Recent Milky Way Pics

[Mike Bons]

Here are a few more Milky Way images that I took recently. All taken with a Canon 6D + Bower 14mm F/2.8 and a handheld speedlight with a CTO gel to light the foreground. SS = 20-25seconds, ISO 6400, F/2.8.

http://www.mikebons.com/img/s8/v80/p1296071788-5.jpg

http://www.mikebons.com/img/s7/v152/p1333031870-5.jpg

http://www.mikebons.com/img/s7/v159/p1333031921-5.jpg

[Marko]

These are just lovely Mike - I especially like #2 here. 3 is also really strong for me but the distorted barn's perspective draws attention to itself for me (maybe it's just me though).

To help others who may want to try this - Can you talk about your exposure and technique (use of noise reduction in camera if you used it)for a sentence or two?
Also be curious to know your time investment (in the field) and PP for these images. Keep up the strong work Mike!

[Matt K.]

Real cool series ... love #3 almost looks like the Milky Way is coming from the chimney .... or retreating into the chimney - glass half full/half empty kinda thing ... but very nice indeed.

[JustinRyan215]

Wonderful photos! Absolutely gorgeous. #1 is my favorite, I love the perspective. #''3 is also awesome.

Marko, I think that the barn/Shack in #3 is actually dilapidated and leaning, ready to meet its ultimate demise, not so much distorted...

[Mike Bons]

These are just lovely Mike - I especially like #2 here. 3 is also really strong for me but the distorted barn's perspective draws attention to itself for me (maybe it's just me though).

To help others who may want to try this - Can you talk about your exposure and technique (use of noise reduction in camera if you used it)for a sentence or two?
Also be curious to know your time investment (in the field) and PP for these images. Keep up the strong work Mike!

That barn in #3 is 10% distortion and 90% really just slowly falling down.

As far as technique goes I do very little processing. The hardest part is planning the locations and working that into the moon schedule, weather and life's demands. After that lighting the foreground is the next most difficult aspect. I will often have take 10 or tries to get a scene lit the way I like. With processing I will add a little more clarity, contrast and saturation to the Milky Way portion other than that my main efforts are put into fixing some distortion. With the lighthouse fixing the distortion took a little longer given the horizon line of the lake and the strong vertical off centre line of the lighthouse. It's maybe still not perfect but close enough for me. I use very little noise reduction in PP, although I do take advantage of "long exposure NR" in camera.