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CJ Cooper

@cjcoope2

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“Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you could miss it.”

No other country on this earth feels like home quite like Iceland does.

#iceland #northernlights #landscape taken in Iceland by @cjcoope2

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a month ago

A year ago I thought I was taking some decent astrophotography photos.

Looking back I couldn’t have been more wrong.

This post is a reminder of just how much can change in a year.

The best part is that every single image here was taken with the same 14 year old Canon 6D and the same Sigma lens. No flashy new camera. No expensive upgrade in filters or tracking. Just time spent learning out (stumbling around) in the dark.

Learning how to perfectly focus in the dark. Planning around the weather and the moon instead of hoping for clear skies. Spending way too many late nights figuring out how to process an image without making it look fake. Going back to the same places and trying again.

Photography can very seriously humble you. Every time I look back at an old picture I notice something I would do differently today. That is what makes this hobby so fun. There is always something new to learn.

If you are just getting started, do not let your gear convince you that you cannot create images you are proud of. I promise that learning astrophotography by doing it whenever you see a cloudless night will take you much farther than buying the next big camera.

I am already looking forward to making this post again next year.

What is one photography skill you have improved the most over the past year?

#milkywaychasers #astrophoto #nightsky #nightscaper #photography taken in Bar Harbor, Maine by @cjcoope2

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3 months ago

📍Grandview Overlook, near Boone, NC.

Slight inversion to start the day off.

#landcape #inversion #mountains taken in Grandview Overlook by @cjcoope2

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3 days ago

In my opinion, the best view in all of Iceland.

Nikon Z6ii + 20mm 1.8s

#iceland #pakgil #landscape taken in Vik, Iceland by @cjcoope2

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9 days ago

Iceland as seen from Dyrholaey. One of the best views on this entire planet.

#iceland #blacksandbeach #landscape taken in Dyrhólaey by @cjcoope2

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19 days ago

Be sure to always sit on the right side of the plane on the return trip from Iceland to the US! taken in Greenland by @cjcoope2

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a month ago

📍Brúarfoss, Bláskógabyggð, Iceland

#iceland #icelandwaterfalls #landscape taken in Bruarfoss Waterfall by @cjcoope2

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a month ago

📍Þakgil Campground, Iceland

#iceland #icelandlandscape #þakgil taken in Þakgil Camping Ground by @cjcoope2

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a month ago

📍Kerlingardalsvegur, Vik, Iceland

#iceland #þakgil #icelandicnature taken in Þakgil by @cjcoope2

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a month ago

📍Newport Cove, Acadia National Park

Was driving around looking for a spot and saw two guys with red headlamps setting up. Knew they were on to something. Got to spend 2 hours talking while waiting for headlights to go away.

For anyone going to Acadia, you can’t see the Milky Way inside of your car😂

#acadia #acadianationalpark #barharbor #maine #protectournationalparks taken in Acadia National Park, Maine by @cjcoope2

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3 months ago

📍Eagle Lake Carriage Road

July 15, 2026

Intense airglow is something we aren’t too used to n in the south, adds a great effect to Milky Way shots though!

#acadia #acadianationalpark #astrophoto #milkyway taken in Eagle Lake, Acadia National Park by @cjcoope2

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3 months ago

A night on the Otter Cliffs.

#acadianationalpark #nationalparks #protectnature taken in Otter Cliffs - Acadia National Park by @cjcoope2

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3 months ago