Cindy Bilinsky
About the Image(s)
Astro modified Canon 6D
Sky Tracker
Sigma 14mm lens
ISO 4000
f2.8
75 sec.exposure
For September's image I chose to shoot the Milky Way before our season ends for 2021. I took into consideration the comments on my first astro image as I composted and captured the Milky Way galactic core.
I was fortunate to have clear skies and the wind cooperated and kept the smoke from the Canadian fires out of the sky. I set my Sky Tracker on Polaris and my longitude and latitude for my location. The core rose at 10:30 PM and the moon set at 11:30 PM so I started shooting at 11:15 PM to get my foreground. The moon was a 44% waxing crescent and had set behind the trees so there was little light interference from the moon. I started shooting the Milky Way after the moon set and was happy to see I was able to capture the Northern Cross.
For post-processing I used 4 images, stacked and blended. I imported into Lightroom and made the initial WB and color adjustments then exported to Photoshop. I used Nik's Color Effex then back into Photoshop to blend and merge layers.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
14 comments posted
I will be working on improving full images in the future but needed to focus on improving a couple of things with the Milky Way.   Posted: 09/09/2021 11:38:42
I do like the color correction on the trees. The darker greens brings the sky and foreground together better. I also like the tighter crop on the sky.
Within the Astro photography world I would be highly criticized for changing the orientation of the milky way. The challenge becomes a balance of artist creativity, correctness and good technical execution.For me, therein lies the difference between a "snapshot" and a well thought out photographic image
Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate your work on the image and thoughtful comments.   Posted: 09/11/2021 08:28:47
When I shoot the MW I always take an exposure before the MW gets into position. Since I'm there early anyway this is no problem. That way I can check for exposure problems and change settings as many times as I need to be certain I get the shot I really want. I mention this because the foreground is so over exposed that you have created daylight. I would urge you bring this exposure way down to create a more realistic.
I say this assuming that you want to have a realistic feeling image. If you are going for a more creative, impressionistic feel, then as the maker you have that right.   Posted: 09/19/2021 19:03:59
I had spent so much time preparing to get this milky way I shot it despite their bonfire.   Posted: 09/19/2021 20:31:28
Suggestions: The whole image is too bright to be believable. You can only see the Milky Way at night after all. I''d especially darken the trees. They look like they are bathed in midday light. The sky should be an inky black. I like what you did to correct the WB from the original.   Posted: 09/20/2021 09:13:44
Thank you for your feedback. I agree there is too much light here. Correcting the white balance on images from my Astro modified camera is different than using my in modified camera.   Posted: 09/20/2021 09:18:51