For most of recorded history, and even before, mankind measured time by the rotation of the earth. This image shows that rotation in the form of star trails centered around Polaris, the north star. The trails are formed as the earth, and the camera riding on it, spins on its axis under the stars.
This image could not have been made without the use of Photoshop (or other editing program) in that it is a set of twelve ten minute exposures, combined to make this one image. This is an area where film still has an advantage over digital. Digital cameras have significant noise in long exposures, whereas film has no such problem (film does have reciprocity failure however, Google it if you're curious). The limit for my camera, a Canon 20D is between 10 and 15 minutes.
An artifact of shooting digital is the choppiness of the trails. Since there is a finite delay between each image there are gaps in the trails. Another advantage to film.
The images which make up this composite were taken at the Black Forest Star Party.
5 comments:
Wow, I'm blown away by this one. What an excellent take on the theme - I mean it "is" the theme. Superb. Words are just not enough sometimes. All I can say is great idea, shot, editing and I completely "get it"
Yeah, wow! That is a spectacular image. I've been wanting to try capturing star trails for a while.
Hey, do you have any idea what this thing is?
http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn14738-space-firefly-resembles-no-known-object.html
My nephew is the lead author of the study.... ;-)
Thank you both. I'm glad you like the image.
@ Julie: I think it is the starship Enterprise at the exact instant it goes to warp drive!
(very cool about your nephew)
Steve,
I'll mention your theory to Kyle! lol...
Interesting! The image and the way you've made time tangible by creating it. Very cool. I had never considered astrophotography until I began reading your blog tonight--a nice stretch in considering one's place in the world. :)
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