Steven Christenson's photostream  

A quick study in what might be possible. Unfortunately I was not well prepared. At least I proved in theory that a Star Circle surrounding the Space Needle is possible. Urban star trails are not simple, however!

This would have definitely worked better in portrait mode. The bugaboo was avoiding the glaringly bright light that you see in the lower left. No, that's not the light, that's RIMLIGHT off the top of my black knit hat while I strategically stood there to block the unwanted light and waited to capture enough images.

Where is this shooting location exactly? Here's your hint: 7-11; 39-40.

Press "L" or double click the image to see a larger version.

© Copyright 2012, Steven Christenson
StarCircleAcademy.com

BLOG || Events || FaceBook || Twitter || 500px

All rights reserved. Curious what "all rights reserved means?" it means that without written permission you may not: copy, transmit, modify, use, print or display this image in any context other than as it appears in Flickr.

Virga is rain that doesn't meet the ground. Of course this being Seattle, it's quite possible rain WAS reaching the ground but I wasn't under the cloud to verify. The black building (Columbia Center) at the right is the 20th tallest building in the United States if that helps give you a sense of scale. The Space Needle at the left isn't puny either.

Press "L" or click the image to see a larger version.

© Copyright 2012, Steven Christenson
StarCircleAcademy.com

BLOG || Events || FaceBook || Twitter || 500px

All rights reserved. Curious what "all rights reserved means?" it means that without written permission you may not: copy, transmit, modify, use, print or display this image in any context other than as it appears in Flickr.

© Copyright 2012, Steven Christenson
StarCircleAcademy.com

BLOG || Events || FaceBook || Twitter || 500px

All rights reserved. Curious what "all rights reserved means?" it means that without written permission you may not: copy, transmit, modify, use, print or display this image in any context other than as it appears in Flickr.

This was the "before" picture. Before dark, that is.

© Copyright 2012, Steven Christenson
StarCircleAcademy.com

BLOG || Events || FaceBook || Twitter || 500px

All rights reserved. Curious what "all rights reserved means?" it means that without written permission you may not: copy, transmit, modify, use, print or display this image in any context other than as it appears in Flickr.

The distant background is Seattle.

This is 93 images composited together in the usual way using Image Stacker. Each exposure was 30 seconds, ISO 200, f/3.5. 16mm.

I used a jury-rigged intervalometer (rubberbands and a pen) since I neglected to pack mine.

How I created this is well documented on my BLOG in various articles.

The new version of Picasa (3.9) has some nice features including framing and an "HDR" tool which can be used (carefully) to enhance star trails.

© Copyright 2012, Steven Christenson
StarCircleAcademy.com

BLOG || Events || FaceBook || Twitter || 500px

All rights reserved. Curious what "all rights reserved means?" it means that without written permission you may not: copy, transmit, modify, use, print or display this image in any context other than as it appears in Flickr.