A Universe in All of Us

An interview with Mihail Minkov

Mihail Minkov won 1st Prize in our Night Life competition with an image judge Rebecca Morse described as “the moment just before transcendence”. Keen to know more about the circumstances behind the image, and Mihail’s passion for astrophotography, we put some questions to him…

Congratulations on winning our Night competition. What did you make of judge Rebecca Morse’s comments?

Winning this competition is such an incredible honor! I can’t believe my shots really stood out to the judge, Rebecca Morse, and that she was able to understand and connect with my artistic vision so deeply. Her comments made me feel really proud of my work. Being recognized on a global level is a great indicator that I am on the right path, and I am excited to see where my journey takes me next. Thank you again for this incredible opportunity!

Can you tell us a little more about the image itself – the story behind it and how you achieved the final result?

I had the perfect opportunity to capture a stunning shot during the holidays. With my wife’s mother visiting, I took my wife out for some alone time. She grabbed a thin sheer dress with us despite the freezing weather, and we headed to a location I had in mind. After an hour of capturing sky shots with my star tracker, we had dinner and listened to music while waiting for the right moment. Finally, I found the perfect spot for the shot, a clean line between the cliffs, sky, and my wife. She changed into her thin dress, and I snapped away while light-painting behind her.

We didn’t have a chance to check the shots until we got home, but we weren’t happy with the result. The next day, we headed out again, and I found an even better spot. This time, I captured the winter night sky with the Cygnus region and Andromeda galaxy in the background. In just 15 minutes, we got the perfect shot with the right composition, pose, and lighting. I was thrilled with the final result, a balanced and stunning shot with my wife in focus and sharp stars behind.

Light painting can sometimes feel a little corny, but you manage to create something very creative and unusual here. Did it take a lot of practicing? And have you experimented with other light painting concepts?

For the last four years, night photography has been my passion, and whenever I had the chance, I took my wife out to experiment with light painting. It’s all about practice and having a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Like any creative work, you need to make mistakes to get better. With light painting, it’s all about experimentation, and the more you practice, the better you become. So, yes, I have experimented with other light painting concepts, but this one, in particular, was special to me, and I’m glad it resonated with the judges.

Night photography is your specialty. How did you first get into it, and realize that it was this area that most inspired and engaged you?

Photography has been a part of my life since my teenage years when my father gave me my first analog camera with film. I later switched to the Russian classic Zenith and then bought my first DSLR digital camera. At the time, I was only shooting for fun and didn’t know much about technical parameters such as aperture, speed, and ISO. Being a graduate of a school of art, I mainly focused on composition to express myself through photography. But four years ago, I decided to take a photography class to learn more about the technical aspects.

After the course, I was unsure about what to photograph – weddings, landscapes, or wildlife? Meanwhile, my daughter Aya was born, and my wife and I were consumed with caring for our new addition. Naturally, the only time I could go out to shoot was after they both fell asleep. I still remember my first Milky Way shot. It was a quiet night in March, and I was walking along the beach, searching for the perfect spot. The smell of the sea, the sound of the gentle waves, and the stars above me were all so magical. When I pressed the shutter button, I knew I had captured something special.

And where do you draw your inspiration from? Maybe other photographers and artists, or maybe more leftfield areas…

My inspiration comes from various sources. I always have new ideas for night photography and I keep them organized in a notebook so I don’t forget them. Sometimes, I travel for hours just to capture the perfect shot. Additionally, I follow many nightscape photographers from all over the world, and I’m always in contact with some of them, exchanging ideas and tips. I believe the best thing about the astrophotography community is the willingness to share knowledge. Learning and improving my skills is an ongoing journey without a final destination, and I find it essential to share what I’ve learned with others.

And on your website you note the “element of surprise”. Unlike many forms of photography which are about capturing what the eye sees, night photography enables us to capture what the eyes cannot – what’s invisible to them. Is this what keeps you coming back for more?

I’ve been fascinated with the stars since I was a child. The night sky always left me in awe, and my curiosity about the cosmos only grew as I got older. I truly believe that there’s a small universe hidden inside each of us, while at the same time, we’re all a part of the greater cosmos around us. When you think about it, everything – from planets to the smallest grain – is made up of the same materials, atoms.

Astrophotography provides a way for me to escape the constant chatter of my mind and to fully immerse myself in the present moment. There is a sense of inner and outer calmness during these times that I can’t find anywhere else. However, the rewards of seeing the results on my camera display make it all worth it. Lastly, the magic of astrophotography lies in its ability to reveal details and colors that are often invisible to the naked eye. This sense of surprise and wonder is what makes me feel alive and happy. For me, it’s the ultimate form of freedom.

What’s your favorite night photography tip you could pass on to other enthusiasts?

As an astrophotographer, I have learned countless lessons along the way, but there are a few that stand out. Firstly, I have come to understand that mistakes are often the best teachers. Through my curiosity, effort, and passion, I have learned everything I know about astrophotography. Secondly, my first two years of shooting, I was out at least two or three times a month, experimenting and making plenty of mistakes. However, as time has passed, I have learned to prioritize quality over quantity. Thirdly, I used to struggle to motivate myself to leave my warm bed, family, and drive for hours in the middle of the night to capture photos. And finally, first invest in yourself, do not buy the best and most expensive equipment as a beginner. Learn to shoot, learn about the composition, editing, colour grading and what you can achieve in general. Then after few years of experience, you can reward your self with the best lens, or the best camera, as you will be able to fully take advantage of the features it has.

Do you have another favorite shot you could share with us and tell us a bit about – one you’re particularly proud of?

One of my most memorable shoots was in 2020 during the pandemic when there was a planet alignment with a moon rise under the Milky Way arch [Ed: See above]. I was lucky enough to have access to the beach and the weather was perfect, so I captured a spectacular image. It was a huge achievement when NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day shared it. Overall, I enjoy being creative and capturing the beauty of the universe with my camera.

And finally, what are your plans for 2023?

I’m not one to plan ahead, especially with the uncertainty brought about by the pandemic. Being a father of two, it’s hard to make long-term plans. I do have some ideas for 2023, but I’m open to whatever comes up. The most important thing for me is to enjoy the whole process of creating from ideation to shooting, editing, and printing.