is.
ReplyDeleteI took several photography classes at a local junior college and learned quite a bit including light painting. You took it a step further with the constellation in the background. It is an outstanding photo.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about small surrenders when you get older. Years ago I would get up and run five miles and go have breakfast before starting work at 8 am. No way that is happening now!!
Beautiful starry sky - I've never heard of light painting and had to look it up. Alas, I have also become familiar with the small surrenders of age, when I look back at what I did in my 20's and 30's.
ReplyDeleteInteresting photo.
ReplyDeleteWau... geniales Foto. Schon alleine die Milchstraße hätte mich begeistert... aber zusammen mit der Langzeitbelichtung streifen ist das ein Kunstwerk!
ReplyDeleteWelche Zeit hast Du genommen um das ganze so zu machen?
Liebe Grüße czoczo