This is The ONE—the most challenging, personal, and rewarding image I’ve ever taken.
I planned this shot for over four months, knowing that my wedding in August would be the perfect moment to capture something truly unforgettable. The idea was ambitious: a portrait of my wife and me under the Milky Way arch, with a glowing lantern, standing in the breathtaking yet unforgiving landscape of Mt Cook, New Zealand.
The challenges were endless. First, finding the perfect time and location required extensive planning—aligning the Milky Way’s position, ensuring minimal light pollution, and hoping for clear skies. Then came the real test: braving the freezing temperatures - both of us getting naked in freezing cold and changing into formal attire in the bitter cold of a mountain night was definitely not the most comfortable experience, but it was all part of the commitment to this vision.
Shooting with my new astro-modified Sony A7III, I had to balance exposure for the stars. The lantern served as a natural light source, but getting the right balance between the warm glow and the cool tones of the night sky was a delicate task. Post-processing involved many adjustments—stacking multiple exposures, getting details without losing the natural feel, and ensuring the final image looked as magical as the moment itself.
This image is a composite - shot in the same night - at the same time - at the same location.
This wasn’t just a wedding photo. It was the culmination of months of preparation, technical precision, and a little bit of madness. Freezing, exhausted, but absolutely excited—we captured the shot, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
EXIF
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Sky:
- Camera: Sony a7III - HA - Astro Modified
- Lens: Sony 24mm f1.4
Sky Settings:
- ISO: 1250
- 128 Sec - with a star tracker (Benro Polaris)
- f2.8
20 Images Stacked + Calibration Frames
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Foreground:
- Camera: Sony a7RV
- Lens: Sony 14mm f1.8
Foreground Settings:
- ISO 3200
- 1/4 Sec
- f1.8
Single shot
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Image is Stacked & Blend - the image is scientifically accurate.
Software used: PixInsight & Adobe Photoshop
Tracked using Benro Polaris Star Tracker
Shot in August, 2024 in Mt Cook area, New Zealand.
More details - www.capturedbyladi.com