The Milky Way lights up the sky above Matarangi
Nikon D200
17-55mm f2.8 nikkor lens
polarizer
tripod
This is one of my favourite shots, I love the look of the night sky when the Milky Way stands out vividly like this.
Below are a few more night shots
Click on images to view
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Jason Asher
This is incredible Paul! How did you manage this one if I may ask? Very long bulb exposure? The lights on the horizon seem rather clear, or is it a blend of another shot aswell? This is stellar (lame pun intended)
Paul Mercer replied
Hiya Jason thanks for the great comment, this is a single shot, the exposure time was 30seconds, moon was about half full and not far from setting which is why the foreground rocks are in shadow but there is still moonlight on the town and hills in the background.
Jason Asher
Ah excellent, I just can’t beleive how much detail is in the stars, I wish we didn’t have so much light pollution here so shots like these were easier! But again great shot!
Paul Mercer replied
Ive got a few more shots like this that I will have to find and put up another time so keep an eye out for them Jason.
Shelley Warbrooke
I agree with Jason, this is one magnificent shot.
Aaron Tomhave
Ok. I am so glad you sent me to this link. This is by far the most spectacular single shot I have ever seen. Having grown up in the US, mostly around cities and towns, I have never seen the milky way band in my knowledge, and have always wanted to take shots like this. I can’t even put words to this…
Aaron Tomhave
How did you do a 30 sec exposure without any star trails?
Paul Mercer replied
As a general rule you wont notice the stars starting to streak on a 30 second exposure with a wide angle lens, you will if you use a long focal length lens and zoom into them.
Mika
Wow that is so amazing! I haven’t seen the sky that clear for a lonnngggg time! Cant wait for summer :)
lukasdf
This is soooo brilliant – love it!
hsien-ku
a really incredible capture!
Tara Lemana
Congratulations, your image has won the NZ Skies Challenge on the NZ Made Group, November 2009.
Paul Mercer replied
Thanks Tara