Last months topic was Nighttime Shots and we give this months cover photograph of "A quiet night in the San Rafael Swell." comes from the very talented photographer Guy Tal. It was a really hard choice BTW the stuff submitted was really outstanding. Great job everybody.
Congrats to Guy again!
Hope you dont mind Guy that I posted your picture here.
I camped about 100 yards from this tree while scouting for workshop locations in the San Rafael Swell, and decided to try the star-trail shot. However, the moon wasn't scheduled to set until about 10PM or so so I expected to start my exposure a couple of hours after that (this plan will later change...)
Just after sunset, I set up my 4x5 Wista, using the last light to focus very precisely on the tree, knowing I would not be able to do it in the dark. This was especially important since I had to shoot wide open (f/5.6) to make sure the stars registered properly on the film.
About 10 minutes after the moon set, I noticed that some stars were already visible and there was a very faint glow on the horizon. I decided to start the exposure sooner than originally planned to make use of the glow, hoping it was faint enough that the stars will still show. The red cast is a result of the faint moon glow and the use of Velvia 100F.
I started the exposure and went to bed, got up 5 hours later to close the shutter (temps were in the teens... it took a lot to get out of the sleeping bag and walk out to the camera). Previously, I placed a kearn about 10 yards away from the camera to remind me to turn off the headlamp before I got too close.
That's about it. I do wish that bush on the lower right wasn't there...
Guy
Posted by Rene Pirolt on April 21, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Discussion
14 repliesCongrats to Guy again!
Hope you dont mind Guy that I posted your picture here.
I knew it was over when I saw this shot...fabulous!
Pam
Guy - care to tell us how you got the colorful sky with star trails?
Guy
Monte
I have never tried to shoot star-trails. Would you mind sharing some technical details?
Here's the play by play:
I camped about 100 yards from this tree while scouting for workshop locations in the San Rafael Swell, and decided to try the star-trail shot. However, the moon wasn't scheduled to set until about 10PM or so so I expected to start my exposure a couple of hours after that (this plan will later change...)
Just after sunset, I set up my 4x5 Wista, using the last light to focus very precisely on the tree, knowing I would not be able to do it in the dark. This was especially important since I had to shoot wide open (f/5.6) to make sure the stars registered properly on the film.
About 10 minutes after the moon set, I noticed that some stars were already visible and there was a very faint glow on the horizon. I decided to start the exposure sooner than originally planned to make use of the glow, hoping it was faint enough that the stars will still show. The red cast is a result of the faint moon glow and the use of Velvia 100F.
I started the exposure and went to bed, got up 5 hours later to close the shutter (temps were in the teens... it took a lot to get out of the sleeping bag and walk out to the camera). Previously, I placed a kearn about 10 yards away from the camera to remind me to turn off the headlamp before I got too close.
That's about it. I do wish that bush on the lower right wasn't there...
Guy
Thank you for the detailed info.