Collection: The Night Sky: Fine Art Landscape Photography

After months of waiting, the weather, snow, moon, and the Milky Way all aligned for an image I'd been planning for quite some time: the full arc of the Milky Way over a snow-bejeweled Hornbeck Homestead lit by the setting moon. I can't say it was an easy shot: getting up before 2 AM for an hour drive, then several hours shooting at 4 degrees F; But at least there wasn't a wind! The final result makes the icy fingers and toes well worth it. This fine art astro-image really takes me back: back to the peaceful awe that night, soaking in the the splendor of the night sky as the exposures ticked by; the reflected moon in snowflakes that mirrored the stars festooning the sky; and, perhaps, a simpler time living within nature on the frontier when the homestead was a home to a vibrant family and ranch hands. There is wonderful detail in this image that social media - or even web postings - cannot show, so I've included a zoom-in of the homestead upper window as an example. I can imagine children, a century ago, peering through that window at night, lost in awe at the night sky and the beauty surrounding them.

The dramatic cliffs, valleys, and rock formations at Capitol Reef National Park are perfect for taking night landscape photos.  The air is so clear that I was able to take this image even as the moon approached first quarter, allowing moonlight to light the amazing cliffs and foreground without not washing out the Milky Way.  It was hard not to get lost in this breathtaking scene from Chimney Rock Trail (yes, that's me to the lower left of the landscape photography print).

The first time we visited the Florissant Fossil beds, I knew I had to photograph the homestead with the Milky Way overhead. I planned the shoot for several weeks, timing the weather, position of the moon for subtle lighting, and location of the Milky Way. We arrived ... to mostly cloudy skies. They provided a great sunset shot, but I had to wait until long after the moon set to make this nature photography image. I think my patience paid off for this fine art print!

While waiting for a dawn shot in Rocky Mountain National Park, I was blown away by the way the first light on the horizon lit Long's Peak and the foreground pines while yet allowing the stars to glow in the dark sky. Alas, by the time I was able to set up the shot in the rapidly brightening dawn, the sky had brightened enough to hide all but a few dozen stars. To recreate my initial vision I have created this composite image, using an image of the night sky from another night. While not a factual representation of the sky when I shot Long's peak, this fine art landscape photography print faithfully recreates my vision and awe at that initial sight.

I like old barns like this one in Central Illinois.  I've taken photographs of it many times, but given my love of the night sky this is my favorite.  In this landscape image, I took the barn's portrait in natural starlight - and some LONG exposures!  I love the way the barn nestles under the arc of starlight.

These rocky towers occur along the Colorado Front Range. I had always feared that the Milky Way at Monument Rock would be overcome by Colorado Springs lights in any landscape photography; but a very clear night and a Southwest view away from the city minimized the light pollution!  In this nature image I love how the photo moves from small plants (grasses, yucca and mullein), to Monument Rock dwarfing a tree growing directly in front, to the core of our galaxy in the background.

I knew I had to photography this area when I first saw Gridley Lake in the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area.  I was overjoyed to find the lake as a perfect mirror on this evening, allowing a beautiful reflection in the water for this landscape photography print.  Alas, the mosquitoes also appreciated the lack of wind, and feasted well that night.  

While at Capitol Reef National Park, the beautiful simplicity of this nature image struck me: silhouetted pine trees, a crescent moon, and the last light of sunset on the horizon transitioning to a beautiful blue sky with some early wishing stars.  What else can one ask for in a nature image destined for a fine art print? 

After shooting "Milky Way over Hornbeck Homestead" I was starting to pack up and was taken by this scene behind me, and had to take the photos for this fine art print.  I was taken by the majestic night sky, silhouetted pine trees on the ridge, and the soft star-lit grasses. What more is there to say?  You can even see the Andromeda Galaxy near the center right edge!

A digital gift card is a perfect choice for your special person can choose their favorite fine art nature or landscape photography print! Gift cards can be used for any McClusky Nature Photography product.