Star Trails
Dec, 2014Views
446
Likes
Awards
Zenith Award
Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
Top Shot Award 21
Legendary Award
Awesome
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
Peer Award
All Star
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 20 rank
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 2
NatureLoverJJWal
December 14, 2014
I know how hard to focus stars just to get a very sharp image so congratulations on this.
charmedcountrygirl
February 18, 2015
Thank you so very much everyone for the kind comments, likes and awards!
PRO
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on my farm. I have lived on this farm for ten years and this was the first time I saw my barn in a different light - so to speak. ;)Time
I was out with the sole intention of trying to photograph star trails. This would be my second attempt and I was excited! Since it was dark, I knew I wouldn't be venturing anywhere far from home so I had to find a point of interest close by! It was about nine o'clock on a cool October night and I had what seemed to me, one thousand coyotes howling in the dark, behind me.Lighting
Luckily, I had a yard light to help illuminate the east side, being far enough away to cast a soft light along that side. I was pleased to see the illumination of the very small town almost ten kilometers away, bouncing off clouds (that I thought for sure would not be enhancing the image at all- I was wrong) in the western sky. I used a flashlight to paint in some light on the south side of the barn that was totally engulfed in darkness.Equipment
I used my most sacred Nikon D800, a 24-70mm Nikkor lens, tripod, remote trigger release and a trusty flashlight.Inspiration
I have always been awestruck by star trail images and wanted to try it for myself. It was something new and different for me. I love to learn and I am always up for new photography challenges!Editing
I took 52 x 30 second exposures and stacked them in Photoshop. I removed a post I found too distracting, a slight highlight/shadows adjustment and a sharpen. :)In my camera bag
In my bag I always have my D800, D300, 24-70mm lens, 80-400mm lens, 105mm lens, SB 900, remote trigger, ND filters, extra batteries and cleaning supplies. I need a bigger bag. :)Feedback
My advice, if it helps, these are things I noticed/ did for this shot: Shoot in clear skies, the clearer the better. Find your North, I like this effect as opposed to Southern skies. Use manual focus (lens and camera) and focus to infinity. Take a test shot, check, take a test shot, check, take a test shot, check... (you want to make sure you're focused correctly before and not after) Have fun with it. Keep big dogs with you if you're out in coyote country ;)
