Chasing Starlight 
September 2018

Night Photography in Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra

Yosemite National Park and the Eastern Sierra are premier destinations for astrophotography. As twilight fades, this dramatic landscape transforms into an ethereal realm where iconic geology meets pristine, star-studded skies. The transition from golden hour to astronomical twilight here is nothing short of magical.

From late spring through autumn, the Milky Way core becomes the main attraction. In Yosemite, the sheer scale is humbling. Juxtaposing the Milky Way with a prominent foreground tree or catching it over the calm waters of Tenaya Lake, creates images of immense wonder.

Venturing east of the Sierra crest brings entirely different treasures. Mono Lake offers surreal, alien tufa towers that provide striking reflections in still, dark waters: perfect for capturing star trails. Just north, the abandoned streets of Bodie State Historic Park offer a hauntingly beautiful opportunity. Positioning the galactic center rising over decaying Wild West structures—benefiting from some of the darkest, clearest skies in California—is an unforgettable experience.

The combination of relative isolation, exceptionally low light pollution, and incredibly diverse foregrounds—from polished domes to ghost town relics—makes this region an unparalleled paradise for chasing the night sky. Standing in the quiet dark of the high desert, under a canopy of thousands of visible stars, is as impactful as the photos you create.