The Moonlit Landscape - Arc of Arcturus over the Southern Alps

[Octane (Humayun)]

All,

Was going to post this in the terrestrial photography section, but, remembered star trails are posted here, too. I'm torn, though, as I consider myself more a landscape person nowadays. :grin: Well, I want to be, anyway.

This one was a couple of months in the making, actually. I timed my visit to Mount Cook on my trip to New Zealand deliberately to capture the full Moon lighting up this beautiful region. I had my eeePC with me so was able to load up Starry Night Pro Plus and check the emphemeris and simulations to time this.

The brief:

1. Star trails with a twist; to do something different from the norm of complete arcing trails (even though they're pretty!);
2. To have Arcturus (the brightest star in the composition) sweep an arc over the breathtaking and scenic mountains, but, also to leave a bit of (equal) space on either side of the composition for context and to draw the eye to the centre;
3. To do this on a full Moon-lit night to maximise illumination wherever it may have been required.

What we see here is Mount Sefton to the left, Mount Wakefield to the right, and, the jewel of the crown, Mount Cook, cradled in the centre.

The brightest star, as mentioned, is Arcturus. Just above Arcturus is Muphrid. The brighter star to the centre-top is Vindematrix, and, to the left is Denebola.

The staggered approach was achieved by enabling automatic dark frames in the camera (two birds, one stone) whist I froze my a$$ off for three hours.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
17 x 300s f/8.0 at 32.0mm iso800

As a treat, here's a larger version.

Comments, critique, etc., most welcome.

H

[astroron (Ron)]

Beautifully done H,well composed and executed.
A pleasure to behold

[Hagar (Doug)]

Lovely image H, Makes me want to return to the south island although I fish the rivers and never quite get around to taking pictures.

[SkyViking (Rolf)]

Spectacular image as always Humayun. That's a lot of moon light you've captured, quite amazing.
It's up near the Tasman Glacier right? That spot is so beautiful, the look in the other direction is great too!

[multiweb (Marc)]

You've taken a lot of good shots in your trip but for some reason I really like this one.There's something about it. I don't know, the colors and the lighting, the different planes from foreground to white peaks. It's just surreal. Almost unnatural. Awesome stuff.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

A beautiful image to be sure Humi and the mountains look spectacular!

I understand your explanation of why you did it this way but for me though the dashes look a little out of place and unnatural and a little too man made.?

Complete circles might look better perhaps? Or maybe complete circles then a small break and then a still shot of the stars..?

Still a striking image

[StephenM (Stephen)]

That's brilliant Humayun! Best star trails shot I've seen for a long long time!

Cheers,
Stephen

[iceman (Mike)]

Stunning image, a beautiful place.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Ron, Doug, Rolf, Marc, Mike, Stephen, & Mike,

Thanks, guys! Appreciate the kind comments.

Rolf, very close. This is looking down towards the Hooker Valley. It's so hard to tell, you really need to look at an aerial map to see what's going on. It's such an amazing place.

Mike, I can see where you're coming from. But, I froze my backside off for 3 hours, I don't think I could put up with doing more. No freezer suit. :cryface:

Cheers!

H

[gregbradley]

A fabulous shot Humi of a wonderful world class location. Is that Mt Cook in the background?

Greg.

[David Fitz-Henr]

That's a great image Humayun !! ... and what a good excuse to visit New Zealand !!