30 sec. X 119 @ f4....... = 59 1/2 minutes of star trails..... mixed feelings about this one; it turned-out better than I thought it might, but I feel it could have been better.... the moon was only 15% and setting on the horizon so I tried 1600 ISO..... the frames at the beginning had a lot less noise than those toward the end, when the moon had dipped below the horizon.....
This photo was taken on April 21, 2007 in Ridgetown, Blenheim, ON, CA, using a Pentax *ist DS2.
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Comments and faves
C a f r i n e, phirleh, Mightyboy, foxfire09, and 181 other people added this photo to their favorites.
C a f r i n e (74 months ago | reply)
UNbelievable!
This is ten types of stunning, Bob. I just can't get over it!
rg250871 (74 months ago | reply)
I love it. I'm just waiting for a clear sky and I'll have a go at this technique. Very inspirational!
Paul Green (Queenstown, New Zealand) (74 months ago | reply)
Yeah. What's not to like Bob. Its pretty amazing. I admire your patience. 1 hour with the cam in one location/comp!
renwest (74 months ago | reply)
Does seem like it could use some noise reduction. I'm surprised the process didn't get rid of more of it. Nicely done with the star trail reflections too.
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phirleh (74 months ago | reply)
What dedication! Beautiful shot and amazing reflections.
postpurchase (74 months ago | reply)
great work bob,
these shots are a lot of fun to make and to look at!
judyboy (74 months ago | reply)
Bob I'm SOOOO going to have to try this with my new rig... wicked!
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James Thomas Rowe (74 months ago | reply)
It looks pretty amazing!
foxfire09 (74 months ago | reply)
i think it looks great! once again good work!
Andrew C Wallace (74 months ago | reply)
Noisy, yes, but still a stunning shot. I usually take my night shots at the lowest ISO, use curves in photoshop then NeatImage(free version) to reduce the noise.
The wide angle distortion and reflections in this image add even more class.
After going over to digital I wish I could still do this but my camera takes a dark frame after each long exposure, so after a 3 minute exposure it's a 3 minute wait before the next!
It's a great shot and just one of many on your stream. I'm looking forward to seeing more.
seen in Nocturnes - Night Photography (Pool)
Bob West (74 months ago | reply)
thanks for looking and commenting everyone, experimenting like this is interesting....
Andrew C Wallace: I think our 'night shots' are usually done quite similar, but for this one I turned the dark frame option off...... this is 119 consecutive 30 second images compiled with 'startrails.exe'.....
it was taken with a digital camera.....
Taipan2007 (74 months ago | reply)
I love it Bob! I'm only young at the star trail game & I love seeing photos like this & also how you've done them- thanks!
After Dark Photo (74 months ago | reply)
excellent bob.....overlapping shorter shots is what i would liek to try next...iso 1600 is HIGGGGGHHHH good for you trying something different..it worked..noise yes..who cares though..it turned out great and it looks like a giant platter spinning in the sky...and the reflection is outstanding.....im faving this and added you as a contact
daveannoyance (74 months ago | reply)
shut the fuck up. is this guy fo real?
amazing shot.
Odell Garrison (74 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called National Geographic: The World Around Us, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Barkeater [deleted] (74 months ago | reply)
Whoah!!! the 1600 is a little distracting (the noise that is)...but overall it doesn't bother me.
kyaramx (74 months ago | reply)
Stunning sky !!
Well done ;-)
j. cleveland [deleted] (74 months ago | reply)
wonderful star trails!
love how you captured a few reflections as well
top notch work!
Ken Heffernan [deleted] (74 months ago | reply)
Stunning Photo
CowGummy (74 months ago | reply)
Great idea perfectly executed! Although i agree with you about the noise due to the high iso value.
None the less, an awesome shot!
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jpctalbot (74 months ago | reply)
Star-trail reflection : Great idea!
One Foot Over The Moon (74 months ago | reply)
You come up with some fantastic ideas!
You are my winner as well!
You deserve another one.
Found in www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Jean-Paul Boudreau Photographie (74 months ago | reply)
Although you do have a bit of grain on the horizon, it doesn't take any thing away from this great shot Bravo!
Definitely a winner!!!
You deserve another one.
Found in www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
KK07 (74 months ago | reply)
Definitely a winner!!!
You deserve another one.
Found in www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Simply Shot Maui (74 months ago | reply)
Wow Wow Wow! So Beautiful Bob:0)
Annalee Blysse [deleted] (74 months ago | reply)
This is beautiful. Love this one!
*setsuna (74 months ago | reply)
Great!!
Definitely a winner!!!
You deserve another one.
Found in www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Vicente SP (74 months ago | reply)
Congratulations Bob... you,re on most interesting photos of the week!
Great photo.... luks like that you have been twice busy on the nights ..before with full moon an now with few moon!
And thanks for sharing your workflow with us.
Regards
Vicente
airchayes [deleted] (74 months ago | reply)
fantastic!
c@rljones (74 months ago | reply)
Very cool indeed, I took a very similar shot last night as it happens, i'm loving the colour you've caught in the sky here and a superb star trail.
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Bob West (74 months ago | reply)
thanks everyone, the response has been overwhelming......
this photo has been very educational for me, I can see so many ways this might have been better.....
_Belial: I can thank the low lying moon for illuminating the sky....
Karissa Carlson (74 months ago | reply)
Really nice, I love the reflection of the star trails in the water!
daita (73 months ago | reply)
so cool!
3rd foundation (73 months ago | reply)
Holy smokes that is awesome. One hour of supreme patience. Well worth the result. Have you seen the movie Baraka? You'd like that. This reminds me of it.
sketchySteven (73 months ago | reply)
funness! Love it!
aumbody images (73 months ago | reply)
Love this – the reflected star trails in the water floored me: I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before. Even in large don’t find the noise distracting - seems a fair compromise for the crispness of the trails. Fave! Thanks for the heads up on the stacking program .
David M Hogan (73 months ago | reply)
great shot, love the reflection
David Cartier (72 months ago | reply)
Really Impressive, despite the grain, the composition with the reflection makes it very special indeed!
Escapista (72 months ago | reply)
wow...
_oliverh_ (71 months ago | reply)
amazing
Kirpernicus (70 months ago | reply)
Bob, thought you might like this group that was just started by one of my other favorite night photographers, VJ Spectra. Your work fits in well with the other contributions to the pool, very high quality photos.
Please add your Incredible Night Photo to:
Nocturnal Masterpiece
Please add the tag "Nocturnal Masterpiece"
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Eye Candy!, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Ar'alani (70 months ago | reply)
That is absolutely incredible. I love your starlines and their reflections. What a beautiful evening!
Steve Castle (69 months ago | reply)
Fabulous. I love the reflections.
M.R.7 (69 months ago | reply)
This is a masterpiece Bob, and thankyou for explaining the tecnique.
Adam Rondepierre (68 months ago | reply)
very cool
Bob West (66 months ago | reply)
I'd like to thank everyone for commenting and favouring and just stopping by to look.....
There seems to be a constant flow of views, don't be bashful say your piece :-)
Jon Lorefice [deleted] (62 months ago | reply)
hehe.. your exif data says 30 secs..just sayin..
guess i shoud've read you descrip before i commented..
rather cool pic though
Paul M. Robinson (62 months ago | reply)
Clever stuff.
B~ (62 months ago | reply)
Wonderful photo... Don't quite understand HOW you did it but the results is amazing!!!
Salamah.y (62 months ago | reply)
just a great shot