Starry night sky help needed: This was shot at 4AM and really not that much light, a full moon would have been nice. I shot at f 2.8, 20sec, ISO1600 with Canon 7D and Tokina 11-16 2.8...

Bamboo Loc: South Carolina

This was shot at 4AM and really not that much light, a full moon would have been nice. I shot at f 2.8, 20sec, ISO1600 with Canon 7D and Tokina 11-16 2.8 then adjusted in LR. I experimented with other settings but this is the best I could get. Other than getting a full frame camera have you any suggestions on getting better results?

Edisto Beach

(Download)

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Bamboo wrote:

This was shot at 4AM and really not that much light, a full moon would have been nice. I shot at f 2.8, 20sec, ISO1600 with Canon 7D and Tokina 11-16 2.8 then adjusted in LR. I experimented with other settings but this is the best I could get. Other than getting a full frame camera have you any suggestions on getting better results?

A very nice photo with the flowers imitating the stars above. You wouldn't get the nice star effect with a full moon.

TheDman Loc: USA

A full moon would make the stars disappear. Not really sure what better results you're wanting... you have a lot of stars there. There's a bit of fringing especially close to the corners, and the stars seem to be trailing a bit, but not too bad. Only way you can fix that is with a slightly faster shutter speed, FF sensor and higher quality lens.

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

Bamboo wrote:

This was shot at 4AM and really not that much light, a full moon would have been nice. I shot at f 2.8, 20sec, ISO1600 with Canon 7D and Tokina 11-16 2.8 then adjusted in LR. I experimented with other settings but this is the best I could get. Other than getting a full frame camera have you any suggestions on getting better results?

Bamboo - Your Starry Night has to be looked at using the download - I really don't think you can do much better than you already have. There is a very nice balance between the flowers in the foreground, the stars, the horizon light and the blur of the surf. A really good photo!

Stef C Loc: Conshohocken (near philly) PA

While I very much like the photo, you can always (99.9%) do better than the photo you already have, if you try hard enough/long enough {and it isn't some once in a lifetime moment like an eclipse or 9/11)

Have you thought about light painting the foreground? Get a flash light, or manually trigger a flash and it will light up the trees and beach but not the sky.

If you check out my website you can see a lot of night shots with foreground lighting.

Also depending on where the full moon is in the sky, it could definitely be an aid without taking away too many of your stars.

Upon looking at the downloaded version there are red and blue dots everywhere, that I assume are from noise. This is exactly where full-frame dominates unfortunately.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I am going to be fishing & camping 2 nights up in the high sierras - 9,000 ft Sept 6 & 7 - I hope to get some starry night photos while I up there - I have not seriously tried that yet. I need to research the capabilities of my equipment - Canon rebels 350 & 400 and 18-55 , 100-300 & a mirrored 500 FD lens with a adapter.
also a rock solid tripod with a pistol grip head.

Stef C Loc: Conshohocken (near philly) PA

TheDman wrote:

A full moon would make the stars disappear. Not really sure what better results you're wanting... you have a lot of stars there. There's a bit of fringing especially close to the corners, and the stars seem to be trailing a bit, but not too bad. Only way you can fix that is with a slightly faster shutter speed, FF sensor and higher quality lens.

I disagree with a lot of this. That tokina 11-16 is perfectly cable on a DX camera.

***Edit, I didnt' realize you were talking about the coma with the shape of the stars. I agree with you, but it's tough.

A low full moon from the right direction (setting or rising) could provide light in the foreground without polluting too much of the sky.

Straight Shooter Loc: Newfoundland, Canada

Is it because the photo is dark that you are not satisfied with it? I would stay away from moonlight if I were you (it washes out too much). Were you shooting wide open? If not, that might help a touch. As has been noted, you are starting to get star trailing, visible on enlargement in download, so you can't very well add to the length of the exposure. You could try upping the ISO a little. Plus light painting the foreground, as has also been suggested. And are you shooting in RAW, which would give you maximum latitude for enhancement & noise control in PP? White balance & contrast might also be worth playing around with. But I like the shot as is.

Bamboo Loc: South Carolina

Regis wrote:

A very nice photo with the flowers imitating the stars above. You wouldn't get the nice star effect with a full moon.

Thanks Regis, A sharp image with no noise would be the ideal.

Bamboo Loc: South Carolina

TheDman wrote:

A full moon would make the stars disappear. Not really sure what better results you're wanting... you have a lot of stars there. There's a bit of fringing especially close to the corners, and the stars seem to be trailing a bit, but not too bad. Only way you can fix that is with a slightly faster shutter speed, FF sensor and higher quality lens.

Thanks TheDman, A FF would have been nice but I believe a higher ISO would only give me more noise. The Tokina 11-16 2.8 is a fine lens.

Bamboo Loc: South Carolina

dugole wrote:

Bamboo - Your Starry Night has to be looked at using the download - I really don't think you can do much better than you already have. There is a very nice balance between the flowers in the foreground, the stars, the horizon light and the blur of the surf. A really good photo!

Thanks dugole, I just keep striving for sharper image and no noise. Apparently that is beyond my equipment's capability.

Bamboo Loc: South Carolina

Stef C wrote:

While I very much like the photo, you can always (... (show quote)

Thanks Stef C, I had not thought about light painting, good idea. Obviously the noise is distracting to me and I guess a FF will be in my future some day.

pixelmaven Loc: Reno, NV

Bamboo wrote:

This was shot at 4AM and really not that much light, a full moon would have been nice. I shot at f 2.8, 20sec, ISO1600 with Canon 7D and Tokina 11-16 2.8 then adjusted in LR. I experimented with other settings but this is the best I could get. Other than getting a full frame camera have you any suggestions on getting better results?

Definitely like the download version as it does bring out the detail. You could use Noiseware to get rid of the grain in the dark areas. It's an excellent plug in for just this purpose.

This is quite a remarkable image anyhow, just as it is, and I wish I had taken it! LOL.

Bamboo Loc: South Carolina

Straight Shooter wrote:

Is it because the photo is dark that you are not s... (show quote)

Thanks Straight Shooter, Yes I did shoot Raw wide open and adjust in LightRoom what was an almost black image. I think higher ISO would only produce more noise I will try the light painting next time. It was so dark that I could not see where I was going with out a head lamp.

Bamboo Loc: South Carolina

pixelmaven wrote:

Definitely like the download version as it does bring out the detail. You could use Noiseware to get rid of the grain in the dark areas. It's an excellent plug in for just this purpose.

This is quite a remarkable image anyhow, just as it is, and I wish I had taken it! LOL.

Thank you pixelmaven, I did reduce the noise in LightRoom as much as I could with out turning it to mud. I'll have to try that plug in also.