Of Clouds and Stars (with timelapse video too:))

Startrail #3
185 shots combined into a single shot. I love the combined cloud-star effect.

comments (9)

Ludo Sak

Lion

Timelapse created too, due to the cloud invasion:)

A little and simple manual:
You'll be needing:
* a sturdy Tripod (I very recently became a proud owner of a Gitzo tripod)
* a DSLR
* a remote timer or firmware capable of triggering multiple timed shots
* patience
* a night sky with little moonlight (new moon)
* and little or no clouds (there were none when I started this shot:))
* no rain
* shoot RAW (Jpeg will screw the end result a lot)
* little piece of software (I used Image Stacker, USD 15$ if I remember correctly))

Due to earth rotation the stars look like circling around the North Star (and the South equivalent too). Keep this in mind for nicer effects!

In this shot I did not face north or south, but just the back of our house. Whatever you want:)

Details:
Shot using custom Canon MagicLantern firmware. f3.5, 200 ISO, 30" shots. with 1 second interval. I could have done this by advanced remote control too (Hahnel Giga T Pro wireless 2.4Ghz) but that would just eat more batteries as the firmware can do it too.
I then processed the images using DxO Optics Pro 7.0 to HDR it just a bit, lessen the ISO noise and correcting/straithening perspective due to 15mm (35mm eq) lens used (high quality Canon 15-85mm)

Then load the images in Image Stacker and use setting 'average (brightest pixel)'.

Well, now wait a few minutes while the software stacks the result. Et voila:)

Hope you've enjoyed the story and/or the shot. It is a bit too domesticated, I guess, but it's the stars that count:)

Ludo Posted 12 years ago, modified 12 years ago

Ludo Sak

Lion

Since the 20th of december this was the 3rd night of clear vision. Nothing but clouds on the other nights;) Only little moonlight here, so I was lucky:) If only those clouds..
(and yes, those paper chinese lights are deformed by age:)) Posted 12 years ago, modified 12 years ago

Joost Thissen

Lion

Result is pretty nice. I thought that you needed to go to a remote location for this, but I see it works in your back yard as well. Also a lot more comfortable sitting inside ;)
Thanks for explaining. I have a timer and want to take timelapse video's of sunsets and sunrises, but haven't yet found the time and weather to use it. This photo and video reminds that I should do so soon. Posted 12 years ago
1. Ludo Sak
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks, Joost! Yes, the result is nice, not great, but it takes so much time to make, and the starry movement and clouds blocking sight is something difficult to predict. As Ferdy suggested, I'll try another setup really more to JungleDragons taste and focus. Posted 12 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Wow Ludo, you're making great progress here. Such an interesting subject. Would love to see you do one in a forest with the star sky in the background :) Posted 12 years ago
1. Ludo Sak
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks, hey, if the weather gods and cloudy goddesses are kind tonight I will do so, good idea Ferdy;) Posted 12 years ago
2. 1. Frankhuizen Photography
    
    Lion
    
    CU on Wednesday and hear all about it ;-) Posted 12 years ago
  2. 1. Ludo Sak
      
      Lion
      
      Thanks FraJH! Yes, we certainly will, and hey I bought myself a tripod too:) A Gitzo, nice sturdy bugger! Posted 12 years ago

Ludo Sak

Lion

Updated my first video upload to youtube to be 10 frames per second (original was 24 fps, too fast and too short;)) Posted 12 years ago