Last night

[molested_cow1]

The typhoon went and made an U-turn, heading straight back at me. Meanwhile, it sucked all the clouds away so I went up to a mountain pass overlooking a town in the distance. I hoped to shoot north wards to get the center of rotation, but the town was to the north west. Also, half moon at south west which didn't do much damage light wise. There's also just enough clouds to reflect some interesting colors. It's a 40min exposure total. 8x5min exposures stacked and p-shopped.

 

[Denon]

I love this photo. It's beautiful!

 

[Jaemie]

Sweet. I love this. The star trails are outstanding, but the real star in my opinion is the cauldron of heat between those dark mountain silhouettes! Wow.

I hope you don't mind an edit. I wonder if something like this would work, too?

 

[Karloz]

Very Cool - Love it

 

[molested_cow1]

Jaemie, sure! Although I'd have adjust that crop a little more.

The tough part about framing a night shot like this is, you really don't know what you are going to get. I wasn't really sure where the axis of rotation was going to be, not even sure if it's going to be in the frame!
If I have a D800, it will solve a lot of problems.

BTW typhoon is back, raining now. So the decision to go up there last night was the right one!

 

[sm4him]

I like the original much better than the crop. While I agree that the "cauldron of heat" is a great focal point and makes the photo far more interesting than the typical star trails shot, the circular pattern of the star trails really lends a fluidity to the photo that I like, and that, imo, leads the eye down to that bright spot between the mountains.
For me, it just loses something without the circular pattern of the star trails. It's the combination that makes this photo striking, at least to me.

 

[molested_cow1]

If I knew where the center is, I'd have moved the frame a little to the right. I think it's a little too tight now.

 

[Jaemie]

Sorry, I can't remember if you're in ..Taiwan, maybe? (eek) Well, this article provides a nice explanation of star trails and how to find the center of rotation (if you're in the Northern Hemisphere): Star Trail Photography - How are Star Trails formed? I think you'll need to find the Southern Cross as a reference if you're below the Equator. Maybe Josh or one of the other Australians can help.

 

[McNugget801]

The tough part about framing a night shot like this is, you really don't know what you are going to get. I wasn't really sure where the axis of rotation was going to be, not even sure if it's going to be in the frame!

Actually, its pretty easy ... just point the camera north.

 

[thereyougo!4]

The typhoon went and made an U-turn, heading straight back at me. Meanwhile, it sucked all the clouds away so I went up to a mountain pass overlooking a town in the distance. I hoped to shoot north wards to get the center of rotation, but the town was to the north west. Also, half moon at south west which didn't do much damage light wise. There's also just enough clouds to reflect some interesting colors. It's a 40min exposure total. 8x5min exposures stacked and p-shopped.

Great shot, just as it is. Love the focal point. Am in Korea at the moment, and apparently that Typhoon is heading our way. Will be in Busan tomorrow. It was due to make landfall this evening...