Brad Becker
August 2020 - North
Original 1
Original 2
About the Image(s)
I had a clear night on a recent backpacking trip and did a series of 20 minute star trail images. I combined them in photoshop and added the moth to create a foreground element. I like how the moon came up at 2 am illuminating the mountains. I'm not 100% satisfied with the image so I'm open to any suggestions.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
6 comments posted
(Groups 36 & 67)
This is a most different take on startrails. The novelty of it is quite clever. The rising moon did you a great favor by lighting the mountains. First I think you did a great job of extracting that moth---legs and all.
As a hiker and backpacker I have done more than my share of this type of scene and you image makes me feel like I am there with you. Good job.
On the other hand I'm really glad I was not there. I don't know where you were, but if the moths get that large I do not want to be there!!! The darn thing is so large it is bending the tree!!!
Seriously, to me that is the problem. The scene just seems fake. It is well constructed, I just feel it is unreal. That may be why you have that unsatisfied feeling. Posted: 08/04/2020 16:56:47
As a hiker and backpacker I have done more than my share of this type of scene and you image makes me feel like I am there with you. Good job.
On the other hand I'm really glad I was not there. I don't know where you were, but if the moths get that large I do not want to be there!!! The darn thing is so large it is bending the tree!!!
Seriously, to me that is the problem. The scene just seems fake. It is well constructed, I just feel it is unreal. That may be why you have that unsatisfied feeling. Posted: 08/04/2020 16:56:47
(Group 40)
Brad, I'm not so sure that after a day of backpacking I would be up at 2 am for a series of star trail images.
I think this is great and have no suggestions!I like the butterfly facing into the center of the image and that the mountains are illuminated. Great!
In regard to Larry's comment above, I just took this to be whimsical and wasn't concerned about relative sizes.
Posted: 08/08/2020 13:10:17
I think this is great and have no suggestions!I like the butterfly facing into the center of the image and that the mountains are illuminated. Great!
In regard to Larry's comment above, I just took this to be whimsical and wasn't concerned about relative sizes.
Posted: 08/08/2020 13:10:17
I'm really impressed. I've never tried this but you are inspiring me to maybe keep myself up some night. How many images did you combine? I like the moth. I'd be very happy and satisfied with this. Posted: 08/10/2020 11:41:48
Brad, Love your dedication to getting those star trails! I tried staying up for the Pleiades and didn't make it so kudos to you!
I like your monster moth. It's a whimsical story and I can't think of anything other than adding a moth family, hah hah!
Good job! Posted: 08/16/2020 23:39:39
I like your monster moth. It's a whimsical story and I can't think of anything other than adding a moth family, hah hah!
Good job! Posted: 08/16/2020 23:39:39
Brad, technically you have done a fantastic job with this. The star trails, the light falling on the trees is all nicely exposed. The cutout of the butterfly is really well done and sits perfectly in the tree. It is whimsical, so I'm not really looking for any meaning, and I'm not really sure what I would do to improve the image... except I might be inclined to try a graduated orange filter (sample the orange of the butterfly) in PS, drag it down across the top and play with the opacity, and also increase the contrast in the sky to darken the night sky. Just a thought! Posted: 08/18/2020 23:19:41
I love the concept, how cool to see this butterfly lit by moonlight in the star trails. what creativity!
I would like a little more green in the trees and my preference for skies to be cooler (aka bluer)
Posted: 08/31/2020 21:28:04
I would like a little more green in the trees and my preference for skies to be cooler (aka bluer)
Posted: 08/31/2020 21:28:04