"Lonesome Lake" Milky Way Panorama

[jsecordphoto]

Some of the best times I can remember having were in the White Mountains of New Hampshire! Spent a lot of nights on those trails(I use to do a lot of weekend hikes), if I had only been smart enough to carry a camera instead of all the 'junk' for hiking. Hard to get far enough away from the 'night lights from the cities' down here to see this sight anymore....I envy you!


What did you use to 'layer' your photo's?
How do you combat the 'noise' from such a long exposure?



Scott (thanks for the memories) B

Glad I could stir up some of those memories! It really is a beautiful area around the White Mountains, I live a little further south in the Lakes Region but I go up north as much as possible. I use photoshops photomerge function for stitching together panoramas, and Topaz Denoise to clean up some of the noise in the photos. Although with my new camera the noise isn't too bad at iso4000.

And as far as it being tough to get away from getting away from light pollution, as great as Lonesome Lake was, here is a photo (not anything I plan on using) from just another mile up

You can see the Lake on the bottom right of the frame, and then light pollution from Lincoln. It can be really tough finding an area with no light pollution! What a difference a mile of trail made

 

[FITBMX]

Wow! That's great!!!

 

[SDB777]

Grew up in Maine, but have spent my fair share of time running around on the Presidential Range!

Thanks for the info on the software you are using. Give me something to look at this afternoon(been outside cutting log into lumber, and I'm pretty tired now).....
One more question: Do you shoot RAW?



Scott (very cool) B

 

[terri37 8]

A wonderful image - great work. I envy you the ease in getting away from light pollution, and in such an enchanting setting! You make good use of the surroundings as well as your equipment. :thumbup:

 

[jsecordphoto]

Grew up in Maine, but have spent my fair share of time running around on the Presidential Range!

Thanks for the info on the software you are using. Give me something to look at this afternoon(been outside cutting log into lumber, and I'm pretty tired now).....
One more question: Do you shoot RAW?



Scott (very cool) B

Yes, I always shoot in RAW. Especially at night I need the flexibility in the files to pull all the detail I can from the scene. NH is beautiful but I absolutely love Maine...what area did you grow up in? I'll be heading up to Phippsburg at the end of the month for 3 weeks of camping/fishing/shooting photos- can't wait!

 

[jsecordphoto]

A wonderful image - great work. I envy you the ease in getting away from light pollution, and in such an enchanting setting! You make good use of the surroundings as well as your equipment. :thumbup:

Thank you! I still have to drive at least 90 minutes or so to find reasonably dark skies, but I feel lucky that I have access to them. I don't know if I'll ever get sick of going out on nights like that, I get completely lost in the moment and all the stress and BS that I have clouding my mind take the backseat for at least a few hours- and sometimes I come back with some great photos and memories!

 

[SDB777]

Grew up in Maine, but have spent my fair share of time running around on the Presidential Range!

Thanks for the info on the software you are using. Give me something to look at this afternoon(been outside cutting log into lumber, and I'm pretty tired now).....
One more question: Do you shoot RAW?



Scott (very cool) B

Yes, I always shoot in RAW. Especially at night I need the flexibility in the files to pull all the detail I can from the scene. NH is beautiful but I absolutely love Maine...what area did you grow up in? I'll be heading up to Phippsburg at the end of the month for 3 weeks of camping/fishing/shooting photos- can't wait!

The very southern tip of Maine, little town called Lebanon.....about one hour twenty-five minutes to Presidential Range, but about four hours to Baxter State Park....so it was pretty easy to figure out which direction I would go for a nice hike! A three week trip sounds really fun. Now I'm completely jealous!



Scott (fly-fishing rules) B

 

[sscarmack]

If this was a tad bit clearly, I would buy this print in a heartbeat from you. Super awesome shot!

 

[Twannie1980]

Wauw, Very beautiful pictures! I've been trying to achieve that, but was unable to do it...But these pics give me the motivation to keep trying

 

[jl1975]

Wow. That is absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing.

 

[jsecordphoto]

Wow. That is absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you! We're coming up on this month's new moon, can't wait to get back out for some more milky way shots

 

[jsecordphoto]

Wauw, Very beautiful pictures! I've been trying to achieve that, but was unable to do it...But these pics give me the motivation to keep trying

Keep trying! I just started shooting at night this past winter and my first photos were absolutely terrible, but I obsessively read guides online and went out every chance I got. Can't say I've ever had a bad night out shooting photos of the stars, every time I see something amazing. Have fun and stick with it!