first milky way shot

[troypiggo]

I just had to give this a go last night. Unfortunately I couldn't get out to my in-laws place where the light pollution is, I think, pretty low.

I took some longer exposures, but the light pollution was too bad and the stars were trailing.

So this is what I got straight out of camera. 17-55 lens at 17mm, ISO1600, f/2.8, 30s exposure. Just one shot.

http://piggo.com/~troy/photos/2008_09_26/500/img_9818-orig.jpg (http://piggo.com/~troy/photos/2008_09_26/1280/img_9818-orig.jpg)

And after a little playing with curves and denoising in GIMP as the only post processing. Not sure where the vignetting came from. I did use the hood, because there was a few lights around I wanted to keep out of lens. Also noticed the red channel seems to dominate, so dropped it a little.

http://piggo.com/~troy/photos/2008_09_26/500/img_9818.jpg (http://piggo.com/~troy/photos/2008_09_26/1280/img_9818.jpg)

Any tips on post-processing?

I know it's nowhere near as good as some of you guys. Next time I'll bring with me what I learnt first time, and some gathered reading material. And won't shoot in a capital city where light pollution is horrible.

But I had fun :)

PS - already started looking at mounts etc. Expect many questions.

[Celestron]

I think it looks great ! Better than most would get in most areas .

[troypiggo]

Thanks Ron. I'll practise more.

[Nighthound]

It always amazes me what can come of a carefully processed image. Quite the challenge Troy but you handle it very well. Great job. I know we're going to see great things from you. You live on one of the darkest continents on Earth, how far to serious dark skies from your place?

[troypiggo]

Thanks Steve.

Guessed I had to start somewhere. Was really disappointed with the shots straight out of camera - didn't realise there'd be so much light pollution. Happy with the way it cleaned up I suppose. Darker skies, I'm assuming, probably 30mins to an hour away.

Won't get to try this again for another month or so, unfortunately. Getting married next weekend and 3 week honeymoon. I dare not try sneaking off for 30min star trails every night on my honeymoon :)

The vignetting puzzles me still. Don't see it on "normal" shots with that lens and hood. Might try the 10-22 next time too. You use a hood?

Oh, while I think of it. Focus. Is it as simple as focus to infinity? Or is there some other trick/tip?

[Cobra351]

Good one, especially the processed version! I sure wish I lived even remotely near dark skies. Good work!

[troypiggo]

Thanks Cobra :)

[Nighthound]

Thanks Steve.

Guessed I had to start somewhere. Was really disappointed with the shots straight out of camera - didn't realise there'd be so much light pollution. Happy with the way it cleaned up I suppose. Darker skies, I'm assuming, probably 30mins to an hour away.

Won't get to try this again for another month or so, unfortunately. Getting married next weekend and 3 week honeymoon. I dare not try sneaking off for 30min star trails every night on my honeymoon :)

The vignetting puzzles me still. Don't see it on "normal" shots with that lens and hood. Might try the 10-22 next time too. You use a hood?

Oh, while I think of it. Focus. Is it as simple as focus to infinity? Or is there some other trick/tip?


LOL. Whatcha mean?, darkness is a good thing on a honeymoon. :D

Seriously, congratulations on your marriage. Wishing you and your bride all the best. Have a great time!

[troypiggo]

:lol: Thanks mate. I'll see what the skies are like on Santorini ;)

[BrianEP]

great image, I've been wanting toget out and try some of the same.

[bowtie`]

Thanks Steve.
The vignetting puzzles me still. Don't see it on "normal" shots with that lens and hood. Might try the 10-22 next time too. You use a hood?



Cool shots! I like regular camera lens shots. The vignetting come from your aperature. If you do not want that on long exposures you are going to have to get to 8.0 or better. You can see that on my long exposure in the topic dance of the planet, that even at an aperature of 5.0 there is vignetting. Pretty noticeable but you can also use that effect in your shots if that is what you want.

[troypiggo]

great image, I've been wanting toget out and try some of the same.

Just do it! :)

Things I learnt - go somewhere dark (should be obvious, but the place I went wasn't as dark as I thought it was), use a wide lens and don't go over 30s exposures, high ISO and open aperture to let more light in, mirror lockup and shutter release cable, and be prepared to have to post process a bit. :)

Cool shots! I like regular camera lens shots. The vignetting come from your aperature. If you do not want that on long exposures you are going to have to get to 8.0 or better. You can see that on my long exposure in the topic dance of the planet, that even at an aperature of 5.0 there is vignetting. Pretty noticeable but you can also use that effect in your shots if that is what you want.

Thanks! If it's from the aperture, wonder how come it's not visible on regular (daylight) shots? I'll try closing down the aperture some, but that's just going to kill the light coming in :(

Might see about increasing the ISO even higher to compensate. Will be even noisier, but maybe I can clean that up ok.

[bowtie`]

Thanks! If it's from the aperture, wonder how come it's not visible on regular (daylight) shots? I'll try closing down the aperture some, but that's just going to kill the light coming in :(

Might see about increasing the ISO even higher to compensate. Will be even noisier, but maybe I can clean that up ok.


Oh it is there in daylight shots just not as noticable. The increased exposure times seems to really bring the effect out. As to the why's you'll have to find someone that has more knowledge than myself. I have just seen the effect and know that it is there. I have also seen the effect in daylight shots, especially when I use my GND's.

As to changing settings, it is just like all photography, the choise of settings can change the final effect of the image and the different settings people choose is half the fun of taking shots. Have fun experimenting!

[renderwerks]

Won't get to try this again for another month or so, unfortunately. Getting married next weekend and 3 week honeymoon. I dare not try sneaking off for 30min star trails every night on my honeymoon :)


You could just say "lets get some wine, a sleeping blanket, and lay under the beautiful night sky" ;)

"Whad'dya mean: Why am I taking my camera?" :lol:

Just kidding Troy! Seriously, congratulations on your marriage.

Great shot, good job on PP. I haven't gotten away from home lately and our skies around here are just too light polluted.

I'm very anxious to start building my barn door mount, but the motor won't be here until the beginning of December, and today I was in my garage getting my tablesaw out of storage and ready for use when a major part on it broke...:cry: I've had it for over 20 years, probably not fixable...

Trying to cheer me up, my wife said, "You're birthday is coming up".

Oh well, so much for asking for my first scope!

Regards,

[troypiggo]

Oh it is there in daylight shots just not as noticable. The increased exposure times seems to really bring the effect out. As to the why's you'll have to find someone that has more knowledge than myself. I have just seen the effect and know that it is there. I have also seen the effect in daylight shots, especially when I use my GND's.

Ok, thanks for the clarification.

You could just say "lets get some wine, a sleeping blanket, and lay under the beautiful night sky" ;)

"Whad'dya mean: Why am I taking my camera?" :lol:

Just kidding Troy! Seriously, congratulations on your marriage.

Great shot, good job on PP. I haven't gotten away from home lately and our skies around here are just too light polluted.

I'm very anxious to start building my barn door mount, but the motor won't be here until the beginning of December, and today I was in my garage getting my tablesaw out of storage and ready for use when a major part on it broke...:cry: I've had it for over 20 years, probably not fixable...

Trying to cheer me up, my wife said, "You're birthday is coming up".

Oh well, so much for asking for my first scope!

Regards,

Thanks Rick :)

I'll give your suggestion a try :cool:

Man, I'm keen to get into this.