Jim Wulpi  


The galactic core by Jim Wulpi

November 2024 - The galactic core

November 2024 - Jim Wulpi

Original

About the Image(s)

This image returns to my attempt at photographing the Milky Way.
During the summer, I made a trip down to Florida on a quest to fulfil a photo-goal to capture the Milky Way Galaxy - with the brightest component, the Galactic Core, visible behind the Sanibel (Island) Lighthouse. Since there is a "season" that the galactic core is visible in the proper portion of the sky, to capture this scene, I was limited in my timing. To my dismay upon arriving down there, I learned that the lighthouse was in the process of being painted, and as such, had scaffolding all around it. So much for that, but on to plan "B" - which consisted of a familiar beach (still on Sanibel Island) that was close enough to the lighthouse that I could still get the galactic core without too much light pollution from Ft Myers Beach. I used the great app "Photo Pills" to determine where and when would be my best options.
I wanted to include foreground elements into the scene, so I was approximately 100 yards off the actual beach in order to include the palm trees and other foliage. There had a been rain most of the day, but it finally stopped, and the clouds finally departed to allow this brief, cloudless sky. It was near midnight.
All edits were done in Lightroom. Contrast and Dehaze are huge portions of the editing as well as localized (radial) masking to bring out the galactic core, and others to bring out the foreground a little bit. the foreground.
Canon 6D MkII; SIgma 14-24 DG HSM/ART018 wide angle lens at 21mm;10 sec.; f2.8 ISO 1600.
Your thoughts?


2 comments posted




Shirley Pohlman   Shirley Pohlman
Jim, I think you have the perfect elements for a Milky Way shot. I feel you can really make it pop by globally increasing the exposure, texture, and clarity. Also, since the black background of our web page blends with your sky, I suggest you make a fine line light border on your image to separate it from the background. Well done.   Posted: 11/05/2024 00:32:20



Tor Nenzen   Tor Nenzen
Nice capture. How about bringing a flashlight and light-painting the foreground? It can be done from a distance with narrow beam flashlights.   Posted: 11/06/2024 18:32:57



 

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