How to Photograph and Process Star Trails

Рет қаралды 58,554

8 жыл бұрын

In my 35-minute HD tutorial I take you from “field to final,” to illustrate how to shoot, then process star trails, both as still images and as time-lapse movies of the turning night sky.
From a shoot in the field at Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta in June 2015 I explain:
• what equipment, exposures and camera settings to use when shooting star trails
• and provide tips on minimizing noise and selecting intervals and exposures for time-lapses.
Back at the computer, using images I took on the night of the field shoot, I step you through processing a still image from “raw to rave,” demonstrating methods for stacking many short exposures to create a long-exposure star trail composite.
The workflow goes from Adobe Bridge into Adobe Camera Raw then into Photoshop. But the early steps I illustrate for developing raw images are entirely applicable to Adobe Lightroom.
However, Lightroom cannot stack or create composites. I illustrate step by step how to stack images in:
• Photoshop, and ...
• the stand-alone free app StarStaX app (www.starstax.net), and ...
• the Advanced Stacker Plus action plug-ins for Photoshop (www.starcircleacademy.com).
I then demonstrate how to use that same folder of many raw images to create a time-lapse movie of the turning stars, again using the StarStaX app, and the Advanced Stacker Actions for Photoshop. I show how to use both programs to export an “intermediate” set of images that create the effect of the stars drawing trails across the sky.
Other tutorial videos on my channel describe ...
How to Photograph Aurora
How to Photograph Moonlit Nightscapes
FOR MUCH MORE INSTRUCTION ...
EBOOK
I invite you to check out my 400-page ebook, "How to Photograph and Process Nightscapes and Time-Lapses, available worldwide exclusively at the Apple iBookstore for Apple Macs and iPads at -
tiny.cc/z4goqx
(Sorry, no Kindle or Android versions are available due to the extensive interactive and video content of the ebook.)
To learn more about my ebook and its contents, please visit -
www.amazingsky.com/Nightscape...
VIDEO COURSE
Also available is our more extensive 4-hour video course on Nightscapes and Time-Lapses: From Field to Photoshop, now available for purchase, either with a download ($79.95 Canadian) or as a shipped USB drive ($99.95 Canadian). For all the details, see
www.all-startelescope.com/sale...
Or go to
vimeo.com/ondemand/nightscape...
Thanks for looking! - Alan

Пікірлер: 76

@Techado 4 жыл бұрын

amazing to watch people with so much of skill patience and talent have only 3.14k subs , but kids playing games streaming has more than 100k subs , good job learned a lot from one content creator to another.

@BERENICECG 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your detail tutorial. Best one I have seen. Thanks again.

@becksen 4 жыл бұрын

You are a LEGEND! Thanks for the incredibly helpful tutorial. Best tutorial out there

@spectrexfpv 3 жыл бұрын

I've done my first 4-hours star trail! Thank you for the tutorial, after seeing the final image, I'm over the moon for a couple days!!!

@keyp554 7 жыл бұрын

THIS video was what i needed. No crap no nonsense talk, just the brilliant tips we need and all well explained. Thanks a lot!!

@GregShaw 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Alan, I just found this tutorial after starting to learn Astrophotography. I must say this is the most enjoyable tutorial I have seen yet. Your a great teacher!

@MarkKerton 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this valuable tutorial. I was suffering with my 1Dx buffering after every 3rd frame and was seeing gaps in my trails! Now turned LENR off and problem solved! BRILL Thank You

@blackice5649 3 жыл бұрын

Wow - I've watched lots of these tutorials and yours is clearly head and shoulders the best one I've seen!

@nikhileshroy7610 5 жыл бұрын

One of the finest tutorial on internet. ♥️

@dipendrabandyopadhyay6111 4 жыл бұрын

a very good tutorial..thanks sir..god keep u in good health ...

@markst33 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent tutorial. Now all I need are clear skies

@stephen3966 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your hard work that changes many people's life. . You tutorial are very useful.

@josephng808 8 жыл бұрын

Hi, Alan, thanks for giving me a comprehensive lesson how to make star trails and time lapse of star trails! It is really a great stuff.

@Diaryplan 3 жыл бұрын

Great Video Alan, You make it so clear, I am going to try my first Star Trail Shoot tonight here in Dublin, Ireland. Many Thanks

@Amazingsky 3 жыл бұрын

Good luck and clear skies!

@Suttipun1 7 жыл бұрын

All of your tutorials are GREAT. I could not believe you got less than 1K subscribers. Keep doing awesome job!

@phillalonde1509 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Alan I was just browsing and came across your excellent video. I plan on viewing more of your works in the coming weeks.

@bulldogstrut1 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent video. I especially enjoyed the star trail timelapse instruction. Thanks greatly.

@tinpenak 4 жыл бұрын

thanks for the informative video, well done

@ryancharlesworth3675 4 жыл бұрын

Really good tutorial

@MANTDER 7 жыл бұрын

Great lesson and very helpful... Many thanks

@bobvila1010 4 жыл бұрын

Très impressionnant! Thank you!

@DanielNjoo 7 жыл бұрын

keep doing what you do Alan, this was immensely helpful and informative :)

@fisherdjf 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant tutorial!

@LukasFilms 7 жыл бұрын

Brilliant video! Thank you!

@westenbergerstephan5955 7 жыл бұрын

That`s a great and very interesting Video - well done!!!

@rdworks4641 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for detail tutorial sir

@a73210 7 жыл бұрын

Very Well Explained! Many Thanks.. I did the mistake of thinking that I will be able to fix exposure while stacking ;-)

@flexable9256 4 жыл бұрын

Hi, if I may make a few comments: a) imho you shouldn't care about noise reduction in your software, stacking images will solve that b) you are over-exposing massively the stars of your star trail - you should reduce that ISO/exposure time to keep the colors - it's all white in your case when it could be so colorful c) if you really want to have the foreground lighten, do specifics photos of it with a different setting (f5.6) and paint light it, then merge that foreground with the star trail

@zcvkch2420 8 жыл бұрын

Great video, it was very helpful for us :)

@nicolapuligheddu1720 7 жыл бұрын

really nice video! thank you

@voederbietels 5 жыл бұрын

You are a master.

@bobsretirednow 4 жыл бұрын

The slickest and most informative presentation I have seen on the subject so far. The added bonus was you areusing Mac :)

@valera_gord5 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@markgoyak 7 жыл бұрын

Great video

@BH-re4nu 7 жыл бұрын

Really useful tutorial thanks! I made the mistake of leaving LENR on and ended up taking a 30 second exposure once a minute (rather than the 2 a minute I had planned). As a result I have the dotting effect with the stars ... is there anyway of tidying that up in post prod?

@scotthalland 8 жыл бұрын

What is the filter you used for the Rokinon lens for those last few extra shots? Would you recommend it? Great video by the way, I learned a lot.

@Amazingsky 8 жыл бұрын

Not sure what images you mean as any I take with the 14mm Rokinon are not filtered as the lens is too big to accept filters. I sometimes apply fuzzy star glows to still images but not to star trail movies. Thanks!

@ksaua 7 жыл бұрын

more than good i winder only 3869 views ? thankss

@Blue172 8 жыл бұрын

Hi Alan, Thanks for the great tutorial, I have 1 question. Why did you set the dark images to Tiff"S when all the others where Jpeg's?

@Amazingsky 8 жыл бұрын

I may be that it doesn't really matter, but I'm assuming the TIFFs, not having JPG artifacts, will provide a more accurate subtraction of noise.

@Blue172 8 жыл бұрын

+AmazingSky Thankyou it's not a problem as I shoot in raw as you recommend. Great tutorial by the way.

@Amazingsky 8 жыл бұрын

StarStax won't work with Raws, even undeveloped ones. You need to convert all the images to JPGs or TIFFs to stack with StarStaX.

@Blue172 8 жыл бұрын

+AmazingSky Sorry I wasn't that clear in my reply, I shoot raw so I'll convert to JPEG then tiff for the dark images. All I need now is a clear sky, roll on Autumn or if you're in the US fall. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

@homesteadandvideo 5 жыл бұрын

Hi sir. Great video thank you for sharing . I have tryed out this prosess but I does not get to high light the blend mode ,its greyed out in normal . Cant select lighten .. Where do I go wrong ?

@Amazingsky 5 жыл бұрын

Hmmm -- not sure ... You might have to select several layers. Or make sure the layers are not locked for some odd reason. In PS select a layer and look under Layer > Lock Layers and unlock all. But layers shouldn't get locked unless you tell them to be locked. Hope this helps.

@homesteadandvideo 5 жыл бұрын

@@Amazingsky theyr not locked ,I give it another try . Tnx sir.

@Rastislav.Photography 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Alan. So after several months I got an reply. Q: Please what is the compatibility of Advance Stacker Plus Actions with Photoshop CC2020? A: We have withdrawn Advanced Stacker Plus from sale. While CC2020 compatibility seems to not be a problem, Mac OS upgrades have proved problematic and we do not have the bandwidth to keep up with the changes required.

@alandyer910 4 жыл бұрын

FlyArt Publishing Thanks! But if that were the case why not sell a version just for Windows? And what does the OS have to do with it anyway, as these are just Photoshop actions. Unless it’s his installation routine that’s causing incompatibility issues. But at this point, as you now can’t buy the Stacker Actions they’re not an option for new users anymore. It’s StarStaX or Sequator for Windows. Free but not as good as the Stacker Actions.

@potatopuggiedog6876 3 жыл бұрын

Great tutorial! Unfortunately, "Advanced Stacker Actions" is no longer available. Do you have an alternative recommendation for Photoshop actions?

@Amazingsky 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, it is a pity Stephen has not updated the Advanced Stacker Actions. They remain the best way to stack star trails and the v14e set I have still works in the latest Photoshop. I wish he would at least sell the Actions to someone else who has Panels and Action sets for sale. StarStaX is the best other choice but requires exporting an intermediate set of TIFFs or JPGs, which can decrease quality and does not give the layered PS file the Advanced Actions gave.

@MuahMan 7 жыл бұрын

Are these composites? How are the foreground exposed so nicely?

@Amazingsky 7 жыл бұрын

Watch the video -- it explains how the images are processed. Most star trail images are layered stacks, often with the ground coming from one image in the sequence that can be processed separately to being out ground details. Shoot Raw. That allows you to bring out shadow detail.

@one.in.million_lads 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. My worry is battery life. I use canon 90D, how do u manage keeping your battery going. Warm regards from Australia 🇦🇺

@alandyer910 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Most cameras made in the last few years will last 2 or 3 hours especially in Oz where it never gets cold! 😉 (It’s -30C here at home now!). But it’s possible to run from a dual battery pack, or from an external power source via a dummy battery. TetherTools has some units. Or you just swap batteries as quickly as possible but that will create a gap in the trails or a jump in the time lapse motion.

@one.in.million_lads 3 жыл бұрын

@@alandyer910 cheers for responding I’ll check different stores to see what I can find

@Rastislav.Photography 4 жыл бұрын

Hello. Thank you for the great tutorial. Please what is the compatibility of Advance Stacker Plus Actions with Photoshop CC2020? The creators just dont seem to bother to reply at all. Thank You

@alandyer910 4 жыл бұрын

FlyArt Publishing ASP Actions work fine with CC2020. But I installed ASP several versions of Photoshop ago and it continues to work with each new version, without needing to be reinstalled. But, yes, the developer seems to have stopped work on it. A new version was promised but nothing has appeared.

@Rastislav.Photography 4 жыл бұрын

@@alandyer910 Thanx a lot for quick reply. Well am not sure which way to go now. Am just beginning and I liked the ASPA idea but ASPA looks dead and am not sure if I want to invest in discontinued product which might not even work on my clean Windows PS CC2020 instalation.

@mikezite 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Alan! at 15.00 you say go to TOOLS >Photoshop>load files into photoshop Layers - I'm running the latest Adobe Bridge and the option 'Photoshop' is no longer there.

@Amazingsky 4 жыл бұрын

Hi -- the link between Bridge and Photoshop can break if both are not the same version. You updated Bridge but also PS? And also check under Bridge Preferences>Startup Scripts to be sure the link to PS is checked. If all else fails, quit all and reboot! Hope this helps.

@Nico-rt2rm 4 жыл бұрын

one thing that I don't understand, if I can use lightroom for focus stacking and bracketing, why cant I use it for stacking several pics like here? what is the difference?

@alandyer910 4 жыл бұрын

While non-layer-based processors such as LR and most other raw developers can merge raw HDR and focus stacks, they cannot stack images in modes such as Lighten (for star trails) or Mean Average (for noise smoothing). They just can't! Ask Adobe why! Affinity Photo does offer stack modes and so can stack star trails or stack for noise smoothing, But even Affinity can't stack raw files -- you have to develop them then enter its Photo Persona to stack developed files. ON1 Photo Raw can also stack, but very awkwardly by manually layering. For star trails you have to use Photoshop (with Adobe software) or dedicated stacking programs like StarStaX.

@Nico-rt2rm 4 жыл бұрын

@@alandyer910 Thank you very much for your answer, now it's clearer !

@TheCipeks 8 жыл бұрын

what the mean of dark image on star stax, i cant understand with that, *sorry for bad grammar

@Amazingsky 8 жыл бұрын

A dark frame is one you take before or after the shooting with the lens cap on to record just the noise. It has to be at the same ISO and exposure time as your images. You import that into StarStax using the button to import Darks. You can also shoot several darks and import them all and StarStax will average them together automatically to provide better noise reduction.

@TheCipeks 8 жыл бұрын

If i use 30s exposure, what second should i put the lens cap to produce the dark image, in 10s during the exposure or can u explain the tecnique ? hehe thanks for reply and help me 😂

@Amazingsky 8 жыл бұрын

30 sec exposures require 30 sec dark frames. I think I explained it in the video and where to subtract it in the software. Do watch again.

@RangerParis 3 жыл бұрын

What song os that in the background?

@Amazingsky 3 жыл бұрын

A "stock" music piece from AGSoundTrax.

@user-ep7gv3cg9s 8 жыл бұрын

AmazingSky Hi, I hope you can share your Photoshop action with me. Thank you Photoshop action at the end of the tutorial (synthetic delay effect).

@user-ep7gv3cg9s 8 жыл бұрын

Can be preset to send to my mailbox 1391372861@qq.com thank you

@Amazingsky 8 жыл бұрын

I didn't use any actions I created -- any plugins or programs I mentioned are listed in the video including where you can get them, such as the Advanced Stacker Plus actions from StarCircleAcademy.