NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
When the Stars Come Out Above the Vineyard
And are fighting against the clouds
Spending two nights down South, about as far South as one can be while traveling through the world’s most southern country, I was hoping for a clear night but the skies had different plans.
Upon returning to Central Otago where clear skies are more common, I decided to pull out my tripod one night and just shoot outside our home.
It had been a rainy day but I saw some bright stars shining outside and didn’t mind a bank of clouds slowly moving in. It was cold but quiet. Up here in the vineyard at the base of the Pisa Mountain Range, the nights are calm and surrounded by silence.
I carried my tripod into the vineyard and placed it in between the rows of grape vines. Pointing up, I had a sky filled with stars above the lens with just a few clouds framing the scene.
Stepping backward I looked up into the sky while waiting for the long exposure to complete. What a privilege it is to live in such a beautiful area. To see the skies this bright and clear right from the doorstep of your home.
Isn’t it a dream?
No, it’s not. This is real.
I turn around and look at our home. The kitchen light is on creating a shining light out of the otherwise quiet home. A few clouds were moving across offering glimpses of more stars in between.
The upper winds must be quite strong as when I looked back at the mountain range again, the wall of clouds had moved in. Significantly. And yet again, I didn’t mind. Those clouds added a little extra to the special sight in front of my eyes.
The tall trees behind me were swaying in the light evening breeze letting their leaves rustle in the air. A shooting star or two were zooming across the sky leaving me to wonder what I should wish for.
Don’t I have it all already?
The clouds now almost covered the entire sky above the mountains. This happened quickly. You blink with an eye and the moment is gone. Remember that, and embrace every memory.
I can see David has gone to bed by now and switched off the kitchen light. A faint light is still on probably shining through from the bedroom.
It is getting cold outside and probably time for me to pack up and head back inside. I’m looking up one last time past the garden shed. The last part of the sky, not covered in clouds yet, and still shining bright with stars.
It is going to be a peaceful night. Just a few minutes more and I will be sound asleep dreaming of the rustling of leaves in the trees and the occasional bleating of sheep around us.
If you enjoyed this one, check out other photo essays of mine:
“When the Stars Come Out in the Mountains”
“When a Million Stars Get Multiplied Upon Reflecting in the Sea”
“Mastering the Art of Rain Photography”
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