Barbara Gore
August 2026 - A Field of Stars
Original
Original 2
Original 3
About the Image(s)
A Field of Stars
This image was made from 2 photos taken at Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway. July is the best time for experiencing the wildflowers and this area never disappoints. The foreground was captured just after the sun set below the tree line when there was still enough natural light to reveal detail without the use of light painting. The Milky Way was photographed later that night. I usually take several exposures over the course of the night and stack them in Starry Landscape Stacker, but in this case the sky is from a single exposure. Both images received lens correction and denoising and white balance was synchronized to maintain consistent color temp. I applied tonal adjustments to both files before blending in PS. In PS, I removed the sky so only the foreground remained and then added the MW sky and saved to LR. In LR, I used local masks on the galactic core for dodging/burning, along with small adjustments to contrast, texture, clarity, vibrance, etc. I also used brush masks on the foreground to selectively dodge and burn the landscape.
Foreground - Handheld, R5, 16-35, @17mm, f4, ISO 160, 1/800 sec
Sky - Tripod mounted, R5, 16-35 mm@16mm, f2.8, ISO 3200, 15 sec exposure
20 comments posted
Hi Barb
Any ti9e I get to see a MW image I just automatically get excited. It is my favorite topic. I agree about getting your foreground shot first and even better it you can get it in some twilight as you can show off greater detail. Adding the sky shot later makes it easier. I am especially thrilled that you managed to get some color in the core as that adds a great deal to the image.
While I like your composition in general I think I might have moved a bit more into the frame and reduced the amount of bare rock in the foreground The flowers are really interesting and I would have liked to see them in more detail. Still, as is, I really like the image. Posted: 08/01/2026 18:44:59
Any ti9e I get to see a MW image I just automatically get excited. It is my favorite topic. I agree about getting your foreground shot first and even better it you can get it in some twilight as you can show off greater detail. Adding the sky shot later makes it easier. I am especially thrilled that you managed to get some color in the core as that adds a great deal to the image.
While I like your composition in general I think I might have moved a bit more into the frame and reduced the amount of bare rock in the foreground The flowers are really interesting and I would have liked to see them in more detail. Still, as is, I really like the image. Posted: 08/01/2026 18:44:59
Thanks Larry, I appreciate your feedback. I see your point about the crop and do like the image as is and cropped up. Cropping up does put more emphasis on the flowers. It was a great night and I actually was able to get 4 different foregrounds from this location that night. Posted: 08/01/2026 20:11:04
Well, don't stop now!!!! You are allowed to post your submission and technically 4 additional images that would be labeled as originals, So technically you could process those other foregrounds attach your sky and then send them to me. I would be more than happy to post them on your page and we call enjoy more shots of the Milky Way. So get busy.
Posted: 08/01/2026 20:50:53
Posted: 08/01/2026 20:50:53
Haha Larry, you're so funny. I'll see what I can do.
Posted: 08/02/2026 13:27:44
Posted: 08/02/2026 13:27:44
A wonderful capture of the Milky Way, especially with one exposure and an excellent blend. I like that the landscape is relatively dark because that is consistent with the night sky. I do agree with Larry that the foreground rock is a bit much for the rest of the image. Posted: 08/03/2026 23:49:09
Thanks Michael! Posted: 08/05/2026 19:46:11
Barbara has kindly agreed to post some additional images from her Milky Way shoot for this month. Posted: 08/04/2026 15:16:42
Barbara, your submitted image is fantastic! The flowers in the foreground really add a lot to the image and the rock creates a nice leading line to the background. The stars are nice and crisp, despite the 15 sec exposure. I can make out what appear to be the Pleades on the upper center of the image. The other original images are really good to. I've never been able to get a good Milky Way exposure. There is too much light pollution where I live, and I've not had my tripod on the few occasions where I've been in a place where the viewing is good. Posted: 08/05/2026 02:06:46
Thanks Bill. I know what you mean about light pollution. Living on the East Coast can feel like one giant lightbulb is left on at night. Luckily, there are still a few places where I can find nice dark skies for photographing the night sky. Posted: 08/05/2026 19:49:41
OK, I'm getting caou ught up. Had time to look over the latest crop of MW images. I very much like the compositions of number 2 and 3 The MW just seems to be in the perfect spot. I do think #3 is just too much foreground and the MW seems like an after thought. I know you did not process these fully but 12 but the first one is just too bright at the horizon. Is that the coming dawn or the last light of day? Thanks for putting them up. Posted: 08/09/2026 18:14:38
Thanks for taking the time to comment Larry. For all 3 images, I used Starry Landscape Stacker, with the exposures captured around midnight or so. The brightness or glow along the horizon is from the surrounding valley. In image #1 I agree about the brightness and need to adjust the 2 frames so they blend more naturally. For #3, I'm still on the fence about this one. I agree that the amount of foreground feels a bit overwhelming..almost like it hits you in the face. Interestingly, I used PhotoPills to locate the MW's position when I got there and it was directly between the 2 buildings. So image #3 is probably the most accurate representation of placement. In images 1 and 2 the MW was positioned farther to the left. Still have work to do but it will have to wait as I'm headed up to the mountains this week to shoot the Perseids. Hopefully the sky will clear a bit. Posted: 08/09/2026 19:04:35
Well, I asked you to post these and I really appreciated that you did I really love looking at MW images so these are a special treat. Posted: 08/09/2026 21:40:45
Barbara, I have nothing to offer in technique because I don't know how to do any of this. I'm impressed that you are so proficient in this type of photography. Have you been doing it long? Did you take a class? I like the photo you posted, with the leading line going to the Milky Way. I'm sure some cropping could be done to emphasize the flowers, but I do like the path forward. I also really like how the pink of the flowers and the pink of the sky work so well together. I'm glad you chose this one. Posted: 08/10/2026 19:15:05
Thanks Tracy. Regarding your question, yes, I have been photographing the night sky for several years. I am primarily self-taught, though I did take one night-sky workshop when I was first starting out. Since then it's mostly been a matter of getting out at night as much as possible and keep progressing my skills. There are so many tutorials online to help get started and I still research constantly about night photography lol. Posted: 08/15/2026 15:12:24
You do a great job. Posted: 08/15/2026 17:32:40
B, all are wonderful pictures. The technical and edit are flawless. In particular I think composition wise, the white fence is best because the fence is parallel to the milky way making it harmonious. The one you chose would be my over all pick as well. I would touch nothing.It is fantastic. Posted: 08/11/2026 12:55:37
Many thanks Adi. I also really like the shot with the fence. Posted: 08/15/2026 15:13:20
Barbara - Wow - I LOVE your MW images! Your MW shooting experience really shows. I hoped to get some more experience this summer in a Dark Sky location, but wildfire smoke got in the way. Since some folks commented on creating a tighter crop on your primary submission, I simply gave that a try and agree that the flowers are more prominent and a lovely foreground for that spectacular sky. I tried tightening up your crop on the tree silhouette as well. To me, the tighter crop makes your images even more impressive. You have inspired me to continue trying MW shots. I also like your cabin image. Wishing you good luck with the Perseids - I was clouded out both nights in northern Maine. Posted: 08/18/2026 02:16:25
Barbara - Wow - I LOVE your MW images! Your MW shooting experience really shows. I hoped to get some more experience this summer in a Dark Sky location, but wildfire smoke got in the way. Since some folks commented on creating a tighter crop on your primary submission, I simply gave that a try and agree that the flowers are more prominent and a lovely foreground for that spectacular sky. I tried tightening up your crop on the tree silhouette as well. To me, the tighter crop makes your images even more impressive. You have inspired me to continue trying MW shots. I also like your cabin image. Wishing you good luck with the Perseids - I was clouded out both nights in northern Maine. Posted: 08/18/2026 02:16:34
Posted: 08/18/2026 02:16:55