NEW MOON RUN / FIELD BOOK
TRIP 08.07—08.16.2026 · 10 DAYS · 4 REGIONS
SOUTHWEST LIGHT STUDY · ISSUE NO. 01

NEW MOON RUN

A photographer’s field itinerary from the Pacific edge to Mojave dark sky—timed around the new moon, long light, and four low-interference astro windows.

DEPARTURE
AUG 07
SAN → LAS

RUN OF SHOW

LOCATION STUDIES · REFERENCE ONLY

SHOT INSPIRATION

Use these as visual orientation, not frames to duplicate. Tap any credit to open the original photograph and license.

Reference view of Cabrillo National Monument
05AUG 09 · AM

Cabrillo National Monument

Use the path as a leading line to the lighthouse, with open sky around the tower.

PHOTO · Blervis · CC0 ↗
Reference view of Arch Rock
11AUG 12 · NIGHT

Arch Rock

Scout this daytime geometry, then place the Milky Way or Perseid radiant around the arch.

PHOTO · E bailey · CC0 ↗
Reference view of Arch Rock · Night Study
12 · NIGHT STUDYAUG 12 · ASTRO

Arch Rock · Night Study

The arch can anchor the lower-left frame while the Milky Way runs diagonally above it; keep light painting restrained.

PHOTO · Visualvalhalla · CC BY-ND 2.0 ↗
Reference view of Joshua Tree Portrait · Editorial
15 · PORTRAIT STUDYAUG 13 · SUNSET

Joshua Tree Portrait · Editorial

Use a strong vertical composition, generous sky and one simple styling idea; substitute Jumbo Rocks for the mirror backdrop unless the model brings a compact prop.

PHOTO · Tiarra Sorte · Pexels ↗
Reference view of Joshua Tree Portrait · Negative Space
16 · PORTRAIT STUDYAUG 13 · GOLDEN HOUR

Joshua Tree Portrait · Negative Space

Place the model low in the frame and let open sky and boulders carry the scale; rust, cream, red and white separate cleanly from desert neutrals.

PHOTO · Tiarra Sorte · Pexels ↗
Reference view of Joshua Tree Portrait · Earth Tones
17 · PORTRAIT STUDYAUG 13 · BLUE HOUR

Joshua Tree Portrait · Earth Tones

Finish with a closer environmental portrait as the light softens; use a low boulder as a seated pose and retain the Joshua trees on the horizon.

PHOTO · Tiarra Sorte · Pexels ↗
Reference view of Badwater Basin · Night Study
32 · NIGHT STUDYAUG 15 · ASTRO

Badwater Basin · Night Study

Use the salt formations as a dark textured base and place the galactic core above the mountain shoulder, watching the eastern glow.

PHOTO · Preston Dyches · CC BY-NC 2.0 ↗
Reference view of Daylight Pass / NV-374
33AUG 16 · ROAD STUDY

Daylight Pass / NV-374

Use the empty roadway and route signs to frame the drop into the basin; add the Mazda only after securing a clean plate.

PHOTO · Adbar · CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
  1. 8:00 AM · Leave North Park
  2. MIDDAY · Hidden Valley Nature Trail
  3. PM · Keys View · west-to-east traverse
  4. 3:00 PM · El Rancho Dolores check-in
  5. PRE-SUNSET · Scout + secure Arch Rock position
  6. NIGHT · Milky Way + Perseids · ~9:15 PM–2/3 AM

Booked: El Rancho Dolores, Aug 12–13. The Perseids peak overnight under a new moon; the Aug 12 solar eclipse is not visible from California.