Milky Way Questions

[wilgk]

We are here in South East Queensland on holiday.
It gets dark early & it’s warm out and not a cloud (or rain drop, sadly for so many) in the sky.
So I head out to take a Milky Way photo or 2.

Novice to this, the sight was truly amazing, so clear even to the naked eye, I could have sat and watched for hours.
Sadly husband with me, had to get on with the photo mission.

In this image I used a nearby light to add the tress for some foreground interest.
Only have iPad here, so no multiple stacked images from me this time.

My question is, how do people get the shots with the Milky Way almost reaching the ground or seeming to brush against a cool looking building, for their foreground.

I was almost pointing the camera vertically, so short of digging a hole to get a different perspective, I can’t see how they do it.
Is it take the foreground shot earlier thenthe Milky Way sky & blend?
Sorry this sounds a really dumb question, but my brain is struggling to equate 2 things at right angles in 1 frame.

Anyhow I was happy with this as a 1 image iPad edit start.
I will try the stacking of several for improve sharpness when back at a computer.

[rpcrowe]

I love this image IMO, star shots are the most boring subjects (along with fireworks and sunsets) unless they include some earthbound objects or subjects.

That is simply my own feelings about stars. My neighbor spends big bucks on his telescopes and can really get excited with his pictures of the sky. He'll anxiously show me these pictures and my feelings are (but, I'd never tell it to him), "Yep, those are the stars alright. Ho hum"

[Stagecoach]

My question is, how do people get the shots with the Milky Way almost reaching the ground or seeming to brush against a cool looking building, for their foreground.

Kay,

It depends upon the time of night and the direction you are looking for the position of the milky way.

Download 'Stellarium' and you will be able to plan your timing and direction. As an example where I am in Fiji at around 8 pm tonight if I look SSW and use a 16mm lens I'll get it from centre top to centre bottom (horizon). But it will be cloudy again

[Shadowman]

Can't help with the query but love the image, you could always do a composite but you'll surely be called on it unless you acknowledge what you've done. Would it be possible to shoot uphill?

[wilgk]

Thanks for commenting
Glad you agree Richard, I took some of just Sky & even thought it was the Milky Way, nothing really interesting.
Sorry you’re having clouds Graeme, we are on holiday here with 2 weeks non stop sun & clear skies, I do actually feel a bit guilty, as we come here every year at this time & it’s never this good...we sadly think the drought to the south of here might have something to do with it.

I will download the app though, thanks

Thank you John, that was my thought I need to get a lower perspective to get the geometry right, my husband came along to hold a torch, but I don’t know how he’d go if I asked him to dig me a hole!

Thank you for your comments all.

[JBW]

We are here in South East Queensland on holiday.
It gets dark early & it’s warm out and not a cloud (or rain drop, sadly for so many) in the sky.
So I head out to take a Milky Way photo or 2.

Novice to this, the sight was truly amazing, so clear even to the naked eye, I could have sat and watched for hours.
Sadly husband with me, had to get on with the photo mission.

In this image I used a nearby light to add the tress for some foreground interest.
Only have iPad here, so no multiple stacked images from me this time.

My question is, how do people get the shots with the Milky Way almost reaching the ground or seeming to brush against a cool looking building, for their foreground.

I was almost pointing the camera vertically, so short of digging a hole to get a different perspective, I can’t see how they do it.
Is it take the foreground shot earlier thenthe Milky Way sky & blend?
Sorry this sounds a really dumb question, but my brain is struggling to equate 2 things at right angles in 1 frame.

Anyhow I was happy with this as a 1 image iPad edit start.
I will try the stacking of several for improve sharpness when back at a computer.

Your shot is one of the rim of the Milky way at its Zenith. Aside from some serious cutting and pasting your only option is to photograph the rim when it is near the horizon. This may require a different time of the year and location.

On the other hand, you have a great shot of one of my personal favorite areas of the Milky Way. If you were to crop out most of the bottom trees and do some local adjustments you might enjoy the results.

[John 2]

…………………………………….. Sadly husband with me, ………………………………..

There are time when I get the feeling that my better half feels the same way.

From a purely aesthetic perspective, this works for me. I might be tempted to crop a bit tighter at the bottom. The tree trunk and canopy top right provides sufficient context.

[wilgk]

Thank you Brian and John for your comments.
I did try a crop at the bottom but wasn’t sure, will have another look.
I am keen to try again...

[JBW]

Thank you Brian and John for your comments.
I did try a crop at the bottom but wasn’t sure, will have another look.
I am keen to try again...

An honest warning Astrophotography has been described as THE hardest genre of photography to master. It is highly technical and can become incredibly addictive and expensive.

Conversely you can get beautiful shots like the one you have just posted with minimal gear and great conditions.

I took the following shot with a Sony Alpha a58 and a Tamron 90mm 272E macro lens. It is the same basic area you shot cropped and enhanced to bring out the Lagoon Nebula (the bright blue area) I offer it as an example of the possibilities for DSLR astrophotography. On a scale of 1 to 10 most fanatics would give it about 4. It shows the possibilities but not the mastery.



There are others here who are much better at this than I am. You might also enjoy Ice In Space a web based Australian group with some knowledgeable members in the DSLR field.

Good luck,
Brian

[wilgk]

Thank you Brian!
You have indeed shown the possibilities, I look forward to giving it another go soon.