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
Master of Light [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:35
I feel like I have been studying Joe McNally’s work since I first picked up a camera, so this should be the easiest show post I have ever done. He is an absolute master of light, and I own his “The Language of Light” Vol…
Making Better Action Photos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:49
David Bergman is a legend in the world of concert photography, and he is someone I have looked up to for a long time. That may be the best summary of David I can come up with, that I am a fan, and honored to call him a f…
The Power of a Photograph [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:38
I have the feeling that Sam Abell has more stories than almost any photographer you know. Thirty-four years as a staff and contract photographer at National Geographic tends to have that effect. Sam is an Ohio based teac…
Focus On The Moment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:57
I have followed Zack Whitford on Instagram for as long as I can remember, in fact I think he was one of the first I followed after joining Instagram. You know how you have photographers whose work you like because it mak…
Finding Your Creative Voice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:35
Usually, I struggle when I write these. To start with, I’m not a writer, but more importantly I want each post to convey to you how much I admire the guest I am writing about. Today however, I gained inspiration from my…
Extreme Composites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:41
Trying to write a post about Ryszard Horowitz has proven to be tougher than I had imagined. Ryszard Horowitz is a legend, literally. His life, and his journey through the art of photography, is almost impossible to disti…
The Traveling Photographer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:25
If you’ve been watching the show for a while then you may have seen the “Aurora and the Night Sky” episode with Dave Williams. Dave is a travel photographer, based out of London, and one of the most adventurous people I…
Blurring the Lines of Creativity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:38
I first met Australian music photographer Michelle G Hunder when she was a guest on the Sunday Night Photographer Hangouts I used to do with Adam Elmakias. We had such great time on those shows. After hanging out with Mi…
Real-World Use of the Canon EOS R3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:04
The Canon EOS R3 looks to be a beast of a camera. Like so many others, I want this camera, and like 99% of those people I won’t be buying one. Why? Because the Canon EOS R3 is for people like Jeff Cable. Ok, also because…
Focus on History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:26
Periodically I get a guest on Behind the Shot that makes me nervous. This episode is one of those moments. Wish me luck… David Hume Kennerly is a legend. In fact, I would wager money that other ‘legends’ look to David Hu…