Aberdeenshire Widefield

[Blackbrazen]

My first attempt at a seriuous widefield was this shot of the Milky Way over the War Memorial in Stonehaven. No darks or bias frames used for this, although I think it might have helped...

I have reduced the file size in order to attach it.

Canon 50D

17-55 lens

ISO-6400

f4.0

30Sec

[Space Dragon]

Lovely shot. I wouldn't have expected the skies to be that clear at Stonehaven, I'm a bit further South but drive through to Aberdeen and further North regularly.

Was it an exceptionally clear night?

[Blackbrazen]

Yes, it was certainly very good seeing. I took this looking SW, to avoid most of the LP leaching over from the town. Excellent dark skies looking eastwards over the sea too.

[Blackbrazen]

Reprocessing of the above image.

[StarryEyes]

Is this just one exposure? I know you used a high ISO but there seems to be a lot of detail and colour.

I'm still trying to get my head around this astro photography so sorry if this sounds like a silly question.

[Blackbrazen]

I'm just a beginner like you, so it's basically just a lot of trial and error! Yes, it was just a single exposure, but I stacked it with about 15 dark frames and then experimented with some of the tweaks I found in the Sky at Night Guide to Astrophotography to get the star colours and the luminosity in the Milky Way. Lots of work with curves and a bit of unsharp mask too. It's been my bible since the summer, and it's just absolutely fabulous! So easy to read.