Episode #18 Chasing Rare Moments with Dark Sky Photographer Jeff Pfaller

Photographer Jeff Pfaller joins host Hava Gurevich to talk about dark sky photography and rare natural phenomena—aurora, the Milky Way, comets, eclipses, and more. Jeff shares how he moved from writing and advertising into photographing what cameras can reveal beyond human night vision, why he cares less about technical perfection than capturing the feeling of being there, and what it’s like to chase events where so much can go wrong. They discuss planning versus unpredictability, learning to embrace imperfect conditions, guiding trips for photographers and non-photographers alike, doing art fairs, and Jeff’s evolving definition of success—finding fulfilment in making the work, with selling as a way to keep doing more.Websitehttps://jeffpfaller.com/  Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/pfallerj*Shownotes*Jeff explains what “dark sky” means and how it relates to night conditions and environments without sunlight.How long exposures allow cameras to capture light and detail beyond what the human eye can see at night.Jeff’s background in writing and advertising, and how storytelling shaped his approach to photography.His early struggle to capture the feeling of travel experiences in photos rather than just documenting places.The moment he first photographed the Milky Way and became fascinated by what exists beyond normal perception.His experience seeing Yosemite’s firefall and the emotional impact of witnessing rare natural events.Why he focuses on capturing how a moment feels instead of technical perfection or photo-realism.The challenges of photographing rare phenomena such as eclipses, comets, and unpredictable weather conditions.The importance of embracing imperfect or unexpected conditions and finding beauty in them.Planning ahead by scouting locations in daylight and using apps to predict where celestial objects will appear.His perspective on gear and why he believes smartphones can be powerful tools for night photography.Balancing photography with a full-time remote role as a UX writer at Mozilla.Selling prints and wall art online, along with guided trips as a way to share experiences with others.Encouraging people to experience moments with their eyes first rather than focusing only on the photograph.The value of guided trips and witnessing others experience rare natural events for the first time.His focus on family, sharing these experiences with his children, and creating meaningful memories together.Why he chose art fairs as a way to connect with people and build relationships in person.Lessons from art fairs, including humility, rejection, and the importance of personal connection.How photography can trigger personal memories and emotions in viewers.His evolving definition of success, focusing on enjoyment of the creative process rather than outcomes.Viewing sales as a way to continue creating rather than as the primary measure of success.His journey from writing novels and scripts to making art for personal fulfillment.How people can find his work online and meet him at art fairs in the Midwest.