Richard you deserve a knighthood, this is a fantastic and well thought out educational video. Every image is award winning, however since you asked my favorites would be the tracked pano due to the colour in the sky and wispee clouds as it gives the shot atmosphere (to me)and also the single shot near dawn, again for the colour in the sky, as these bring a totally different aspect to the photos. Once again you have shown us to think outside the square and proved there are many ways to achieve a great result. Can't wait for the next installment. You are like Crocodile Dundee, the man from snowy river and Sir Don Bradman, mate, a bloody legend.
Hi Richard, I prefer to track and stack my shots like you said since the process reduces noise and increases the dynamic range. Thank you for good advice on this subject. Sorry about the tea frustration!!! Jerry
Thanks as always for watching Jerry. Most of my tracked shots these days are singles .. often I'll shoot multiples of Orion and stack those. The stacked shots in this video are all on a fixed tripod not tracked.
You mentioned in an earlier video that you needed to change the wb to around 3200 in order to keep the forground color better represented. Do you set that via a gray card or simply change it within your camera? Also, are you considering using Patreon?
I set it in camera. This camera is set to 3300 with plus 1.5 on the green tint. But from there I do a lot of further colour correcting in post production. No I'm not going to use Patreon. @@JerryDell-j3s
Cool, thank you for the wb info...California is going to float into the pacific ocean soon if these storms persist so I will have to wait before I can experiment ! So anyway, I will just contribute via your website as before. Take care!
Well Richard this is yet another great learning video from you so, thank you. While I like all three shots, stacked, pano, and single shot, I have to say that it is the stacked image that does it for me... Sharp, crisp, little or no noise, what more could a photographer ask for....
I commented before seeing the last 3 shot comparison. Can see the benefit of stacking over a single shot. Also very keen to see the editing video you mentioned.
Thanks again Richard, another informative video. My two cents worth...I love the stacked image! I was contemplating a tracker but have now decided to spend my money on a modified camera instead. Stacked images are on a par with tracked ones and a minor issue but for me, less gear to carry. Look forward to your next video. 👍
Yes stacked with Sequator. I pretty much edit all my images the same these days. The stacking is done in Sequator but all else is in Lightroom and Photoshop. The photoshop plug in called StarXterminator is a must have. I also use Topaz De-noise Ai.
Richard, this is a fantastic comparison of ways to shoot the night sky. I’ve been shooting single image shots and single image panoramas. Last year I tried using a Move Shoot Move tracker and realized that the weight limit was an issue. I’m now considering a larger tracker to allow tracked panoramas with the Canon R5 and Sigma 40mm Art lens. I thoroughly enjoy the challenges of this form of photography and I’m constantly inspired with your images and clearly presented videos. Looking forward to seeing your video on editing. Enjoy your Summer.
Wow, the tracked and stacked really surprised me. It was amazing that the stacked , stacked up so well against the tracked. Even the single was good but the difference between it and the others was more noticeable. Nice work. :)
I have done plenty of those in the past .. it does increase the detail but unless I'm really wanting ultimate quality I rarely do it these days. Maybe when shooting Orion I'd be more tempted to do that as it's a harder part of the sky to get the faint details to show. @@marktimonen5359
Another great video with lots of details and knowledge shared. Thank you. As I don’t have a tracker I was particularly interested in the shots achieved without the tracker.
Appreciate the amount of work you put into this.Despite composing, set up, shooting and filming you still got a cup of tea! Your interaction with the camera is great.Oh yes and inspirational images at the end.Many thanks.
Richard, you're definitely correct; composition ,access the photo! Also, loved your tracked image with clouds in the sky. Basically, single, tracked or stacked comes down to time commitments and weather conditions.
Thank you so much for this video.. love the part you quote about " if looks good composiontly, press the shot" Very awesome place those images. Always we learn a lot from you channel as I said the best astro photography channel in You Tube.
Thanks for watching Vik. The untracked panorama is taken the same as any panorama. Just a collection of single exposures. Swivel the camera around to get all of the area you want to shoot. Just make sure you keep the camera level and ensure heaps of overlap between all the images. I usually overlap at least 50%.
Great video, Richard. I’m blown away by the quality of your single shots in that dark location! Amazing. Your videos have such outstanding production quality - lighting, sound, b-roll all superbly executed. It’s a wonder you have time to take even a single sky shot! Thanks as ever.
Haha, yes I often wonder that myself. I hardly had any time to rest during the night . . although it's hard to tell that from the final video . .but you know all about that Paul. Yes very nice dark skies over here. Thanks again for watching.
Tremendously helpful! 👏🏻 Full confession, I have a star tracker I bought 2 years ago - and never used. Looking at how close your stacked and tracked images are, I’m thinking stacking might be the best approach for me. Curious what these images would look like with a non-modified body, and what’s needed in post-processing to achieve a similar look (if possible). Thanks for the info & motivation! ✨ * Also a tutorial for stacking would be super! (I’ll look through your older vids as well)
Thanks for watching Craig. Yes I hear that story a lot about un-used trackers. I think I'll have to make a video comparing the standard camera and modded version. I have lots of videos on the stacking process. See here: ruclips.net/video/3uXHTmwcaFM/видео.html I have changed a few things in more recent times regarding editing but not so much the stacking part. I still use Sequator to do that.
Very nice video and beautiful pictures.. my favourite is the tracked shot and the difference in the dynamic range is clearly visible to me...looking forward for more... Cheers
Great Video, once again! If I had to choose, I would say the stacked is my favorite, it seems to bring out more of the building and the tracked ones, seem to make the building lean. I agree the single shots are always the best if you if it can be done!
Awesome work and all the photos are so good.. In my view, Single Shots and Stacked Shots are good to start and the shoot is so peaceful .. once you add tracking, it opens door to better quality images and each shoot takes longer..All great stuff and good to mix all them..great knowledge sharing video.. I am hearing that you are thinking of WA soon.. if you do come then would love to catchup and you can try dunking Ginger Nut biscuits into Masala Chai
Thanks for watching Virat. Yes and add in to the mix filming a video to go along with all of that .. very time consuming as you know. WA is a possibility during the winter .. .not too sure about the Masala Chai ..!!!!
@@nightscapeimages.richard if you do visit in the Winter then let me know and more than happy to take you to few places and you can then try some Chai! Greg is a fan already 😀.. Looking forward to meeting if you do arrive
Great comparisons Richard. Given how advanced your noise reduction skills are, even with single tracked images, there is not much between each one. It seems you were able to control the light pollution better with the tracked image due to the lower ISO, though in this case the LP helped to frame the foreground subject making it stand out better. Look forward to seeing the post processing video you referenced.
I’ve been away for medical reasons, and I must say it’s great to be back watching your channel. You’ve been an inspiration for me for many years now. You have that magic combination of vast knowledge, calm demeanor, natural teaching ability, and of course awe and wonder when experiencing the natural world. I’ve been immersed in the world you photograph since 1974. Only occasionally have I been able to capture it to share the magnificence with others. You’re one of my favorite people on this planet. You are an artist working with material that only one in a thousand of us ever get to see. I’m inspired now. I don’t have the magnificent Southern skies like you do (Virginia, USA) but I’m on the exurban fringe of Washington DC and can escape easily to Bortle 2 skies. I’m fortunate that I can get to a little bit of Bortle 1 with 2 or 3 hours of travel. You’re doing something really unique with your channel. I can only hope that you and your magnificent photos can open some eyes to the beauty that is above us. Precious and fragile, like rain forests or barrier reefs or old growth forests. You have my unending respect and gratitude. It’s great to be back!
Hi Richard, the three photos are excellent, Stacked and Tracked are very similar seen in the video, in any of the three photos the revelations are very important to be able to see the most subtle details of the milky way. Thank you Richard for this video, we are waiting for the next one to see how you develop your milky way photos
Great video. Very hard to beat HDR images, especially seeing the single versus the stacked images. The HDR just had more depth, a bit more contrast and punch. You get what you work for...😊
Great video Richard. Relaxing and enjoyable as always. There's something so soothing about those country settings and the way you always remind us to enjoy our time under the stars (especially with a cuppa). Really looking forward to seeing how you edited that single shot. Beautiful work. 👍👍
Hard choices for sure but I would go with tracked but very interesting to note that if time etc. are constrained single and stacked are very comparable. Thanks for doing this.
great video Richard, i always do single shot milky way photos because it's looked more nature to me, stacked photos looked more fake., that is my idea. Well done for explaining the difference. Keep up the good work
Another great explanation and showing of the 3 different types. Personally I love the tracked only due to the extended detail in the captured image, though as you say most wouldn’t be able to tell when posted on socials. I think personally taken the little extra time rewards the final image. Great video as always. :)
Richard I know these techniques are some what of a repeat of your older videos!!! But I really appreciate your taking the time to go over it again!!! I think the majority will do the single shot version! I fall into the group that want to do the stacking! Very very few of us will do the tracking version! I am very very interested in how you do the stacked panorama (start to finish)!!! Please do the editing video that will be great!!! I appreciate your hard work and amazing talent!!! Thank you so much!!!👍👍👍🇺🇲
Another great video Richard, I think its good to remember as a tracker user we dont always have use it espescialy when we cant get a clear sky shot as in lots of trees, we can just use the sky in the foreground shots easily enough
Thank you Richard, Lacking software here, but I should shoot for when I have the software I guess Regards , .............. Gary .......................AU
Another fantastically explained video. It makes me edge towards tracked photos but confidence holds me back (Buying a tracker and failing) . At least where I live I dont have as many bugs. Thanks again.
Yes I think it's easy to sometimes get all caught up in the tech gear and forget about the simple delights of shooting the night sky and landscape. Todays cameras and lenses are wonderful.
@@nightscapeimages.richard Certaintly did Richard, thank you - great info and always very well presented! Got a Move Shoot Move for this Milk season, now I need to suss out some epic foregrounds ☺
This fabulous information shows the differences, Richard. They are stunning! I've only been shooting single MW and night star shots, yet stacking is another level. Being a single female traveling, I always have to be wary of the more remote night-shot locations (yes, I've had some 'iffy' moments alone and had to pack away quickly). However, I try to camp within yelling distance to other campers or homes/farms...lol... This has inspired me greatly to pursue stacking...onwards to new (safe) locations. Sub/L Edit: currently in SA along the Murray in the IDSR...when I get to Vic I'll look up for your workshops. xx
Brilliant - really enjoyed this. I need to jump down the modified camera way but I do not have a second camera at the moment and i do a lot of non astro stuff as well which is holding me back from jumping that way at the moment.
I am so envious that you could see the solar storm so well. I live in Northern California about hundred miles south of where you could see the solar storm. What an incredible night you had.
Absolute masterclass of a video Richard, really enjoyed this. Makes me feel a lot better about my novice skills and basic equipment when you show what can be achieved without all the bells and whistles. Looking forward to the editing video you mentioned immensely. As an aside, I hope your quiet part of the world doesn't get overrun with tourists now as it's been named "top town" in Australia.
Thanks for the great video. I vote for stack. Reason being easier to setup and the result is almost comparable to the tracker at least to my untrained eye.
Great vid as always. I stack at the moment. Can’t wait to try my z8 with the new pixel shift mode for stacking 8 raw files or maybe even 32 raw files. Then aligning the sky in Starry Landscape Stacker. Waiting for the right conditions here in Guernsey.
Hi Richard , I just love your pragmatic approach to photography in general and the advise you got from your friend all those years ago, keep up the good work and just take the shot.
Thank you for an excellent video. All three shots are great, my top choice is the stacked image. Your videos and tutorials are always a treat, packed with tons of valuable info. Thank you.
To be honest I thought they were all amazing and the single stacked image was, as you say pretty close to the tracked image and that convinces me not to go down the tracker route just yet. I look forward to the editing video as I've plenty of room for improvement there.
Thanks for sharing, Richard. I learned how to use the stacked method on this channel and this year I'll be giving the tracked method a try. The tracked, as you said, has more dynamic range. It will be more work in post but well worth it. It's about minus 13 celsius this morning so it needs to be a little warmer for me here in the middle of the US. No bugs here😊
Awesome images and very helpful as always. I've just looked at replacing my old Sony A7 and Samyang 14mm with a Nikon Z6ii (3580 NZD) and Nikon 20mm f1.8 (1797 NZD) and decided that for me, one of the very big advantages of using my tracker might... be to try some slower and therefore cheaper lenses, and putting up with setting up a tracker :) I will see :) I also don't put in enough time and effort yet, to get the very best results from my gear, especially not stacking, which I see made a noticeable difference to your images. So, you have inspired me to try harder, thank you for that! I would love to see some of the Z6ii single images without any noise reduction in your forthcoming processing video, I know they will be better than from my A7 but useful for me to see a comparison.
Excellent and very important video, as always! I was always a bit skeptic about stacked photos, especially once I've tried my modest little tracker (MoveShootMove) . The problem with your photos is that all of them are so beatifully editted, which makes it hard to decide. I guess you can only really say the difference when you zoom in 1:1 and check the noise levels, then I guess the tracked can achieve the highest amount of details while keep a relatively low noise level.
Hi Richard, thanks for a very informative video. I must amit, viewing the results on RUclips, it is hard to see any differences, they all look great. What I did notice was that the panos seemed more spectacular. I loved the location, as often the case, you always find great foregrounds and as you said, composition is the most important aspect. I look forward to the video you mentioned, with the processing of single shot images.
Nice video. I just add that the results depend a lot of the sky quality one has. With light pollution increasing the time with a tracker would not be possible as LP stats to clip while stacking brightness control is possible. On the other hand if one wants to shot with high resolution and larger focal distances tracking is the way since shutter speed is too limited.
Richard anyone would be very hard pushed unless you pixel peep to tell them apart from normal viewing distance all are great to have on any wall .I still think that staking is a very good result without luging around more equipment to get the same results. My lens is only f3.5 but I get great results with it
I’m going to do my first Milky Way shoot with the next new moon. I’m going to Montana. Shooting a Canon 5D Mark IV. W/canon 16-35 lens but it’s a 4.0. Hopefully I can get by with single shot or stacked. Love your work. It’s very inspiring.
@@nightscapeimages.richard I called my local camera store and I will be renting the fastest wide lens that they had available for rent. I believe it's a canon 16-36 2.8 so it will be better than my 4.0. Going to dark skies next week! (Sorry for the confusion on the name change on my account)
Got to drop into your local store and pick up some Aerogard, Bushman Repellant, No Bites, Mosquito Patches or even Bondi Wash spray to help keep the mozzies away. You have been swatting away bugs for several weeks now. Javaguudweekend? Don't leave home without the Aerogard 😁🤣👍
Haha, yes very true. I did find some repellant after a search in the car .. it's amazing how a couple of nights can make so much difference. I went out Thursday night and not a bug in sight .. it was 12 deg C.
Always a pleasure to watch your videos Richard - great work & gorgeous images! You've made it very difficult for us to choose a winner because they all look great and I'd be proud to have taken any one of them! That said, as you have mentioned, the single shot doesn't have quite the dynamic range of the others. Looking fwd to the next instalment.....
Thanks again Richard for sharing your images and the steps to get these inspiring shots! I have shot all three methods and I agree they each have their place. I feel as you do that it is worth getting out and just relaxing under the stars. Keep up the great work and inspires to get better!
Richard, thanks a lot for sharing your passion and knowledge. As you asked for feedback, I can speculate that RUclips make it's own processing of images, so will be great to have possibility to download final images and to check them locally on own laptop.
Stunning images as they always are! I watch you out there fighting off the bugs as I look out at the snow. Then comes the famous trademark cupper and biscuit. Thank you or making and sharing these videos with us my friend! I always look forward to seeing them. Have a great weekend, and if you need some snow I can box some up and mail it to you, 😉 📷☕️🍪
Always very informative and helpful, presented in a clear and concise way. Your results are some of the best ever, as is your teaching style. I wish I lived closer, I'd be signing up for a class without a doubt. A Canon RF shooter with limited decent options at the moment. I do have the Laowa 15mm f/2 in RF mount, and find it to be as you said - OK, but a bit lacking for sharpness and distortions introduced. Anyway, thanks again for your great work, really enjoyed this one.
Fabulous video Richard, as the season is now on us I'm hoping to get one or two astro images under my belt this year, but having the GFX100 I find it a little limited. Hey ho I'll give it a go (single and stacked for the time being) but I suspect a tracker my yield the best results for me as there aren't any real fast glass available for my system. Thanks again for this, wonderful images as ever... have a great week 🙏🙏🙏
Great video Richard…as always I’m about 4-5 months behind in watching the videos. I was very impressed and encouraged with the excellent result you had with the single shot. Great video and thanks for the hard work you for us all. Don’t let the naysayers bother you!
Thank you Richard for the great videos. I think I watched all your videos, you have a great talent to explain this complex material. P.S. I believe you threw away a used tea bag into a trash bag, not just on the ground :)
All the 3 images are breath-taking. The level of detail on the stacked and the tracked ones is a bit beyond what I could believe is achievable without some "hard" photoshopping, though. I wonder what the "Hydrogen-something mod" means and if it changes much. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for watching Anton. Yes there is quite a bit of photoshop involved in all these images .. single included. That's a necessity. The h-alpha mod does increase sensitivity. I'm going to be doing a video comparing that camera with a standard one in the next few weeks.
Another great video and as you said, all the images are beautiful (especially love the predawn shots). I think I’d still prefer the tracked images in general as I love the detail in the dust lanes and red nebulas you get, but that may be because I am sucker for pain and suffering 😂. I think most importantly the situation and subject dictate what will work best and the most important thing is to actually get a shot. Oh and a nice cuppa and biscuit is seriously important as well!
I do like all those shots. I've only stacked whatever I've shot thus far. I got a tracker for deep sky objects and I'm looking to also try it out with nightscapes. Problem is, the skies have been very bad for over a month now. Can't really use the tracker during summer either since it will already be dawn at 3am over here.
Excellent video and information as usual. Not had a great deal of opportunity to get much night photography myself, but something that I would like to do more of whenever the opportunity arises and your videos have given me plenty of ideas and inspiration.
Almost Milky Way season in the PNW and hoping for some clear skies. Bought a tracker last year and only got to use it 3 times due to cloudy weather. Even in Death Valley. Downside to a tracker is now I spend mush more time taking night sky photos as I change focal lengths. It used to be my blue hour shot, go to bed, wake up when the Milky Way is out, take 40 images, and back to bed so I can stack them. Now I spend way to much time changing focal lengths but it's still a lot of fun.
Great video, thanks. I'm still not sure how the tracker is superior to stacking ten frames. The stacking process reduces noise substantially, and Photoshop is now perfectly adequate with alignment and averaging layers. It's also a lot less faff. I suppose if I was looking at your images on your PC, rather than on RUclips I would see the difference, but it wouldn't be night and day (haha).
Thanks for watching Geoffrey. In this video they are very close. I'm sure if I added stacking to tracking it would improve substantially. The other thing to consider is that when you increase the focal length beyond about 24mm then you have to lower the shutter speed a lot otherwise you get star trailing . .therefore not getting anywhere near enough signal .. and significantly lowering efficiency. This doesn't happen with a tracker.
@@nightscapeimages.richard You bet, Richard! Question: do you have a preference between mechanical shutter or electronic shutter for your Milky Way photos?
As always fantastic shots and the explanation is always knowledgeable. I just recently bought a 20mm lens and did my first light painting shots following your advice. The final picture turned out very well, but gives me the drive to keep trying. I live in Ontario Canada so waiting on clear skies and the Milky Way to come back above the horizon. Cheers
Richard you deserve a knighthood, this is a fantastic and well thought out educational video. Every image is award winning, however since you asked my favorites would be the tracked pano due to the colour in the sky and wispee clouds as it gives the shot atmosphere (to me)and also the single shot near dawn, again for the colour in the sky, as these bring a totally different aspect to the photos. Once again you have shown us to think outside the square and proved there are many ways to achieve a great result. Can't wait for the next installment. You are like Crocodile Dundee, the man from snowy river and Sir Don Bradman, mate, a bloody legend.
👍
Haha, you're a legend indeed Rob. Not to sure about award winning, but I did enjoy being out there to capture these shots.
Hi Richard, I prefer to track and stack my shots like you said since the process reduces noise and increases the dynamic range. Thank you for good advice on this subject. Sorry about the tea frustration!!! Jerry
Thanks as always for watching Jerry. Most of my tracked shots these days are singles .. often I'll shoot multiples of Orion and stack those. The stacked shots in this video are all on a fixed tripod not tracked.
You mentioned in an earlier video that you needed to change the wb to around 3200 in order to keep the forground color better represented. Do you set that via a gray card or simply change it within your camera? Also, are you considering using Patreon?
I set it in camera. This camera is set to 3300 with plus 1.5 on the green tint. But from there I do a lot of further colour correcting in post production. No I'm not going to use Patreon. @@JerryDell-j3s
Cool, thank you for the wb info...California is going to float into the pacific ocean soon if these storms persist so I will have to wait before I can experiment ! So anyway, I will just contribute via your website as before. Take care!
Well Richard this is yet another great learning video from you so, thank you. While I like all three shots, stacked, pano, and single shot, I have to say that it is the stacked image that does it for me... Sharp, crisp, little or no noise, what more could a photographer ask for....
You are so right Les. There are many ways to get great results these days . .!!!
I commented before seeing the last 3 shot comparison. Can see the benefit of stacking over a single shot. Also very keen to see the editing video you mentioned.
I may take a couple of weeks to get finalized David.
Thanks again Richard, another informative video. My two cents worth...I love the stacked image! I was contemplating a tracker but have now decided to spend my money on a modified camera instead. Stacked images are on a par with tracked ones and a minor issue but for me, less gear to carry. Look forward to your next video. 👍
Thanks for your insights Michael. I think you are onto something there.
The Stacked image was my favourite Richard. Stacked using Sequator maybe. A brief mention on what you did, on your next, processing video please. 🙂
Yes stacked with Sequator. I pretty much edit all my images the same these days. The stacking is done in Sequator but all else is in Lightroom and Photoshop. The photoshop plug in called StarXterminator is a must have. I also use Topaz De-noise Ai.
Richard, this is a fantastic comparison of ways to shoot the night sky. I’ve been shooting single image shots and single image panoramas. Last year I tried using a Move Shoot Move tracker and realized that the weight limit was an issue. I’m now considering a larger tracker to allow tracked panoramas with the Canon R5 and Sigma 40mm Art lens. I thoroughly enjoy the challenges of this form of photography and I’m constantly inspired with your images and clearly presented videos. Looking forward to seeing your video on editing. Enjoy your Summer.
Thanks so much for watching Steve. Yes I think the Star Adventurer would be a far better option with that heavy lens.
Excellent work again. Look forward to seeing the processing of a single image.
Thanks so much Douglas
Fantastic video. I think I need to get myself into this part of the hobby....
It's a lot of fun Alan. Thanks so much for watching.
Hi Richard it's great milky way season is back and your back on here more again
Yes it is great to see that beautiful sky again, albeit a late morning.
Wow, the tracked and stacked really surprised me. It was amazing that the stacked , stacked up so well against the tracked. Even the single was good but the difference between it and the others was more noticeable. Nice work. :)
Thanks for watching Mark. I appreciate your insights.
Something that would be interesting would be to take about ten tracked and stack those.. :) @@nightscapeimages.richard
I have done plenty of those in the past .. it does increase the detail but unless I'm really wanting ultimate quality I rarely do it these days. Maybe when shooting Orion I'd be more tempted to do that as it's a harder part of the sky to get the faint details to show. @@marktimonen5359
Another great video with lots of details and knowledge shared. Thank you. As I don’t have a tracker I was particularly interested in the shots achieved without the tracker.
Thanks again for watching David. Yes a lot of people are exactly the same.
Appreciate the amount of work you put into this.Despite composing, set up, shooting and filming you still got a cup of tea! Your interaction with the camera is great.Oh yes and inspirational images at the end.Many thanks.
So very kind of you. I appreciate you watching.
Richard, you're definitely correct; composition ,access the photo! Also, loved your tracked image with clouds in the sky. Basically, single, tracked or stacked comes down to time commitments and weather conditions.
Yes that's correct. It was good to see all the different methods come together on this occasion.
Thank you for another video of great importance. Here in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) it's very hot - 39° Celsius this week.
I hope you can find some relief from the hot weather Rogerio.
Thank you so much for this video.. love the part you quote about " if looks good composiontly, press the shot" Very awesome place those images. Always we learn a lot from you channel as I said the best astro photography channel in You Tube.
You're very kind indeed Luis.
Спасибо Ричард! 👍
Thanks again for watching Mars
All of these photos are glorious Richard. I can see myself taking that single shot and trying to figure out how to do the untracked panorama!
Thanks for watching Vik. The untracked panorama is taken the same as any panorama. Just a collection of single exposures. Swivel the camera around to get all of the area you want to shoot. Just make sure you keep the camera level and ensure heaps of overlap between all the images. I usually overlap at least 50%.
Great video, Richard. I’m blown away by the quality of your single shots in that dark location! Amazing. Your videos have such outstanding production quality - lighting, sound, b-roll all superbly executed. It’s a wonder you have time to take even a single sky shot! Thanks as ever.
Haha, yes I often wonder that myself. I hardly had any time to rest during the night . . although it's hard to tell that from the final video . .but you know all about that Paul. Yes very nice dark skies over here. Thanks again for watching.
Tremendously helpful! 👏🏻
Full confession, I have a star tracker I bought 2 years ago - and never used. Looking at how close your stacked and tracked images are, I’m thinking stacking might be the best approach for me.
Curious what these images would look like with a non-modified body, and what’s needed in post-processing to achieve a similar look (if possible).
Thanks for the info & motivation! ✨
* Also a tutorial for stacking would be super! (I’ll look through your older vids as well)
Thanks for watching Craig. Yes I hear that story a lot about un-used trackers. I think I'll have to make a video comparing the standard camera and modded version. I have lots of videos on the stacking process. See here: ruclips.net/video/3uXHTmwcaFM/видео.html
I have changed a few things in more recent times regarding editing but not so much the stacking part. I still use Sequator to do that.
Very nice video and beautiful pictures.. my favourite is the tracked shot and the difference in the dynamic range is clearly visible to me...looking forward for more... Cheers
Thanks so much for watching, really appreciated.
Great Video, once again! If I had to choose, I would say the stacked is my favorite, it seems to bring out more of the building and the tracked ones, seem to make the building lean. I agree the single shots are always the best if you if it can be done!
Thanks so much for watching .. I love the stacked one as well.
Awesome work and all the photos are so good.. In my view, Single Shots and Stacked Shots are good to start and the shoot is so peaceful .. once you add tracking, it opens door to better quality images and each shoot takes longer..All great stuff and good to mix all them..great knowledge sharing video..
I am hearing that you are thinking of WA soon.. if you do come then would love to catchup and you can try dunking Ginger Nut biscuits into Masala Chai
Thanks for watching Virat. Yes and add in to the mix filming a video to go along with all of that .. very time consuming as you know. WA is a possibility during the winter .. .not too sure about the Masala Chai ..!!!!
@@nightscapeimages.richard if you do visit in the Winter then let me know and more than happy to take you to few places and you can then try some Chai! Greg is a fan already 😀.. Looking forward to meeting if you do arrive
It would be great to meet you all. Nothing is set in stone yet . .we shall see. @@ViratShah
Great comparisons Richard. Given how advanced your noise reduction skills are, even with single tracked images, there is not much between each one. It seems you were able to control the light pollution better with the tracked image due to the lower ISO, though in this case the LP helped to frame the foreground subject making it stand out better. Look forward to seeing the post processing video you referenced.
Thanks again for watching. Yes I don't mind some controlled light pollution to frame my foregrounds.
I’ve been away for medical reasons, and I must say it’s great to be back watching your channel. You’ve been an inspiration for me for many years now. You have that magic combination of vast knowledge, calm demeanor, natural teaching ability, and of course awe and wonder when experiencing the natural world. I’ve been immersed in the world you photograph since 1974. Only occasionally have I been able to capture it to share the magnificence with others. You’re one of my favorite people on this planet. You are an artist working with material that only one in a thousand of us ever get to see. I’m inspired now. I don’t have the magnificent Southern skies like you do (Virginia, USA) but I’m on the exurban fringe of Washington DC and can escape easily to Bortle 2 skies. I’m fortunate that I can get to a little bit of Bortle 1 with 2 or 3 hours of travel. You’re doing something really unique with your channel. I can only hope that you and your magnificent photos can open some eyes to the beauty that is above us. Precious and fragile, like rain forests or barrier reefs or old growth forests. You have my unending respect and gratitude. It’s great to be back!
Your kind words are very much appreciated Mike. Your encouragement is so important.
great video! thank you!
Thanks so much for watching Gabriel
Hi Richard, the three photos are excellent, Stacked and Tracked are very similar seen in the video, in any of the three photos the revelations are very important to be able to see the most subtle details of the milky way.
Thank you Richard for this video, we are waiting for the next one to see how you develop your milky way photos
I very much appreciate you watching again Mario.
I’ve learned so much from you and never miss an episode. Thank you.
I very much appreciate your great support Boyce
Great video. Very hard to beat HDR images, especially seeing the single versus the stacked images. The HDR just had more depth, a bit more contrast and punch. You get what you work for...😊
Thanks so much for watching. Yes indeed, we do get best results by going that little bit extra.
Great video Richard. Relaxing and enjoyable as always. There's something so soothing about those country settings and the way you always remind us to enjoy our time under the stars (especially with a cuppa).
Really looking forward to seeing how you edited that single shot.
Beautiful work. 👍👍
Thanks so much for your kind words Trevor.
It is cool to see the difference between the various methods.
Thanks for your kind comments Stefan
Hard choices for sure but I would go with tracked but very interesting to note that if time etc. are constrained single and stacked are very comparable. Thanks for doing this.
Thanks so much for watching John. Yes it's good to know that for sure.
Absolutely love the shots with the sunrise in them!
I very much appreciate you watching my friend.
Another fantastic video. Thank you so much Sir 🙏🏻
You're welcome my friend.
great video Richard, i always do single shot milky way photos because it's looked more nature to me, stacked photos looked more fake., that is my idea. Well done for explaining the difference. Keep up the good work
Thanks as always for watching Patrick. Sometimes more detail looks fake to lots of people.
Do a video of how you went about getting your camera 📷 modified and if you can show the process for those who are interested in doing their cameras 📷
It's quite simple really . .I sent it off to a camera clinic. I'd never attempt such a thing myself.
Another great explanation and showing of the 3 different types. Personally I love the tracked only due to the extended detail in the captured image, though as you say most wouldn’t be able to tell when posted on socials. I think personally taken the little extra time rewards the final image. Great video as always. :)
Thanks Al. As with anything, that little bit extra effort is always worth it.
Richard I know these techniques are some what of a repeat of your older videos!!! But I really appreciate your taking the time to go over it again!!! I think the majority will do the single shot version! I fall into the group that want to do the stacking! Very very few of us will do the tracking version! I am very very interested in how you do the stacked panorama (start to finish)!!! Please do the editing video that will be great!!! I appreciate your hard work and amazing talent!!! Thank you so much!!!👍👍👍🇺🇲
Thanks so much for your comments Marvin. Just to be clear . .the panorama shown here is made up of single frames only .. not stacked as such.
Well, Saturday is off to a great start . All 3 are beautiful, topshelf video, thankyou
You're a champion Phil, thanks mate.
Thank You Richard for comparison of these three methods. Nice work-as usual. 🙂
Thanks so much for watching Peter, really appreciated.
Another great video Richard, I think its good to remember as a tracker user we dont always have use it espescialy when we cant get a clear sky shot as in lots of trees, we can just use the sky in the foreground shots easily enough
Yes that's a very valid concept for sure Nick. We sometime have Blinkers on regarding what we have to do.
Thank you Richard,
Lacking software here, but I should shoot for when I have the software I guess
Regards ,
.............. Gary
.......................AU
Thanks as always for watching Gary
Another fantastically explained video. It makes me edge towards tracked photos but confidence holds me back (Buying a tracker and failing) . At least where I live I dont have as many bugs. Thanks again.
Thanks so much for watching Adi. As you saw from this video .. you don't need a tracker to do stacked photos.
Great video, Richard! You give me some confidence if I'm feeling a little tired and want a light pack to just bring the camera and no tracker.
Yes I think it's easy to sometimes get all caught up in the tech gear and forget about the simple delights of shooting the night sky and landscape. Todays cameras and lenses are wonderful.
Ohhh looking forward to watching this later 😊
I hope you enjoy it Paul
@@nightscapeimages.richard Certaintly did Richard, thank you - great info and always very well presented! Got a Move Shoot Move for this Milk season, now I need to suss out some epic foregrounds ☺
This fabulous information shows the differences, Richard. They are stunning!
I've only been shooting single MW and night star shots, yet stacking is another level.
Being a single female traveling, I always have to be wary of the more remote night-shot locations (yes, I've had some 'iffy' moments alone and had to pack away quickly). However, I try to camp within yelling distance to other campers or homes/farms...lol...
This has inspired me greatly to pursue stacking...onwards to new (safe) locations. Sub/L
Edit: currently in SA along the Murray in the IDSR...when I get to Vic I'll look up for your workshops. xx
Thanks so much for your very kind comments Lexa. Stacking is well worth the extra bit of effort I think for sure. I hope your travels go well.
Magnificent! ❤
Thanks so much Daniel
Brilliant - really enjoyed this. I need to jump down the modified camera way but I do not have a second camera at the moment and i do a lot of non astro stuff as well which is holding me back from jumping that way at the moment.
Thanks for watching Jason. I'm going to do a comparison video between the standard camera and astro mod camera in a few weeks if I can.
I am so envious that you could see the solar storm so well. I live in Northern California about hundred miles south of where you could see the solar storm. What an incredible night you had.
It was an enormous event that's for sure Fred. Thanks for watching.
Absolute masterclass of a video Richard, really enjoyed this. Makes me feel a lot better about my novice skills and basic equipment when you show what can be achieved without all the bells and whistles. Looking forward to the editing video you mentioned immensely.
As an aside, I hope your quiet part of the world doesn't get overrun with tourists now as it's been named "top town" in Australia.
Thanks as always for watching. I didn't hear about the top town in Australia yet.
Thanks for the great video. I vote for stack. Reason being easier to setup and the result is almost comparable to the tracker at least to my untrained eye.
I think a lot of people agree with you on that one. Thanks for watching.
Cheers from Okanagan valley British Columbia 🇨🇦
Thanks so much for watching Rick
Great vid as always. I stack at the moment. Can’t wait to try my z8 with the new pixel shift mode for stacking 8 raw files or maybe even 32 raw files. Then aligning the sky in Starry Landscape Stacker. Waiting for the right conditions here in Guernsey.
Thanks so much for watching Martin. I reckon that Z8 would be wonderful.
Hi Richard , I just love your pragmatic approach to photography in general and the advise you got from your friend all those years ago, keep up the good work and just take the shot.
Thanks so much for your support Thomas.
Thank you for another great video Richard, I’m love the comparisons. I like the stacked images. Looking forward to seeing your next one🙂
Thanks so much for your great support Julie.
Your channel is a fantastic resource, thank you for all your work.
You're very welcome. Thanks for tuning in.
Thank you for an excellent video. All three shots are great, my top choice is the stacked image. Your videos and tutorials are always a treat, packed with tons of valuable info. Thank you.
Thanks as always for watching my friend.
Thanks Richard, another great adventure with fabulous results. A lot of hard work I think.Thanks for uploading. Cheers Robert.
Thanks so much for watching Robert. Yes it was a lot of work to put this one together.
To be honest I thought they were all amazing and the single stacked image was, as you say pretty close to the tracked image and that convinces me not to go down the tracker route just yet. I look forward to the editing video as I've plenty of room for improvement there.
It was very close indeed and I think a lot of people are agreeing with your sentiments Peter.
Wonderful images, all of them. Hats off to you, Richard ❤.
The stacked and tracked images are better than single shot, as they contain more detail.
I very much appreciate you watching Amit. Thank you.
Fantastic video Richard, the three images are amazing, looking forward to the processing video.
Thanks as always for watching Dennis.
Thanks for sharing, Richard. I learned how to use the stacked method on this channel and this year I'll be giving the tracked method a try. The tracked, as you said, has more dynamic range. It will be more work in post but well worth it. It's about minus 13 celsius this morning so it needs to be a little warmer for me here in the middle of the US. No bugs here😊
Thanks for watching Don. Yes it's amazing how those bugs come out of nowhere as soon as the temperature rises.
Awesome images and very helpful as always. I've just looked at replacing my old Sony A7 and Samyang 14mm with a Nikon Z6ii (3580 NZD) and Nikon 20mm f1.8 (1797 NZD) and decided that for me, one of the very big advantages of using my tracker might... be to try some slower and therefore cheaper lenses, and putting up with setting up a tracker :) I will see :) I also don't put in enough time and effort yet, to get the very best results from my gear, especially not stacking, which I see made a noticeable difference to your images. So, you have inspired me to try harder, thank you for that! I would love to see some of the Z6ii single images without any noise reduction in your forthcoming processing video, I know they will be better than from my A7 but useful for me to see a comparison.
Thanks for watching Robert. Yes I'll run through my noise reduction technique . .it's not rocket science and I thin k lots of people do similar.
Excellent and very important video, as always! I was always a bit skeptic about stacked photos, especially once I've tried my modest little tracker (MoveShootMove) . The problem with your photos is that all of them are so beatifully editted, which makes it hard to decide. I guess you can only really say the difference when you zoom in 1:1 and check the noise levels, then I guess the tracked can achieve the highest amount of details while keep a relatively low noise level.
That's pretty much spot on Alex. I have done stacking on a fixed tripod for many years but a single tracked shot is just as good.
Hi Richard, thanks for a very informative video. I must amit, viewing the results on RUclips, it is hard to see any differences, they all look great. What I did notice was that the panos seemed more spectacular. I loved the location, as often the case, you always find great foregrounds and as you said, composition is the most important aspect.
I look forward to the video you mentioned, with the processing of single shot images.
Thanks again David for your insights. I have visited this location many times before but it keeps drawing me back.
just found this channel, as a beginner, this is fantastic... respect from the UK.
That's very kind of you Ian. I hope you can find some videos to help you along your way. Always happy to help.
Nice video. I just add that the results depend a lot of the sky quality one has. With light pollution increasing the time with a tracker would not be possible as LP stats to clip while stacking brightness control is possible. On the other hand if one wants to shot with high resolution and larger focal distances tracking is the way since shutter speed is too limited.
Yes no doubt you are correct Raphael. I am blessed with Bortle 2 or 3 skies near to where I live.
Richard anyone would be very hard pushed unless you pixel peep to tell them apart from normal viewing distance all are great to have on any wall .I still think that staking is a very good result without luging around more equipment to get the same results. My lens is only f3.5 but I get great results with it
I think many would agree with you. It's simple and easy to get our heads around.
I’m going to do my first Milky Way shoot with the next new moon. I’m going to Montana. Shooting a Canon 5D Mark IV. W/canon 16-35 lens but it’s a 4.0. Hopefully I can get by with single shot or stacked. Love your work. It’s very inspiring.
Thanks heaps for watching. You'll need to push the exposure with the f4 lens. Stacking will certainly help.
@@nightscapeimages.richard I called my local camera store and I will be renting the fastest wide lens that they had available for rent. I believe it's a canon 16-36 2.8 so it will be better than my 4.0. Going to dark skies next week! (Sorry for the confusion on the name change on my account)
Got to drop into your local store and pick up some Aerogard, Bushman Repellant, No Bites, Mosquito Patches or even Bondi Wash spray to help keep the mozzies away. You have been swatting away bugs for several weeks now. Javaguudweekend? Don't leave home without the Aerogard 😁🤣👍
Haha, yes very true. I did find some repellant after a search in the car .. it's amazing how a couple of nights can make so much difference. I went out Thursday night and not a bug in sight .. it was 12 deg C.
Always a pleasure to watch your videos Richard - great work & gorgeous images! You've made it very difficult for us to choose a winner because they all look great and I'd be proud to have taken any one of them! That said, as you have mentioned, the single shot doesn't have quite the dynamic range of the others. Looking fwd to the next instalment.....
Appreciate you watching Darrel.
Always enjoy the cuppa breaks and each photo was spectacular as well.
Thanks Mike. It was a long night and the cuppa break was urgently required.
Thanks again Richard for sharing your images and the steps to get these inspiring shots!
I have shot all three methods and I agree they each have their place.
I feel as you do that it is worth getting out and just relaxing under the stars.
Keep up the great work and inspires to get better!
Thanks so much Calvin, really appreciate your support.
Richard, thanks a lot for sharing your passion and knowledge. As you asked for feedback, I can speculate that RUclips make it's own processing of images, so will be great to have possibility to download final images and to check them locally on own laptop.
Thanks so much for watching Nick. Yes there will be some extra compression from youtube for sure. At this stage I don't have a download link.
Stunning images as they always are! I watch you out there fighting off the bugs as I look out at the snow. Then comes the famous trademark cupper and biscuit. Thank you or making and sharing these videos with us my friend! I always look forward to seeing them. Have a great weekend, and if you need some snow I can box some up and mail it to you, 😉 📷☕️🍪
Haha, well I wouldn't have minded a bit of cooling of the day after this video was shot .. but I'm sure it will come soon enough.
I do like the tracked image best. The lagoon nebula really comes out in that image. Great work ❤
Yes I think technically it is the best image. Thanks for watching.
Fantastic as always Richard 👍👏👏👏
Thanks for watching Brian
Always very informative and helpful, presented in a clear and concise way. Your results are some of the best ever, as is your teaching style. I wish I lived closer, I'd be signing up for a class without a doubt. A Canon RF shooter with limited decent options at the moment. I do have the Laowa 15mm f/2 in RF mount, and find it to be as you said - OK, but a bit lacking for sharpness and distortions introduced. Anyway, thanks again for your great work, really enjoyed this one.
Thanks for watching Michael. I very much appreciate your comments.
Fabulous video Richard, as the season is now on us I'm hoping to get one or two astro images under my belt this year, but having the GFX100 I find it a little limited. Hey ho I'll give it a go (single and stacked for the time being) but I suspect a tracker my yield the best results for me as there aren't any real fast glass available for my system. Thanks again for this, wonderful images as ever... have a great week 🙏🙏🙏
You're a legend Izzy. I'm sure you'll be producing some quality images mate. Thanks for watching.
Thanks Richard for this useful comparison.
And I very much appreciate you watching again my friend.
Great video Richard…as always I’m about 4-5 months behind in watching the videos. I was very impressed and encouraged with the excellent result you had with the single shot. Great video and thanks for the hard work you for us all. Don’t let the naysayers bother you!
Thanks so much Dan. Your positive comments are always very much appreciated.
Thank you Richard for the great videos. I think I watched all your videos, you have a great talent to explain this complex material. P.S. I believe you threw away a used tea bag into a trash bag, not just on the ground :)
Thanks for your kind words. I usually try to discard those bags properly.
Hi Richard, another great video. The extra effort wins out me. Clear skies 🖖
Thanks as always for watching Gavin
Another insightful and informative piece Richard. Thank you 🙏
You're very welcome Brian. Thanks for watching.
Thanks Richard! Nice video and information. I prefer single shoot if possible,
A lot of people do .. but there are always more options available if we'd like to go there.
Thank you. I would love to see a follow up video on how you edit the singe image, and also the stacked image.
Thanks Roby. I'll be working on it soon.
All beautiful. Thanks for
Many thanks Chris
Fantastic video, very interesting and informative. You have the best video's on night landscapes around by a long way, thank you.
Very kind of you Doug. Thanks for watching.
All the 3 images are breath-taking. The level of detail on the stacked and the tracked ones is a bit beyond what I could believe is achievable without some "hard" photoshopping, though. I wonder what the "Hydrogen-something mod" means and if it changes much. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for watching Anton. Yes there is quite a bit of photoshop involved in all these images .. single included. That's a necessity. The h-alpha mod does increase sensitivity. I'm going to be doing a video comparing that camera with a standard one in the next few weeks.
@@nightscapeimages.richard Looking forward to your comparison video, Richard. Subscribed to your channel not to miss it.
Another great video and as you said, all the images are beautiful (especially love the predawn shots). I think I’d still prefer the tracked images in general as I love the detail in the dust lanes and red nebulas you get, but that may be because I am sucker for pain and suffering 😂. I think most importantly the situation and subject dictate what will work best and the most important thing is to actually get a shot. Oh and a nice cuppa and biscuit is seriously important as well!
I agree with all your comments Eric. We are gluttons for punishment after all . .and that's why I bring the tea and biscuits along for the ride ..!!!!
Fantastic video Richard, with brilliant results using all of the techniques!
Thanks so much for watching Paul.
I do like all those shots. I've only stacked whatever I've shot thus far. I got a tracker for deep sky objects and I'm looking to also try it out with nightscapes. Problem is, the skies have been very bad for over a month now. Can't really use the tracker during summer either since it will already be dawn at 3am over here.
Thanks so much for watching. Yes the weather has to line up or else we get nothing.
Excellent video and information as usual. Not had a great deal of opportunity to get much night photography myself, but something that I would like to do more of whenever the opportunity arises and your videos have given me plenty of ideas and inspiration.
Thanks for watching Richard, I'm pleased you find the videos helpful.
38C...oof. -15C in eastern Canada today...I like it warmer, but not sure I want it 'that' warm. Great images!
Haha, yes I think a happy medium is somewhere in between.
Almost Milky Way season in the PNW and hoping for some clear skies. Bought a tracker last year and only got to use it 3 times due to cloudy weather. Even in Death Valley. Downside to a tracker is now I spend mush more time taking night sky photos as I change focal lengths. It used to be my blue hour shot, go to bed, wake up when the Milky Way is out, take 40 images, and back to bed so I can stack them. Now I spend way to much time changing focal lengths but it's still a lot of fun.
Thanks for watching Randy. Yes there are always unexpected changes to our workflow when we add new equipment. . but it's all part of the fun isn't it.
Thanks! can't wait for the single image edits video!
Thanks Mark. That video is now available. Se here: ruclips.net/video/a1XyA7I4W3w/видео.html
Great video, thanks. I'm still not sure how the tracker is superior to stacking ten frames. The stacking process reduces noise substantially, and Photoshop is now perfectly adequate with alignment and averaging layers. It's also a lot less faff. I suppose if I was looking at your images on your PC, rather than on RUclips I would see the difference, but it wouldn't be night and day (haha).
Thanks for watching Geoffrey. In this video they are very close. I'm sure if I added stacking to tracking it would improve substantially. The other thing to consider is that when you increase the focal length beyond about 24mm then you have to lower the shutter speed a lot otherwise you get star trailing . .therefore not getting anywhere near enough signal .. and significantly lowering efficiency. This doesn't happen with a tracker.
@nightscapeimages.richard Good point - I hadn't considered that as I almost always use the 20mm Z lens.
Thanks Richard!
Appreciate you watching David.
@@nightscapeimages.richard You bet, Richard! Question: do you have a preference between mechanical shutter or electronic shutter for your Milky Way photos?
As always fantastic shots and the explanation is always knowledgeable. I just recently bought a 20mm lens and did my first light painting shots following your advice. The final picture turned out very well, but gives me the drive to keep trying. I live in Ontario Canada so waiting on clear skies and the Milky Way to come back above the horizon. Cheers
Thanks for tuning in Neil. I really love the 20mm lens. Hope the weather turn for you soon.
Thanks for tuning in Neil. I really love the 20mm lens. Hope the weather turn for you soon.
Great and helpful video! I’m looking forward to the edit on the single. Thx for the inspiration and insights.
You're very welcome my friend. Appreciate your support.