Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ Hey Roman

[Mama Lou]

I saw your post on FB and am curious - have you started on your new night sky project yet? Please say yes, and please share.

[RomanJohnston]

I saw your post on FB and am curious - have you started on your new night sky project yet? Please say yes, and please share.   

The idea is there. You have seen some of the results already. Only a few, but results none the less.

I was going to get a D3X (24MP) with the funds from this large order going to be placed this fall, but I think it will turn into the D3s (only 12MP, but insane ISO performance) this would allow me to capture items like the Milky Way in a short exposure (under 30 seconds) at high ISO without the noise most "mere mortal" cameras would have. Usable ISO up to 6400 and capabilities up to 12,800 ISO.

It also has video capabilities. Its only 780P but that should be totally sufficient to do what I want. I always want more MP, but I know how to make 12MP sing up to 30" x 45", and this project excites me more than printing larger than that. Gotta go with what excites me. If more orders come from this large source, then I will go Medium Format for normal light shooting.

So late fall, early winter, I will start with this. I have a light pollution google map overlay to show me the darkest areas, I can see some crazy landscape and even some ghost towns in the mix.

Oh...and a few shots from my earliest tests:
This shot I could barely see the tulips in front of me. It is a blend of two exposures.


This is a 20 second exposure (why the sun over the horizon produced the color it did)


And a 30 second exposure from the opposite direction as the one above (same morning): Turned that direction I had to use a headlight to not trip over the brush. It was pitch black to me. I had to go into live view and focus on the stars manually.


This is just from my first test. I will continue to play with my current camera. When I get the new one, it should unleash a lot more options for me. I have a LOT of growing to do and learning in this new venu as to what works and what dosnt and how to match what I see in my minds eye, and turn that into reality. I would imagine over the next year or so I can perfect and hone my processes and start getting work that I would find acceptable.

Roman

[celticmama36]

Ooooh beautiful! Tulips are one of my favorite flowers. My favorite photo as far as color goes is the second one, but I love, love the stars and the sky overall in the 3rd one.

This adventure of yours is going to be pretty exciting for all of us that get to witness it, I think. I know that it excites me just thinking of what you're going to come up with on your journey.

Thank you for sharing these shots!

[Greg13th]

Incredible work. . . and he has a "LOT of growing to do"! Can you imagine? (I think I saw Orion's belt peaking through the clouds.)

[Mama Lou]

That tulip picture still gives me shivvers - love it! Great job on the other two... they are both visually interesting and I love how the stars actually showed up. I'm going to have to try this sometime.

Thanks for sharing! I hope you don't mind me putting you on the spot.

I agree with Suz in that I can't wait for the next installments.