Photo Critique and Edit Thread

[MPS]

"Another Hoodoo Sunset"

Just out of interest, are you using focus stacking?

 

[gfroman]

Even though I have done focus stacking in the past, I typically don't do this.
I just make sure of the aperature and focus are in order.
Thanks,
Gregg

 

[gfroman]

Afternoon rainbow at Bryce Canyon.....

 

[gfroman]

"Star Gate" - Southern Utah

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

"Star Gate" - Southern Utah

Looks impressive. How long did it take you to expose this frame?

 

[gfroman]

Thanks, this was approx 3min exposure.

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

Any specific tripod? Whenever I want to expose a photo for a few seconds, my old carbon-aluminum one is probably not enough.

 

[gfroman]

I just use an old Gitzo tripod with ball head for my night photography.
I use a cable release to minimize any vibrations to the camera.
Thanks!

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

I was curious because the weather conditions in such places may be problematic for taking photos.

 

[gfroman]

Nanc & I just got back from a 10 day hiking/camping trip to Colorado/New Mexico.
Couple pics here (more later).

 

[audioguy]

Those images are simply stunning. I have no eye for composition as I am very left brained. You do incredible work, including your Photoshop skills.

Excellent !!!

 

[gfroman]

"Nature's Art Canvas"
Painted Wall at Black Canyon of Gunnison, CO.
We visited this site several times while camping a few miles away.
Although the canyon plunges 2250ft down, we could still hear the loud sounds of the river rapids below.
We were completely alone at this visit!
This geological marvel is composed of solid gneiss stone with intricate lines “painted” of igneous pegmatite rock.

 

[gfroman]

"A Lost Civilization"
Mesa Verde - Colorado

 

[gfroman]

Shot near Mesa Verde, CO.
The green in the Milky Way is called air glow.
It's very faint to the human eye, but my camera was able to capture these wondrous colors during a 3 minute exposure.

 

[accwai]

Thanks, this was approx 3min exposure.

The 500 Rule for avoiding star trail says your full frame equivalent focal length would be 500÷(3×60) = 2.78mm. So what focal length was actually used?

 

[gfroman]

The 500 Rule for avoiding star trail says your full frame equivalent focal length would be 500÷(3×60) = 2.78mm. So what focal length was actually used?

I use a star tracker which allows me to shoot up to a 5 minute exposure with no star trails.
A lot more elaborate setup but the advantages are far more worth it!
My primary star photo lens is a Sigma 15mm
Thanks

 

[accwai]

I use a star tracker which allows me to shoot up to a 5 minute exposure with no star trails.

Wouldn't that blur out the foreground though? Or are the foreground and stars separate takes that are merged?

 

[gfroman]

Yes, you are correct.
To get a balanced overall exposure, the foreground and sky are 2 different exposures that are merged together.
Thanks,
Gregg

 

[LL21]

Yes, you are correct.
To get a balanced overall exposure, the foreground and sky are 2 different exposures that are merged together.
Thanks,
Gregg

So you set up the tripod, take one photo for 3 minutes (sky), and then without moving the camera, you take a 2nd shot ('more normal evening shot') of the tree and landscape? Then you go home and merge one onto the other? How do you this...do you literally have to digitally cut out the tree and paste it onto the backdrop of the long-exposure night sky?

 

[gfroman]

Yes, exposure blending is a common technique in astrophotographry.
A tedious process in Photoshop.