Link to a version for your phone! To avoid Imgur compression, open it up in your phone’s browser and save it from there, not from the Reddit app.
I am very proud of this piece. It consists of 9 of my favorite images I have taken this year, and I also feel it represents my best Milky Way work since I first started out in this hobby many years ago. Most of these images were taken on a road trip my buddies and I took out west back in July, with a few exceptions from the East Coast. Below is a little FAQ and a list of each image, where it was taken, and some small imaging details.
For equipment, I used my Nikon D850, Canon 5D Mark IV, iOptron Skyguider Pro star tracker, and Manfrotto 190 series carbon fiber tripods with ball heads to image. The lenses I used were the Sigma ART 20mm f/1.4, Sigma ART 35mm f/1.4, Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G, Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VR II, and Canon 24-70 f/2.8L II. That is kind of a handful, so I have abbreviated the gear and labeled each shot respectively with what was used to capture it.
Well, yes and no. You can see the Milky Way with the naked eye on a clear, moonless light in an area with little to no light pollution. BUT you will not see it nearly to the degree of detail presented in these images. Why? Simply put, the camera captures light differently than the way our eyes do. We can only see in fractions of seconds, whereas these cameras can hold their shutters open for many seconds to even minutes thus emphasizing even the faintest of detail in the sky.
Where can I go to see the Milky Way?
For viewing our galaxy, it is best to travel far from any cities or other common sources of light pollution. The easiest way to determine where to go is to consult this light pollution map. Please, wherever you chose to go, be sure to follow all local regulations, and leave no trace on site!
At what time of the year can I see the Milky Way?
The Milky Way Core is ideally visible from early April to late September. The core is what is featured in the images above. But, you can see the Milky Way year round. The winter Milky Way may not be as defined as the summer, but it still is quite a sight to behold.
I want to get into photography and would like to take pictures like this, what do I need to do so?
Most critically, you need a camera capable of a full manual exposure. This includes but is not limited to DSLRs, interchangeable mirrorless cameras, and even some compact/bridge cameras. Some phones even allow you to shoot manually with an app. Once you have your camera you need a good, sturdy tripod. This is crucial when imaging at night especially when wind speeds tend to kick up. A remote release is helpful but not always necessary. Many cameras offer a self timer/delay which would mitigate any shake caused by pressing the shutter button. These three things are the most basic pieces of equipment you need. You must understand your camera and using its manual exposure function. Understanding the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, iso) will play a vital role here. Apps like Photopills will also help you calculate your shutter speed for shooting sharp stars at night. You then need to find yourself a good place to shoot. See above for help with that! Expect to shoot between 15-25 second shutter speeds with an ISO of 800-6400 and a wide open aperture.
How about some good tutorials for astrophotography?
Lonely Speck and Clarkvision have some fantastic tutorials out there. There are also plenty of other folks on YouTube who do an even better job at explaining basic astrophotography than I do.
This is an awesome combination Daniel. So happy to see you finished this compilation. Looks just fantastic, love seeing a different take on it using Milky Way images, makes me jealous of all those sweet foregrounds and Milky Way images. Hopefully with the move to Colorado I'll be inspired to get some nice shots like yours :)
DanielJStein on December 30th, 2018 at 00:02 UTC »
Link to a version for your phone! To avoid Imgur compression, open it up in your phone’s browser and save it from there, not from the Reddit app.
I am very proud of this piece. It consists of 9 of my favorite images I have taken this year, and I also feel it represents my best Milky Way work since I first started out in this hobby many years ago. Most of these images were taken on a road trip my buddies and I took out west back in July, with a few exceptions from the East Coast. Below is a little FAQ and a list of each image, where it was taken, and some small imaging details.
You can also follow me on Instagram @danieljstein or check out my websiteif you want to see even more of my work!
For equipment, I used my Nikon D850, Canon 5D Mark IV, iOptron Skyguider Pro star tracker, and Manfrotto 190 series carbon fiber tripods with ball heads to image. The lenses I used were the Sigma ART 20mm f/1.4, Sigma ART 35mm f/1.4, Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G, Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VR II, and Canon 24-70 f/2.8L II. That is kind of a handful, so I have abbreviated the gear and labeled each shot respectively with what was used to capture it.
Images from left to right:
Nightscape Rocky Mountain National Park, CO. D850+20mm+iOptron. Cascade Mountain - Adirondacks, NY. 5D+24-70 L Milky Way Core closeup from RMNP, CO. D850+35mm+iOptron Catskills Foggy Milky Way, NY. D850+35mm+iOptron Milky Way Pano from Canyonlands NP, UT. D850+24-70+iOptron High Peaks closeup Milky Way, NY. D850+70-200+iOptron Delicate Arch Milky Way Composite, UT. D850+24-70+20mm+iOptron Nightscape RMNP @ 11,000ft, CO. D850+35mm+iOptron Maroon Bells Milky Way Composite, CO. D850+20mm+iOptronCan I see the sky like this with the naked eye?
Well, yes and no. You can see the Milky Way with the naked eye on a clear, moonless light in an area with little to no light pollution. BUT you will not see it nearly to the degree of detail presented in these images. Why? Simply put, the camera captures light differently than the way our eyes do. We can only see in fractions of seconds, whereas these cameras can hold their shutters open for many seconds to even minutes thus emphasizing even the faintest of detail in the sky.
Where can I go to see the Milky Way?
For viewing our galaxy, it is best to travel far from any cities or other common sources of light pollution. The easiest way to determine where to go is to consult this light pollution map. Please, wherever you chose to go, be sure to follow all local regulations, and leave no trace on site!
At what time of the year can I see the Milky Way?
The Milky Way Core is ideally visible from early April to late September. The core is what is featured in the images above. But, you can see the Milky Way year round. The winter Milky Way may not be as defined as the summer, but it still is quite a sight to behold.
I want to get into photography and would like to take pictures like this, what do I need to do so?
Most critically, you need a camera capable of a full manual exposure. This includes but is not limited to DSLRs, interchangeable mirrorless cameras, and even some compact/bridge cameras. Some phones even allow you to shoot manually with an app. Once you have your camera you need a good, sturdy tripod. This is crucial when imaging at night especially when wind speeds tend to kick up. A remote release is helpful but not always necessary. Many cameras offer a self timer/delay which would mitigate any shake caused by pressing the shutter button. These three things are the most basic pieces of equipment you need. You must understand your camera and using its manual exposure function. Understanding the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, iso) will play a vital role here. Apps like Photopills will also help you calculate your shutter speed for shooting sharp stars at night. You then need to find yourself a good place to shoot. See above for help with that! Expect to shoot between 15-25 second shutter speeds with an ISO of 800-6400 and a wide open aperture.
How about some good tutorials for astrophotography?
Lonely Speck and Clarkvision have some fantastic tutorials out there. There are also plenty of other folks on YouTube who do an even better job at explaining basic astrophotography than I do.
Still have questions, feel free to ask below!!
EDITS: Formatting, added links, fixed links.
Idontlikecock on December 30th, 2018 at 00:03 UTC »
This is an awesome combination Daniel. So happy to see you finished this compilation. Looks just fantastic, love seeing a different take on it using Milky Way images, makes me jealous of all those sweet foregrounds and Milky Way images. Hopefully with the move to Colorado I'll be inspired to get some nice shots like yours :)
menneskelighet on December 30th, 2018 at 02:08 UTC »
Cool, do you've a link to each individual picture?