This is one from almost 4 weeks ago that I took out in Joshua Tree National Park, it's the Antares Region. I had shot it previously and liked what I got, but it's one I wanted to try again.
There is a lot of trial and error still with the processing, but to an extent with the shooting too as I work through whether I want longer shutter speeds and lower ISO or faster shutter speed and higher ISO. This is a 3 minute shot at ISO 800. What I noticed though is there seem to be a whole lot more background stars in this one compared to my first. There is different ways to deal with stars, but no matter what I have tried in the finished end the sky gains an almost pixelated look in area's and it's not noise, it's the background stars which can turn into a gray color, but a color that doesn't match the background sky.
So, for a while I think all of my Astrophotography of Deep Space Objects will be a work in progress as I continue to shoot more and find the exact settings, and also the correct post processing that works best for me. It's definitely fun to see these objects come to life, and as time goes on I will become more proficient and efficient in how I Post Process.
This is not perfect by any means, but I am happy enough with it for now. I hope I can get back out this week to shoot some more at some place in the desert. It looks like Joshua Tree is closed to vehicles, though where I like to set up my Astro Gear is not even a half mile from the entrance station, so it wouldn't be a huge deal even to go back out there and hike in with my gear. Or I can take a little Red Wagon with me and just pull the gear in on the wagon as I won't have to worry about cars on the road.
Nikon D850
Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 @ 90mm
SkyGuider Pro
14 x 3 min exposures at ISO 800
7 x 3 min exposure Dark Frames
No Bias or Flats
All comments are welcome,
Jim
+ Edit - I started again from Scratch, this time not using Starnet++ to remove the stars as a suggestion by @Mike Lewis . I also went with a square crop this time. I think I like this better then the original.
There is a lot of trial and error still with the processing, but to an extent with the shooting too as I work through whether I want longer shutter speeds and lower ISO or faster shutter speed and higher ISO. This is a 3 minute shot at ISO 800. What I noticed though is there seem to be a whole lot more background stars in this one compared to my first. There is different ways to deal with stars, but no matter what I have tried in the finished end the sky gains an almost pixelated look in area's and it's not noise, it's the background stars which can turn into a gray color, but a color that doesn't match the background sky.
So, for a while I think all of my Astrophotography of Deep Space Objects will be a work in progress as I continue to shoot more and find the exact settings, and also the correct post processing that works best for me. It's definitely fun to see these objects come to life, and as time goes on I will become more proficient and efficient in how I Post Process.
This is not perfect by any means, but I am happy enough with it for now. I hope I can get back out this week to shoot some more at some place in the desert. It looks like Joshua Tree is closed to vehicles, though where I like to set up my Astro Gear is not even a half mile from the entrance station, so it wouldn't be a huge deal even to go back out there and hike in with my gear. Or I can take a little Red Wagon with me and just pull the gear in on the wagon as I won't have to worry about cars on the road.
Nikon D850
Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 @ 90mm
SkyGuider Pro
14 x 3 min exposures at ISO 800
7 x 3 min exposure Dark Frames
No Bias or Flats
All comments are welcome,
Jim
+ Edit - I started again from Scratch, this time not using Starnet++ to remove the stars as a suggestion by @Mike Lewis . I also went with a square crop this time. I think I like this better then the original.
Last edited: