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Milky Way and Geyser
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Milky Way and Geyser

by Steve Gettle

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 29, 2016315 views8 comments
This image of the White Dome Geyser erupting with a beautiful Milky Way backdrop was created on Firehole Lake Drive.

Image: White Dome Geyser eruption and Milky Way, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Nikno D4S, 17-35mm zoom @ 24mm, 20 seconds @ f2.8, ISO 6,400

Comments

8 comments
Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on November 29, 2016 at 11:06 PM
I like the idea here.  I wonder if it would have been possible to put more separation between the erupting geyser and the Milky Way so that they would be in a point / counterpoint relationship rather than in a straight line in the middle of the frame.

Having said that it seems apparent that it was your intent to line them up so I will be interested to hear other's thoughts on that.  

Otherwise this is nicely done with just the right amount of exposure on the land and nicely processed.
Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments
Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on November 30, 2016 at 1:30 AM
The composition works well for me and the scene feels very natural.  You might play with making the land just a bit brighter, but that's a matter of personal taste.
Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on November 30, 2016 at 8:08 AM
Welcome to NPN, Steve. Terrific group of first posts. I like the subject and the comp here. The exposure also looks good and appropriate to me. My only issue is with the noise level.  
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 30, 2016 at 4:30 PM
Welcome to NPN Steve!  A great first post in Landscape.  I can only guess, but I'm going to assume as well that  you lined these up intentionally.  I think it works because it links the two, can I say terrestrial, elements together. And the fact that the geyser mist blows off to the side helps give the night sky some emphasis too.  Well seen and crafted.

I would agree with noise. Hopefully you can mitigate that some.

Look forward to more images and for your comments and critiques.

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on November 30, 2016 at 5:41 PM
Cool comp!  I wonder what a bit of light painting would have done...
Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments
Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on December 1, 2016 at 11:49 AM
Welcome to NPN, Steve! I do like the concept, but I would like it more if the geyser were separated a bit from dust lanes. I also agree about the noise. A little bit of light painting may have helped with the noise in foreground, but I think you did very well, here.

We look forward to more of your images, and your comments on the work of others.
--P
Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Gettle on December 1, 2016 at 3:26 PM
Thanks everyone, totally agree about the noise. Not much of a photoshop guy so no noise reduction used which I imagine would help. I have started doing my nightsky stuff at ISO 3200 which has helped as well.
Steve
Registered on November 29, 2016, 36 Posts, 111 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on December 1, 2016 at 3:28 PM
Steve, this is a great look at White Dome erupting against the milky way.  Getting the brightness balanced in a shot like this is a huge challenge and you've done well using natural light.  Yes, some light painting on White Dome would be a nice improvement.  Looking forward to more posts and comments.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments