Upon encountering Ralf Rohner’s night sky photographs, one is instantly captivated by his ability to showcase the enchantment and vastness of nocturnal landscapes and skies. His work offers a glimpse into the awe-inspiring universe.
Ralf, a Swiss astrophotographer, balances his life as a father to 10-year-old twins and a career as a Captain for SWISS International Air Lines, piloting Boeing 777-300ERs.
When asked about his photography style, Ralf explains that his expertise lies in wide field landscape astrophotography, rooted in telescopic deep space imaging. His approach is highly technical, employing tracking mounts, modified cameras, and narrowband filters. His images are compilations of numerous exposures, meticulously merged in post-processing. However, Ralf emphasizes the authenticity of his scenes, ensuring accurate sky alignment over landscapes and capturing all components from one location in a single night. He believes astrophotography should reveal the hidden splendors of the sky, beyond what the human eye can perceive.
Ralf’s journey into night photography began in childhood, fueled by an interest in physics and astronomy. His first telescope purchase 25 years ago marked the start of his astrophotography adventure. A 2015 family camping trip in the US Southwest, sans bulky telescopic gear, led him to experiment with nightscapes using a compact tracking mount.
One challenging shot was a ‘deepscape’ featuring Orion Nebula setting behind Mt. Saentis in Switzerland. This required precise planning and alignment, and a physically demanding trek with heavy equipment through icy terrain.
For Ralf, a small tracking mount is indispensable, allowing for long exposures without star trailing. His exploration plays a vital role in his photography, requiring scouting for compelling foregrounds aligned with the sky and enjoying the solitude of natural settings.
In selecting night photography locations, Ralf considers sky quality and captivating foregrounds. Light pollution and proximity to cities are limiting factors. He often visualizes potential astronomical tie-ins when viewing daytime landscapes and uses planning apps to assist.
The most extraordinary celestial object Ralf has captured is the Quasar Q1227+120, nearly at the edge of the observable universe. His dream is to photograph the southern sky, with targets like the Magellanic Clouds, visible only from the southern hemisphere.
Ralf’s 25-year career as a pilot has significantly influenced his photography, producing unique airborne astrophotography and enabling him to photograph during layovers in diverse locations.
To aspiring night photographers, Ralf suggests mastering the technique of stacking multiple exposures. This standard astrophotography method enhances signal-to-noise ratio, yielding cleaner images. He recommends software solutions like Sequator for Windows or Starry Landscape Stacker for Mac to align stars before stacking.
Ralf Rohner’s journey and techniques in night photography not only showcase his technical skill but also his passion for capturing the celestial wonders of the night sky.
Let’s Explore the Photographic Works of Ralf Rohner:
