The Church of the Good Shepherd & Milky Way Core

1. About the Photo

This picture was completely unplanned, but sometimes those are the most rewarding. On our way to Twizel to photograph Mount Cook and its surroundings, we made an unexpected stop at Lake Tekapo. I had no intention of capturing this iconic location, but a quick check on PhotoPills revealed that the Milky Way core would align perfectly over the Church of the Good Shepherd. Despite the spontaneity, this image has become one of my proudest captures.

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2. About the Place

What’s in the photo?
The Church of the Good Shepherd is a small yet iconic Anglican church situated on the shores of Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. With the Milky Way core arching perfectly above it, this image captures both the natural beauty of Tekapo’s dark skies and the historical significance of the church.

Time & Location:

• Date: 02/08/2024
• Location: Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

More information about The Church of the Good Shepherd - here

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Interesting Fact:
Built in 1935 as a memorial to the early settlers, the Church of the Good Shepherd is one of the most photographed sites in New Zealand. Lake Tekapo is also part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the best places in the world for astrophotography.

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3. The Journey to Photograph the Place

Planning Process:
Since this was an unplanned stop, I had to adapt quickly. Using PhotoPills, I checked the Milky Way alignment and realized I had the perfect opportunity. The weather was clear, and the moon was not interfering, making it an ideal night for astrophotography.

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4. The Actual Photographing Process

Setting up the Shot:
I wanted to frame the church prominently while ensuring the Milky Way core aligned above it. A wider lens was needed for the foreground, while a longer exposure was required for the sky.

On-location Techniques:

• Used the Benro Polaris Star Tracker to ensure pinpoint stars.
• Took separate exposures for the foreground and sky.
• Focus stacked to maintain sharpness in both elements.

Environmental Challenges:

• Cold temperatures required frequent battery changes.
• Some artificial light pollution had to be accounted for in post-processing.

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5. Technical Details of the Photo

Camera & Gear Used

• Camera (Sky): Sony A7III (astro-modified)
• Camera (Foreground): Sony A7RV
• Lens (Sky): Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
• Lens (Foreground): Sony 14mm f1.8 GM
• Tracker: Benro Polaris Star Tracker
• Filter: None

Settings

RGB Sky:

• 10 images stacked
• f/2
• 60 sec exposure
• ISO 800

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6. Editing Process

Stacking & Pre-Processing:

• Used PixInsight for noise reduction and stacking.
• WBPP (Weighted Batch Preprocessing) was used to align and integrate sky frames.

Color Grading & Adjustments:

• Applied StarX Terminator and BlurX Terminator for sharpening and reducing star distortions.
• Adjusted white balance to bring out the natural colors of the Milky Way.

Final Touches:

• Foreground blending in Photoshop for a natural transition.
• Minor contrast and sharpening adjustments.

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7. Closing Thoughts

This spontaneous stop turned into one of my favorite captures. The alignment of the Milky Way core over the Church of the Good Shepherd added an ethereal touch to this already magical location. It’s a testament to the beauty of Lake Tekapo’s dark skies and the rewards of being open to unplanned opportunities.

Would I do anything differently? Perhaps take more foreground exposures at a lower ISO to minimize noise. But overall, I am incredibly pleased with how everything came together.

If you’re visiting Lake Tekapo, I highly recommend checking this location at night—it’s an unforgettable experience!

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8. Print & Digital Copy Offer

If this image resonates with you and you’d like to support my work, I’d be delighted to offer you:

• A print (New Zealand only)
• A high-resolution digital version
• A custom phone wallpaper

Your support allows me to continue capturing and sharing the wonders of the night sky. Reach out if you're interested!

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Are my image AI Generated?

No - Please see my AI Use Disclamer here