2022-23 Photographer of the Year

Photographer of the Year 2023

Nomeca Hartwell

Applegate Starlight by Nomeca Hartwell

I really wanted to get this image after I saw something similar online so one fine September evening a friend and I made a run out there when the Milky Way was over the South end of Applegate Lake. We could not find the viewpoint we wanted and left after a couple of hours somewhat disappointed. Luckily my friend found the location we were after in an old family photo she dug up and we went back over within the month for a second astro shoot. This time we were not disappointed. Equipment was a Nikon D750 full frame camera, Nikon 24mm lens at f/2, ISO 3200 and 15 sec. per frame ( 4 altogether). Night shooting is generally pretty technical but also pretty wonderful. To quote Calvin and Hobbes ( by Bill Watterson):

“If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I’ll bet they would live a lot differently.”

It has been a privilege to work with so many fine and helpful photographers in the Wild Rivers Photography Club.

Also by Nomeca Hartwell Stars In Her Eyes

I remember looking up with wonder and longing at a starry sky when I was only 4 or 5 years old. Today I shoot those same stars, still marveling at the unearthly beauty of the night universe. I particularly like this night shot taken at the Galesville reservoir. I see myself as the small lit figure lost to the immense and mysterious beauty of the night sky while trying to capture a semblance the grandeur reflected all around me.

“There is stardust in your veins. We are literally, ultimately children of the stars.” (Jocelyn Bell Burrell)

We are, therefore, at least 1 way that the Universe knows itself. (Bill Nye)