Spyder Chasing the Milky Way

[hognit]

Go a bit farther west to the ghost town known as Terlingua. There is an old saloon and general store there and you can tour the ghost town as well as visit the old cemetary. The area dates back to the late 1800's and there are a lot of eclectic people and artists to visit.

[SteveLaoyster]

Thank you!!!

My current photography interest is "landscape astrophotography." I use my Spyder RT to get me around. I can load down so much gear including a 5 foot camera slider. Plus, it makes it easier when I'm out in the pitch black on country roads.

I'm interested in what kind of cameras you are using? Your pictures are awesome!!!

[Haze]

Absolutely amazing photos.

[ruralgirl]

WOW! They're all fabulous!! What an incredible BOOK you could publish! Thanks for sharing.

[SilverFox1]

Absolutely mesmerizing!!! Love your pictures. I like to take pictures of clouds!

SilverFox

[finless]

How long an exposure did you use on the milky way?

Bob

[Buckeye Bleau]

I am not sure that I have words to compliment this post!

Joe

[tehrlich]

During one day of my trip, I was out scouting locations for good Milky Way shots, and I was overcome by the biggest, hardest, and stinging rainstorm I've ever seen. Flash flooding was happening through the desert and across the few roads in Big Bend National Park.

The stability of the Spyder RT can not be denied. It handled beautifully as I leaned into the wind and rain just to stay on it. Stopping power was also incredibly important. All the while, it carried all of my gear.
Big Bend Downpour May 2017.jpg

[tehrlich]

Another shot from the trip... Link HERE.


I carry multiple tripods and a couple lenses. I carry 3 cameras, one for "just in case," one for time-lapse, and one for the main pictures. For the time lapse, I use a slider and panning device. I'll post a video soon of the Milky Way rotating across the sky. I use the Sony line of cameras.

Taking the pictures is not that hard actually. TIMING the Milky Way, moon phase, and weather is the hardest!

Any dslr camera can do this. (My Sony's are mirrorless, but basically the same setup.) Everything needs to be on manual, everything. No auto anything.

Manual focus, high ISO (depends on camera ability,) wide angle lens with wide open aperture. Long exposure but less than 25-30 seconds. Anything longer than that and you'll see the stars "trailing," which is a completely other technique.

Cool shot of water reflecting the stars. HERE.

[tehrlich]

Spyder under the stars.

Link HERE.

[tehrlich]

Caught it!

Spyder Milky Way Todd Riding.jpg

[SteveLaoyster]

They are awesome pictures! Look forward to more.

[tehrlich]

This time-lapse required a couple of tripods, a 5 foot long slider, and a lot of other equipment. The Spyder RT was able to carry all of it.

It took 900 images for this and was roughly 7.5 hours long.

In the first couple of seconds of the video, you'll see lights racing to the distance. That's actually me on the Spyder going to my RV to get set up for my other shots during the night.

[drhunt204]

Wonderful photos, thanks for sharing them with us.

[JKMSPYDER]

This is kind of off topic, but I wanted to mention Big Bend Nat'l Park. I used to live in Texas and have been to Big Bend twice. It is one of the most beautiful national parks I have been to. Since it is in the middle of nowhere it is far less crowded than other parks. I hope to ride my Spyder there one day!

[tehrlich]

This is kind of off topic, but I wanted to mention Big Bend Nat'l Park. I used to live in Texas and have been to Big Bend twice. It is one of the most beautiful national parks I have been to. Since it is in the middle of nowhere it is far less crowded than other parks. I hope to ride my Spyder there one day!

Big Bend NP is fantastic. Well-maintained, and hardly anyone there, except the Chisos Mountains resort where you need reservations a year in advance.

During one stretch of my trip, I was caught with the observation that I hadn't seen anyone, even in another car, for 23 hours. I was on the main roads too. Granted, I was zipping around in the middle of the night, but this was an unusual experience!

The best part, for me anyway, was at night. It is so dark that you can actually see satellites fly over. In the time lapse video the lights that fly by really fast are NOT planes. They are satellites. I don't think I caught any meteors.

[PrairieSpyder]

Beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing.

[The Wanderer]

Thanks for sharing the beautiful and absolutely astonishing photos and video!! Great job.....

[mcpjan]

Thanks for sharing the beautiful and absolutely astonishing photos, I used to try and take pictures and this gives me motivation to get back to taking pictures again.

[fatboy]

yes the park is awesome we rode through there last year on the kyle petty charity ride

[DGoebel]

Todd, What a blessing your photos and the timelapse are. OUT(FREAKING)STANDING!
Do you make appointments for ... what would it be called "Spyder portraiture", Like if we wanted our own spyder featured in one of your art works?

[Retired 2012]

I totally agree with the masses, your photos are awesome.
I have never seen the night sky look so alive. Your ability to catch the
perfect shot is amazing.

Thank you very much for sharing these wonderful photos and your God given talent.

[tehrlich]

Thanks to everyone! Such kind words.

Please check out my website www.GodBlessTX.com, even IF you aren't from here, or maybe even despise our Texas swagger! This is only a hobby of mine, but I take pretty seriously. Again, my RT is part of my equipment to take many of my shots.

In fact, I would encourage everyone to carry any camera around as your enjoying your ride. Stop and celebrate the beauty that you experience!



"Spyder Portraits!" Now that is a great idea! (I'm actually working on an idea for a time-lapse WITH the Spyder as the focus point.)