Alps night sky (repost with brightening)

Gallery: LandscapePosted September 17, 2010214 views10 comments

Made this image during a hike in the nearby mountains of Swiss Alps. This image was made after dusk from 3 exposures (ISO3200 for the sky, and couple of lower ISOs for the rest).

Have seen quite some night images but what might be different here (if at all so) is that the reflection of the moon-lit mountain + sky in the still waters.

Larger version attached. Please see the larger version.

Techs:
Nikon D300, Nikkor 12-24mm, tripod.
Blends from:
f/4, 10s, ISO3200
f/5.6, 81s, ISO400
f/16, 16 minutes, ISO200

All suggestions to improve are most welcome.

Edit: The smaller web version makes it look too dark. Please view large.

Edit: Click here to view a slightly brightened version.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Greg Maklae on September 17, 2010 at 6:02 AM

The larger version is a real winner. Fantastic detail of the mountains. Like the reflection of the stars in the water.

Registered on November 18, 2008, 170 Posts, 759 Comments

Comment posted by Rodney Johnson on September 17, 2010 at 9:16 AM

The larger version is really nice but I would sure be tempted to lighten up the mountains and the reflection a bit more. It's hard for me to not want to see just a bit more of the detail.

Registered on October 5, 2006, 25 Posts, 152 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on September 17, 2010 at 9:24 AM

The larger version is definitely better, especially in a dark room. (The small version closed down with resizing and lost a lot of the nuances in the darker areas.) It has a real night time feel to it and works well.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on September 17, 2010 at 10:52 AM

This is really well done. The larger version is so peaceful. I wish that there were more stars in the sky but the reflection is quite cool.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on September 17, 2010 at 11:46 AM

Yes, you do have to look at the large version. It is pretty dark (thats what happens at night)

but I sure enjoy the stars and the reflection is really nice. Maybe just a little lighter on the mountains, not really sure because it seems to work pretty well. Seems very relaxing to look at the large version to me.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by David W. Kelly on September 17, 2010 at 5:12 PM

You have to see the larger image to appreciate this. Thanks for posting it. Great image.

Registered on October 7, 2005, 883 Posts, 6590 Comments

Comment posted by Paul DeCesare on September 18, 2010 at 1:19 AM

I turned off my desk lamp, loaded the larger version, and WOW, was that a peaceful beautiful image. There may be some monitors that can't display the subtilties (sp?) of the terra firma which is a shame, because this is truly well done, a great departure from Saturation Slam 101. It may have to be lightened a little for printing, but onscreen you have a winner.

Registered on August 31, 2007, 29 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on September 18, 2010 at 2:40 AM

I appreciate the fact that it looks natural--so one can relate to it. Problem for me is that its just one of those subjects that dont convey well in a photo--its just too dark overall to make a strong impression.

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Balakumar Kaushik on September 18, 2010 at 3:22 AM

Thank you all for the feedback.
I'm posting a slightly brightened version here.
Please let me know of your thoughts on this one.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 98 Posts, 1403 Comments

Comment posted by Grant Collier on September 19, 2010 at 9:36 PM

I much prefer the lighter version. I might prefer it to be a little lighter still, but it really comes down to personal preference.

Registered on July 29, 2005, 73 Posts, 430 Comments