St Lucia, the Pitons & the Milky Way
Just got back from a fantastic holiday in St Lucia. We hired a little apartment on the mountainside a couple of miles outside of Soufriere, with a view over-looking the Pitons. The atmosphere at night was magical, with the (very loud) chirping of frogs, constant lightning flashes from nearby storms, bats flying overhead and when the sky was clear a perfect view of the Milky Way. With nobody around it felt like we'd travelled back in time a couple of million years!
This shot was taken at the end of the blue hour and consists of 10x1 minute exposures at ISO 2000, F3.5. The vibrant colours have resulted from the change in light from blue hour to darkness. The long exposure, high iso, high temperature and high humidity resulted in a rather noisey set of base images, although I'm happy with the end result :-).
Update:
No way Explore #1 18/10/12! Thanks everyone for all the comments and
faves, very much appreciated :-)
Comments and faves
Paul Newcombe, Ben Tite, dog ma, Ghetu Daniel, and 419 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Paul Newcombe (7 months ago | reply)
Woooow. That's just amazing. the milky way is fabulous but the mountains really make this a great photo.
Mike.D.Green (7 months ago | reply)
Gosh - that was a method which certainly paid off! Remarkable exposure(s) and a really dramatic, fascinating end result.
Daniel Borg (7 months ago | reply)
Man that is awesome Paul, fantastic colour and the clarity of the milky way looks great, I think that it was well worth all that effort!
I've always wanted to try something like this, I hoping that winter might prove to be the opportunity!
I hope that you great holiday, catch you soon!!
El Turco de Bragado (7 months ago | reply)
celestial compadre...!
Roberto Click (7 months ago | reply)
It looks like a picture of a science fiction movie, wonderful.
My compliments, Paul
dog ma (7 months ago | reply)
Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rhiaphotos (7 months ago | reply)
Welcome back, Paul! : )
What an amazing image! Beautiful work, congratulations!
StevieC-Photography (7 months ago | reply)
Sweet, a special image Paul.
JavierAndrés (7 months ago | reply)
wow, this is a beautiful image, love the colors and the exposure!
Visit my gallery if you want.
sosij (7 months ago | reply)
Oh WOW, the kind of photo I dream of taking, so outstanding, welcome back and massive congrats on this one. Award winning!
trevor_durity2000 (Catching Up again!) (7 months ago | reply)
Geez you really go some great nice contrast out of that Milky Way.
♥Jess (7 months ago | reply)
Oh wow.....what a magical shot, looks out of this world! Hope you had a great time!!!
Chris Gin (7 months ago | reply)
What a magical shot, looks like an incredible place!
dog ma (7 months ago | reply)
Explore #20! Congrats Paul!! =)
Arnaud D... (7 months ago | reply)
dommage quel le ciel soit flou... pas facile ce type de shot! Bravo tout de meme pour cette réalisation
gordeau (7 months ago | reply)
Very effective shot Paul. An interesting concept.
J.B.C. (7 months ago | reply)
excelente ...felicidades por el explore.excellent ... congratulations on the explore.
cedmars (7 months ago | reply)
Really nice photo :)
eec4861db15f49c9eaa3db595b70f954 (7 months ago | reply)
oh wow....how nice
gato-gato-gato (7 months ago | reply)
Wow, sehr cool.
nigel176 (7 months ago | reply)
You've got to be happy, great technique, congrats with explore
sfhipchick (7 months ago | reply)
Congratulations on getting Explore!! You have probably seen that there are a lot of pictures featured on Explore that don't really measure up to the quality you'd expect for this special "Flickr award". However, in my opinion, THIS picture is fantastic and definitely deserves to be here! You should feel extremely proud of your talent, and it is a pleasure to see your work! Well done and great job!! *high five*
Via Today's Explore at #20 on Fluidr
sfhipchick (7 months ago | reply)
This is mind-bendingly amazing...I am just agok from this brilliant shot!!!!
Via Today's Explore at #20 on Fluidr
NamithaKumar (7 months ago | reply)
really beautiful =)
kuytu (7 months ago | reply)
And this is from earth?
Wonderful just wonderful...
Tom â™ (7 months ago | reply)
Magnificent, what a stunning scene, I'm glad to have viewed this, great photography, congrats for explore :)
Josephi@yahoo.com (7 months ago | reply)
Fantastic capture !
toni jara (7 months ago | reply)
Una luz excelente en esta magnífica composición. Saludos
Koshyk (7 months ago | reply)
Congratulations! This splendid image from you was seen on EXPLORE today!
martinturner (7 months ago | reply)
Whoo hooo ... explore too! Hope this makes #1 or a FP!! Wow what a fabulous photo; looks like you visited another planet - regardless of your technical settings, it is stunning! Have a great weekend Paul!
♥ Katie ann .internet problems, (7 months ago | reply)
WOW what an amazing image, Truly Beautiful.
We would be Honoured if you would share this with us in
Karas Classics.
This is your invite
Post 1 Award 3
Via Today's Explore at #3 on Fluidr
i-seen-it RubenS (7 months ago | reply)
WOW amazing, great shot !
Via Today's Explore at #3 on Fluidr
Sprengben [why not get a friend] (7 months ago | reply)
Gorgeous shot, you are talented and it really deserves Explore.
Have a great Friday, Cheers!
John Westrock (7 months ago | reply)
I've never seen anything like this before. My mind is blown. Awesome job!
BraCom (Bram) (7 months ago | reply)
Breathtaking photo, stunning colors
Congratulations on Explore.
Via Today's Explore at #3 on Fluidr
Joxmox (7 months ago | reply)
Where have you been, Paul? That seems to be not on the earth. I guess I fly to St. Lucia on Jupiter or Mars and made some great pictures. What kind of processing did you use? You are an absolutely pro, my friend. Have a nice and sunny weekend.
Brian Kim Studio (7 months ago | reply)
Nice shot
This photo was invited and added to the NATURE Pure and Beautiful group.
hammermad (7 months ago | reply)
Just amazing, i could look at this for hours
Larry Ziffle (7 months ago | reply)
Excellent pic!!!
iamhelpedbyIAM (7 months ago | reply)
This is so awesome. Nice work man!
Pixelsuzy (7 months ago | reply)
That's an amazing place & it looks like you could just reach & touch the Milky Way, it looks so close. Nice story too1
monchoparis (7 months ago | reply)
Simply awesome !! Thanks for the details too :-)
Kevin Povenz (7 months ago | reply)
Excellent shot!! Congrats on Explore!
Via Today's Explore at #1 on Fluidr
le cabri (7 months ago | reply)
Congrats for the explore
JIMI_lin (7 months ago | reply)
great color
well done!!
Artie..1 (7 months ago | reply)
Wow, what a fantastic image!
GlobeTrotter 2000 (7 months ago | reply)
Wonderful !
I Prahin | www.southeastasia-images.com (7 months ago | reply)
Really an eye catching image. Will check out the rest of your stream tomorrow.
LieselRose (7 months ago | reply)
Nice job mr baggaley. It's imprinted in my mind forever x
dontstealmypen (7 months ago | reply)
Excellent image! And, this is why cameras were invented... Congrats on Explore!! :)