Echo of Scorpius

[stardust steve]

-Echo of Scorpius-
Onkaparinga River National Park. S.A. 30/3/14 @01:00am.

The constellation of Scorpius along with other stars and the Milky Way can be seen reflecting in the still water of the Dam.
Conditions were near perfect with the New Moon keeping the sky dark and very little breeze so the water was like a mirror to the heavens. Just great for a night hike at 1am. The National Park was very dark. So dark, I could only make out the silhouettes of the trees against the night sky and a few surrounding objects.
The image is a 4 frame vertical panorama taken in landscape format.
A longer exposure was used for the water to gain more reflections.
I have noticed the tree line against the sky is different to what is pictured
in the water. All original frames are identical so due to the camera position and angle to the water, there has been foreground objects also reflecting adding more to the water reflection.
I was happy to find this spot and look forward to more expeditions.

Image stats -
6D | Samyang 14mm at 2.8 | ISO 6400 | EXP 30 sec each (60 sec for water)
Thanks for viewing :)
Steve.

P.S if anyone is interested in a few more images including a dedicated album of Plane /Moon transits, they can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/stephenscheerphotography
Page likes, comments and shares are appreciated.
Cheers.

[CapturingTheNight]

One of your best I think Steve. Well done. The different perspective tree line is perfectly normal and what I would expect from a shot like this. The angle of reflection varies depending on how near or far away the water surface is in shot's like this. It's a sure sign of a fake reflection Milky Way shot if it is a perfect mirror image of what is above the horizon across the whole surface.

[SkyViking]

That's a beautiful tranquil scene, excellently captured and processed. The reflected Milky Way looks great. Thanks for the view!

[Rod771]

Very nice Steve :thumbsup: You must be very pleased with this one.

[stardust steve]

Thanks Greg. Everything worked to plan. I spent a while looking for a suitable spot on Google Earth. I have not got a good handle on the area yet and didn't want a 5km round trip hike to the locations that took my fancy so I was happy to come across this one. And to get a New Moon night this calm and clear is reasonably rare so I was happy to get out there.
And thanks for clearing up the reflection thing. I thought so but wasn't quite sure. At first, I thought it was from tilting the camera up for the pano sequence. But on closer inspection, I can now see the tree that is adding to the reflection.

Thanks Rolf :) I have not done many reflection images at all and upon walking up to the Dam, I was blown away that I could actually see the star reflections in the water with my own eyes:eyepop: haha and I thought, well if I can see them, then the camera sure will!
There is another Dam just up the road but it's on private property I think. Might have to go door knocking and ask nicely.:)

[stardust steve]

Hi Rod. Yeah I was happy with how it turned out and that I went out. I remember at around 11.30pm, I was thinking what if it's too far to walk, what if it won't work etc...many what if's. Glad I didn't listen to myself and chose to go(if that makes sense :screwy::lol: There are times when I have a picture in my mind how I want a certain scene/scenario to turn out and it doesn't always work the way I want it to. I was happy with this one. I learnt a few new things too which helps :)

[matt34]

Great work Steve, I like the detailed colour in the milky way and the balance of light in the foreground works well with the whole image.

Was it moon light or artifical light that light up the bank across the dam?

Matt

[stardust steve]

Thanks Matt. I was surprised to see the far side of the Dam. I don't know what was lighting it as I never used my torch for this image. There was no Moon out at all and being in a National Park, there was no other lights around for quite a distance. So I'm afraid I can't tell you what it was because I don't know either.
I took a few more images of a fallen tree and that too shows some distant lighting on the hill so maybe there was some light coming from somewhere?
The images were taken with a 2.8 lens and at ISO 6400, so even a small amount of light will be gathered by the camera.

[drdavekaplan]

what a magnifiscent tranquil shot
you want to just chill and contemplate the one power with this shot
Thank you for your effort

[gregbradley]

That's a beauty. You can't beat some nice water in the foreground and a nicely framed MW. The core looks like an explosion on the horizon. A dramatic image.

Greg.

[Octane]

Top shelf, mate.

It's great watching your progression. :)

H

[dutch2]

Beautiful images, well done.
:thumbsup:

[Saturn%5]

That looks very nice Steve well done :thumbsup:

[Screwdriverone]

Nice work Steve,

I like that one. A LOT!

Must "steal" my son's 6D and go exploring.

Beautiful composition.

Cheers

Chris

[stardust steve]

After the walk to the location, it was good to take it all in and admire the silhouettes and the night sky. It was relaxing. Thanks


Thanks Greg. I thought it was great that I could see the reflections with my own eyes. I have never seen water so still. Makes me want to find some more Dams.


Thanks H. In the future I would like to get a tracker. Need to research payloads etc. I am also looking for another lens. Very confused with all that brings. It seems the more reviews I read, the more I can't make a decision. But for now I have my Samyang 14mm and EF 50mm 1.8 and am happy with them.


Thanks :)

Thank you


Do it Chris, I'm sure theres some great places to go exploring around your neck of the woods. This scene looked very similar to the eye while crouching at the Dam edge. The trees were sprawling outwards, providing a nice silhouette frame and there were great reflections. Although I could not see the far side of the Dam. Thanks to ISO 6400 and the 6D making that possible :)

[rcheshire]

Beautifully done...

[ourkind]

wow Steve this one must have slipped throught the cracks. Top shot, great processing and excellent framing. Well done!

[stardust steve]

Thanks Rowland

Thanks Carlos. I'm glad I didn't slip at the waters edge. Every move was thought out as I didn't feel like a dip nor making a second insurance claim on a wet camera and lens :rofl::rolleyes:

[iceman]

Stunning, Steve. Easily your best.

Top shelf!

[Antu]

Stunning shot, Steve ! Very well done indeed :thumbsup:

[stardust steve]

Thanks Mike :) I had been planning to get back out there over the past 2 weekends but it just wasn't to be. Looking forward to the next opportunity.




Thanks for the feedback :)