August 27, 2021
Since I had a car, I thought I’d check in on Letchworth Village‘s grounds. Because when the sun blazes the temperature into the 90’s, nothing is more satisfying then slinking around putrid abandoned decay. To follow, the current state of things–in four parts. This is part 1: Congregation B’nai Israel.
August 15, 2021
And with the moonset the enormous blob of white light fell past the horizon at Letchworth State Park, leaving me great conditions to shoot the Milky Way, which seemed to originate from the park’s iconic steel bridge. But while the light was still bright (below), it illuminated the waters around Read more…
August 9, 2021
I have been meaning to get back to the abandoned Pilgrim State Hospital power plant since the very strange interaction last February. As with many of Long Island Farm Colony‘s decaying structures, access points are inconsistent. But I thought a grey, rainy early morning visit may increase the likelihood of Read more…
August 6, 2021
You know how the full moon makes some turn into a werewolf? The New Moon turns me into a wild brog with a tripod. But alas, the slither of land that is suspended in front of Connecticut’s shore is light polluted. Still, some nice faint Milky Way shots: At Custer Read more…
August 1, 2021
Though a bright sliver of an orange hazy moon illuminated Long Island’s North Fork so brightly, the Milky Way waved hello faintly. And though I am attempting this shoot again next week, with the arrival of the New Moon, the subtle Milky Way is still so dreamy. ❤️ 🌻 🌌 Read more…
July 11, 2021
In the back of my mind during a recent road trip was the fact that it was time for the New Moon. Since shooting the Milky Way is often less fruitful in the East, I didn’t make any plans around astrophotography. But as the sky darkened and that familiar cluster Read more…
July 4, 2021
I really wanted to do this cosplay-astro shoot, a genre I may have invented as I have never seen other pictures fitting it… though admittedly I haven’t looked very hard. I wanted to battle my friend, galactic style. And so a portion of my suitcase contained the costume for this Read more…
July 1, 2021
With a Milky Way twinkling vibrantly above, it is not difficult to capture a magical shot. But just down the dark path were the abandoned trains of the San Diego Railroad… so, astro-urbex it was. The contrast of the glowing beauty of our Universe and the lifeless decay of train Read more…
June 30, 2021
Last time I was in Borrego Springs in February of 2020, it was the trial of my then-new camera base. Since then I have discovered that the settings were way off when I did my night shoot, resulting in disappointing shots. This time, much more exciting and dynamic shots near Read more…
I want to share how lovely my stay at La Casa de Zorro in Borrego Springs was. Well-needed and fantastic in every way, especially after roughing it, I tried to capture all its fun in pictures. It’s a great place to settle in before and after area star-gazing. They even Read more…
June 28, 2021
I first visited Joshua Tree National Park in 2017 (see here). This time I’d camp in the park despite the excessive heat warning to see its dark skies, my 17th dark sky park. Things to know: The moon rises like the sun, just as powerful in my camera’s lens. Read more…
June 26, 2021
With my mermaid top crafting moving along, I have been having plenty of mermaid photoshoots. It’s kind of my new favorite thing to do. So many shoots have been on Staten Island because 4 of my mermaids live there… and it’s convenient for me. The moon showed up. I’ve decided Read more…
June 13, 2021
An astrophotographer who lives on the East Coast is a glutton for disappointment. With the entirety of it lit up like a Christmas tree, nary a dark sky in sight, photographic astro missions are often unsuccessful in spite of all my efforts. So when I decided to tack on a Read more…
May 3, 2021
Even though there was just a slither of time that we shot the stars on the first evening at Hither Hills, arriving home with the sky on my memory card was invigorating. And I can’t wait for another star shoot. Though the whipping wind shook my camera, just seeing the Read more…
A Spring camping trip to Montauk’s Hither Hills State Park would be challenged by the weather unfortunately. But I try not to let my opinion, which is pretty insignificant to the forces of nature, overshadow the enlightenment of experience. The lesson: The wind and the rain win. And you just Read more…
January 3, 2021
With my visit to Big Cypress National Preserve I would accomplish visiting both of Florida’s IDA-certified dark sky parks. Though the skies were plentiful in the preserve, the rise of a spectacularly bright moon, along with constant vehicle traffic, along with no time for daytime exploration to seek a spot Read more…
December 17, 2020
I might have spent a collective total of 4 hours on Clear Sky Chart trying to choose a spot within a 100 mile vicinity to best view the Geminids Meteor Shower. After clouds in my initial spot, Sunken Meadow Park, I headed to the Vanderbilt Planetarium, convinced the grounds would Read more…
To follow, light in various wavelengths from Long Island’s Sunken Meadow State Park. The scouted location seemed to be the best option to view the Geminids Meteor Shower in light of a wide-reaching cloud cover and an emergency dentist appointment to make in Brooklyn the follow morning. Unfortunately the bright Read more…
October 23, 2020
With a full afternoon on my own at Yellow Dog Village, I shot three memory cards full of pictures. I greatly appreciated the means to explore on my own in safety. But there was a heavy heartache in what remained, in the remnants of life preserved in each room.
I spent the afternoon exploring the deserted homes within Yellow Dog Village, a town stricken by many hardships. Many of the families of Yellow Dog left their belongings. And as the current owner of attempts to bring it new life as a historical village, he allows photographers beyond the electric Read more…
October 19, 2020
[Oh my.] The Orionids Meteor Shower will be peaking on my birthday. So naturally, I have to accept the sky’s invitation. I’d have to find the dark, program my camera, sit back and watch the show, hoping for better luck than when I attempted to catch the Perseids this time Read more…
October 18, 2020
Camp Hero State Park. This might just be my favorite place for a star shoot. Abandoned / Dark sky / Conspiracy theory / By the Ocean. I mean, c’mon. Though the horizon is always filled with light, the site makes for some gorgeous shots. And because I wasn’t alone and, Read more…
Despite the light of the campsites, the stars were plentiful and bright. And the Milky Way and shooting stars also showed up for the party. Here are a few of my favorite shots before heading to Camp Hero to shoot next to the radar tower. I enjoyed the campsite much Read more…
September 6, 2020
An astroshoot in New York City? Sure, let’s do it. There were a few stars and a very bright Jupiter and Mars, though the billions of other celestial bodies were shy of the bright lights in the big city. Still very worth the while… The 9/11 Tribute lights were on. Read more…
August 23, 2020
Though Tonopah, Nevada is not dark sky certified by the IDA, it was rated as the #1 stargazing destination in the United States by USA Today at one point. And it has an official stargazing park, The Clair Blackburn Memorial Stargazing Park that has concrete picnic tables set for you Read more…