First attempt at Star Trails

[Neaty]

I had my first attempt at Star Trails last Saturday night and I'm hooked! I was out towards Boonah, QLD with a group of people on a private property far away from the city lights.

This image was the results of a single exposure for 1hr on ISO 200, f5.6, focal length 24mm (Noise reduction turned on) with a 5D MkII and Canon 24-70mm f2.8L USM lens, cable release and tripod.

The idea behind the composition was to get a foreground subject in the shot to 'frame' the stars yet still include a large amount of sky to show off the main focus so the camera was mounted on a low tripod. With the cable release it was simply a matter of taking the photo and locking the cable release on and leave the camera to expose the image for 1 hour before closing the shutter. With noise reduction turned on it then took another hour for the camera to process the image.

The main aim with this shot was to capture the stars rotating around the southern axis (the smokey/cloudy section is the Milky Way) which I can happily say I achieved. The only post processing involved is an adjustment to the white balance and cloning out a wheel barrow that was in the lower right corner. If I really look at it the only improvement I can see is I could have moved slightly to the right to have the centre of the rotation point in clear shot without the bush in the way.

Such a fun way to shoot even if one single image does take 2 hours!

[jessicalynn]

Very cool! I think it turned out great! I will have to try something like this up at the in-laws. they are in the middle of nowhere and the stars are always AMAZING there.

[dcclark]

Very well done! I've been trying this again lately too, but not nearly as successfully.

One thing -- the branches in the foreground are, I think, very distracting. They aren't a subject, just some blurred bits! I'd much rather see more of the stars.

[jrgarcia619]

HOW AWESOME! I've always wanted to do star trails. Mind if I ask some questions?

[J.Renee]

AMAZING! Some of the best star trails I've seen, especially with the milkyway in there too. I think it is interesting that you were able to get this shot with just one image. With most of the star trail pics I've seen lately people have used software to combine multiple images. If I can ever get away from these city lights I'll have to try it your way :-)

[shootjutsu]

Oh my this is the first time I see such a star trail.
Very good! I wish to be able to do that too..
But to see star trail in Singapore isn't normal.. I think?

[Marcuscarcus]

what aperture did you set it at.

[Neaty]

Originally Posted by jrgarcia619

HOW AWESOME! I've always wanted to do star trails. Mind if I ask some questions?

Ask away

[Neaty]

Originally Posted by Marcuscarcus

what aperture did you set it at.

The aperture was noted above, f5.6.

[Murtasma]

Awesome!

I really want to give this a shot but 2 hours is a very long time. How was the noise in the final image? Do you think waiting another hour was worth the noise reduction or could a better job have been handled reducing the noise in post processing?