Nights in Nature

[PhotoByTrace]

Hi all,
It has been a long time between visits to CiC for me. Work, health and life kept me from spending as much time in my online haunts as I'd like this year . I've certainly missed the banter and sense of community. However, I've still been shooting [read from this comment... I'm still somewhat sane )].

Last month I spent three weekends enjoying some back-to-nature therapy in a nearby national park. It was blissful and certainly helped with the aforementioned sanity. Clear skies also meant it was an ideal time for starry nights, so I took advantage of it while I could. We're rapidly heading into summer here in the tropics, so clear sky opportunities will most likely dwindle for the next few months.

A few of my favourite night sky captures for September are below.

1. Moonlit Solitude

Blend of two exposures: Cliff face and waterfall=14mm f/2.8 151secs at ISO 1600 + Moon and Sky= 14mm f/2.8 25secs at ISO 1600 This was taken at 2am as a 3/4 full moon was setting.

2. The Rising

Blend of two exposures: Sky and landscape at 175mm f/11 1/4sec 100ISO + Moon at 1/13sec 100ISO

3. Starscape Silhouette

14mm f/2.8 30secs ISO2000

4. Back from that Soul Vacation

Blend of two exposures (an hour apart): 14mm f/2.8 Cliff face 30secs at ISO 400 (an hour after twilight with light from setting crescent moon) + Sky 30secs at ISO2500. The hour delay allowed the milky way to rotate into a better position for this composition and for the sky to darken.

I'm very happy to receive constructive criticism and will certainly do my best to answer any questions if you have any. I see there are still some familiar faces chatting, so ever hopeful for some banter too

[IzzieK]

Welcome back, Trace...These are all very nice. I was aiming for these kind of shots last week to wet my feet on astrophotography and BIF but it did not happen. The weather were astrocious to say the least so the bugs were all out in force. We opted to go back here earlier than expected for two reasons, one being personal. Anyway...I researched on settings and all that for one-shot exposures and it did not happen. I envy you for these shots. They are all beautiful.

[Loose Canon]

Trace this is among the best I have ever seen.

I have no idea what might be considered “sanity”.

But I know what it means to ask Mother N. to heal and without Her I wouldn’t be here to comment!

These composites have raised the Bar.

I’m just damn glad you’re back! These are mind blowing.

[Stagecoach]

Wonderful work Trace and welcome back.

Firstly, thank you for giving all the details of how you accomplished these, it's certainly good education for me and I'm sure others.

Secondly, my favourite is all of them As Terry has said these raise the bar !

Grahame

[PhotoByTrace]

Hi Izzie, Sad to hear that your plans didn't eventuate. Hope you get out soon. It is a little addictive when you look at that LCD screen and see what you can capture from the sky. While I love just staring at the stars, it is amazing what a long exposure can record. Have fun with it!

[Paniaa]

I'm with Grahame - wonderful x3

[PhotoByTrace]

Hi Terry and Grahame,
Mother Nature does wonders to heal. Happy to be back; thank you for the "welcome mat". And I'm glad you like the images!

And thanks Pania!

[deetheturk]

Wonderful images Trace, beautiful!

David

[Kodiak]

A few of my favourite night sky captures for September

Admirable! I love this.

[FootLoose]

Fantastic, Trace. Some guy was recently featured in the SMH with this type of photography, but his work doesn't hold a candle to these photos.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[bnnrcn]

Beautiful images

[Mike Buckley]

All of them are absolutely gorgeous with the last one being my favorite.

[PhotoByTrace]

Thanks all. Appreciate the feedback and the welcome.
And Mike, that last photo was the one I had been chasing for a while, but needed the stars, moon and weather to align for me. I do love that location, and was happy to get that image. On the lookout now for my next night setting. But will hopefully get back to a beach for a sunrise this weekend.

[IzzieK]

Hi Izzie, Sad to hear that your plans didn't eventuate. Hope you get out soon. It is a little addictive when you look at that LCD screen and see what you can capture from the sky. While I love just staring at the stars, it is amazing what a long exposure can record. Have fun with it!

Trace ... I do not know when I am going back to our place in Cedar Key. I had prepared my settings night before when I saw the Milky way for the next early morning shoot and I do not have to go out somewhere to do it so I had planned to connect my camera to my laptop and plug the power to the outside power supply as I can shoot right there on my deck that night. I should had done it that night instead but I was too tired from our long trip, went to bed early and set my alarm at 4Am only to be disappointed. I was close <............................> to it! It was like I can almost touched the skies from there! There will be other times I hope...before I die. One for my bucket list!

[Rita]

Stunning!

[flashback]

Wow!

[dje]

Welcome back "Little Miss Havechat", I think I've seen that waterfall before !

Seriously though Trace, these are very good. You've still got it !! Thanks for the explanations too.

Dave

[Donald]

Trace

It's great to have you back. Thought we'd lost you.

Wonderful set of images.

[terrib]

Echoing everyone else's comments. These are all wonderful images. My participation has been sporadic and I'm glad I happened in when you did! Glad to see your images. They are inspiring for those of us who've not yet managed many night shots.