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Night photography in Petrified Forest National Park
Sep 18, 2016 16:33:33 #
I am going to be in Arizona next week and am looking for some good sites for nighttime and Milky Way photography. I was considering Petrified Forest National Park. Apparently they close the gates at 7 pm or so. Has anyone ever done night photography there? I could use some advice. If there are other places within 4 hours drive of Phoenix I would be interested to get suggestions. I have ruled out the Grand Canyon unless there is a place other than the North Entrance that I can capture some canyon plus the Milky Way. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.
Sep 18, 2016 17:50:13 #
For best star trail and/or Milky Way photography, you need to be as far away from city lights as you can get. You also need to shoot at or near New Moon phase.
Here are astronomical viewing "Dark Sky" sites for Arizona: http://gosw.about.com/od/informationfortravelers/a/azdarkskies.htm
Use this map to find recognized "Dark Sky" locations. Best are south-east AZ, near Tucson: http://darksky.org/idsp/finder
Here are astronomical viewing "Dark Sky" sites for Arizona: http://gosw.about.com/od/informationfortravelers/a/azdarkskies.htm
Use this map to find recognized "Dark Sky" locations. Best are south-east AZ, near Tucson: http://darksky.org/idsp/finder
Sep 18, 2016 18:04:29 #
I suggest that you re-post your inquiry in the UHH Astronomical Photography Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-109-1.html
Check out True Macro-Photography Forum section of our forum.
Sep 18, 2016 18:20:18 #
Thank you for the feedback. I was not aware of the dark park near Tucson. The odd thing is that they appear close a 5 pm.
I have done a fair amount of Milky Way photography, but usually in Utah. I will be in Phoenix on a work assignment and only have 2 days extra, so I was looking for something not terribly far away. I want some type of interesting foreground as well. I post this question in the astronomical site. Thanks again.
I have done a fair amount of Milky Way photography, but usually in Utah. I will be in Phoenix on a work assignment and only have 2 days extra, so I was looking for something not terribly far away. I want some type of interesting foreground as well. I post this question in the astronomical site. Thanks again.
Sep 18, 2016 18:37:28 #
Sep 19, 2016 08:27:45 #
There is an astronomy club in Phoenix that goes to the Boyce Arboretum for night sky observation... you may consider getting in touch with them to see if they will be there while you are in the area. Also, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon has been named a Dark Sky site... they have an observation weekend in the summer. Besides night photography, it's a gorgeous spot! About 3.5 - 4 hours from Phoenix. Otherwise, Joshua Tree National Park is perfect for your purposes, but its a fair drive away... (6 hours?)
Sep 19, 2016 08:56:34 #
Sep 19, 2016 09:02:02 #
Redrocks wrote:
I am going to be in Arizona next week and am looki... (show quote)
My favorite dark place is the Sonoran desert east of San Diego. No light pollution. Eastern Mojave Desert west of Las Vegas is also unpopulated and very dark at night. The whole Navajo Reservation is dark at night. If you take the Reservation road north from the Petrified Forest - or any road going North from 40, and wait for darkness you will find no light pollution.
Sep 19, 2016 11:32:45 #
CatMarley wrote:
My favorite dark place is the Sonoran desert east of San Diego. No light pollution. Eastern Mojave Desert west of Las Vegas is also unpopulated and very dark at night. The whole Navajo Reservation is dark at night. If you take the Reservation road north from the Petrified Forest - or any road going North from 40, and wait for darkness you will find no light pollution.
Be sure to check in at the tribal headquarters. You might need special permission to be shooting at night. I know on the Apache Res one must have a permit. Don't know about the Navajo.
Sep 19, 2016 12:50:15 #
Redrocks wrote:
I am going to be in Arizona next week and am looki... (show quote)
Keep in mind there is a short period of time to photograph the Milky Way this time of year. After sunset you have to wait about 45 minutes so that it's dark enough. So that leaves you about 2 hours or less to get the shot.
April: 3am-sunrise
• May: 2am-sunrise
• June: 9pm-2am
• July: sunset-midnight
• August: sunset-10pm
• September: sunset-9pm
• October: sunset-8:30pm
Sep 19, 2016 12:54:06 #
Yes, I looked up that info. I find that to be a bit of a benefit since I don't have to spend all night there.
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Sep 19, 2016 12:54:28 #
Sep 19, 2016 12:57:57 #
Redrocks wrote:
Please use the Quote Reply tab, as I have done here, so we know to whom your comment is directed.I had not thought of that. Great suggestion.
Sep 19, 2016 13:00:52 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Please use the Quote Reply tab, as I have done here, so we know to whom your comment is directed.
Thanks for the info. I had not realized it before.
Sep 19, 2016 13:24:33 #
AzPicLady wrote:
Be sure to check in at the tribal headquarters. You might need special permission to be shooting at night. I know on the Apache Res one must have a permit. Don't know about the Navajo.
No, I worked on the Navajo Reservation. It occupies almost a fourth of the state of Arizona. You can go anywhere, any time. You can shoot with a camera any time anywhere. If you want to shoot game though, you have to use bow and arrow. Only Native Americans are allowed to use rifles. Navajo Law has a sense of humor!
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