Milky Way: First time trying this

[boost_dependent]

I have heard that a lot of people go out to FT Pickens for star gazing because it is away from light pollution (at least as far as you can get from it here). I went out there and that place is so dark. While I was driving the darn unlit road I could see so many stars and even the Milky Way. This was the first time I have ever seen the Milky Way with my naked eyes. By the time I got to the location, everyone was leaving or had left. I managed to stay for a while and talk to the guy who puts on the Star Gaze and he let me see Jupiter through his telescope(which was cool).
Anyway, the mosquitoes were so bad out there that I couldn't stay very long. I did mange to get a few shots though.

This was handheld with the 100mm Macro through the eye piece of the telescope.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/4978983674_d3e2819681_b_d.jpg



This was one shot. I think it was 25sec, ISO 1250, f/2.8, 11mm and I painted the palm tree with my green flash light at the last few secs.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4978375105_eaa6b4c298_b_d.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4978983604_c60c7aa2f3_b_d.jpg



This one wasn't at FT Pickens, but at my house a few hours before I went out there.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4978374227_2968dd0f31_b_d.jpg


Just go to Google maps and search "FT Pickens" if you want to know where/what it is.

[Jill-of-all-Trades]

This was the first time I have ever seen the Milky Way with my naked eyes.

I always shake my head at statements like this. Then I have to remind myself that people seem to like living in cities for some reason that I can't understand. I've lived out in the middle of nowhere since I was three years old and I can see the Milky Way any night that is somewhat clear. It never loses it's WOW factor though!

Great pictures, lucky that you got to use the scope a bit.

[boost_dependent]

Pensacola, FL isn't even what you would call a big city. This place is well... PenSUCKola LoL

[Nighthound]

Very nice images. You did great on the Jupiter hand held.

I'm in the same situation here, I have to travel about 45 minutes inland to get some decent darkness. Loading and unloading my gear is no easy task, especially 4 times for each outing. Winter is far better for imaging in the southeast, especially for the bugs.

[yagimax]

Good detail on Jupiter for a hand held shot.

[kmunroe]

very nice

[boost_dependent]

Thanks everyone!

I was wondering though...

Next time I try shooting the Milky Way, how could I improve the shot to make the MW more pronounced? I know if I would have arrived there a few hours before I did, then the MW would have been more vivid. The Earth rotated and thus moved the MW more towards the light pollution by the time I got there. But as far as camera settings go, what should I try next time?

[jccobb2]

http://myastroimages.com/Astro_Imaging_Tutorials/Learning_To_Use_PhotoShop_Curves/

[thenextguy]

Thanks everyone!

I was wondering though...

Next time I try shooting the Milky Way, how could I improve the shot to make the MW more pronounced? I know if I would have arrived there a few hours before I did, then the MW would have been more vivid. The Earth rotated and thus moved the MW more towards the light pollution by the time I got there. But as far as camera settings go, what should I try next time?

Higher ISO. Try 1600 and 3200.

Also, push the exposure length to the point of when trails start to appear. You should be able to get at least 30 seconds.

[Tdragone]

I always shake my head at statements like this. Then I have to remind myself that people seem to like living in cities for some reason that I can't understand. I've lived out in the middle of nowhere since I was three years old and I can see the Milky Way any night that is somewhat clear. It never loses it's WOW factor though!.

So true! I have family in New York City. Taking them out to the desert to see the mikly way was a great experience!

[Jonathan.kichizi]

Milky Way shots are kind of like shots of your cat. You might appreciate them because you took the picture, but everyone else isn't too excited by them. On the other hand, I think these photos are great because those tree silhouettes are really interesting and beautiful... they make me sub-consciously appreciate the whole photo more. I really do like your Milky Way photos... especially #2. Why did you use a green flashlight? Why not a normal white one so that the palm tree looks normal?

Thanks for sharing.

[Eiro]

you know what BOOST.....I'm going outside....setting my 50 up upwards facing the sky exposing that sucka for 25 seconds at 1.2 and 800ISO and let you know what I get out of all of that....and then
I'm going to plan on coming up to Pensacola in the next 12 month so we can go out to FT Pickens and shoots some more of these stars....tired of this cloudfull,starless (not celeb-starless) MIAMI....damn it!!! :D

[Eiro]

major fail with the damn humidity but will attempt another time :D