MilkyWay @ Lal Lal falls

[matt34]

Inspired by Greg's Thunder Valley (http://capturingthenight.smugmug.com/Photography/Night-Scapes/27513688_4jrnZC#!i=2735957119&k=JdsSCrF&lb=1&s=L) I was searching for waterfalls locally that might work as part of a nightscape.

I found this place 30 mins from my house and checked it out during the day, using only my phone as a compass, I think I might be able to work it so that the milky way was above the falls. Unfortunately access at this place is quiet restrictive and it looks like your limited to a viewing platform. (this will require further scouting during daylight hrs as the cliffs are pretty steep and fenced off (and there is a valid reason behind it as I found out that someone passed away while abseiling a few years back) I would still like to get into that valley and get closer to the falls) So here I thought I had the shot, only to be somewhat disappointed with the bright spotlight shining over the whole area, I've done my best to balance the dark valley, bright light just to the left of this framing and the milky way although it was a tough ask.

It does have me thinking of strange contraptions to temporarily cover the light to help me get a more balanced shot. Currently thinking a black out material over a pool net/pole might work just have to make sure its heat resistant. Happy to take on ideas if you have them :) It looks like it'll be next year before I manage to get back there again (with the central bulge of the milky way setting soon)

I went a little "harder" in post prod to try and lighten the shadows/darken the effects of the spotlight/light pollution.

Let me know what you think.

Cheers

Matt

[dutch2]

Looks like a lovely location.
Good job to get an image at all.
Well done.

[CapturingTheNight]

Nice job Matt :thumbsup: I'm glad my image inspired you. I was actually just thinking about revisiting Paddy's River Falls (maybe even tomorrow night) but this time with some lighting in tow as it is so dark there down in the valley. Looks like you unfortunately have the opposite issue with that light(s). Such a shame. Looks like a great location if you could indeed get down to the base of the falls, but as always safety first and I would never endorse jumping fences.
I will be down around the Ballarat area over the festive season (I have family there) and will be no doubt looking for some nightscape locations whilst there.

[matt34]

Thanks Ingrid

Thanks Greg. Definately too much light from the spot light, I kept wanting to pan left to get more of the milky way in the shot but the light and lens flare became too much. I've attached an unprocessed shot that shows how much it effected the scene. There is another couple of falls down that way which might be easier to access especially at night and might not be effected by the light pollution.