Until we reached Mud Village in Pin Valley, every clear night we hoped for ended the same way—clouds would roll in just as we finished setting up our equipment. After several disappointing nights, finally seeing a crystal-clear sky felt like a reward in itself.

The only place with an unobstructed view was the mud terrace of our homestay. Reaching it meant making several trips up a narrow ladder with all our camera gear, and once everything was in place, we had to walk carefully because even the slightest footsteps would shake the mud floor and disturb the setup.

As the temperature dropped, the valley fell completely silent except for the distant sound of the Pin River echoing through the mountains. Standing beneath one of the darkest skies I had ever seen, watching the Milky Way rise above the Himalayas, every struggle suddenly felt worthwhile.

This photograph is more than a memory of a beautiful night. It’s a reminder that the most rewarding images are often the ones you have to work the hardest for.

Gears Used

📷 Sony A7IIIa

🔭 Sigma 24-70 f2.8 DG DN Art lens @24mm

⚙️ Skywatcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro

🔭 Leofoto LS-285 C Tripod

⏲️ Aodelan Intervalometer

Capture Details

⚪ 15 Frames x 60 Seconds

🔊 ISO 640 | F2.8

🗻 Foreground shot in Blue Hour

📍Location: Mud, Pin Valley, Himachal Pradesh

⬆️ Altitude: 12500 Feet

🌌 Sky Bortle Scale: 1

✨ SQM: 21.98

🌤 Weather Condition: Clear, Chilly and Windy

Processing Details

Stacked in Sequator

Post Processing in Photoshop