[hoohaa]

Anyone do these?

I've been itching to learn and I went out tonight and shot a few. I like the output, but I think I can definitely improve greatly. I need to learn about focusing in the dark and just seeing what else I can do to improve.

I look at some star trail images on Flickr and am amazed. I'm by far not there yet.

If anyone does these, do you have any tips for a newcomer to star trails? Advice? Etc.? I love night photography and this is taking it to a new level for me. Any help is appreciated.

Here's two that I shot tonight:


Star trail attempt


Star trail attempt

I'm hoping I'll get more chances to shoot these and improved as the summer continues on!

[Kelly]

Those are fantastic for a first attempt, P.J.!

[Matt]

hell yeah! Wonderful. How long of an exposure?

[hoohaa]

The top one was about 16 minutes; the bottom was about 21 minutes.

[Kelly]

did you use a timer remote?

[hoohaa]

I used a regular cable remote and a stopwatch/clock. I just locked the remote to open things up and stood away from the camera.

[hobkyl]

That's pretty amazing! Love the second one with the lit up foreground and background. Car lights?

[americanhero]

wow, those are wonderful trails.

I tried some trail as well this year. Took this two shots in Southern Utah while there on vacation. It also was my very first attempt with the trails
The first one wasn't long enough, only 12 independent shots which I later later stacked together. All shots were 30sec exposures



the second one is much better, I stacked 5 or six shots together. Each of the shots had a 2 minute exposure and the lighting on the rocks is from my campfire.




if I ever find a place here in Western New York without a lot of light pollution, I will give it another try.

[hobkyl]

Those are great Yvonne! What do you mean you can't find a place in WNY without light pollution? They are plentiful!

[americanhero]

Those are great Yvonne! What do you mean you can't find a place in WNY without light pollution? They are plentiful!

city lights pollute the sky. You need really really dark skies for the best results. I never saw such clear nights with the Milky Way like on my backpack trips this summer in Utah.
For great trails you need a place without any lights within at least 10-15 miles.


Guess I have to head out to the Adirondacks and try a few trails.
That's a good reason to plan a weekend camping trip

[hobkyl]

There are tons of places in WNY that are secluded from the lights. WNY hosts dozens of state forests and multi use areas that are far from lights. Also there are miles and miles of country roads flanked by farm fields that are out of the range of the light pollution. I bet you could find somewhere within less than an hour from where you live that would be suitable. Although the Daks would be a great option as well.

[americanhero]

There are tons of places in WNY that are secluded from the lights. WNY hosts dozens of state forests and multi use areas that are far from lights. Also there are miles and miles of country roads flanked by farm fields that are out of the range of the light pollution. I bet you could find somewhere within less than an hour from where you live that would be suitable. Although the Daks would be a great option as well.

I guess I will find something. But where to start?
Any recommendations? Maybe a camping trip to Letchworth or Allegheny SP?
I also need to find some spots for a spontaneous night shooting

[hobkyl]

I'd say those two would be great places. You also have Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Plus dozens of state forests in the Ellicotville area which is about an hour from you. Or driving towards Rochester along the lake (rt 18...eventually the parkway)....miles away fom city lights with farms as far as the eye can see.

Pull up your favorite mapping service and take a gander for state forests, refuges, or roads far far away from towns and city's.

[cbobcat49]

Cherry Springs State Park in north central PA is known for its dark skies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_Springs_State_Park

[americanhero]

thanks for your ideas, I guess I have to try some of those in the next weeks. Depending on the weather forecast
Need to improve my skills with star trails a little bit more.