Repost + Twilight at Tatoosh
by Sairam Sundaresan
I made this image while waiting for the sun to rise up in Paradise. It was perhaps the most incredible array of wildflowers I've ever seen. This is a focus stack and while the wind was mild, it still made it pretty darn impossible to get everything to stay still. Once the sun rose, I'm pretty sure I heard a bear run down the mountain behind me. All in all, it was a pretty amazing morning!
The image with the stars were taken earlier.
Appreciate your thoughts on this.
~Sairam
Comments
16 commentsGreat job with this! Yeah, I've learned how the focus stacking can be problematic when there's movement, but any issues aren't really noticeable unless you're looking at this 100% or putting your nose in a big print. This sure looks great here. I like the amount of light in the flowers and landscape, which helps make this work with the night sky.
The only observation I have is that the stars seem off. I guess it's because it's at twilight and there just aren't as many that are visible? I know they're real because you can tell with movement of the stars, probably 20-30 second exposure. And I guess it's random that there are no stars near the edge? I'm being picky here, but having just a little trouble with the night sky. But not so much I can't enjoy this image.
Lon
Ed
Lon, I see where you're coming from. The stars were taken way ahead of sunrise, so I had to tone the number down to an acceptable level by cloning out excess ones. I could go fewer than these, but I feel that may leave the sky a bit too blank?
Here's a repost that's less blue and a tad more brighter. Let me know what you think
Thank you for the explanation. It makes sense what I'm seeing now. I understand what you tried to accomplish knowing that the stars and landscape were photographed with some length of time difference between the two. Honestly, for me, I think cloning out some stars almost has a similar effect of cloning in stars.... it's not looking so natural. Then again, understand the dilema that a purely night sky wouldn't look natural on a landscape that has light - although we've seen moonlit landscapes as well.
I guess I would just be curious what an unaltered sky would look like. You can always play with exposure to balance the light.
I think I prefer the original in terms of lightness and exposure. Thanks for reposting
Lon
Didn't see the repost at first: Original post works best for me. That mood is wonderful.
Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
For my own particular taste I'd consider dropping Saturation (in Photoshops "Color" Blend mode so that tones don't change) maybe 5-10 pts. Still awesome as is.
The only thing about the sky to me is the beginning of star trails looks like lens coma but only a slight nit. I say either trails or no trails when it comes to stars.
Mark, do you reckon it's still saturated in the repost?
Brad, my thoughts exactly. It's very difficult to choose how dark to leave something and ensure that it will be seen.
Albert Darmo
Canada
The dark nighttime feel in this image works wonderfully well for myself. I am sure you have heard this reference, but there isa wonderful dream like quality tot his capture. The blues look great for myself, and I like the original post because it feels more like a night capture. The sky is just sup[erb as well, and the focus stack looks good at this size.
Sweet view bro