Torch light vs Zodiacal Light

[douggyi (Doug)]

(Thanks Mark Gee for the idea for the caption). A single-frame image, shot at Wattamolla Beach in the Royal National Park, 19km as-the-crow-flies south of Sydney and 25km atcf north of Wollongong. I'm surprised at how little light pollution there is in the shot considering the proximity of the location to both cities.

Despite having been interested in astronomy since I was 14, this was the first time I'd seen or photographed the Zodiacal Light. Working upward from the horizon, the Zodiacal Light beams across Mercury, the Galactic Core and almost makes it to Saturn, sitting just off the claws of Scorpius.

Canon EOS 6D, Samyang 14mm @ f/2.8, 10 sec exposure @ ISO3200. Processed in Lightroom & Photoshop CC. I haven't had a chance to denoise it yet but might leave it as is for now due to other demands on my time. Thanks for looking.

[RobF (Rob)]

Absolutely love this Doug!
Great work. Technically a great shot, and top points for creativity.

Rob

[douggyi (Doug)]

Thanks, Rob. I appreciate the compliment. It encourages me and helps to make the fact that I lost my keys there on the beach a little less painful.

Originally Posted by RobF

Absolutely love this Doug!
Great work. Technically a great shot, and top points for creativity.

Rob

[iceman (Mike)]

BEautiful! Nice work!

[douggyi (Doug)]

Originally Posted by iceman

BEautiful! Nice work!

Thanks, Mike. That means a lot coming from you and wouldn't be the shot that it is if not for your tutorials and tips over the past couple of years.

[dannat (Daniel)]

thats great work for just a 10sec shot, youve bought ut the MW really well - i see a lot of images where the MW is pushed way too far in PP

[WingnutR32 (Sam)]

Wow, that is really great shot.. Such a beautiful view.

[douggyi (Doug)]

Thanks, Daniel. I'm with you on that. My preference is not to overdo it, most of the time. On Instagram I might push it a bit more but IceInSpace, FB and Flickr I try to keep it as "real" as I can. Mind you, if it was totally real, there'd only be as few stars as my 50-year-old eyes can make out.

Originally Posted by dannat

thats great work for just a 10sec shot, youve bought ut the MW really well - i see a lot of images where the MW is pushed way too far in PP

[douggyi (Doug)]

Thanks, Sam. I hadn't been to that spot at all for about 10 years, even in daylight, so I'm glad it came off.

Originally Posted by WingnutR32

Wow, that is really great shot.. Such a beautiful view.

[Deep (Craig)]

Nice Picture