Alien Dancer and sitting under the moonlight

[strongmanmike]

Got out again at the new property and sat with my friendly tree again but this time I also did some image stacking of several exposures to bring out the LMC & SMC and I also did some processing this time too :D...I tried to keep the scenes looking natural too, like you are there.

Shame about the full moon...but the outlook is quite cathartic....

In case you didn't know which way the stars were here is the Tree of Knowlegde (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/146416485/original) :P

The Canberra light dome is pretty clear in the SE in the Alien Dancer shot but the transition to dark sky above is rather abrupt, making the LMC/SMC pretty obvious to the naked eye at the meridian, as per this photo.

Next week the deep sky shots should make a return...:thumbsup:

Mike

[iceman]

That's a great looking tree! I love the second shot.

Nice one Mike!

[strongmanmike]

Cheers Mike...this stuff is new to me :D

I want to do that same framing again but without the full moon, the Milky Way should look pretty spectacular with that old tree.

Mike

[Larryp]

Great photos, Mike!

[ourkind]

WOW they're nice photos Mike! I really like the 2nd one, but I also like that scrawny tree with the two M.Clouds above it.

[jjjnettie]

How's the serenity Mike?

[strongmanmike]

Cheers heaps guys :thumbsup:

JJJ It is wonderful to finally be living back under stars again, I had a great time on Sunday night even with the Full Moon :)

Mike

[RickS]

Looks lovely, Mike. Did you have that dead tree transplanted there? :lol:

[alexch]

It's great to see your DSLR put to good use, Mike!

That is a lovely photogenic tree and very nice images. There is a serene feel about the second image.

Cheers,
Alex

[h0ughy]

thats a funny looking garden gnome on the left? nice piccys - who would have thought?

[strongmanmike]

No but she's a beauty huh? It has so much character, looking forward to getting the Milky Way in a shot with her ;)



Cheers Alex, yes just wetting my feet in this dark art or DSLR'ing :thumbsup: glad you like my first apprentice efforts.



Yes, would have looked even better with TWO (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/143874861/original) there...(how about in the nude? :question:) :D...hope you can visit someday :)

Mike

[colinmlegg]

Some landscaping may improve things even more. How about a pond with an island in the middle containing the tree... wide enough to get reflections of both tree and milky way. Then surround it with a circular rail and drive the camera around for an all night killer timelapse! :eyepop:

[Miaplacidus]

Nice photos. You are very lucky to have such a beautiful place.

[strongmanmike]

Well funny you should say that Col...we have several dams and there is one quite close to that tree and rock formation and below it too, haven't explored the idea properly yet but ya never know :question:...and there are a couple of other cool items on the property and nearby that might make good forgrounds too. I will be living there full time as of next weekend so lots of exploring to do still...may become a DSLR/time lapse guy yet, ya never know ;)...time, give me time...

Although... I am busting to get the AG12 out under dark steady skies, haven't taken an image with her for a while now....:sadeyes: :)

Mike

[gregbradley]

Sweet shots Mike.

Love the sharp stars and they have lovely colour.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Greg

Yeh, at the moment I'm into trying to make them look reasonably natural, ie as close to what you would see with the naked eye as is reasonable...buuuut sigh..that phase will change I'm sure...bit like when narrowband sucks you in with deep sky imaging :P :thumbsup:

Mike