First decent Milky Way shot

dutch2 (Ingrid) · #1 31-08-2013, 10:26 PM

I'm really pleased to get this. I need to do some more PS adjustments, but for now, I'm rapt. Taken from my backyard in Gawler, tonight.

bobbyf (Bob) · #2 31-08-2013, 10:49 PM

Hi Ingrid
That's a great start.
You can see some movement in the stars so maybe reduce the exposure and increase ISO a bit.
What gear are you using?
Cheers

Bob

dutch2 (Ingrid) · #3 01-09-2013, 08:44 AM

Thanks. I have a Nikon D5100, 18-300mm lens. These photos were 30 secs, ISO 3200 at F3.5.
I was thinking about reducing the time to 20 secs, I'll try tonight, weather permitting.

Irish stargazer (John) · #4 01-09-2013, 08:58 AM

Great first attempt. Now you are hooked !

dutch2 (Ingrid) · #5 01-09-2013, 09:05 AM

Thanks.
Hooked is right.

If I can get results like this from my backyard, imagine what's possible if I go outback. One day, I will.

dutch2 (Ingrid) · #6 02-09-2013, 12:17 PM

Here is another attempt, from last night.
I tried reducing the time to 20 secs.
I'm still playing with the colours and not really impressed with PS Elements

shenanigans000 (Greg) · #7 02-09-2013, 10:33 PM

Great image. The shorter exposure has definately helped.

I've tried similar ISO values and my shots are always way too grainy.

Only improvement I could suggest is increasing the black levels a little in PS to make the stars stand out a little more.

Keep it up!

dutch2 (Ingrid) · #8 03-09-2013, 08:18 AM

Thanks for that. It was a very clear night.
Just wish I could get away from the street lights.
I'm debating whether to get Lightroom or PS Elements.
I've tried both, not sure which is better.
I'm also using Photogene on my iPad, which is great.

naskies (Dave) · #9 03-09-2013, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dutch2

Thanks.
Hooked is right.

If I can get results like this from my backyard, imagine what's possible if I go outback. One day, I will.

Nice work! It's addictive

No need to go all the way outback - just drive an hour away from Adelaide and you'll find that the background will be heaps darker and the colours will really pop

Quote:

Originally Posted by dutch2

I'm debating whether to get Lightroom or PS Elements.
I've tried both, not sure which is better.

I use both LR and PS - they're both useful for different tasks. LR is great for quickly processing say 2,000 raw frames from shooting at an event and rendering out 400 photos for upload. PS is good for making detailed edits to individual images, but less efficient at dealing with large groups of images.

rustigsmed (Russell) · #10 03-09-2013, 01:50 PM

Great work Ingrid, focus looks good, some playing around with the settings will bring it out a bit more

bobbyf (Bob) · #11 03-09-2013, 02:08 PM

Hi again Ingrid
Looks much better with the reduced exposure.
Well done

By the way, you only need to drive for about 30mins (North) from Gawler to get a massive decrease in LP.
I usually go to a rest area about 5k's North of Truro and its pretty dark up there. Should only take 30-35 mins from yours.
I went a bit further last night, near Morgan, and it was awesome.
Will post pics after i process them
Cheers

Bob
Have you heard of DSS? Take numerous pictures of the same shot and stack them in Deep Sky Stacker. It'll end up even better !!

dutch2 (Ingrid) · #12 03-09-2013, 07:06 PM

Thanks for all the comments.
I will try out a few places I saw on the weekend, north of Gawler.
There's an awesome view over the Barossa Valley that should look good at night.
I also thought to try DSS, I will download it onto my laptop.

shenanigans000 (Greg) · #13 08-09-2013, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dutch2

I also thought to try DSS, I will download it onto my laptop.

I'm a big fan of DSS, works great.