via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

This shot is my attempt at a star trail shot. I was with a group shooting on top of Pothole Dome in Yosemite NP. We were set up at various places around the tree, depending on the scene we thought we wanted. My goal was met with the image as far as composition, Photo Pills gave me an exact setting for the North Star and I wanted to get as much of the circular star look as I could for this first attempt.

Processing this image was actually complex. I'm not sure the colors turned out OK. I look at it and think, "ummm, I don't know." Is the tree too light, the blue too blue? Just looking for opinions, obviously.

To get the shot and process this image I took 25 4-minute shots (90 minutes) using an intervalometer on a Nikon D850 with a Nikon 20mm wide angle. The shots were imported into Lightroom and all processed the same. I moved each shot that needed "clean up," which is due to things like airplanes and satellites that leave tracks across the star trails, into PS and cleaned each image individually, then popped it back into LrC (this turned out to be easier than loading the 25 images into PS and creating masks). When all images were clean I popped them into PS (which I had to do in batches as PS did not want to open up more than five or six images as individual layers in each export/import from LrC), then grouped all images but the bottom one and used the "lighten" mode to make the star trails show up, it was close to magic to see that happen. After that I had to make a mask for the foreground and the sky. The file is huge by then and could only be saved as a Photoshop Large Document and I exported a tiff. I did some more work on the tiff in LrC, both the foreground and the sky. Thanks to Michael Frye for his teaching on this subject, the workshop I was on was a Michael Frye workshop and he spent a lot of time providing us with information to do all this, both shooting and processing.

I know the final image is not perfect but I'm still learning the technique. I would be interested in knowing what you think about this image from a viewing perspective.

(Download)

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

From a viewing perspective, I would say that's a pretty cool result, especially the color - which engages me than would a black sky. The problem for me is that after having seen several star trail photos, the look seems almost gimmicky.

I would place star trails in the category that includes silky water, focus-stacked close-ups, or a technically perfect full moon photo: once you've seen two or three, there is no WOW that equals the first-time experience of something so unique. If I were attempting similar, I'm sure I'd feel differently. I also understand that many folks will appreciate both the daunting technical challenges and the result, no matter how many they've seen. There is a whole section of UHH devoted to astro-photography, in fact

btw, I did the Google image search for your shot as I was curious if any similar came up. Google said its best guess is this is a "green iguana." Cracked me up! Though they often are (eerily) correct, one of Graham Smith's sheep photos was thought to be a wedding dress, so hopefully you can appreciate and chuckle.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Very nice result, Connie. I admire the effort that went into this result.

Ourspolair

I like the centre of rotation being offset. A tremendous amount of work went into this, and you are to be commended for all of the work. I like the composition a lot. If it were my image, I think that I would reduce the exposure on the tree trunk and darken the sky a little. Stay well and keep up the good work.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I was thinking, too, that the tree was a little too bright so thanks for mentioning that.

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

I like this shot. The tree seems to be leaning towards the star trail. As if a slight bow in recognition to the majestic sky.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Hi Frank, that's what I thought when I shot it! Wonderful for you to mention that.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Very good! One to be proud of!