Night Another Milky Way from the Himalayas

Another Milky Way from the Himalayas · **6 Likes**

Hi,

I posted a version of this long ago but I did a complete reprocessing with a different set of images so I hope you don't mind if I post the new version

It was shot at a camp 4,950m high,also in the region of Dolpo north of the Himalayas. Of course it was very cold and very dark (a one day hike from the closest settlement, which was seen on the precious picture).

The beautiful mountain in the foreground is the huge north-east face of Dhaulagiri II (7,751m).

Technical details

For the sky : 15 frames, 30 sec each at ISO 500 with astro-tracer, stacked with Sequator,
For the ground : 9 frames, 30 sec each at ISO 500 without astro-tracer, stacked with Siril + Topaz noise reduction
I also did 10 flat frames (with a LED panel) and 10 dark frames (in the fridge...) back at home.

Assembly with Gimp and last tweaking with Rawtherapee.

regards,
Dan

**Robin** · 12-21-2019, 07:02 AM

I love the stars, but somehow the mountains appear darker than they should. I could be total wrong, but I'd expect the snow to reflect more starlight?

Dan Paris · 12-21-2019, 07:12 AM

Thanks Robin, actually the mountains are brighter w.r.t. the sky on this composite image than they are on the original RAW files.

Think that the mountains are only enlightened by starlight (no light pollution, no moonlight, very transparent sky at almost 5,000m high). It was one of the darkest places that I've seen in my life.

At the end of processing I actually slightly enhanced the luminosity of the foreground on the composite image w.r.t. the sky but tried to obtain a somehow realistic look so kept the snow-covered mountains slightly darker than the sky background (sky luminosity around 45 vs. snow luminosity around 40).

Sight1 · 12-21-2019, 07:30 AM

Originally posted by Dan Paris

Hi,

I posted a version of this long ago but I did a complete reprocessing with a different set of images so I hope you don't mind if I post the new version

It was shot at a camp 4,950m high,also in the region of Dolpo north of the Himalayas. Of course it was very cold and very dark (a one day hike from the closest settlement, which was seen on the precious picture).

The beautiful mountain in the foreground is the huge north-east face of Dhaulagiri II (7,751m).

Technical details

For the sky : 15 frames, 30 sec each at ISO 500 with astro-tracer, stacked with Sequator,
For the ground : 9 frames, 30 sec each at ISO 500 without astro-tracer, stacked with Siril + Topaz noise reduction
I also did 10 flat frames (with a LED panel) and 10 dark frames (in the fridge...) back at home.

Assembly with Gimp and last tweaking with Rawtherapee.

regards,
Dan

I think the hues lend compliment to each other beautifully, that is very expensive gear to travel with, astrotracers are not cheap and were designed for this type of photographic work, along with piggy back star camera formations, the mountains were not the main focus as the Milky Way, takes precedents and the background displays a sense of location and time on a more subtle level, personally i love this photo, very awe inspiring and has wow factor built right in. Terrific, Cheers.

---------- Post added 12-21-19 at 07:35 AM ----------

Originally posted by Dan Paris

Hi,

I posted a version of this long ago but I did a complete reprocessing with a different set of images so I hope you don't mind if I post the new version

It was shot at a camp 4,950m high,also in the region of Dolpo north of the Himalayas. Of course it was very cold and very dark (a one day hike from the closest settlement, which was seen on the precious picture).

The beautiful mountain in the foreground is the huge north-east face of Dhaulagiri II (7,751m).

Technical details

For the sky : 15 frames, 30 sec each at ISO 500 with astro-tracer, stacked with Sequator,
For the ground : 9 frames, 30 sec each at ISO 500 without astro-tracer, stacked with Siril + Topaz noise reduction
I also did 10 flat frames (with a LED panel) and 10 dark frames (in the fridge...) back at home.

Assembly with Gimp and last tweaking with Rawtherapee.

regards,
Dan

I prefer the darker mountains as the eyes look for shadows more than light, the rugged terrain and steep mountain sides, are just enough to give an appreciation of this magical, dangerous, and enchanting location on this planet.

Chris_K · 12-21-2019, 08:04 AM

Amazing shot, I love the mightiness of the Milky Way

**ToddK** · 12-21-2019, 08:58 AM

Awesome photograph! In my opinion the lighting level of the mountain and foreground are right on. Thanks for sharing!

**luftfluss** · 12-21-2019, 09:03 AM

Totally fabulous photo.

bertwert · 12-21-2019, 09:16 AM

A beautiful shot, awesome!

I know a guy who just finished teaching a photography course in Nepal, and the beauty of that area is incredible.

ginnyfoos · 12-21-2019, 09:47 AM

I don't often say this. but it's a near perfect shot. Should be submitted to Natural Geographic My Shots

**simple1** · 12-21-2019, 01:14 PM

Beautiful!

Urs · 12-21-2019, 01:40 PM

Wow that is another superb image very well done congrats and thanks for sharing!

Vmax911 · 12-21-2019, 02:04 PM

Very impressive work, it turned out wonderfully!

08amczb · 12-21-2019, 04:01 PM

Great image, thanks for sharing!

aitrus3 · 12-21-2019, 07:38 PM

Great processing on the MW. And I love how you used ISO 500. No need to go higher and you preserve star colour and sizes. I never went over 1600 myself anyway but I recently started lowering it a lot more for that specific purpose.

JTninja · 12-21-2019, 08:28 PM

Agreed, great job!

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12-21-2019, 07:12 AM	#3
Dan Paris Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 505 Original Poster	Thanks Robin, actually the mountains are brighter w.r.t. the sky on this composite image than they are on the original RAW files. Think that the mountains are only enlightened by starlight (no light pollution, no moonlight, very transparent sky at almost 5,000m high). It was one of the darkest places that I've seen in my life. At the end of processing I actually slightly enhanced the luminosity of the foreground on the composite image w.r.t. the sky but tried to obtain a somehow realistic look so kept the snow-covered mountains slightly darker than the sky background (sky luminosity around 45 vs. snow luminosity around 40). Last edited by Dan Paris; 12-21-2019 at 07:18 AM.

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12-21-2019, 07:02 AM	#2
Robin Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Pietermaritzburg Photos: Gallery Posts: 432	I love the stars, but somehow the mountains appear darker than they should. I could be total wrong, but I'd expect the snow to reflect more starlight?

12-21-2019, 07:30 AM	#4
Sight1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Burlington Photos: Gallery Posts: 249	Originally posted by Dan Paris Hi, I posted a version of this long ago but I did a complete reprocessing with a different set of images so I hope you don't mind if I post the new version It was shot at a camp 4,950m high,also in the region of Dolpo north of the Himalayas. Of course it was very cold and very dark (a one day hike from the closest settlement, which was seen on the precious picture). The beautiful mountain in the foreground is the huge north-east face of Dhaulagiri II (7,751m). Technical details For the sky : 15 frames, 30 sec each at ISO 500 with astro-tracer, stacked with Sequator, For the ground : 9 frames, 30 sec each at ISO 500 without astro-tracer, stacked with Siril + Topaz noise reduction I also did 10 flat frames (with a LED panel) and 10 dark frames (in the fridge...) back at home. Assembly with Gimp and last tweaking with Rawtherapee. regards, Dan I think the hues lend compliment to each other beautifully, that is very expensive gear to travel with, astrotracers are not cheap and were designed for this type of photographic work, along with piggy back star camera formations, the mountains were not the main focus as the Milky Way, takes precedents and the background displays a sense of location and time on a more subtle level, personally i love this photo, very awe inspiring and has wow factor built right in. Terrific, Cheers. ---------- Post added 12-21-19 at 07:35 AM ---------- Originally posted by Dan Paris Hi, I posted a version of this long ago but I did a complete reprocessing with a different set of images so I hope you don't mind if I post the new version It was shot at a camp 4,950m high,also in the region of Dolpo north of the Himalayas. Of course it was very cold and very dark (a one day hike from the closest settlement, which was seen on the precious picture). The beautiful mountain in the foreground is the huge north-east face of Dhaulagiri II (7,751m). Technical details For the sky : 15 frames, 30 sec each at ISO 500 with astro-tracer, stacked with Sequator, For the ground : 9 frames, 30 sec each at ISO 500 without astro-tracer, stacked with Siril + Topaz noise reduction I also did 10 flat frames (with a LED panel) and 10 dark frames (in the fridge...) back at home. Assembly with Gimp and last tweaking with Rawtherapee. regards, Dan I prefer the darker mountains as the eyes look for shadows more than light, the rugged terrain and steep mountain sides, are just enough to give an appreciation of this magical, dangerous, and enchanting location on this planet.

12-21-2019, 08:04 AM	#5
Chris_K Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Poland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,800	Amazing shot, I love the mightiness of the Milky Way

12-21-2019, 08:58 AM	#6
ToddK Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,532	Awesome photograph! In my opinion the lighting level of the mountain and foreground are right on. Thanks for sharing!

12-21-2019, 09:03 AM	#7
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Totally fabulous photo.

12-21-2019, 09:16 AM	#8
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	A beautiful shot, awesome! I know a guy who just finished teaching a photography course in Nepal, and the beauty of that area is incredible.

12-21-2019, 09:47 AM	#9
ginnyfoos Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Sacramento, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 550	I don't often say this. but it's a near perfect shot. Should be submitted to Natural Geographic My Shots

12-21-2019, 01:14 PM	#10
simple1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: In the Florida swamps Posts: 761	Beautiful!

12-21-2019, 01:40 PM	#11
Urs Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Panama Posts: 804	Wow that is another superb image very well done congrats and thanks for sharing!

12-21-2019, 02:04 PM	#12
Vmax911 Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ABQ Photos: Gallery Posts: 826	Very impressive work, it turned out wonderfully!

12-21-2019, 04:01 PM	#13
08amczb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 796	Great image, thanks for sharing!

12-21-2019, 07:38 PM	#14
aitrus3 Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Kamloops B.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,432	Great processing on the MW. And I love how you used ISO 500. No need to go higher and you preserve star colour and sizes. I never went over 1600 myself anyway but I recently started lowering it a lot more for that specific purpose.

12-21-2019, 08:28 PM	#15
JTninja Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 176	Agreed, great job!