A breathtaking astrophotography image captured with a decade-old Canon 5D Mark III DSLR has earned Taiwanese photographer Shang Yao-Yuan bronze recognition in the Nature/Astrophotography category of the Tokyo International Foto Awards 2025. The award-winning photograph, titled "Milky Way On The Hill," demonstrates that cutting-edge equipment isn't always necessary to create compelling celestial imagery.
The striking image features a golden, illuminated hill that bears a remarkable resemblance to Japan's iconic Mount Fuji, crowned by the luminous arc of the Milky Way stretching across a star-filled sky. However, the scene wasn't captured in Japan but rather on a seashore with desert terrain that happened to echo the silhouette of one of Asia's most photographed landmarks. Shang recalls the magical moment when everything came together: "I found a hill that looked a lot like Mount Fuji on the seashore with desert terrain. Suddenly, Japanese music started to play in the nearby villages and the Milky Way just happened to rise. I had the illusion of being in a foreign country."
The technical execution of the photograph showcases the enduring capabilities of older DSLR technology. Shot on July 3, 2024, using the Canon EOS 5D Mark III—a camera first released in 2012—the image employed a carefully calculated 25-second exposure at f/2.8 aperture with ISO 4000 settings. This combination walked a fine line between gathering substantial light from the Milky Way's faint nebulae while minimizing star trailing, a common challenge in astrophotography.
The choice of f/2.8 aperture suggests Shang was using a fast lens, likely from Canon's professional lineup, which proved crucial for maximizing light gathering while maintaining image quality. While modern mirrorless cameras might handle ISO 4000 with less noise, the 5D Mark III's full-frame 22.3-megapixel sensor remains highly capable in low-light conditions, particularly when proper technique is applied. The camera's weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, 61-point autofocus system, and exceptional battery life of 1,840 shots per charge make it a reliable tool for the demanding conditions of night photography.
From a compositional standpoint, the photograph expertly employs the classic rule of thirds, positioning the hill's peak in the lower third while allowing the Milky Way's core to sweep across the upper two-thirds of the frame. The galaxy's natural S-curve creates an effective leading line that draws the viewer's eye through the composition, while the hill's symmetrical form provides grounding that prevents the vast sky from overwhelming the frame.
This award-winning image serves as a powerful reminder of several important truths in photography. Success doesn't necessarily depend on having the latest and most expensive equipment, as demonstrated by Shang's use of technology that's over a decade old. The photograph also highlights the value of thorough location scouting and the importance of remaining open to unexpected moments that can transform a good image into an exceptional one.
In Shang's skilled hands, a camera from another technological era became not merely a light-recording instrument but a tool for expressing wonder and capturing unexpected beauty. The recognition at the Tokyo International Foto Awards 2025 validates that artistic vision and technical expertise can triumph over gear specifications, inspiring photographers worldwide to focus on craft over equipment when pursuing their creative goals.
