The Skillion – Star Trail Night Photography

Yet another trip out shooting the stars last night. This is becoming very addictive. Moon was at 41.9% illumination (waxing) which means the period that runs between the New Moon and the Full Moon.

This is a combination of moon light and ambient light from the surround suburbs and peoples headlights. Single image capture.

Now I just got to think up my next location and what sort of shooting combination I want to do… maybe sunset into a star trail… you will have to wait and see.

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Forresters Beach Star Blend

I’m really getting into this star shooting and heading out as much as possible to explore different techniques.

With this one I arrived about a hour and a half before sunrise and I laid down some shots. I wanted to get away from the spinning star look but I needed detail as the moon had set and there was no real overhead light source. So I took a range of images all the way till sunrise to do a blend. Then finding trying to find the right combination to get a realistic look. So this is my result.

Two image blend. Sky and Ground. 20 minutes apart. Good learning experience. The key to all this is the blending of light in the exposures.

Night / Startrail Photography

Full moon was out once again and the conditions and timing were perfect to head out do another full moon night shot. Shot at 250 iso, next time I’ll put the 5D mk2 on 50 iso and add the extra 2 and 1/3 stops to the shutter speed and see how it does with noise. As I have seen and heard of some good reports and seeing it is winter and the camera will be at it’s coldest might also help reduce noise. Might so I have read anyway as the sensor wont heat up as much causing noise. !!

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Shooting Moonlight Photography using Digital – Video Tutorial

The first of my in the field tutorials is now ready for release. My introduction into Moonlight photography. This 50 minute video tutorial begins with an outline into the research I did to shoot the location both on digital and slide film. Starting points for my digital exposures, how the moonlight will fall on the area and the best time to head out and shoot.

The tutorial then moves into a detailed look into how the shoot went with test shots and the final exposures taken. Discussing how focusing was done, experimentation with selected f stops, shutter speeds and also iso settings. The use of long exposure noise compensation in the 5D Mk II and it compared to an image with half the iso and shutter speed… how did it stack up ???

Most importantly of all I outline what I learnt and what I would do differently next time I head out. Learning not necessary from mistakes but finding improvements in your work flow to make your next shoot better in certain areas. For me the exposure is exactly what I want but my DOF could be improved and this is discussed on how it will be approached next time.

I also process three files from RAW to final print ready master files as well. The editing of the slide film shots is not covered in this tutorial, only the settings used for the capture.

This tutorial is free for all Rubbing Pixel members, or it can be purchased by guests for viewing on line for $9.99. Here is the direct link to the tutorial.

Planning for my first digital night shoot – Full moon

Last night around 9pm I let the dogs out for a wee and I couldn’t believe the amount of light from the full moon. So tonight I am going to head out and do my first night shoot on digital. What I am going to do is to is screen record my research before I head out, followed by “if possible” some in the field recording of me on location and how things are going with some of the tests and explain what I am doing followed by the post production of the images taken. Then combine all that into a masterclass for the Rubbing Pixels website. I think this might be easier said than done.

My plan is to do a few tests of the effects of long exposure noise on images, with and without long exposure noise activated on the 5D MkII.
Shooting a few digital panoramic’s under moon light and also some general shots.
Also to plan for some other shoots for star trails when the new moon comes.

I’ll also bang off a shot or two with the Fuji G617 loaded with either Provia 100f or 400x. Might as well while I am there !

I got three batteries for the 5D MkII so that should keep me out of trouble for a fair while.

Stay tuned… I’ll upload a photo or two tomorrow of what I get from tonight.