NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
One Night in the Trailer Park
When the Milky Way shines bright and clear
It was quiet. No wind was blowing or birds were chirping. I couldn't even hear cars driving past on the nearest road. It was a peaceful night. No clouds on the horizon and the moon wasn't up yet.
On the nights following up to this one, I had taken pictures of the full moon and the orange-shining ball rising in the darkness of the night. There was a time when I didn't even consider taking pictures of the moon. I'd only take pictures at night when there was no moon.
Because the stars shine brighter.
And slowly but surely, I get to embrace all stages of the night.
The silence was what pulled me out of the trailer tonight. I looked up and saw the stars. There was no moon on the horizon, no nearby city shedding light pollution into the sky.
I saw some blinking and stars that were moving. The sky was busy. I could spot many planes moving above my head. The nearby international airports must be busy now, as the summer holidays are coming to an end.
Placing my camera on the tripod in the freshly cut grass, I took a deep breath, not only inhaling the smell of nature but taking in the silence too, while waiting for the long exposure to finish.
Many stripes appeared on the screen. Not shooting stars but moving planes are adding to the night shot today. With orange, red or yellow lights, they take a straight line across my pictures.
My eyes have slowly adjusted to the darkness and blocked out the few lights appearing from the trailer park. Turning around, I now see the Milky Way. There weren't many times I have seen the Milky Way so clear and bright in the sky in Germany.
I turn the tripod with the camera pointing it now toward the Milky Way rising from the forest. A faint call of a crow echoes from the distance. I press the shutter and wait. More planes are zooming across the sky.
The temperatures are quickly dropping with no clouds in the sky. Summer is over and fall is waiting around the corner. I don't have enough clothes on to stay longer but cherished these few minutes out here.
In silence.
Under the sky full of stars.
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