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Under the Milky Way

Discussion

9 replies
Posted by Rudy Ruberti on September 2, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Under the Milky Way
I took my daughter backpacking two weeks ago and we tried the method used by Floris, Marc A., etc. to create this version of our camp site at Hungry Packer Lake. There was no moon, so we didn't have to wait too long for the stars to come out. The first shot was taken at 8:18 and the second at 9:34pm. Shortly after the second shot, clouds moved in and the stars disappeared. The clouds also added a little color to the sky and blocked out some stars in the lower left corner. The next night consisted of a constant downpour, so no more night shots on that trip.
Thanks,
Rudy
D700, 24-70mm
f13 @ 33s, ISO 1000
f2.8 @ 57s, ISO 3200
Posted by Steve Sieren on September 3, 2009 at 12:57 AM
Wow! Rudy this is one fantastic image. I really like the Milky Way. 20 secs maybe 25 secs is longest you can go and keep the stars the way the human eye sees them just as dots with no movement. I'm finding everything besides the sky just a little too dark though so besides that nice work.
Posted by Rudy Ruberti on September 3, 2009 at 2:20 AM
Thanks Steve, here's a brighter version.
Posted by Steve Sieren on September 3, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Much better Rudy, I can make out the important distinct lines now.
Posted by Eric Good on September 3, 2009 at 1:47 PM
The repost is looking pretty good. I personally would prefer the stars to be a little sharper, but I do enjoy the look and feel of the image as presented. Nice work!
Posted by Michael Schlansker on September 3, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Rduy,

Excellent shot. The repost certainly helps. Can you post a link or search string to help me find Floris' & Marc's description of the method that you used.

Thanks
Mike.
Posted by Harley Goldman on September 3, 2009 at 6:41 PM
I like the repost. Very other-worldly. Good stuff.
Posted by Rudy Ruberti on September 3, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Mike, try this: http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=vp&pr=127607&CGISESSID=f868abb225411b05003da31ac56e5250&u=14407
Posted by Floris van Breugel on September 3, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Very nice Rudy, looks like one heck of a place to camp! I like the increase in luminosity in the repost, but the mountain looks a little pasted in. This might be because of the white balance different, I would suggest playing with the white balance of the sky and mountain to try to get them a little closer together. Often times shots at night (after the visible blue glow is gone) end up much warmer than they should be.

Mike - here's a link to my article: http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0509/fv0509-1.html
Posted by Cory Freeman on September 4, 2009 at 5:47 PM
cool shot of the MW!