Star Trails

A concept shot. Surround the tree in a halo. Easier said than done when you cant see the Southern Cross or the Pointers. this was method three as it was all I could see. I watched for days the expected cloud cover to see if it was even possible. www.ipernity.com/doc/1073393/37255060/in/album/723117 On the bus trip we went back to the same pace and I had a window in the dark of 1/1/2 hours before the bus left. I am out in a field in grass heads chest height( snake territory) Electric fence at my back. This is only 40 of the total 50 shots before the clouds closed the night far to early but thats part or Astro photography. I am chuffed my head shot you can see before you in all its unexpected glory. PIP three years earlier.

The wind/ the stars/ time /trucks / milky Way is it only me that is standing still.......... Joined by the tree {:o)

Set out to create the halo for the top of the tree. thankfully the wind dies down to get this right. 128 shots ISO 1000 ( so not so many stars) 50 sec each. the trucks moved through the trees on the highway to the south.

The ISO 250 42 sec F2.8 set way down so as not to flood the sky with stars as per But the aim was to rest the polar circle on the top of the rock. no mean feat when the camera is 6" above the ground and you are laying on your side to see the image. the unmistakable cut of a very Iridium Flare135 images on a warm night showing a newbie the marvels of the heavens. i should have painted a bit more but i was otherwise detained but the view i was after some times it best to think out side the usual.

ISO 2000 110 shots and 40 cars lit this shot i knew i would see car lights but not than many some time it better just to let what happens... the PIP is the inspiration for the shot here of time 24mm to 14mm this is the shot i was trying to make at night.

148 shots taken at 35 sec stacked to make the trail

38 shots Till clouds came along and cut the evening short, some times just a little is more effective than a whole lot. this was on my fail list till i saw it all together. this is on my computer background as a lesson "we dont always get what we want but what we want may not always be the best we can do, life is full of surprise."

ISO 3200 200 shots. that is me in the shot going to get the next person through the bush to the rock.

ISO 3200 200 shots the passing of planes to Auckland air port.