Sand Beach Milky Way + repost

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 20, 20186,972 views11 comments

Nikon D 800
Nikon 17-35 @ 17 mm
f 2.8 @ 10 sec.
ISO 3200
cable release & tripod

This is from a trip Mike and I made last June to Acadia. The moon was just about full and provided so much light that we did not need our flashlights to make our way down to the beach. Ordinarily you would want something closer to the new moon, but in this case it did help light up the landscape with some nice light. I am reasonably happy with the end result as this was our first attempt at shooting the Milky Way. The original is a horizontal, but while working on the image I decided to crop from the left and right sides to make a vertical. I should have thought to shoot some verticals while there, but sometimes I just get stuck in the moment and do not think of alternatives. Anyway I would love to hear your thoughts.

Ed

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on March 20, 2018 at 3:46 PM

This is a very nice night shot. The light on the foreground makes this. The nebulae also look very nice. I am little on the fence with the bright rock on the left, but that is minor. This works very well, Ed.
--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on March 20, 2018 at 6:04 PM

The reddish orange tonal qualities on the rocks in this image set the stage for the glowing Milky Way above. I'm impressed that you are able to do this with a nearly full moon. Superb job on the processing. Compositionally I would tone down the reflections on the big rock in the left lower corner area and perhaps do the same with the similar smaller rock that also shows reflection just below the cliffs. I don't think you should eliminate it but perhaps tone it down because it is a little bit of a eye magnet.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Ed McGuirk on March 21, 2018 at 7:34 AM

Ed, this is really nice. I think the full moon really helps bring up the detail in the foreground and cliffs, even if it washes out the Milky Way a little bit. I love the way the moonlight adds light and color to the cliffs, it's gorgeous. Actually, I'm amazed how much of a shadow the moonlight creates on the foreground rocks. The small image looked too dark, but viewing the large one brings up lots of nice detail. The stars look very sharp, the 10 second exposure worked well for you. Agree with the comments about burning the two hotspots. I think you could also dodge the Milky Way core a little to emphasize it. Using Luminosity Masks would be an easy way to target that area.

Registered on November 29, 2017, 19 Posts, 260 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 21, 2018 at 9:09 AM

Ed, this is a fine, realistic night shot. The larger view is a must see to appreciate the details in the darker areas. In thinking about hanging this, I think it would need some dodging of the darker areas. The star field and the milky way look great.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on March 21, 2018 at 12:06 PM

This is a very natural appearing night shot. I like the sharpness of the stars and the warm colors on the cliffs. I think those two items are the focus of the image, and I find the bright reflections on the foreground rocks distracting. I would consider a crop from the bottom and/or burning or cloning out the bright rocks. Just my opinion. I know night shots are difficult to pull off and you have certainly done that here.

Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on March 21, 2018 at 12:15 PM

I am not a night image guy, but I really like this one. It has a great realistic look to it. I actually like the bright rock lower left, but not the one in the middle. Go figure, the different opinions! Real nice work.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on March 21, 2018 at 6:18 PM

Nice job with this, always a challenging subject. Agree with the others regarding the bright areas of the rocks. I might try adjusting the white balance of the FG and ocean areas to reduce the reddish cast to give it more of a night feel. The warm cast on the cliff rocks looks nice here.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on March 21, 2018 at 10:07 PM

Thanks for your thoughts everyone; always appreciated. Here is a repost with your suggestions of burning in the couple of rocks to tone them down, along with lighting the MW to make it a little more prominent and I reduced the red by five points to make the sand a little more neutral. Let me know what you think.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on March 22, 2018 at 8:00 AM

The repost is an improvement for me. Definitely need the dark background. Very cool scene.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lowe on March 31, 2018 at 10:27 PM

Nice shot for a first ever attempt at a milky way image. Aside from the moonglow on the couple rocks I wouldn't change a thing.

Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on April 1, 2018 at 8:16 PM

I'm amazed the Milky Way looks that good in that much moonlight; that worked out well. This has a nice peacefulness Ed. Based on the angle of the Milky Way, I'm guessing the crop was a good idea.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments