Photographing the Milky Way

Photographing the Milky Way

Author: Steve Brazill September 10, 2020 Duration: 57:36

I have met more photographers through Twitter than any other platform, and Jeff Harmon is one of those photographers. The wonderful part about Twitter to me is that I can reach out to people I might have never met before social media. It’s like being able to text someone whose number you might never have.

In the case of Jeff, that social media conduit has led to me learning a lot about photography, and the tools and processes behind it.

Jeff Harmon is a Utah based “hobbyist photographer”, along with his wife Suzie, but the term “hobbyist” is clearly mis-leading. Like so many other photographers I know, Jeff is an I.T pro, with a degree in Computer Science to prove it. He spent 20 years as a developer, and for the past 5 years he’s been doing Information Security – designing controls to keep the bad guys out of systems.

Photography is his passion, and as you will see below, Jeff seems to attack his passion with….. ummmm… passion. Since 2015 he has been podcasting about photography, sharing the things the processes and technical info he’s learned along the way. This “hobbyist” knows more about photography, and the systems we use to create our art, than many of the pros I know that call me for tech help. Today Jeff is involved with two photography related podcasts. Master Photography is a weekly show he does with a few other photographers, and the Photo Taco podcast where he breaks down technical topics into a language an average photographer can understand. I was honored to be a guest on Photo Taco in April of 2019.

Join photographer and podcaster Jeff Harmon and me as we dive deep into how captured this 40 image stack of the Milky Way, on this episode of Behind the Shot.

Connect with Jeff

Portfolio: jsharmonphotos.com
Instagram: @harmonjeff
Twitter: @harmon_jeff
Facebook: @harmon.jeff

Photo Taco Podcast

Website: phototacopodcast.com
Steve on Photo Taco: Concert Photography Tips With Steve Brazill
Facebook Group: @phototaco
Discord: discord.gg/QhQ4zcT
Instagram: @phototacopodcast
Twitter: @phototaco

Master Photography Podcast

Website: masterphotographypodcast.com
Facebook Group: @ImprovePhotographyListeners
Instagram: @masterphotographypodcast

Jeff’s Print Store

Deep Herriman Sky: jsharmonphotos.com/landscapes/eec4b5247

Jeff’s Photographer Suggestion

Nick Page: nickpagephotography.com

Apps Mentioned in the Show

PhotoPills: photopills.com
Sequator: sites.google.com/site/sequatorglobal
Starry Landscape Stacker: Mac App Store


Steve Brazill hosts Behind the Shot-Video, a series that goes far beyond gear lists and camera settings. Each conversation is a deep exploration of the creative and technical journey behind compelling images. You’ll hear working photographers unpack the entire process-from the initial spark of an idea and the challenges of the location to the critical decisions made in post-production. This podcast sits at the unique intersection of art and practical technology, offering tangible lessons for anyone looking to improve their visual storytelling. Rather than abstract theory, these discussions provide a real-world look at problem-solving under pressure and the artistic choices that define a signature style. Tune in for honest, detailed breakdowns that reveal how memorable shots are truly built, layer by layer. It’s an essential resource for visual artists seeking both inspiration and actionable knowledge, all grounded in the lived experience of accomplished creators.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 200

Behind the Shot - Video
Podcast Episodes
Remote Cameras at Weddings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
I’ve always been fascinated by the use of Remote Cameras, but it’s not something I’ve had the chance to try, unfortunately. The last time I cover it on the show was on the episode Using Remote Cameras with Canon Explorer…
Elevating Your Photojournalism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
There have been so many times that I’ve made a mental note that I need to include more photojournalism on the show, only to have a mental dog eat my homework. Finally, today, I am checking that off the list. Still, if I’…
Music & Tour Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
To say I’m excited for today’s show is a huge understatement. I first met today’s guest 6 years ago, when our mutual friend Adam Elmakias asked us both to help him with his Live Music Photography Workshop. I’m sure you k…
Light Up Your Adventure Photos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:16
Over the last few years I have been lucky enough to have the agency Wonderful Machine suggest a few photographers for the show, and every single time I’ve been blown away by the level of artists that they represent. Toda…
Light Painting Abandoned Places [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:30
For this show, we have a returning guest, night photographer Ken Lee. I’ve known Ken for awhile, and the way he ended up as a guest for the show Capturing the Slowing of Time is one of my fave Behind the Shot stories. Ke…
Bird Photography Tips & Tricks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:53
I sometimes wonder, while writing these guest photographer posts, how many listeners or viewers actually read them. The truth is it doesn’t matter to me, I write them for myself more than anyone else, and I find that try…
Canon Auto-Focus Explained – 2025 Update [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:10:53
NOTE: This is not an official Canon USA show. This is a podcast first and foremost, available in both audio-only or video, and the video is also placed on YouTube. My hope is that by going through all of the AF options o…
Growing Through Personal Photography Projects [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:59
LA based photographer Ian Spanier has been on the show a few times, with the first being back in 2019 for a conversation about Classic Portraits & Classic Lighting, discussing a portrait of actor Jeff bridges. Next up wa…
Backstage Portraits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:56
Social media today can be so draining, but almost daily I am reminded of the wonderful connections I’ve made there, and today’s guest is a perfect example. Jenn Devereaux is a New Orleans area concert and event photograp…
Using the New Canon R1 & R5 Mark II [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:36
I’m a Canon shooter… I shoot an R6 and an R5. So, I have been curious about the new Canon R1, and a little less so about the R5 Mark II. Still, I had written off watching the announcement, because it was at something lik…