My first attempt at night photography

[Xgame2k]

gosh dang yahoo's

 

[the_rider]

I always work with multiple layers. I rarely merge my layers unless I need to apply something specific that need a merge picture like a sharpness layer for one particular item after a curve layer. The only concern is file size and labelling. I always clearly label my layers so I don't get confuse when I reopen the file later on.

hope it's helpful

 

[comasalex]

congratulations!
in my opinion there are a very good photos!
can you said all the characteristics of the photo?(iso, filters...) thank you

 

[Recty]

No filters used...

First one was f/5.6, 7 minute exposure, ISO 100.

Second was f/11, 30 minute exposure, ISO 100.

 

[BlueCorn]

I always work with multiple layers. I rarely merge my layers unless I need to apply something specific that need a merge picture like a sharpness layer for one particular item after a curve layer. The only concern is file size and labelling. I always clearly label my layers so I don't get confuse when I reopen the file later on.

Yup. That's really the whole point of using layers for your adjustments; the ability to adjust them after the fact.

 

[comasalex]

thats great!
thank you.
but if i take a photo with iso 100 and f/5.6 the result is a white photo XD

 

[Recty]

thats great!
thank you.
but if i take a photo with iso 100 and f/5.6 the result is a white photo XD

It will depend on the time of day. I took these after the sun had been down for 4 hours...

Also will depend on your shutter speed, if it's too slow of a speed then you'll be letting in too much light.

 

[IPT]

I also keep all the layers intact. Keeps tons of flexibility and never alteres the original content. Pretty soon you'll have dual monitors! All the paletts can be opened on one monitor and a big honking unobstructed image is displayed on your main monitor. Oh yeah, it's awesome, once you go dual monitor you'll never go back!!

PS: Like Doug said you can save your selection (or mask I think). I prefer to just clip it from a previous layer I made but there are tons of ways to do this stuff.

 

[Mchava]

Wow, does are great. Have your tried doing some shorter exposures and then stacking the images. Since the stars are still moving you will not loose any of the trails. Let me know if you want me to explain it some more.

 

[Recty]

Wow, does are great. Have your tried doing some shorter exposures and then stacking the images. Since the stars are still moving you will not loose any of the trails. Let me know if you want me to explain it some more.

Thanks!

I havent tried that... I've never done any image stacking. I've heard of it, but never tried it.

I just googled it a little bit and it seems you need the extended version of photoshop to do it. Is there a way to do it with the non extended version?

 

[darb85]

Very cool shots. Ive been playing around with night shots and a moonless night is the only way to go. we are due I think soon, Im going to be playing with them soon.

 

[BlueCorn]

Thanks!
I just googled it a little bit and it seems you need the extended version of photoshop to do it. Is there a way to do it with the non extended version?

Just load the individual images as layers and set the blend mode of each to screen.

 

[Recty]

Just load the individual images as layers and set the blend mode of each to screen.

Ah, thanks much. That is cake.

Beerguy, have you ever tried stacking star images to get the good trails or do you prefer just doing it "naturally"? I'm thinking it would be nice to do maybe 6 hours worth of images but only have to take say a shot every 5 minutes and just do a 30 second exposure. Then when they are all combined, the stars should look streaked.

I think that way I could get a lot more shots out of my night. With my 50D, at doing about an hour worth of exposures I was down to about 1/3 battery left. It was cold out which might have effected it. However, if I could do a series of short images all stitched together, I could get a lot more hours worth of shots in.