Comet Love Joy from Lake Alexandrina

[michael_sa]

Fantastic photograph Paul, well done.
I'm in Goolwa, but too cloudy this morning to see anything.

Michael

[shelltree (Shelley)]

Just breathtaking Paul! I particularly love the landscape view with the moon in the frame. Astronomical!

A couple of quick questions if I may. What time was your exposure for these shots? And did you focus to infinity or use a mask etc? I'm fine when it comes to capturing nature and the ocean but a bit of a noob when it comes to astrophotography and would love some pointers so if I have the chance to shoot Lovejoy, I have as much chance of getting it right as possible.

Cheers

[Paul Haese]

Michael, we were down that way this morning ourselves. Virgs and I drove 215 or so km's and came up wit fog and cloud and more fog. Hoping for better conditions tomorrow for our last chance at getting a great shot.

Shelley, these exposures were around the 40 second mark with a high ISO. Aim for something like 2000 and up if you can if not use a longer exposure and use a lower ISO to reduce noise. To focus use a bright object in the focus box. I use a distant light (stars don't work but lights do though) to keep the focus right and then take the lens of auto focus and go to manual. That will get you in the box seat. Don't bother with a mask and infinity is often not right from one camera to the next. Best of luck with your endeavours.

[michael_sa]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Michael, we were down that way this morning ourselves. Virgs and I drove 215 or so km's and came up wit fog and cloud and more fog. Hoping for better conditions tomorrow for our last chance at getting a great shot. .

I woke at about 3:30am then again about 5:30 this morning, both times the sky to the east was totally clouded over - so I went back to bed. Will be trying again for tomorrow morning - though there is some low level cloud just starting to roll over as I type this.
I was intending to head out around 'Beacon 19' area if all is clear.

Michael

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Sorry JJJ, but hands up those that got to see the Lunar Eclipse at totality recently? Just our turn. Mind you seeing to big comets in the last 5 years is pretty damn cool. You'll get to see it JJJ and all you east coasters.

{puts hand up}

Like the widefield landscape shot Paul. Looks good over the lake.

[Matt Wastell (Matt)]

More mouth watering images - excellent stuff Paul!
AAARRRRRRGH the clouds!!!!

[danielsun]

Excellent work there Paul, love the colours and a nice thick tail.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys. It's been a couple of tough days. Had a sleep for a bit now and clouded out in Adelaide for the next couple of days, but if it clears a bit tonight I might just head down the freeway for one more look.

[dj gravelrash (Dino)]

Serious quality m8...well done!!

[michael_sa]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

..., but if it clears a bit tonight I might just head down the freeway for one more look.

For what it's worth Paul, skies are totally clear down here at the moment - hopefully it stays that way for the next 5 or 6 hours (or so)

Michael

[Adelastro1 (Wayne England)]

Great shots once again Paul. I went to the lookout near Tungkillo and got some good shots but with a bit of cloud cover unfortunately. They're in the main stream for Lovejoy on here if you want to take a look.
I'm in Bordertown for Xmas now so I'm off to my usual photo hotspot over the next few nights so hopefully I'll get some good ones to post on here!

[Gendo (Justin)]

Those are some lovely shots Paul.

[naskies (Dave)]

Beautiful, Paul. The portrait shot almost looks like it was shot out of a plane