My first stack and it didn't hurt ... except for the upper-cut

[ourkind (Carlos)]

Hi all

after closely following Barry Armstead's (Bloodhound) instructions (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-671-0-0-1-0.html) I let loose this weekend and started taking photographs whilst staying at the Mantra in Ettalong Beach. Conditions were good with very little cloud except for the light polution from the silly pool and street lighting below. These are my results, I'm so excited to say the least. Now any feedback (constructive helps) will be appreciated .

MilkyWay is composed 17x30sec @ 1250iso F5.4 using DSS and edited in photoshop CS5

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MilkyWay over Ettalong Beach is a single 30sec exposure and edited in photoshop CS5



ps: A BIG THANKS TO BAZ thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[Gem (Grant)]

Nice start Carlos! I wish my first shot was that good!

[silv (Annette)]

that stacked one is a cracker

did you use darks and flats ? how many of each?

[ourkind (Carlos)]

Originally Posted by Gem

Nice start Carlos! I wish my first shot was that good!

Thanks Grant! it's called beginners luck, some of the others I took didn't turn out as nice due to heavy light pollution below. But I'm happy and uber excited all the same

Originally Posted by silv

that stacked one is a cracker

did you use darks and flats ? how many of each?

Thanks Silv! Believe it or not, no darks and no flats simply because I don't know how I followed Baz's instructions to a tea (including an Uppercut or two) and that's what I got.

I took a couple of shots with the lens cap on for later when I learn/work out how to include them.

This image was stacked from jpegs today I'm staking the RAW files to see the difference.

Thanks for looking guys

[silv (Annette)]

could you post a single of the original frames?
I NEED to see what your lens/camera does to compare it to mine

[ourkind (Carlos)]

Originally Posted by silv

could you post a single of the original frames?
I NEED to see what your lens/camera does to compare it to mine

Hi Silv, of course my pleasure

[silv (Annette)]

ah, many thanx!
the detailed visible little star clusters prove it:
your camera sees what's there - even in only 30 secs at comparably low ISO 1250 - while my camera lazily smudges those clusters into lighter patches, instead. (Sony NEx-5N with a Sony e-mount 18-200mm lens)
interesting. thanks again!