We embarked on an expedition into the expansive Rann of Kutch, aiming to discover the ideal foreground for our Milky Way photography. Amidst the desolate terrain, a solitary, desiccated tree seized our attention with its tenacity and resilience. Intrigued by its fortitude, we arranged our equipment to capture its symbolic strength against the backdrop of the Milky Way. The sky enveloped us in darkness, broken only by sporadic jackal calls, crafting a mesmerizing atmosphere. Above us, the Milky Way shone brilliantly, providing the perfect finishing touch to the picture. The tree depicted in the image is locally referred to as the “Gando Baval” (Mad Tree). Introduced to the region in 1880 to curb the expansion of the sodic Rann of Kutch into the Banni grasslands, it was intended to mitigate soil salinity. However, its invasive nature has led to its proliferation across vast areas, encroaching upon the pastoral grasslands of the Banni region in Kutch. Nonetheless, it also boasts several beneficial applications.

Gears Used
Canon 5D Mark iv DSLR
Samyang 14mm F2.8 Lens
Skywatcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro Tracker
Leofoto 285C tripod

Milky way
Stacked 5 Frames x 180 Seconds Exposure (Tracked)
ISO 640 | F2.8

Foreground
For Landscape
8 Seconds Exposure x 4 Frames
ISO 640 | F5.6
Light painted using Ulanzi VL-49 RGB Light

Stacked in Sequator
Processed in Lightroom and Photoshop