Going forward, we will be featuring the new “how was this picture taken” series articles, asking our readers to look at an image, analyze it and provide information on how they think the image was captured. When guessing, information could include such data as: approximate exposure variables (shutter speed, aperture and ISO), focal length, camera to subject distance, camera and lens used, what the gear was mounted on, post-processing techniques, composition, cropping, etc. This could be a fun exercise for our readers to practice with and we see it leading to all kinds of fun discussions.
The answer has been posted here.
After a short while, whoever posts the article from our team will post a follow-up article, revealing exactly how the picture was captured, with what gear and what was done to it in post-processing. We see this as a great opportunity to learn, since we will discuss specific techniques, gear and other important considerations that go through our minds when capturing images.
To start off the series, I am presenting this photo of the Milky Way, which I photographed a couple of days ago in San Juan Mountains of Colorado:
The bright object to the right of the Milky Way is the Moon. How did I take this shot? What specific techniques did I use to capture the image? What is the approximate exposure time, aperture and ISO? What gear was I using and why? Did the choice of gear matter at all for such a shot? How did I expose for the trees in the foreground? How did I post-process the image?
Let the fun begin! Please post your analysis / guess in the comments section below!
Just wanted to say that this article inspired my exam questions for my photography course. I give students a photograph and ask them what camera settings they would use to make the picture come out and explain why they chose each setting. Also, they need to explain what special equipment they might choose to use.
“The bright object to the right of the Milky Way is the Moon.” Thank you for thinking of the the astronomically challenged as well :D Jokes aside, these “how it was made” pieces are great, I’d love to see more! Terrific idea :) I really enjoy guessing the settings, although I’m completely clueless about the lens, just taking a guess at the aperture/shutter/ISO combo.
Hello,
Moon is shining like a start, I get the same images of street lights with 30 second exposer time. So the photo is take on Shutter Priority & oviously with a tripod with 30 Second exposer time. The Images dosen’t look so noisy, so the ISO no is not too high, it should be around 800. & I am not sure about the F no. but a guess is f8/10.
Wide aperture, ISO:6400, 30 sec and a flash with low power. there’s no rim light on the tree. So I guess it’s a flash
mmm…
The date of this post is the 19th of September, and the photo was taken couple of days earlier, lets assume on the 17th of September
At that day the moon is not visible,
Therefore, the image was shot normally with wide angle lens, 30 sec, F 2.8 or less, minimum 3200 ISO and quick pass of a torch or a dim light was there.
Later on the moon was added to the image.
Right or wrong, still I like the idea of “How Was This Picture Taken?”
Thanks.
So, when do we get the answer ?
14mm lens probably, since it is really wide
approx shutter speed of 30sec, iso 3200 max
using flash to light up trees
single shot.
Sorry, flash should be torch since tree in front is not in the light..
Also aperture below 5.6
Same as Simon Chung butwith D810A
14mm using the 14-24 f2.8G lens.
F4
Manual mode, 8 seconds @ ISO 800.
Nikon D810 on a tripod.
You shot with the Sony A7Rii.
ISO was 5000
Exposure was 20 seconds.
You used a Rokinon 14mm F2.8 or the Nikon equivalent.
And its eerily similar to a shot I did:
www.flickr.com/photo…ateposted/
Though you have much better focus. I thought the Rok I used was at infinity when on the infinity line :(
The amazing dynamic range of the A7Rii allows one single image to include foreground, Milky Way, and Moon!
Wondering….was it a full moon in your shot?
Robert I think your answer is the closest to the answer we all been waiting for.
Agreed. I think modern cameras have so much dynamic range that this was done in-camera on a Sony A7s or Sony A7Rii with High Iso and small (f8 or so) aperture. Brightness of the moon could be toned down in Lightroom with “Highlights” and shadows could be recovered with “shadows” and/or “blacks” slider.
On focusing don’t rely on infinity it is always wrong except if you have Zeiss. Use fine tuning with Live view on single star and then take test shots before you compose.
14mm using the 14-24 f2.8G lens. Live view focused on the trees.
F4 (so that the stars are cleaned up towards the corners) but also allow a bit of sun stars (or is that moon stars)?
Manual mode, 8 seconds @ ISO 800. Any longer and the stars start to trail.
Nikon D810 (I know you love using this camera ;-)) on a tripod.
You probably took a few tries to get the exposure just right.
In post, pull up the shadows a little so that milky way is better visible. This will also help with the shadow side of the trees. Trees are naturally lit by moon light – no need for light painting or exotic flash lighting methods.
It’s a lovely photo, congratulations!