Help needed - first okay Milky Way

[Eric48]

This is my first okay Milky Way. Single shot 25secs at ISO 3200 with Sony Nex 3n and 19 mm Sigma lens at f2.8 and very roughly processed in Lightroom 4. Would appreciate some critique on how to do better.

Thanks, Eric.

[shenanigans000 (Greg)]

Excellent picture Eric. I can't really make any suggestions for improvements, I think it looks great.

Will be interested to hear other's ideas for where to improve too.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Great data across the field. You just need to lower the black point and go easier on the contrast. There's a lot more to be had in the shot.

[Eric48]

Thanks very much Marc and Greg for the feedback - here it is again with a lighter hand on the blacks and contrast. Still feeling my way with Lightroom plus being rather colour blind doesn't help but nice to know that data is good.

Eric

[Danny_86 (Danny)]

The best way to get a better picture with more stars is to increase the shutter speed & the best way to get a longer shutter is to buy a polarie.

[Eric48]

Thanks for the Polarie suggestion Danny- would love one but budget a bit tight at moment. Very inspired by Wayne's stacking technique - see Milky Way Galaxy post below - and intend to give that a try.

Eric

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

Eric. You can use the Earth's rotation to your advantage for noise reduction on a fixed tripod. Taking several images while letting the image drift across the field of view. Allow 5 - 10 seconds or so between images. Repointing the camera every so often to keep things in view. Stack and process. Ambient noise is random and easily reduced using the above method. Bias, darks and flats will improve things further. For short exposures you could dispense with darks altogether.

[Eric48]

Thanks a lot Rowland - will use your tips on the next clear night - was wondering exactly how it was done - might make a very nice article for posting.

Eric