Sydney Opera House and the Southern Cross

[slickfonzy]

I finally got round to processing this one, taken back in April this year whilst on holiday in Australia.  A single exposure of the Sydney Opera House with the Southern Cross overhead, taken on a Canon 400D at 17mm, f/11, ISO 200 for 30 seconds.

Comments and criticism welcome!

Thanks for looking.

[baggywrinkle]

Iconic...both of them.

[brantuk]

Nice shot - I think you have the SMC in there as well if I'm not mistaken?

[slickfonzy]

Nice shot - I think you have the SMC in there as well if I'm not mistaken?

Many thanks!  I think the SMC was very low in the sky at the time of the shot, so probably behind the Opera House.  The small cluster to the right of the Southern Cross is the Southern Pleiades.

[baggywrinkle]

Given the amount of lights in that area of the Harbour that is not an easy shot.

[slickfonzy]

Given the amount of lights in that area of the Harbour that is not an easy shot.

Yes, I was surprised how well it came out. Fortunately there wasn't too much light down that end of the Opera House and looking back south it provided some shielding from the city behind. It did take some work in Photoshop to bring the stars out though.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Nice shot! It's been a while since I was in Sydney. I would love to go there again some day

[slickfonzy]

Nice shot! It's been a while since I was in Sydney. I would love to go there again some day

Many thanks.  It was my first trip to Australia, and I'd very much like to go back there too!