@jenwuphoto’s journey to becoming a #CanonExplorerOfLight: “In 2008 I ran into a Canon Representative, whom I sent some photos I had recently taken in Hawaii, including images of the Milky Way and stars. He asked if he could send them on to others? Sure, I replied, thinking his mom might like them.
I received a call from Canon USA. He had passed my images on to Canon and must have recommended me. ‘We like your astrophotography with the light-painted trees. Can you please provide some new original photographs with the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III camera? We would like to include it in a magazine brochure.’ Yes, I replied, thrilled! I headed out to the bristlecone pine trees in the White Mountains of California on a stormy day with clouds and howling wind, hoping for clearing skies. Authorities were stopping all vehicles with a high wind advisory warning. I told the officer I must continue, it was really important to me- he allowed me to pass.
At twilight, I hiked to an old tree, I was delighted that the clouds parted in this area of the sky that I was focusing on! I took a shot, I got it! Then I got out my flashlight, to do some light painting- some flickering and then nothing. The batteries died! So I recomposed it for another composition as a silhouette. I submitted the image to Canon. They wanted to use it for the brochure. I was so happy!
Canon invited me to do seminars and workshops that went really well and I included night photography too- which later led to the publishing of my night sky book, which became a #1 bestseller. The first dedicated to stars digitally.
Then I received a call from Canon, ‘Would you be interested in being a Canon Explorer of Light for astrophotography?’ I screamed, ‘Yahoo.’ From across the country, a cheerful voice said, “We will take that as a yes.” I was smiling from ear to ear and feeling so incredibly grateful to the representatives that recommended me and honored by Canon to be an Explorer of Light!
May you reach for the stars and create the night photographs of your dreams!”
📸 #Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
Lens: EF 24mm f/1.4L USM
Ciao, Nihon.