One big mistake that I made while shooting was not using a fresh battery! I took 3 shots of this scene with a Canon 1Ds and noise reduction on. The 1Ds does noise reduction by exposing a black frame for as long as your actual shot was and subtracting out the resulting noise. Well, my first shot was 10 minutes, the second (above) shot was about 30 minutes, and the third shot (by which point I was dark adapted and could see well enough to take a step back and compose slightly better) was about an hour. My camera's battery died while writing the third shot out to the card; it was the best shot that I'll never see.

Editor's Note: Josh Anon teaches an awesome new course right here at BetterPhoto: Photo Design: Composition for the Wow Factor. #3754497

question! reciprocity did you keep that in mind when you calculated the time?

fish eye with my D200 will not give the same effect as I have a 1.5 factor. If I want to shoot the stars effect like that what would you suggest?

I am sure a range finder is not what is of use here, my other camera

thanks

rajbir

#4029103

Unfortunately, unless you find a really wide lens (I heard Tokina makes a 10-17 fisheye designed for cameras with a crop factor, but I don't know about the quality), there's not much you can do--you just lose part of the image. However, it's certainly possible to shoot star trails without a fisheye. Just go to an area away from the city on a clear night, compose a nice shot with lots of sky, and keep the shutter open for a long time.

Good luck! #4029128

but thanks and I would like to learn how you adjusted to exposure? did you calculate it? or is there some other way you do it?

hope to get more from you later........in the course. it will be a pleasure learning from you.

thanks
rajbir
#4029255