Stars Over Bryce captured by Nikon Z 6II / Nikkor Z14-24f2.8

I’ve been staring up at the heavens since before I can remember. Spending nights on the ground staring at them with a father who depended on his knowledge of them to navigate a B-29 around the globe, they have became intimate friends. I started photographing them way back when we super cooled Kodachrome increasing its sensitivity to bring the heavens to life in my images. Compared to today, that was a lot of pain with little gain. It was a real joy a few mornings ago to simply stand at Sunset Point, Bryce Nat’l Park, point the Z 6II / Z14-24f2.8 into the heavens and go click to my hearts content and being able to just enjoy the moment. It was … heaven!

Once back in the digital darkroom, I went into NX Studio to find which files I had run different some noise tests on. It shows ALL the info so quickly and easily. While doing that, I saw a feature I was unaware of, Astro Noise Reduction (see below). Man, does it work really sweetly, you just click on the box! It was the perfect fun to finishing increasing the experience under the stars. You might just want to check it out, it’s free!

I am asked quite often if I could have just one lens, which lens would it be? I think the answer is, the Z24-200! Yes, I am being incredibly serious as it’s incredibly sharp, small, light and incredibly affordable. You might be wondering why I’m saying that when I have the Z24-70f2.8 & Z70-200f2.8 in my bag, in fact, why both? The Z24-200 is the ultimate travel lens when connected to like the Z50, covers everything in just one lens with great quality. Yes, I have those other lenses but when I head out and just want one lens in the truck, it’s the Z24-200 that goes with me. It’s the one lens!

the gorgeous Z14-24f2.8 photo courtesy of Nikon

I no sooner took the loaner lens out of the box and I knew, knew I would end up with Z14-24f2.8 in the kit. It is so light (compared to like the 14-24f2.8) that replacing the Z14-30 will be easy. First looks through the Z 6II and I saw how close it focuses, the very shallow DoF and the sharpness in the first clicks, I ordered one before I even returned the loaner. I can’t wait to shoot this next week in Bryce with, it’s going to be fun! mtc

photo by the amazing Carol Smith

I’ve had the great joy of knowing, exploring and shooting with Carol for many years. She is still the only lady I know who has her 600f4 on a tripod on her shoulder as she does pilates. That’s her dedication to her photography. I’m not going to say how young she is other then the Model A was what she used for her driver’s test (well, may not that young). It doesn’t slow her down, she’s just keeps going and in the process works at inspiring others through her photography, especially me. She has a delightful website where nearly everyday she shares one photo, one story. As you can see above, the photos are really nice imagery. Even more is her “stories” where she shares the wonders she discovers along her photographic journey. It’s an inspiration for us all and I invite you to follow. It will brighten up your day and just move your photography a bit more forward.