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First attempt at a Milky Way shot
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May 14, 2022 08:49:17   #
rv8striker Loc: St. Louis, MO area
 
It was perfect timing that took me to north central Kansas a few weeks ago. A very good friend of mine and fellow pilot was receiving his Master Pilot Award, an award presented by the FAA to pilots that have flown accident free for 50 years.
His ranch has been in the family for 5 generations and the hill, far left, is the highest point on the ranch. His ancestors’ ashes have been scattered from that hilltop and his too will be someday. A marble monument stands atop the hill commemorating the heritage of the ranch. It was perfect timing because the sky was clear, it was a new moon, and the milky Way would be visible over the hill…perfect. With the aid of Photopills, Google Earth, and countless times I’ve been to his ranch I knew about where I would set up my gear. A trip to the location during the day confirmed my location. I was ready.

After the awards dinner I went to bed with my alarm set for 2am. I awoke excited and ready and drove up to the location I’d picked. It was time to put into practice all the tips and techniques I learned from reading and watching videos on U tube channels.

Post processing is not my forte and I’ve struggled to get it right. I feel I’m getting close but any comments to improve it would be appreciated. Personally, I’d like to reduce the glow along the horizon but I’m not sure how to go about that. That glow comes from some cities over 90 miles away. Problem is, without the glow it would be hard to make out the horizon and the hill. The foreground is lit only by starlight…amazing. I plan to have the image printed on metal and presented to him as a gift.

Nikon D850, Nikon 14-24mm 2.8. This is a four-image stack, manual mode, exposure at f/2.8, for 20 seconds, ISO 2500.


(Download)

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May 14, 2022 08:54:26   #
PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois
 
Wonderful story and beautiful image!

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May 14, 2022 08:56:42   #
Camlane Loc: North Carolina
 
Personally, I like the glow on the horizon. Very nice shot.

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May 14, 2022 09:01:22   #
chuckrem Loc: Katy, Tx
 

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May 14, 2022 09:04:27   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Lookin' good!

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May 14, 2022 09:06:56   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 

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May 14, 2022 09:10:00   #
ELNikkor
 
Sounds like you made a great effort to take an amazing shot. Recently, many of my photos have benefitted from my new Topaz Sharpen program. Before blowing up, I think this shot could also become sharper with something like Topaz Sharpen; just a suggestion...

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May 14, 2022 09:39:41   #
2buckskin Loc: Wyoming
 
You did a great job, and I like the faint glow on the horizon.
I'm originally from NW Kansas, what was the nearest town in this shot?
Your friend will really like your capture, what a nice gift he will receive.
I shoot the Milky Way too, and while no expert at PP I do process in Lightroom and by using the brush brighten the Milky Way a little and add just a touch of magenta, play around a little if you like but this is a nice shot.

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May 14, 2022 10:35:03   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
As presented, I think the photo has a lot of emotion: open prairie with a hint of civilization - a reminder of our tiny existence in the vast realm of space.

For best assistance with processing, you might consider posting an unedited version and asking for edits. Post Processing Forum might be a good place, although there is also an astronomical section of UHH. See all sections link at bottom of this page.

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May 14, 2022 13:05:23   #
UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT
 
Beautiful result from good planning!

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May 14, 2022 16:44:40   #
joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA
 
rv8striker wrote:
It was perfect timing that took me to north central Kansas a few weeks ago. A very good friend of mine and fellow pilot was receiving his Master Pilot Award, an award presented by the FAA to pilots that have flown accident free for 50 years.
His ranch has been in the family for 5 generations and the hill, far left, is the highest point on the ranch. His ancestors’ ashes have been scattered from that hilltop and his too will be someday. A marble monument stands atop the hill commemorating the heritage of the ranch. It was perfect timing because the sky was clear, it was a new moon, and the milky Way would be visible over the hill…perfect. With the aid of Photopills, Google Earth, and countless times I’ve been to his ranch I knew about where I would set up my gear. A trip to the location during the day confirmed my location. I was ready.

After the awards dinner I went to bed with my alarm set for 2am. I awoke excited and ready and drove up to the location I’d picked. It was time to put into practice all the tips and techniques I learned from reading and watching videos on U tube channels.

Post processing is not my forte and I’ve struggled to get it right. I feel I’m getting close but any comments to improve it would be appreciated. Personally, I’d like to reduce the glow along the horizon but I’m not sure how to go about that. That glow comes from some cities over 90 miles away. Problem is, without the glow it would be hard to make out the horizon and the hill. The foreground is lit only by starlight…amazing. I plan to have the image printed on metal and presented to him as a gift.

Nikon D850, Nikon 14-24mm 2.8. This is a four-image stack, manual mode, exposure at f/2.8, for 20 seconds, ISO 2500.
It was perfect timing that took me to north centra... (show quote)


Celestial magnificence ⭐✨⭐✨⭐

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May 14, 2022 17:34:37   #
rv8striker Loc: St. Louis, MO area
 
2buckskin wrote:
You did a great job, and I like the faint glow on the horizon.
I'm originally from NW Kansas, what was the nearest town in this shot?
Your friend will really like your capture, what a nice gift he will receive.
I shoot the Milky Way too, and while no expert at PP I do process in Lightroom and by using the brush brighten the Milky Way a little and add just a touch of magenta, play around a little if you like but this is a nice shot.


This was shot near Tipton, KS in Mitchell County.

Thanks for your comments and tips. I'm still tweaking the PP some an I'll thy your suggestions.

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May 14, 2022 17:38:46   #
rv8striker Loc: St. Louis, MO area
 
Linda From Maine wrote:
As presented, I think the photo has a lot of emotion: open prairie with a hint of civilization - a reminder of our tiny existence in the vast realm of space.

For best assistance with processing, you might consider posting an unedited version and asking for edits. Post Processing Forum might be a good place, although there is also an astronomical section of UHH. See all sections link at bottom of this page.


Thank you Linda, I appreciate your comments and great advice.

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May 14, 2022 18:41:16   #
ghbowser Loc: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
 

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May 14, 2022 20:40:37   #
2buckskin Loc: Wyoming
 
rv8striker wrote:
This was shot near Tipton, KS in Mitchell County.

Thanks for your comments and tips. I'm still tweaking the PP some an I'll thy your suggestions.


Been through Tipton many times, I worked on the railroad and the tracks went through there. It's really nice rolling hills and prairie country.
Good luck on your processing, you have a very nice photo to work with for sure!

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