1. Please introduce yourself. Who are you? What do you do? How long have you been into photography? 

Enriqué Ekoga, I’m an RF/microwave engineer and amateur photographer based in Brussels. I don’t
really know when I started photography but, it was by taking random photos with my phone
like a lot of people. I discovered Flickr in 2008 which exposed me to a huge and diverse style
of photography. This is when my interest for photography really started, it slowly grew in me
every year and here I am now.

2. In one sentence, please describe what you captured in this shot.

It’s a photo of the Milky Way aligned with Le Mont Blanc and a lake in the French alps.

3. Why did you select this photo to share?

I have chosen this photo because it’s one of my most accomplished photo in terms of
planning, composition and post-processing. I planned this photo weeks in advance but, I had
to refine my planning through time to be sure to have the good alignment of the Milky Way,
the good visibility and the good weather. I had to be there at the right time.
I took my time on site to do some scouting for the best spot the day I took this picture
because it was my first time at this location.

4. What style of photography would you describe this as and do you typically take photographs in this style? 

It’s landscape photography, although I think it’s also astrophotography but, I’m not
sure. So, let’s say landscape photography. This is my favourite photography style, most of my photos are landscape and I somehow always associate it with travel.

5. When and where was this photo taken? 

This photo was taken on the 1st of September 2021 at the lac des Chéserys in France.

6. Was anyone with you when you took this photo?

I went there alone but, there were other people who were also camping with their tents.

7. What equipment (hardware and software) did you use?

I used a Nikon D800E with a Tokina 16-28mm lens, a Manfrotto Befree tripod. For the
software side, I used Photopills to plan this photo. By the way, this is one of the best
applications I’ve ever bought. I also used a weather application and Clear Outside which is an
application to check the cloud coverage. It’s more accurate than a weather application in my
opinion.

8. What drew you to take this photo? 

I’m not sure I have a clear answer to that question. I like landscape photography and I only
had the opportunity to take the Milky Way in the mountains once, it was the year before. I
wasn’t really satisfied, so I wanted to do better. I also wanted to go camping in the mountains.

9. How many attempts did it take to get this shot? How long did it take you to get one that you were satisfied with? 

It took me one attempt during which I took several photos. Once I had found the best spot,
which I did around sunset, I came back to this spot roughly 30 minutes before the alignment
of the Milky Way with the mountain, then everything started. I wasn’t sure I had a good
photo so I took a lot of them. It was not something I wanted to miss since it’s a once in a
year opportunity for me. For this type of photo which requires me to travel, I always have this random feeling that the photo is not good enough. This is why I shoot the same scene several time with different
parameters. Too much is never enough in this situation.

10. Did you edit (or do any post-processing/production on) this photo?

Yes, I did. I used Lightroom and Photoshop. I also had to be patient during this phase. Not
stopping the editing and not publishing too quick. I did several rounds of editing during
several days until I was fully satisfied.

11. What encouraged you to share this photo online and with others? 

I shared it on Flickr because it’s the only place where I share my photos, it’s the only one I
need for now. As an amateur photographer, I like the process of taking photos for fun and
for me but, I also want to show my work to people. The exposure and feedback I have here
are enough for the moment.

12. Did you learn anything in the process of taking, editing, or sharing this photo?

A good preparation is important before, a good observation coupled with patience during,
and again patience and observation are needed after – during the processing. This is my recipe
for a perfect photo.

13. Do you remember what you had for breakfast (or lunch or dinner) the day you took this
photo?

Maybe fruits in the morning but, I rarely eat in the morning, I don’t remember what I had for
lunch and for dinner I think I had a was dry sausage, bread… I was up there for one night, so I
was able to be relaxed with the food I brought.

14. What would you like people to take away from this photo?

I don’t really know! That if I can do it then you can do it, that is beautiful up there, that it’s a
constant learning process and there is always room for improvement, that gears don’t do
everything.

15. Is there any feedback that you’d like to get on this shot?

Yes, I would like to know if it’s really a good photo and what makes it good! Don’t get me
wrong I’m convinced that I did a good, job and it’s still one of my favourite photos but, the
more I look at it, the less I’m impressed. The wow effect is not here anymore. Also, the more
I see other photos on Flickr the more I find mine to be poorly processed and too flawed.
But every feedback is appreciated, especially if it’s argued because it helps to improve my
craft.

Side note here: Marcus Danz is without a doubt a person who pushed me to improve with
his detailed comments, including on this one where he pointed out the fact that my tent on
the top left of the photo was a distraction for the eyes. So, if you read this, Thank you
Marcus.

16. How can anyone reading this support your work?

By visiting my photo stream on Flickr here and by giving me any feedback that could help me to improve.

About Enriqué Ekoga

Enriqué Ekoga (he/him) is an extremely talented amateur photographer who likes to take photos during his travels to have unique and unforgettable memories.