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Archive 2008Chimney Rock and Milky Way
p.1 #1Chimney Rock and Milky Way
I processed this image last night, and then I noticed this morning that Klaus posted a similar image. Why not make it a milky way day, eh?
This was shot at Chimney Rock in Escalante, 5D, 15mm fish, ISO 3200, 30 second exposure. Gotta love those clear nights.
Two people running around with headlamps to paint in the foreground and Chimney Rock. The fisheye doesn't do much justice to the formation, as it is about 90 feet tall.
http://danransom.com/blog/images/20080124222534_milkyway.jpg
Edited on Jan 25, 2008 at 11:10 AM
This was shot at Chimney Rock in Escalante, 5D, 15mm fish, ISO 3200, 30 second exposure. Gotta love those clear nights.
Two people running around with headlamps to paint in the foreground and Chimney Rock. The fisheye doesn't do much justice to the formation, as it is about 90 feet tall.
http://danransom.com/blog/images/20080124222534_milkyway.jpg
Edited on Jan 25, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Jan 25, 2008 at 11:09 AM
p.1 #2Chimney Rock and Milky Way
That's crazy. Nice work. What am I missing though, in terms of ISO 3200? Why not hit it for a minute @ 1600 or less?
Jan 25, 2008 at 11:15 AM
p.1 #3Chimney Rock and Milky Way
BrandonRussell wrote:
That's crazy. Nice work. What am I missing though, in terms of ISO 3200? Why not hit it for a minute @ 1600 or less?
Motion blur in the stars. Not a big deal at small resolutions, but it gets distracting at higher resolutions.
That's crazy. Nice work. What am I missing though, in terms of ISO 3200? Why not hit it for a minute @ 1600 or less?
Motion blur in the stars. Not a big deal at small resolutions, but it gets distracting at higher resolutions.
Jan 25, 2008 at 11:20 AM
p.1 #5Chimney Rock and Milky Way
Hey Dan,
So you caught that with a regular old 15mm, nothing special? Just 30 secs @ 3200... Is it really that clear that you can get that kind of detail
It must be, but I always thought you had to have like a $50,000 telescope to get more then just dots in the sky...
Awesome.
Jim
So you caught that with a regular old 15mm, nothing special? Just 30 secs @ 3200... Is it really that clear that you can get that kind of detail
It must be, but I always thought you had to have like a $50,000 telescope to get more then just dots in the sky...Awesome.
Jim
Jan 25, 2008 at 12:00 PM
p.1 #6Chimney Rock and Milky Way
I LOVE these colors. Beautiful blues and yellows, gorgeous sky.
Jan 25, 2008 at 12:24 PM
p.1 #7Chimney Rock and Milky Way
You got THAT much sky detail in thirty seconds? It must have been pitch black!
I love it. this kind of shot has been my specialty, but I'm exposing for ten minutes
using a guided scope mount and I'm way out in the desert somewhere,
and still I must composite to get a foreground to stand still. This is
stone gorgeous! Great work. I would never have the guts to use ISO 3200.
Art
www.artsdigitalphoto.com
I love it. this kind of shot has been my specialty, but I'm exposing for ten minutes
using a guided scope mount and I'm way out in the desert somewhere,
and still I must composite to get a foreground to stand still. This is
stone gorgeous! Great work. I would never have the guts to use ISO 3200.
Art
www.artsdigitalphoto.com
Jan 25, 2008 at 12:29 PM
p.1 #8Chimney Rock and Milky Way
JimFox wrote:
So you caught that with a regular old 15mm, nothing special? Just 30 secs @ 3200... Is it really that clear that you can get that kind of detail It must be, but I always thought you had to have like a $50,000 telescope to get more then just dots in the sky...
Hi Jim,
Yep, nothing special. This area is pretty deep into Escalante country, far removed from artificial light sources from cities, and little air polution. For two nights, it was crystal clear. I'm sure those two factors made it possible. Literally almost felt like I could walk around by starlight, they seemed so bright. Very neat experience seeing the milky way in those condition. It was the first time I ever looked up and thought "WOW! You can see the entire Milky Way!" Makes me realize that what the ancient astronomers were looking at before man's impact darkened the skies. They probably saw a lot more than we did with the naked eye...
For processing, I used some serious noise ninja, and a decent curves adjustment to bring out the detail and contrast. But yeah, the 15mm and a 5D is the basic setup. Here is another one from the next night.
http://danransom.com/blog/images/20080124231100_milkywaytall.jpg
So you caught that with a regular old 15mm, nothing special? Just 30 secs @ 3200... Is it really that clear that you can get that kind of detail
It must be, but I always thought you had to have like a $50,000 telescope to get more then just dots in the sky...Hi Jim,
Yep, nothing special. This area is pretty deep into Escalante country, far removed from artificial light sources from cities, and little air polution. For two nights, it was crystal clear. I'm sure those two factors made it possible. Literally almost felt like I could walk around by starlight, they seemed so bright. Very neat experience seeing the milky way in those condition. It was the first time I ever looked up and thought "WOW! You can see the entire Milky Way!" Makes me realize that what the ancient astronomers were looking at before man's impact darkened the skies. They probably saw a lot more than we did with the naked eye...
For processing, I used some serious noise ninja, and a decent curves adjustment to bring out the detail and contrast. But yeah, the 15mm and a 5D is the basic setup. Here is another one from the next night.
http://danransom.com/blog/images/20080124231100_milkywaytall.jpg
Jan 25, 2008 at 12:31 PM
p.1 #9Chimney Rock and Milky Way
Wow.. I didn't realize you could get that good a color and detail, will have to try it someday when I find a nice dark spot 
Jan 25, 2008 at 12:33 PM
p.1 #10Chimney Rock and Milky Way
Art Rosch wrote:
You got THAT much sky detail in thirty seconds? It must have been pitch black!
I love it. this kind of shot has been my specialty, but I'm exposing for ten minutes
using a guided scope mount and I'm way out in the desert somewhere,
and still I must composite to get a foreground to stand still. This is
stone gorgeous! Great work. I would never have the guts to use ISO 3200.
Art
www.artsdigitalphoto.com
Hi Art,
Yes, I remember well your image of Arches, I think it was near park avenue, with the milky way above it? I've looked through your stuff before, fantastic images!
This one won't print very big obviously, as the noise is very substantial at higher resolutions. Fortunately, it displays well on the web. I haven't dabbled much with astrophotography, but when I saw this scene unfold, this was the best I could come up with. 15mm 2.8 was my fastest widest lens, so I just went for it. Sure would be nice to have that guided scope though.
Thanks for commenting.
You got THAT much sky detail in thirty seconds? It must have been pitch black!
I love it. this kind of shot has been my specialty, but I'm exposing for ten minutes
using a guided scope mount and I'm way out in the desert somewhere,
and still I must composite to get a foreground to stand still. This is
stone gorgeous! Great work. I would never have the guts to use ISO 3200.
Art
www.artsdigitalphoto.com
Hi Art,
Yes, I remember well your image of Arches, I think it was near park avenue, with the milky way above it? I've looked through your stuff before, fantastic images!
This one won't print very big obviously, as the noise is very substantial at higher resolutions. Fortunately, it displays well on the web. I haven't dabbled much with astrophotography, but when I saw this scene unfold, this was the best I could come up with. 15mm 2.8 was my fastest widest lens, so I just went for it. Sure would be nice to have that guided scope though.
Thanks for commenting.
Jan 25, 2008 at 12:36 PM
p.1 #12Chimney Rock and Milky Way
The second shot is also wonderful. It also tells me something about the
5D. I've promised myself to wait until a DSLR can replicate Ektachrome
before I buy another body. It won't be the 5D but it is certainly a wonderful
camera.
Yes, a tracking mount can be very useful. A lot of work, a LOT of
work, but enables you to shoot at any ISO, and extend your focal
length up to whatever you have the patience to try. Cost no more
than what a good lens costs, unless you're the kind of dedicated
madman to sink 10 or 20K into an Astrophysics or Paramount.
Keep 'em coming, you had a great experience, and when youre under
a sky like that, sometimes you have to put the gear away and just
love the staggering beauty.
Art
Edited on Jan 25, 2008 at 01:06 PM
5D. I've promised myself to wait until a DSLR can replicate Ektachrome
before I buy another body. It won't be the 5D but it is certainly a wonderful
camera.
Yes, a tracking mount can be very useful. A lot of work, a LOT of
work, but enables you to shoot at any ISO, and extend your focal
length up to whatever you have the patience to try. Cost no more
than what a good lens costs, unless you're the kind of dedicated
madman to sink 10 or 20K into an Astrophysics or Paramount.
Keep 'em coming, you had a great experience, and when youre under
a sky like that, sometimes you have to put the gear away and just
love the staggering beauty.
Art
Edited on Jan 25, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Jan 25, 2008 at 01:05 PM
p.1 #13Chimney Rock and Milky Way
Gorgeous! I love these kind of shots.
Light painting the foreground adds the perfect touch.
What aperture were you using? I assume max.
I grew up in big cities and didn't really see the sky without light pollution until I was about 14. Seeing the Milky Way for the first time on a clear night was an incredible experience!
Edited on Jan 25, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Light painting the foreground adds the perfect touch.
What aperture were you using? I assume max.
I grew up in big cities and didn't really see the sky without light pollution until I was about 14. Seeing the Milky Way for the first time on a clear night was an incredible experience!
Edited on Jan 25, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Jan 25, 2008 at 01:47 PM
p.1 #14Chimney Rock and Milky Way
Excellent shots. I've been there on a clear night and it's a spectacular sight.
Jan 25, 2008 at 01:58 PM
p.1 #15Chimney Rock and Milky Way
wlpelzmann wrote:
What aperture were you using? I assume max.
Yep, 2.8. Thanks for the comment.
What aperture were you using? I assume max.
Yep, 2.8. Thanks for the comment.
Jan 25, 2008 at 02:05 PM
p.1 #16Chimney Rock and Milky Way
I am speechless. This is beyond words beautiful. I wonder what is out there?
Jan 25, 2008 at 02:09 PM
p.1 #18Chimney Rock and Milky Way
Stunner! Very well done with an anchor for the celestial work. Thanks for showing us how to push the envelope on this. Who'da thunk 3200 in the dark. Any in the camera noise reduction? Oh, and wonderful job on the light painting. Care to comment on what and how much time?
Jan 25, 2008 at 02:33 PM
p.1 #19Chimney Rock and Milky Way
Wonderful and beautiful images!
Thank you very much for posting these images and the info on how you shot them.
I love the colors too.
Also, I think the use of the light painted foreground elements does add to the image in a very positive way. The chimney rock especially.
What is the limit on seconds for a long exposure before one sees star trails (or motion 'blur') in the stars? In other words, what is the maximum one can keep the shutter open before one needs a tracking device to keep the stars 'pin point?'
Thank you very much for posting these images and the info on how you shot them.
I love the colors too.
Also, I think the use of the light painted foreground elements does add to the image in a very positive way. The chimney rock especially.
What is the limit on seconds for a long exposure before one sees star trails (or motion 'blur') in the stars? In other words, what is the maximum one can keep the shutter open before one needs a tracking device to keep the stars 'pin point?'
Jan 25, 2008 at 02:50 PM
p.1 #20Chimney Rock and Milky Way
I'd love to go out and do this one of these clear nights but its just plain freezing around here. Have just the spot though, wish I had my father's fisheye.
Jan 25, 2008 at 02:51 PM