Star trails

Discuss everything including the optimal equipment, seasons, techniques and tips for capturing excellent photos.

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hoohaa
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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:

Image
Star trail attempt

Image
Star trail attempt

I'm hoping I'll get more chances to shoot these and improved as the summer continues on!
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Kelly
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Those are fantastic for a first attempt, P.J.!
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Matt
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hell yeah! Wonderful. How long of an exposure?
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hoohaa
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The top one was about 16 minutes; the bottom was about 21 minutes.
My photo blog: P.J.'s look at the world
My regular blog: A 'lil HooHaa
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"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast, you also miss the sense of where you are going and why." - Eddie Cantor
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Kelly
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did you use a timer remote?
I am strong, because I've been weak.
I am fearless, because I've been afraid.
I am wise, because I've been foolish.

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hoohaa
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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.
My photo blog: P.J.'s look at the world
My regular blog: A 'lil HooHaa
My flickr: HooHaa Photos

"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast, you also miss the sense of where you are going and why." - Eddie Cantor
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hobkyl
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That's pretty amazing! Love the second one with the lit up foreground and background. Car lights?
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americanhero
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wow, those are wonderful trails. :up:

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

Image

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. :D

Image


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