Almost Walked Away…

During a recent photo shoot getaway at Joshua Tree National Park, my primary vision was a foreground filled with a Joshua tree and the background would consist of a large rock formation with star trails circling the scene.

While driving up to higher elevation searching for the perfect scene, it became evident that it had recently snowed and I spotted this snowman that a mother and her two young sons were just completing. I stopped for a while and enjoyed making a few images of the snowman and as I was walking back to my vehicle it dawned on me that this rare desert snowman would make a great subject for my star trail image.

I’d seen many star trail photos with interesting foreground subjects, but never one with a snowman, let alone a snowman in the desert. I set up my gear and stayed put for the next four hours while taking 50 5-minute long exposures, which I stacked in Photoshop to produce this image.

Looking at the snowman brings back fond memories of being a young boy growing up in New Jersey. However,
as I absorb the entirety of this magical image I think to myself, wow, I almost walked away from such an amazing photo opportunity.
—Pete Jacovino
San Diego, CA

Technical Info: Photo taken with a Canon EOS 40D and a Canon 10-22mm lens at 11mm. Exposure was f/3.5 at ISO 160.
© Pete Jacovino

Please Read This
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COMMENTS
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lucia777's picture

you are funny with this article and picture. :)
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Joel294's picture

Nice photography, and I love the effects. Has not gotten away, captured perfect. gw2 gold

dalepetersen8397th's picture

It's a good thing that you did not walk away from the scene immediately because you would have lost a shot of a lifetime. There's a brilliant story being set off by your photo and that is something I could appreciate so much. You also made the most out of your equipment and it is very stunning too.

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idealworld007's picture

greate article
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tonysatrio's picture

I’d seen many star trail photos with interesting foreground subjects, but never one with a snowman, let alone a snowman in the desert. I set up my gear and stayed put for the next four hours while taking 50 5-minute long exposures, which I stacked in Photoshop to produce this image.
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