Western Australia's annual wildflower season is currently in full bloom across the region, drawing photographers from far and wide as they venture out to capture the perfect shot of nature's spectacular display. This year's blooming season has provided exceptional opportunities for both landscape and astrophotography enthusiasts to document the stunning combination of colorful wildflowers and celestial phenomena.
Award-winning landscape astrophotographer Michael Goh has dedicated considerable time and effort to perfecting his craft, spending up to two years to achieve the ideal blend of night sky photography and blooming flowers. His recent successful expedition to Coalseam Conservation Reserve in the state's Midwest region resulted from a combination of prior knowledge, careful daytime scouting of the area, and strategic use of modern photography technology.
"There was one particular night-sky time lapse involving everlastings which actually took me two years to capture because the first year I was one or two weeks too late for the everlastings specifically," Goh explained. "So the next year I thought, 'I have to go back just a little bit earlier to catch them.' Because of course it depends on rainfall and many other things as to whether you'll actually get anything."
For his most recent image showcasing everlastings in the foreground with the Milky Way stretching across the sky behind them, Goh employed a 2-minute shutter exposure technique to capture the night sky. However, he admits that achieving this particular shot required some creative photography methods. "It's a bit of a cheating one this one," he confessed. "I actually have to confess, with this particular image it is actually a bit of a blend of images because I've actually taken the everlastings before it gets dark, then I take the other photo."
Contrary to common assumptions about expensive photography equipment being necessary for stunning results, Goh emphasizes that the age and cost of equipment should not prevent photographers from taking great photographs. His own cameras range from three to twelve years old, proving that newer isn't always better. "Nowadays with phones the way they are, you could actually, if you were patient enough, I'm very sure you could take a similar photo," he noted.
According to Goh, proper planning serves as the foundation for capturing exceptional photographs. He strongly advocates for advance scouting of locations during daylight hours, which allows photographers to identify potential obstacles or unwanted elements that might not be visible in darkness. "I always believe in scouting first, so just wander around the park and look for interesting sorts of flowers or [if] you'd like to have a tree in the background," he advised. "Unfortunately, you can't get one of the fantastic birds to sit still for an hour or so while you take a photo."
Other photographers have also been taking advantage of this year's wildflower season. Katie Anne Thoars successfully photographed everlastings between the towns of Morawa and Mullewa in Western Australia's Midwest region, while Jo Broadhurst captured images of white everlastings near Morawa, demonstrating the widespread nature of this year's blooming season.
Goh emphasizes the importance of thoroughly understanding one's equipment through consistent practice and learning from trial and error. "I do a lot of experimenting and saying, 'Yeah, that's not going to work when I'm out on the field.' Knowing how to use your equipment is quite important," he explained. This hands-on approach to learning photography techniques has proven essential for his success in capturing the ephemeral beauty of Western Australia's wildflower displays combined with the majesty of the night sky.
