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: en-us Episodes: 100

Behind the Shot - Video
Podcast Episodes
StellaPro Reflex S Light Update [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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There are times when I see a photographer’s work that I have an emotional response, a feeling that I am seeing something special. That’s what happened the first time I browsed through Victoria Will’s website. Photo after…
Musical Wildlife [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:08
Regular watchers / listeners of the show will know Dave Williams. He’s a great friend, and amazing photographer, and he has a skill I value… an eye for great guests. In fact, he has connected me to more potential guests…
What to Expect from a Photo Critique [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:35
It never surprises me how often Scott Kelby’s name comes up when I am talking about photography with someone. I remember, back when I started out in photography, how much I learned from watching his videos with “The Phot…
10 Questions with… Don Komarechka [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:27
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What Goes Into Creating Launch Photos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:06
My guest today most likely needs no introduction. As Vice President of Operations for KelbyOne, Erik Kuna has been around the photography world for a long time, and he’s been on the show before, for the episode titled Sh…
Is This My New Favorite Light? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:43
A few years ago I was walking around the WPPI Expo floor with a friend, when he suggested we stop by the StellaPro Lights booth. This friend does some work with StellaPro Lights, a division of Light & Motion, and he thou…
Photographing Deep Within the Arctic Circle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:50
My guest for this show is none other than my buddy Dave Williams, making his third appearance on the show. On the chance that you haven’t seen the other two shows I did with Dave, “Aurora and the Night Sky” and “The Trav…
Elevated Toy Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:16
So, funny story… I get people pitch themselves for my show very often. It’s usually some bizarre pitch, for a subject matter that has zero to do with what my show actually is about. Sometimes it’s the potential guest ema…
F1: Through the Lens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:53
I get guest suggestions sent to me regularly, and this show is the result of one of those. Dave Kallmann messaged me on Twitter to suggest a few motorsports photographers, and that instantly intrigued me. Dave is a sport…