masashi7069 Shares Their Story | Chasing the Starlight | SONY α7Ⅳ | Knowledge #277
Cover photo by masashi7069
Creators who love photography share their stories about cameras and the journeys they inspire. A beloved camera reflects each person’s unique perspective and values. In this feature, we introduce masashi7069, a devoted user of the SONY α7IV.
A chance capture of a cloud-like light turned out to be the Milky Way, igniting a passion in masashi7069 that became the driving force behind their travels. This is a story of light and darkness, of relentless pursuit, and the breathtaking night skies that awaited them.
〈SONY α7 IV〉Basic Information
A mirrorless camera equipped with a back-illuminated full-frame CMOS sensor with approximately 33 megapixels. The latest image processing engine, BIONZ XR, significantly enhances autofocus accuracy and continuous shooting performance. It supports CFexpress Type A cards, enabling high-speed writing and efficient workflows.
A Journey to the Stars, Born from Chance
A photo I took without much thought captured a white streak that looked like a cloud.
It wasn’t until later that I realized it was the Milky Way.
That discovery led me on a journey to find the stars. My first destination was Koh Phayam in Ranong, Thailand.
The beach at night was enveloped in an overwhelming darkness, with the Milky Way quietly painting the sky.
Photo by masashi7069
The Breathtaking Night Sky of the Southern Hemisphere
I wanted to capture the Milky Way more beautifully. That desire pushed me to acquire the SONY α7 IV and the 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens.
Photo by masashi7069
However, it was the rainy season in Thailand at the time.
Unable to wait, I sought the darkest place in the Southern Hemisphere and arrived at the Pinnacles Desert in Western Australia.
Two hours from the city by bus, I finally captured the Southern Cross and the bright, wide Milky Way.
Photo by masashi7069
Even with the moon in the sky, the overwhelming darkness highlighted the stars, revealing a breathtaking night sky.
At that moment, I was truly grateful to have my camera in hand.
Stars Beyond the Darkness
In contrast to the tropical warmth of Thailand, Perth was in the midst of winter. Yet, the air was calm and pleasant, reminiscent of autumn in Japan.
The city lights were modest, making it a delightful place for day and night photography.
With fewer neon lights, the soft glow of the city created a serene atmosphere that never grew tiresome.
Photo by masashi7069
On this day, the moon hadn’t set, making it challenging to photograph the Milky Way.
However, the place I chose for shooting was enveloped in deep darkness.
Looking up at the sky, I could clearly see the white streak of the Milky Way and countless stars.
Chasing the Milky Way Once More
At the end of October, as the rainy season ended, I began traveling across Thailand once again in pursuit of starry skies.
My destination was deep in the mountains of Nan Province in northern Thailand. Under conditions free of light pollution to the west, I captured the Milky Way alongside the Atlas Comet.
Photo by masashi7069
The moment I saw the Milky Way again, I felt a profound sense of awe that I will never forget.
That desire to relive that feeling drives me to continue my travels.
With My Camera, Toward the Light
My journey is far from over. As I search for a darkness deeper than the Pinnacles Desert, I will continue to travel.
Photo by masashi7069
Before I knew it, photographing stars had become the light illuminating my life.
I look forward to enjoying the journey of discovering places that surpass that night sky.
INFORMATION
Japanese based in Bangkok, Thailand since 2018 / cizucu Certified Creator / Loves capturing travel and everyday landscapes. Recently fascinated by starry skies.
cizucu: masashi7069
Instagram: @masashi7069
