I really like this photo! The sharpness and detail throughout are excellent. I also like how the treetops provide a partial framing for the sky. I note you used an aperture of f/2.9...what was the shutter speed for this photo? I've always wanted to try this genre but haven't as yet. I think I'll give it a try. Thanks for the inspiration!   Posted: 10/06/2025 14:40:03

A very commendable first effort!!! You did a great job of focusing. I'm no expert on astro photography processing, but it looks good to me. And the trees really add to the overall effect.   Posted: 10/06/2025 16:56:38

WOW - I'd say you first attempt was a success. How did you plan the shot/location? I have zero experience with this type of photography - hopefully others can add more. The foreground elements add a lot (I wish there was something more interesting that the tree top)!   Posted: 10/08/2025 08:50:40

Thank you for your comments. I had looked up various ways to photograph the Milky Way, and I used the information I found to work toward this image. The exposure was 30 seconds. I tried shorter times as well as longer ones. If you really zoom in, you will see that the stars are not as pin point as I would have liked. The original site was to be by the Buffalo River in north Arkansas, but the weather cancelled that trip. My second choice was this one-we own some land in the country away from light pollution. Had we been at the Buffalo River, there would have been different foreground elements. I did use photo pills to see where the Milky Way would be at what time. That was a big help. I did move the camera around as the Milky Way moved with the earth's rotation. That was my first time using photo pills, too, but it was a big help.   Posted: 10/09/2025 19:40:58

Cindy. The first, and best advice I received when I was starting a photography business (way many years ago) was, "Never take advice from someone who has never done what you are trying to do." Therefore, don't listen to anything I have to say about this image, except when I say, "I like it."
No, I have never tried astrophotography. As a photographer, I believe you could make an even stronger image by creating a vertical by cropping in from the left. I feel the trees on the left add very little to the composition.   Posted: 10/10/2025 21:16:42

Thank you for your comments. I had looked up various ways to photograph the Milky Way, and I used the information I found to work toward this image. The exposure was 30 seconds. I tried shorter times as well as longer ones. If you really zoom in, you will see that the stars are not as pin point as I would have liked. The original site was to be by the Buffalo River in north Arkansas, but the weather cancelled that trip. My second choice was this one-we own some land in the country away from light pollution. Had we been at the Buffalo River, there would have been different foreground elements. I did use photo pills to see where the Milky Way would be at what time. That was a big help. I did move the camera around as the Milky Way moved with the earth's rotation. That was my first time using photo pills, too, but it was a big help.   Posted: 10/14/2025 18:15:08