Elephant Rock star trails

alexch (Alex) · #1 05-12-2010, 08:06 PM

Hi All,

Coming back from the U2 360 concert on Friday I noticed someting very unusual for Melbourne lately - stars and lots of them!

I packed my gear and set off to Flidners on Mornington Peninsula around 1am. I knew by the time I get there I would only get 2.5 hours of imaging, which is far too little for a time lapse, but who knows when the sky will be clear around the New Moon again. I also wanted to try my new motorised mount for a panning time-lapse.

As I figured out later in the morning the panning head did not turn in the final run, and as usual - it did work during the test run. I did not quite get the composition I wanted and the time lapse was ruined because of that, but I am still happy - I spent some time under the stars and the Magellanic Clouds were magnificent.

All I could do with the data was the star trails image below.

Nikon D700, 14-24m lens, f/2.8, ISO 3200, 196 images x 30 sec.

Cheers,
Alex

gregbradley · #2 05-12-2010, 08:23 PM

Fabulous!

It draws you into the centre, almost a bit 3D.

Greg.

Octane (Humayun) · #3 06-12-2010, 12:13 AM

Alex,

Super.

My one suggestion would be to remove the lone streak of the ship on the right.

H

alexch (Alex) · #4 06-12-2010, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

Alex,

Super.

My one suggestion would be to remove the lone streak of the ship on the right.

H

Thanks, H!

I tried to remove it and thought it looked better with the streak. No idea why though.

TrevorW · #5 07-12-2010, 01:13 AM

Alex long time no see o to speak well done a very nice star trail image

Paul Haese · #6 07-12-2010, 09:12 AM

Very nice image.

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #7 07-12-2010, 12:40 PM

Veeery nice Alex,

I agree with Greg, it certainly has a "Time Tunnel" feel to it....mesmerising!

When I saw your thread I immediately thought of a rock star, turns out its Elephant Rock. Star Trails.

Although, you WERE coming back from a U2 concert so there was some Rock Star reference after all.....

Keep em coming, they are extremely enjoyable to look at.

Cheers

Chris

strongmanmike (Michael) · #8 07-12-2010, 07:52 PM

Pretty schmick Alex

Not a critisism but I'm not quite sure if I like the warpped circles...

Maybe proper circular ones would look better

...does add extra movement to the image I guess - Hmm? the Jury is out on this one, still a great view though mate, has that typically very grand look to it

Mike

Hagar (Doug) · #9 07-12-2010, 08:09 PM

Very nice Alex. Just what we have come to expect from you. Talk about dedicated heading off at 1:00am. I take my hat off to you.

Phil Hart · #10 07-12-2010, 08:48 PM

dedication indeed!

i've had a few times where my timelapse panning head doesn't move for one reason or another.. quite annoying!

Phil

alexch (Alex) · #11 07-12-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Fabulous!

It draws you into the centre, almost a bit 3D.

Greg.

Thanks, Greg

alexch (Alex) · #12 07-12-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorW

Alex long time no see o to speak well done a very nice star trail image

Thanks, Trevor.

There was nothing to show in all this cloudy weather!!!

alexch (Alex) · #13 07-12-2010, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Very nice image.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screwdriverone

Veeery nice Alex,

I agree with Greg, it certainly has a "Time Tunnel" feel to it....mesmerising!

When I saw your thread I immediately thought of a rock star, turns out its Elephant Rock. Star Trails.

Although, you WERE coming back from a U2 concert so there was some Rock Star reference after all.....

Keep em coming, they are extremely enjoyable to look at.

Cheers

Chris

Thanks, Paul and Chris.

Although not everything worked as expected I am quite pleased I managed to get out and some imaging.

alexch (Alex) · #14 07-12-2010, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Pretty schmick Alex

Not a critisism but I'm not quite sure if I like the warpped circles...

Maybe proper circular ones would look better

...does add extra movement to the image I guess - Hmm? the Jury is out on this one, still a great view though mate, has that typically very grand look to it

Mike

Thanks, Mike.

If the panning head worked then it would not have been warped at some point, but then again there would be no star trails. I am glad I could do this after long abstinence...

alexch (Alex) · #15 07-12-2010, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hagar

Very nice Alex. Just what we have come to expect from you. Talk about dedicated heading off at 1:00am. I take my hat off to you.

Thanks mate. I can't take any chances with the weather lately -and I was shocked to see clear sky.

alexch (Alex) · #16 07-12-2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philiphart

dedication indeed!

i've had a few times where my timelapse panning head doesn't move for one reason or another.. quite annoying!

Phil

Yes, the more gadgets I have the more difficult it becomes... All good fun though.

h0ughy (David) · #17 07-12-2010, 10:26 PM

not bad - just jealous that you have clear skies to see those things. nice framing and lucky to get a meteor by the look

jase (Jason) · #18 10-12-2010, 03:12 PM

One man's disaster is another's glory Alex. Bummer about the panning head, but WOW what a spectacular result. Very nice.