The Dark Sky: Astrophotography
![Alpha_Plus](https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/uploads/customavatars/53/navatar_46653.jpg)
I spent 8 months in Africa last year and was able to get out under the night skies a few times. Here are some favourites...
![20130516-Sleeping-Under-Galaxies-XL.jpg](http://portfolio.karllindsayphotography.com/Astrophotography/i-KGzMnDN/2/XL/20130516-Sleeping-Under-Galaxies-XL.jpg)
Sleeping Under Galaxies
Before arriving in Zambia I had envisioned a photo similar to this one so when I found this village I was rather excited. For this photo I had to get my camera as low as possible to avoid including my shadow in the photo as the setting moon (about 20% I think) was directly behind me. This is a blend of two exposures - one for the foreground and one for the sky.
Nikon D600 & Samyang 14mm — 30 sec @ f/2.8 and ISO 4000 // 93 sec @ f/2.8 and ISO 1000
![20130701-Zambezi-Panorama-XL.jpg](http://portfolio.karllindsayphotography.com/Astrophotography/i-qWnnQdP/2/XL/20130701-Zambezi-Panorama-XL.jpg)
Zambezi Panorama
This is my first Milky Way panorama attempt. Stitched from 9 vertical frames taken with my Samyang 14mm. In the foreground, the Zambezi River is rushing past on it's way eastward. I could hear the hippos grunting loudly almost constantly as I stood out there under the stars.
Nikon D600 & Samyang 14mm — 9x 30 sec @ f/2.8 and ISO 3200
![20130701-Circles-in-the-Sky-XL.jpg](http://portfolio.karllindsayphotography.com/Astrophotography/i-9bKcVFq/2/XL/20130701-Circles-in-the-Sky-XL.jpg)
Circles in the Sky
On the way back to my campsite from shooting the above photo I thought I'd try for a longer exposure. This is a 15 minute exposure to capture the movement of the stars.
Nikon D600 & Samyang 14mm — 904 sec @ f/2.8 and ISO 1600
![20130516-Sleeping-Under-Galaxies-XL.jpg](http://portfolio.karllindsayphotography.com/Astrophotography/i-KGzMnDN/2/XL/20130516-Sleeping-Under-Galaxies-XL.jpg)
Sleeping Under Galaxies
Before arriving in Zambia I had envisioned a photo similar to this one so when I found this village I was rather excited. For this photo I had to get my camera as low as possible to avoid including my shadow in the photo as the setting moon (about 20% I think) was directly behind me. This is a blend of two exposures - one for the foreground and one for the sky.
Nikon D600 & Samyang 14mm — 30 sec @ f/2.8 and ISO 4000 // 93 sec @ f/2.8 and ISO 1000
![20130701-Zambezi-Panorama-XL.jpg](http://portfolio.karllindsayphotography.com/Astrophotography/i-qWnnQdP/2/XL/20130701-Zambezi-Panorama-XL.jpg)
Zambezi Panorama
This is my first Milky Way panorama attempt. Stitched from 9 vertical frames taken with my Samyang 14mm. In the foreground, the Zambezi River is rushing past on it's way eastward. I could hear the hippos grunting loudly almost constantly as I stood out there under the stars.
Nikon D600 & Samyang 14mm — 9x 30 sec @ f/2.8 and ISO 3200
![20130701-Circles-in-the-Sky-XL.jpg](http://portfolio.karllindsayphotography.com/Astrophotography/i-9bKcVFq/2/XL/20130701-Circles-in-the-Sky-XL.jpg)
Circles in the Sky
On the way back to my campsite from shooting the above photo I thought I'd try for a longer exposure. This is a 15 minute exposure to capture the movement of the stars.
Nikon D600 & Samyang 14mm — 904 sec @ f/2.8 and ISO 1600
Karl Lindsay
Nikon D600
Samyang 14mm f/2.8 | Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 | Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 | Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Induro CT-014 Tripod
karllindsayphotography.com | Photos on Facebook | 500px
Nikon D600
Samyang 14mm f/2.8 | Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 | Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 | Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Induro CT-014 Tripod
karllindsayphotography.com | Photos on Facebook | 500px
0
Comments
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
Link to my Smugmug site
Thank you Chris. These are all from Zambia.
Thanks Eia. I've added the stories and exif to the original post now.
Thanks Stumble bum! No light painting at all. The first one is lit by the setting moon and the last two are by the stars only as the moon wasn't out. I've added the exif to the main post now.
Thanks David!
Thanks kdog. Those are my favourites too!
Nikon D600
Samyang 14mm f/2.8 | Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 | Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 | Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Induro CT-014 Tripod
karllindsayphotography.com | Photos on Facebook | 500px
Facebook | 500px | Flickr
Did you have to make multiple layer masks and such to process these?
Thanks everyone. It seems everyone has different preferences, which is great!
No worries.. Yes I did. I used a few luminance masks with curves adjustments to various areas of the photos.
Here is the non-pano version of the Zambezi River...
Nikon D600
Samyang 14mm f/2.8 | Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 | Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 | Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Induro CT-014 Tripod
karllindsayphotography.com | Photos on Facebook | 500px
FB:https://www.facebook.com/TanveersPhotography
Site :http://www.tanveer.in
Blog :http://tsk1979.livejournal.com
Came back to add: Just checked out your fb page and blog - partly to look for photos of wildlife in Africa. Lots of great captures of the best kind.
Along the way, I saw that you've included some of these night shots are in your 2014 calendar.
Thanks for sharing what you've seen in your travels.
My SmugMug Galleries
Thanks for all your comments everyone. Yes, I did have one or two of these in the calendar.. I'll be putting more of them that I take this year in my 2015 calendar when it comes time too
All the best with your expedition! I have a few tips to share on my blog if you're interested in learning more...
Nikon D600
Samyang 14mm f/2.8 | Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 | Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 | Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Induro CT-014 Tripod
karllindsayphotography.com | Photos on Facebook | 500px