Nossob Expanse

[Morkel Erasmus]

I can't wait to sit under the magnificent Kalahari night sky next week.
This is from a trip last year.

This is another of my experiments in "ISO-stacking". I shot the same scene at ISO-3200 and ISO-6400, painting the FG with light. I placed the ISO-3200 exposure in front, then blended the sky from the ISO-6400 exposure back for more star detail.

Techs:
Canon 7D with 10-22mm USM @ 10mm
f3.5 @ 25s @ ISO-3200/6400

[Robert Amoruso]

Morkel,

Nice technique. Compositionally I would prefer the tree more left and the denser star cluster more right in the image.

[Jay Gould]

Morkel, instead of painting at night, try taking an image at dusk with a long enough exposure to give you the foreground you want. Then shoot the start trails and blend the two images. Works a treat.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks Robert and Jay.

I agree with your comp suggestion, Robert. Will try again next week!

Jay, the problem is that I needed the darkness to conceal the chalets and tents in the camp hehe.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Morkel,
Go vert! I like the tree and milky way above. Good luck next week!

[Robert Amoruso]

Hey Morkel,
Go vert! I like the tree and milky way above. Good luck next week!

Why didn't I think of that. Duh.

Leave it to Roman to pull out the perfect crop.

[Gary Hamilton]

Nice concept here. I would like to see the tree brighter but understand your dilemma. The vertical comp suggested by Roman seems better suited for this scene plus it will eliminate the rock (?) in the LLC that otherwise distracts. Good luck on your trip!

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Morkel, nice night scene. I prefer Robert's suggestion for a horizontal comp and Roman's vertical would be quite nice to see. Best of luck with your trip next week...look forward to seeing the results!

[Rachel Hollander]

Morkel - I think the vertical crop suggested by Roman will work well. Looking forward to seeing more star shots when you return from your upcoming trip.

TFS,
Rachel

[Andrew Aveley]

Thanks for the explanation. Crop suggestions may improve this but enjoy the trip

[Dave Mills]

Vertiical crop appears to be the way to go...will really strengthen the image....

[Mark Wiseman]

Hi Morkel,
Great image!!! My only comment is the tree and not the technique. If I am not mistaken it is a mesquite tree and unfortunately does not belong in any National Park in South Africa, it is an alien, but no doubt goes well with the night.
Best wishes and I hope you will have a great trip,
Mark.
PS: Drive carefully on the roads and enjoy the braai's in the Kalahari.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks for your comments and suggestions, folks.

Mark - goes to show how bad my floral knowledge is - it really has always looked to me like a Camelthorn tree ...