First Startrails of the New Season.

I went out hunting for Perseid Meteors in mid August, since we were

just getting back some of our night sky here in Alaska. I didn't

catch any meteors, but I thought this startrail photo still came out OK.

 

Thanks for taking the time to view and comment.

 

Mike

Hey Mike, you just can't do this with digital! I was guessing you used Fuji because of the vibrant blue and magenta of the sky...very nice. I'm amazed at the intensity of the stars. Even without an aurora, this is very beautiful. I encourage you to experiment, perhaps trying some things artistic with the foreground? I'm sure you are looking forward to the long nights of winter. Keep warm, Mike! -K

I would agree it is quite a nice image. Well done! J

Thank you Kurt and J for the encouragment.

 

I completely agree with you Kurt, that it would have been a much stronger image with something in the foreground. On this particular night, I was looking for a setting that gave me as much NE sky as possible for the meteors. Otherwise I would have looked for a more interesting composition. But the "night" is just starting for me again, so I'll have lots of opportunity to experiment in the coming months :)

 

Mike

 

Mike, lovely work again...yesterday evening I was just thinking about you.....how do you creat such amazing picture. Your work encourages me to do experiment with my Nikon F65 :) ....this winter I will surely burn films in the hope of getting some "spots" on my film.

 

You are one of my the very few favourites.

 

Kind regards

 

Mahen

Mike,

 

its wonderful to see some new work. I do agree about the foreground, but what you have of the reflection competes a little bit with the wonderful sky, so maybe a tighter crop at the bottom IMO. I like the unexpected break in the silhouetted foreground with the trees, and the star trails are absolutely amazing, and gives the image wonderful texture with the different intensities and colors of light.

Nice work here, Mike.

 

I'm really impressed with your work.

 

I love the silouette... magical color of the image!

Mike, this is a fine star trail shot. I think the reflection is an important element in the composition. In Alaska, the air appears to be so clear and without light pollution. Not the case here. Funny, you came to shoot meteors and got star trails, I did the opposite this August (star trails, meteor). Strange thing about Velvia 100F is that I can never predict the color of the sky. What is your experience ? Best wishes. Peter

Hi Peter and thanks for the feedback.

 

The sky in Alaska is perfect for star-gazing. Absolutely no light pollution where I am. The only catch is that it is always a cold weather activity, since we have too much daylight in the summer months to see the stars. So you have to bundle up.

 

I actually have only shot with Fuji Velvia 100 and Fuji 400 RHP... not the 100F. My experience with Velvia 100 and 400 RHP is that the color shift tends to go toward purple/blue with long exposures... which for night shots is a very nice effect. Now in light polluted areas, the color shift would probably be more towards a yellow brown due to sky glow, but that is just a guess.

 

Mike

 

 

Mike

 

I love the transition of color here. Of course I loook at this image and it's so beautiful...I know I would have no idea how to capture something like this. How do you capture moving masses infinitelly larger than you? I'm jealous.

Beautifully done! Very nice color and simple composition make this work well.

Beautiful image that I like 'as is'. Never did get to see Northern Lights when I was there in Sept 2006 - perhaps this is a better time of year for them. Best wishes for New Year.

Hello Mike, very very beautiful . Perfectly composed star trails! cheers Jana

wonderful

I really love this picture - it is one of my favourites. I think the different colours in the sky, along with the trees add enough interest. I think I might try cropping it slightly on the left - just that third bit of the tree bothers me a bit. I love how the stars look like rain - but the curved movement reminds us that it is not rain at all, rather stars. Wonderful!