Page 73 - Australian Photography Dec 2020
P. 73
STARRY NIGHT
The Milky Way was directly above in the southern hemisphere so Andrew Healey “was racking my brain to find a foreground with interest. I found a dead gumtree in my backyard and after a few different composition attempts I fluked this one which looked like the dead branch was holding the Milky Way in its hand. Death holding life, so to speak. This is my second season of Milky Way photography and trying to think outside the square is quite the challenge.”
I think you really can be pleased with this result. It is quite otherworldly and dramatic with an imposing tree that could well have walked out of the forbidden forest from a Harry Potter book. It actually looks as if it is holding a small animal against the starry backdrop.
You also managed to capture a shooting star in the scene. This shot has loads of interest, but the key ingredient
is that tree. So many images of skies and sunsets lack impactful foreground interest, but this is a really great example of how to do it well.
SAIMA’S TIP: Skies and sunsets make wonderful backdrops for creative photography, but a great foreground subject makes for a truly memorable image.
TITLE: Death holding life
PHOTOGRAPHER: Andrew Healey
DETAILS: Nikon D500, 16-80mm kit lens, 16mm focal length, 22s @ f2.8, 3200 ISO tripod.
