Coal Mine canyon milky way

[Bob]

Hey everyone,
Here is 2 images I took last night at coal mine canyon. One was a composite the other was done with light painting. I would be interested in which one everyone likes better,
Bob

 

[AlanLichty]

I think I prefer the first image (composite?) over the second. I do like the sky in the second image but the foreground doesn't quite work for my eyes.

 

[Michael13]

Definitely like the first image better - much better color and sharpness in the foreground !

 

[Bob]

I think I prefer the first image (composite?) over the second. I do like the sky in the second image but the foreground doesn't quite work for my eyes.

Thanks Alan. I like the sky in the second also but the light painting doesn't work as well.
Bob

 

[Bob]

Definitely like the first image better - much better color and sharpness in the foreground !

Thanks Michael.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

It should be a simple thing to take the ground layer from the first image and the sky from the second to have the best of both.

 

[Bob]

It should be a simple thing to take the ground layer from the first image and the sky from the second to have the best of both.

Jameel
Yes, you are correct and I will probably do that but I wanted to see what everyone has to say first.
Thank you for the suggestion,
Bob

 

[JimFox]

Hey Bob,

I just got back from 2 nights up at 12,000 feet in Colorado capturing the Milky Way, and I will say that I did think about you while I was up there and wondering if you were out anywhere capturing the MW as well.

The ground layer of #1 is much sharper, did you do the ground layer at twilight?

The Milky Way in #2 is better, but it does have a pink cast to much of it that I would suggest reducing.

 

[Bob]

Hey Bob,

I just got back from 2 nights up at 12,000 feet in Colorado capturing the Milky Way, and I will say that I did think about you while I was up there and wondering if you were out anywhere capturing the MW as well.

The ground layer of #1 is much sharper, did you do the ground layer at twilight?

The Milky Way in #2 is better, but it does have a pink cast to much of it that I would suggest reducing.

Hey Jim,
Yes, I capture the ground layer after sunset but before it got too dark. The first one was at iso 1600 and the second was at iso 3200. The pinkish color came from some reddish lights on the ground in the distance but I am not sure of the source of the lights. I reprocessed the image with the ground in the first and the milky way at 3200 iso and I like it much better. I also toned down the color a bit but not much. You should have joined me I thought you were going to try?
I am now off to shoot the milky way in the petrified forest national park. I will try and post something from there when I get a chance.
Also, I am going to post another coal mine shot early morning that I thought came out really well.
Bob

 

[JimFox]

Hey Jim,
Yes, I capture the ground layer after sunset but before it got too dark. The first one was at iso 1600 and the second was at iso 3200. The pinkish color came from some reddish lights on the ground in the distance but I am not sure of the source of the lights. I reprocessed the image with the ground in the first and the milky way at 3200 iso and I like it much better. I also toned down the color a bit but not much. You should have joined me I thought you were going to try?
I am now off to shoot the milky way in the petrified forest national park. I will try and post something from there when I get a chance.
Also, I am going to post another coal mine shot early morning that I thought came out really well.
Bob

Hey Bob, I look forward to the edit.

I have been busy with my daughters kids up in Colorado, the best I could do was to get away for 3 days to the Rockies. I had to be back today as the grandkids have activities this weekend. So Arizona was too far for me to go. We will do it one of these times.

Do you have a connection at Petrified Forest? Years ago I stayed all night in the park shooting the Milky Way, but now adays they are pretty strict about kicking everyone out.

 

[Bob]

Hey Bob, I look forward to the edit.

I have been busy with my daughters kids up in Colorado, the best I could do was to get away for 3 days to the Rockies. I had to be back today as the grandkids have activities this weekend. So Arizona was too far for me to go. We will do it one of these times.

Do you have a connection at Petrified Forest? Years ago I stayed all night in the park shooting the Milky Way, but now adays they are pretty strict about kicking everyone out.

Jim,
I am signed up for a all night workshop. This is just offered once a year.
Bob

 

[Douglas Sherman]

I much prefer the first image, Bob, but I do like the sky better in the second image. The horizon slants slight to the left in the second one.

 

[Bob]

I much prefer the first image, Bob, but I do like the sky better in the second image. The horizon slants slight to the left in the second one.

Doug,
That is very interesting you point that out. I think you are looking at the mountain range in the far distance. You are correct the ground slopes because of the mountain range, however if you look at the edge of the canyon that is level. I re-worked the original 2 images and combined the ground in the first with the sky in the second. Below you will find the edit.
Bob

 

[Douglas Sherman]

Doug,
That is very interesting you point that out. I think you are looking at the mountain range in the far distance. You are correct the ground slopes because of the mountain range, however if you look at the edge of the canyon that is level. I re-worked the original 2 images and combined the ground in the first with the sky in the second. Below you will find the edit.
Bob

View attachment 73097

That is beautiful, Bob.

 

[AlanLichty]

Doug,
That is very interesting you point that out. I think you are looking at the mountain range in the far distance. You are correct the ground slopes because of the mountain range, however if you look at the edge of the canyon that is level. I re-worked the original 2 images and combined the ground in the first with the sky in the second. Below you will find the edit.
Bob

View attachment 73097

Best version yet.

 

[JimFox]

Hey Bob,

I am liking the edit. I think this now makes for a good base to work off of. 2 things I would do. Add contrast to the sky to darken the background of the sky, it feels a bit washed out. And 2nd I would darken the ground.