Photoclubalpha

After seeing David's review on the main site, I thought I'd dig out my login details and post a few samples I took last summer in Kent (UK) using the Samyang on the a6000.

For the sake of clarity, these images have had quite a lot of work done in post to bring out the Milky way and remove a few problems like the dozens of plane trails. They were shot at f2 and high iso (3200 to 6400) to overexpose the sky (it was pitch black down there without a torch) and then the contrast was adjusted / heavy NR performed in DXO. Each shot was around 20 seconds to minimise any star trails but I had to remove a lot of plane lights I live about 40 miles from this beach and gave it several goes but its very weather dependent - no matter what the weather forecast / app I used to predict things like cloud cover, by the time I drove down there it had changed - the first night was the best for cloud cover but I hadn't quite mastered the settings, on the second attempt I mastered sitting in the deck chair perfectly still for 20 secs with a radio trigger in my hand but the clouds came in and messed up the milky way .

First night - the 'sunset' glow is a couple of bouys out in the channel



Here I tried to light the foreground with an LED torch but it just looks too unnatural



Second night - ambient lighting only and more foreground interest but by the time I was set up, too much cloud cover - plus slowly expanding plane exhaust trails

Those are some excellent shots. They each have their unique qualities. The last one is great. I think the clouds do well in this shot because of your pose. Everything is standing still except the clouds. I think it really has a nice contemplative feel. One other thing about the composition that's nice about the last one is the way the Milky Way is in line with sun or rather the sun is in line with the Milky Way.

Thanks. That's not the sun by the way - that's 2 floating lights for shipping navigation - these shots were taken about 1-2 hours after sunset (around 2200 in late summer here in the UK).

okay, that makes sense. I was wondering how you got the stars with the sun in the same shot.

Very nicely pictures Scott, and thanks for the guides. I must give that a go sometime.