Shropshire Star

The Milky Way over Shropshire: County photographer captures stunning image

This unbelievable shot captures the Milky Way in a way unable to be seen by the human eye.

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The stunning image shows the night sky over Wildmoor, on the Long Mynd, and Shropshire photographer Andrew Fusek Peters said it was no easy feat. He said: "It took two years of research to get a shot like this.

Andrew Fusek Peters' photo of the Milky Way

"It is really long work. You need a specific type of camera, lenses and exposure. It is all about getting as much as you can out of the stars.

"In this image, it is a vertical panorama, it is more of the milky way than you would usually see in a normal photograph."

And while Mr Fusek Peters regularly gets questioned about the editing of his photographs, he says the best results come from merely spending a long time figuring out the right settings and understanding how to get the best shot.

The camera itself must also be much more sensitive, after that it is a case of sharpening up the image and bringing out the contrasts.

Here, he said the naked eye would not be able to see the stars in this way.

He said: "The sensitivity of the camera is giving you more towards the sensitivity of an owl.

"It is about giving the photograph a push, but not to the sense it is unreal."

As well as his shots of the stars at night, the 51-year-old has captured some of Shropshire's most stunning wildlife shots and caught animals in action.

His latest book, Wilderland, Wildlife & Wonder from the Shropshire Borders, shows some of his favourite shots taken from the county's landscapes.

Andrew Fusek Peters with his new book Wilderland

Mr Fusek Peters, from Lydbury North near Bishop's Castle, said it was a joy to keep discovering new treasures of the county.

He said: "It is wonderful when you discover these natural wonders.

"I have lived here all my life and experiencing it in this last three years photographically has been fantastic.

Dawn over the Long Mynd. Photo: Andrew Fusek Peters

"I have been able to photograph all sorts of things, from a leaping salmon to a kingfisher.

"It is a beautiful 160-page photographic book and it has had a great response.

A grey wagtail and its reflection. Photo: Andrew Fusek Peters

"I'm also doing a lot of work for the National Trust on the first guide book for the Long Mynd called Upland."

The work, for both the National Trust and Natural England, will also focus on Stepping Stones, a project to record species and landscape between the Stiperstones and the Long Mynd.

He said: "It will talk all about how the Mynd is opening up to people, whether they want to do paragliding, walking or photography.

"It is going to be a very open guide book and a bit more personal.

Close-up of a kingfisher. Photo: Andrew Fusek Peters

"I just think Shropshire is amazing, and we need to celebrate that.

"If you want landscape, wildlife, B&Bs, fantastic pubs – you name it, we have got it.

"I have lived here for most of my life, and I've fallen in love with Shropshire again."

And while Mr Fusek Peters said he would encourage people to get into photography, he warned it was no easy job.

He added: "I would always say my favourite thing to photograph is my next shot.

"I never know what is round the corner.

* For more information, including Mr Fusek Peters' upcoming work, visit www.andrewfusekpeters.com

A leaping salmon. Photo: Andrew Fusek Peters
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