Posted by Erik Aagaard on October 6, 2009 at 11:18 AM
While camping near Owl Creek Pass last week, I unzipped my tent opening and was greeted with the sight of amazingly bright stars framed by the curve of my tent. I thought it was really cool and attempted to capture it here. I illuminated the tent opening briefly with my headlamp. What do you think?
Posted by Erik Aagaard on October 6, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Then I actually got out of my sleeping bag and found the Milky Way. I guess I'm amazed how will the sensor of my Canon 5D picked all this up!
Posted by Kurt Bowman on October 6, 2009 at 11:26 AM
I like both shots, but the trees really add to the first shot. I am not so sure I like the inclusion of the tent though. Without the story you gave us, would the viewer even understand what it is?
Posted by Joseph Kayne on October 6, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Nifty! O'Keeffe has a painting like the first one!
Joe.
Posted by Brian Jackson on October 6, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Way cool. And you got the Andromeda Galaxy in the shot as well.
Posted by Todd Caudle on October 6, 2009 at 11:58 AM
I agree w/Kurt. Is this 5d 1 or 2?
Posted by Paul Wegemann on October 6, 2009 at 12:04 PM
I like them both. I'm also not sure about the tent, but I love the trees in the first one.
Both are cool shots! I agree about the first one, maybe if the tent was more in focus it would help.
Posted by Dan Walters on October 6, 2009 at 12:08 PM
That second image is amazing!!
Posted by bill meikle on October 6, 2009 at 12:26 PM
I like them both and would take the tent out of the first one. And I can never find the Milky Way!
Posted by Erik Aagaard on October 6, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Thanks, all. You know, it is so easy to get emotionally involved in your own photos and not see their weaknesses, so I appreciate the feedback immensely. I have another version where I didn't paint the tent; I will post that when I have a chance.
This was with the original 5D.
Posted by Kathryn Engle on October 6, 2009 at 2:03 PM
What settings did you use to do these pictures?
Posted by John Mumaw on October 6, 2009 at 2:18 PM
These are extraordinary! Including part of your tent really works well for envisioning your evening as you saw it. Great idea!
Please do share your camera settings and postprocess steps..
Posted by Erik Aagaard on October 6, 2009 at 3:07 PM
As I recall, both were with at ISO 1600 or 3200 for 30 seconds, using a 24mm f/2.8 lens wide open.
There wasn't a whole lot of postprocessing -- just some minor levels adjustments in Photoshop. This is pretty much how the RAW file looked.
I was really surprised at these results. I hadn't expected this much detail or clarity. I waited until the moon set, and the night was awfully clear; I just hadn't expected this to translate to the sensor.
Posted by Rajeev Thomas on October 7, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Erik.....amazing job!!! Beautifully done , one of the best view of Milky Way so far!!! Love the first one...it is almost like an abstract...
Discussion
16 repliesJoe.
This was with the original 5D.
Please do share your camera settings and postprocess steps..
There wasn't a whole lot of postprocessing -- just some minor levels adjustments in Photoshop. This is pretty much how the RAW file looked.
I was really surprised at these results. I hadn't expected this much detail or clarity. I waited until the moon set, and the night was awfully clear; I just hadn't expected this to translate to the sensor.