Orbital Motion

I love the different shades of blue, white, and gray in the star trails.

View Large On Black

The very bright streak is Jupiter traversing the sky, it's a great time to look for our solar system's biggest planet! And don't miss the Perseid Meteor Shower right around the corner peaking Aug. 12th, it should be a good year for it!

This is one of my first stacked star trail images, usually in the past I used slide film or used 15-30 min exposures. For this image, 62 1 min 11 sec exposures 1 sec apart were combined with this free Photoshop action. Others you might want to try, especially if you need a stand alone if you don't have PS are here and here. Enjoy!

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(117 comments)

Mukumbura says:

I think this is a GRRREAT work of art !!!!!
You are invited to post your image to:

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

PhilC. says:

this is gorgeous!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Miguel_CD says:

Beautiful shot!

b> I SAW YOU FIRST
Please add this inspiring photo to

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

*Visual Noise says:

Awesome exposure shot! My current star shots are only for 30 seconds.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Hot Flash Photography (taking a break) says:

That is one amazing image, Michael. Fabulous work.
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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

amish_shah says:

this is gorgeous..
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Lammietjie says:

beautiful - i always adore star trail images! :)
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

DavidLee. says:

holy moly. this is awsome. all my star trails are just one long exposure.

www.flickr.com/photos/davidparks/2642626191/i n/set-721576...

i wish my camera (nikon d40x) wouldn't take so long to load the pic once ive taken it. plus i dont know how to stack that many pics to one. i have cs3 but im not very good at it yet.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Leviathor says:

I downloaded that action a couple years back, and finally got a chance to use it after this last trip. To whet the appetite, it's got the Tetons in it, too.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Fort Photo says:

,

I like that image bunches, very nice. A couple of pointers to help you out:

1. On taking a long time to load that's because long exposure noise reduction is turned on. With it on it takes a dark frame equal to the length of your exposure, so that's the wait. You can go into the menu and turn that off if you are going to be stacking shorter exposures (30 secs to 1 min is a good starting point to keep noise low without the dark frame subtraction provided by long exposure NR, or you can just take a dark frame and use that for your own NR). This way you don't have to wait for the longtime noise reduction and can keep the exposures closer together. Much longer than a second or two apart and you will get obvious dashed streaks (you will always get them with stacking to some degree).

2. Try the link I provided to the free action, it is actually quite simple to use and you can perfect your technique from there. From the stand alones the first one I linked is the least technical and also not too terribly complex either. Give it a go!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

rabataller says:

So great composition
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Jefe Montana says:

stunning effect Fort, you're a master.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

leaders says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Search the Best...Invited Photos Only, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeanie's Pics says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Welcome to my World/Comment on1pic (New Challenge Open), and we'd love to have this added to the group!

wow, this is awesome, great work my friend!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Leviathor says:

Another bonus to stacking is that it is an effective ISO reducer, so it's possible to shoot at ISO 800, say, and the stacking will average out the darker areas to the noise of ISO 400, give or take.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Fort Photo says:

,

Indeed! I am actually beginning to explore using a similar stacking/averaging technique to get 0 noise daytime landscapes. It's all about the signal to noise ratio! ;-)))
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

inate says:

Nice - these time exposures of the stars always make me think of a big vinyl record spinning on a turntable in the sky...
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

duncsp8 says:

Superb.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

lake.sider says:

Simply awesome!!! I love long exposures!!!
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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

lake.sider says:

An Awesome Shot Award
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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Filomena Brioso says:

I saw this great image in:

Welcome to My World!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

linda yvonne says:

Beautifully presented
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

makeupanid says:

Oh this is awesome photo and links! I don't know if I'll have an opportunity to try trails but if I do I'll know what to do after!
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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

prairiedog (out and about...) says:

an outstanding pattern, great shot!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

lucky e says:

major fun
nice going
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

bluemist57 says:

This is Just amazing!!!! I would love to get a shot like that!!! :))

I saw this great image in:

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Kathy (Arctic-Fox) says:

Wow.. that is amazing.. Nice work.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

CritterQueen says:

All I can say is Wow...
GOLD STAR AWARD (invite needed)

You are invited to add this exceptional image to
GOLD STAR AWARD (invite needed)

please add the tag GoldStarAward
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

VEMB says:

wow, this is great, congrats!!!

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

jah~ says:

Never heard of stacking star trails. What a concept. Now the 12 hour trails that are the realm of film are fair game. Thanks for sharing!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

guervos says:

Seen in

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Michelle in NY says:

Wow, I never heard of stacking them either, fantastic image!

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

janusz l says:

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.
Vincent Van Gogh

Fantastic Work !!!! Yes we both like night ... Congratulations my Friend !

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Duck Defender Bonnie says:

The shot that only you can do - awesome!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Nic Temby says:

I saw this great image in:

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

andie.smith says:

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Pat Ulrich says:

this is really cool - so stunning! and its so awesome that jupiter is that much brighter - fascinating!

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

ms.lume says:

Jumpin' Jupiter this is Marvelous!!!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

The Capturer says:

thanks for the heads up about the shower fantastic shot too. what time did you take it?
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

moocatmoocat says:

very cool processing and scene, I like the bright Jupiter. I still miss 'planet' Pluto...

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeff McCrory ( © jdm_photo) says:

This is Fantastic!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

down_the_rabbit_hole says:

Beautiful my friend - love the angle of these streaks and against that partially lit sky they work a treat. Isn't the Schurs action cool - use it all the time now.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

CRimages says:

Neat shot, Michael - great exposure and processing.

Seen in my contacts photos.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

rwolfert says:

That's a really beautiful composition. Yes, Jupiter is lovely now and for some time to come.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

` ®© ROBERTO CARBONI says:

another great one
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

JDM Photography says:

This is another amazing piece. Excellent job.
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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

fiznatty says:

What a funky result. Very cool.
I saw this great image in:

Welcome to My World!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Maxsimus says:

Tout a fait impressionnant Bravo :-)
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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Red~Star says:

Awesome...I am speechless. My eyes glazed over when I read how you did this. Too technical for me. I love star shots like this. Jupiter sure is bright. I can't wait until the shower next month.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

..karen.. says:

wow ! simply amazing ......
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Luansol says:

This world-class image was found in
Global Village 2 (post 1 - give a globe to 5)
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

skooterdawg says:

wow...awesome shot !!
NaturesFinest
This is really one of Natures Finest!!>
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

creationcaptures (mtngpa) says:

you amaze me!!! incredible!!!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

crashmattb says:

Really cool. Nice work.

This world-class image was found in
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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Maureen F. says:

you are so good at this.....I am slowly starting to understand the technical aspects but I just don't have the hours in the day to really wrap my head around all this.......
I will try some long exposures perhaps this summer ....especially since I most probably will be up at my cottage soon..
I don't get what stacking is quite though it sounds intriguing !!

I have one shot taken when I first got my camera (canon rebel XTI) last summer.....The shot was taken only a few days after I had gotten said camera....took one decent long exposure with it. Still have that photo in my archives....maybe I will post it one day. It even has a few star trails LOL !!

wonderful composition !!
:~)

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

lemperleconnie says:

Wow! This is so awesome and gorgeous looking! Love it!

~I SNIFFED out this wonderful image!
You deserve this nose worthy award!~
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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Lord Ezar says:

fantastically amazing time lapse shot!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Rinblad says:

This world-class image was found in
Global Village 2 (post 1 - give a globe to 5)
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

borealnz says:

Amazing Michael! I love your star trails.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

!ECOVOMA says:

Beautiful photo. Have a good week in spite of slowness's Flickr.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Ted Rivera says:

Very cool shot, will have to check it out further. Thanks for the info :D
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

brodmann's 17 says:

very striking photo. really nice image.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

NatashaP says:

Utterly amazing work my friend! WOW!!!

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

digitallinks says:

Great work!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

© Lucie's Photography / www.luciedebelkova.com says:

This world-class image was found in
Global Village 2 (post 1 - give a globe to 5)
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

jazoni says:

Excellent!

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espressoDOM says:

This world-class image was found in
Global Village 2 (post 1 - give a globe to 5)

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

PAUL1852 says:

This world-class image was found in
Global Village 2 (post 1 - give a globe to 5)
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

prgibbs says:

Wow!!! Fantastic work!

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

brian doucette says:

Excellent work as only you can do. Very well done.

This photo deserves a big HEART,
please post this beautiful picture at
Heart Awards Group .
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

smgallery says:

Intense! I love it & thanks for the link!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Sandmania says:

This is amazing. Thanks for the link. I might have to try this out sometime.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

VickerMonkee says:

Very cool shot!

I saw this great image in:

Welcome to My World!

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

亞羅米爾  says:

amazing!! nice shot!!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

VB2010 says:

Amazing picture!

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

meseontour says:

Wow, amazing!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

mimbrava says:

This is awesome but far beyond my abilities and time to devote to producing such an image. Plus in metro Atlanta one cannot see stars except some mostly directly overhead.

Cool that you've been noticed and praised by Steve Ballmer.

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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

dreamscapepics says:

Wow...that is utterly amazing!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

[Nocturne] says:

[Noctography],
[Star Trails],

beautiful! add this to my two groups amazing!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

mudpig says:

excellent work!

Seen in The Best: BRAVO
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

jason-obrien [deleted] says:

Fantastic startrails.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

kayodeok says:

Very nice work! The stacking interests me a lot . . .
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Cobra_11 says:

I've never seen anything like this before! Amazing shot!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

leapin26 says:

incredible capture!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Sandra_R says:

Wonderful scene. Fantastic shot!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

r.zap says:

stupenda !!! ciaoooooooooooo
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

leesure says:

gorgeous! Thanks for the link!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Lynn Park says:

this is eye-catching
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

DanielKHC says:

Fascinating shot Michael. I am too often bothered by the dark frame shot used for NR. I wonder if there is a real difference with NR turned on or off...Would need to do some experiment myself to check it out...
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

mshhoward says:

Great exposure and color!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

neloqua says:

So unique!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

melepix says:

This is so fun. . going to keep this in my faves folder for the day I get techy enough to go try it.
Thanks
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

New Yorkled says:

Holy Cow...your descriptions of how you go about these masterpieces really get to me. I'm awed and floored buddy.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

2lazy7 says:

That is really cool how you have the sunset/clouds in with the star trails - I'll have to try this sometime. Awesome shot!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Fort Photo says:

,

As it turns out that's not sunset colors, it's light pollution for Fort Collins, CO... over 40 miles away!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Tim Solley says:

Nice Michael. I've never tried a stacked star trail shot before. Kinda cool how the trails aren't smooth, but jagged. Did you use an intervalometer, or do it by hand?
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

cleangetaway says:

absolutely spectacular, this is what photography was invented for!!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

adrians_art says:

Brilliant technique Michael, have a great weekend!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeanie's Pics says:

Karma Group Photo Contest
Karma Nominated Photo
This Wonderful Photo has been Nominated for the Karma Photo Contest! Please look in the contest thread for further directions! Contest re-opens on Saturday!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Toni_V says:

wow! What a fantastic image!
Congratulations!
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Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken in Weld County , Colorado (map)

Taken on July 29, 2008

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