There are two shots in today’s post, please let me know which one you prefer. They are both the same scene, just processed differently. The first is a classic startrail shot, made from stacking 318 individual shots to show the movement of the stars over time. The second is the same shot processed with a ‘comet’ effect. It conveys a greater sense of motion, but a lot of the dimmer stars disappear from the image. Do you have a favorite?
I collected the series of images by setting up my camera on my tripod and using my cable shutter release set in the pressed down position. The camera was set in continuous shooting mode, so that it just kept taking one picture right after the other. Then I painstakingly removed all of the trails caused by airplanes (there were a lot) to end up with a clean sky with just the stars. The rest of the scene was lit so well thanks to the full moon.
Camera: Canon EOS 60D, Exposure Time: 30s * 318, Aperture: f/3.5, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 10mm
Camera: Canon EOS 60D, Exposure Time: 30s * 318, Aperture: f/3.5, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 10mm
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Steve Boer Photography 
I like the second one better…
Thanks for the vote!
that’s such a beautiful picture!
Thank you, which one do you like best?
Maybe I’m just old school, but it’s the 1st one for me. What software did you use to process them?
Thanks for the vote! I used a great free program called StarStaX for both of them.
That rings a bell, so chances are I’ve already used it. Thanks for replying.
I think I prefer the second, but am enjoying both — well done.
Thanks for the vote, I’m glad you like them!