Single, Stacked or Tracked - Milky Way Photography

[@RobGaleSpecialVideos]

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.

[@marshysterrs1011]

👍

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Haha, you're a legend indeed Rob. Not to sure about award winning, but I did enjoy being out there to capture these shots.

[@JerryDell-j3s]

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

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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.

[@JerryDell-j3s]

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?

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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

[@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!

[@lesboucher542]

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....

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

You are so right Les. There are many ways to get great results these days . .!!!

[@treeman3663]

Hi Richard it's great milky way season is back and your back on here more again

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes it is great to see that beautiful sky again, albeit a late morning.

[@DroogVoom]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

So very kind of you. I appreciate you watching.

[@davidmaltby2065]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I may take a couple of weeks to get finalized David.

[@artnapjr]

Absolutely love the shots with the sunrise in them!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I very much appreciate you watching my friend.

[@marktimonen5359]

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. :)

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching Mark. I appreciate your insights.

[@marktimonen5359]

Something that would be interesting would be to take about ten tracked and stack those.. :) @@nightscapeimages.richard

[@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

[@naiteek123]

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

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching, really appreciated.

[@mikebel74]

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!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Your kind words are very much appreciated Mike. Your encouragement is so important.

[@nightscapejournals]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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.

[@PhillipMcCallum]

Well, Saturday is off to a great start . All 3 are beautiful, topshelf video, thankyou

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

You're a champion Phil, thanks mate.

[@douglaspianta4187]

Excellent work again. Look forward to seeing the processing of a single image.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much Douglas

[@jefffenske1958]

GREAT video! The single shot did turn out surprisingly well in comparison. Wonderful! I'm also surprised at how much I like the sunrise single shot image at 18:00, with the pink, orange and yellow! The Milky Way still is very visible, and there is color!! This would be a great print to hang on a wall, as it has uplifting color plus the awesome Milky Way! Perhaps this is something you could do more often when opportunity arises, and you still have energy to shoot that late into the morning. I'm pleasantly surprised the Milky Way is still this visible with this much sunrise light seen. Shocking! Being able to combine night star photography with beautiful sunrise colors! Love it!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for your kind words Jeff. It's rare that I'm still going near sunrise though ..!!!

[@jefffenske1958]

@@nightscapeimages.richard Perhaps sunsets could also work? Or maybe the sun is at the wrong angle, and would make the sky too bright to shoot the Milky Way at the same time? I don't recall ever seeing a photographer shoot in one shot the milky way and a sunrise, and it looks so fantastic too!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

It's impossible to capture a true sunrise/sunset and the milky way together as the bright sky would totally obliterate the faint stars.@@jefffenske1958

[@jefffenske1958]

​@@nightscapeimages.richard I had always thought it was impossible too, because the light from the sun obliterating the faint stars, so was so surprised you did it here with the single shot at 18:00. I may be understanding what you're now saying. You said a "true" sunrise/sunset. By that, do you mean shooting whent the sun would be closer to the official sunrise/sunset time? I would still call this a sunrise, because the colors are coming from the rising sun; though, it's still below the horizon, maybe significantly. Perhaps you could explain what happened here in the coming processing video of this shoot? I'm thinking that maybe to the human eye at the time you shot this the sky didn't look pink, but the colors were there, which the camera picked up. You probably know all about our eyes not seeing color well in dim light, using the rods instead of the cones, so that may be a reason you may have not seen the pink light and the other colors, if that's what happened? I hadn't thought that your hydrogen alpha modified sensor could play a role in the pinks being so strong from the sun. Could that be a significant factor? I'm thinking maybe not, but is that possible? Could only your camera get these strong pinks? I would say this is a completely legitimate sunrise image; though, the human eye couldn't have seen it that way. The human eye can't see the Milky Way the way your camera can too. And with northern lights/aurora, the human eye has a hard time seeing colors other than green, and the aurora is always much brighter in the images than the way it looks in real life, except perhaps if the aurora is super strong. I love what you did here!

[@jefffenske1958]

@@nightscapeimages.richard (cont.) If I'm on the right track in thinking that you're thinking this isn't a "true" sunrise because the eye couldn't see it yet - this reminds me of US photographer William Neill's photo: Dawn, Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Canada, which he shot decades ago on film. It was probably too dark for him to see the color that appeared in his long exposure photo. He said he was disappointed that it was overcast, but took the photo anyway. And when he got the film developed he was AMAZED!!! It's a photo that I've always loved, and has influenced me. The blue color is AMAZING!!! His camera captured the color that was there, but the human eye couldn't see it. It's one of his most beloved and famous photos!

[@lactech27]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

You're very kind indeed Luis.

[@davidmaltby2065]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks again for watching David. Yes a lot of people are exactly the same.

[@Alan-vk6bk]

Fantastic video. I think I need to get myself into this part of the hobby....

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

It's a lot of fun Alan. Thanks so much for watching.

[@stevebauer8218]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching Steve. Yes I think the Star Adventurer would be a far better option with that heavy lens.

[@blueskiesnz]

The Stacked image was my favourite Richard. Stacked using Sequator maybe. A brief mention on what you did, on your next, processing video please. 🙂

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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.

[@djc5502]

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!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching .. I love the stacked one as well.

[@boycefitzgerald]

I’ve learned so much from you and never miss an episode. Thank you.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I very much appreciate your great support Boyce

[@rolsonn]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes that's correct. It was good to see all the different methods come together on this occasion.

[@nikl.astrophoto]

Your channel is a fantastic resource, thank you for all your work.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

You're very welcome. Thanks for tuning in.

[@Hedgehogpeter1]

Thank You Richard for comparison of these three methods. Nice work-as usual. 🙂

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching Peter, really appreciated.

[@stefanklingerfotoifilm7023]

It is cool to see the difference between the various methods.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for your kind comments Stefan

[@patrickwynne6666]

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

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks as always for watching Patrick. Sometimes more detail looks fake to lots of people.

[@musiqueetmontagne]

Thanks Richard, another great adventure with fabulous results. A lot of hard work I think.Thanks for uploading. Cheers Robert.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching Robert. Yes it was a lot of work to put this one together.

[@dennisblack4444]

Fantastic video Richard, the three images are amazing, looking forward to the processing video.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks as always for watching Dennis.

[@Yipmanhands]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks as always for watching. I didn't hear about the top town in Australia yet.

[@ViratShah]

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

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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 ..!!!!

[@ViratShah]

@@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

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

It would be great to meet you all. Nothing is set in stone yet . .we shall see. @@ViratShah

[@trevor6513]

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. 👍👍

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for your kind words Trevor.

[@mariopereira8261]

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

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I very much appreciate you watching again Mario.

[@paulbelliphotography]

Ohhh looking forward to watching this later 😊

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I hope you enjoy it Paul

[@paulbelliphotography]

@@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 ☺

[@michael.tjf.fotography]

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. 👍

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for your insights Michael. I think you are onto something there.

[@julieclark5779]

Thank you for another great video Richard, I’m love the comparisons. I like the stacked images. Looking forward to seeing your next one🙂

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for your great support Julie.

[@mozzamhosein6476]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks as always for watching my friend.

[@ashishsinojia3793]

Another fantastic video. Thank you so much Sir 🙏🏻

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

You're welcome my friend.

[@johnd5244]

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, 😉 📷☕️🍪

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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.

[@vikz5786]

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!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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%.

[@thomastyler10air]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for your support Thomas.

[@mikegphoto]

Always enjoy the cuppa breaks and each photo was spectacular as well.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks Mike. It was a long night and the cuppa break was urgently required.

[@calvinphipps3121]

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!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much Calvin, really appreciate your support.

[@douggoninan8276]

Fantastic video, very interesting and informative. You have the best video's on night landscapes around by a long way, thank you.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Very kind of you Doug. Thanks for watching.

[@lexaharpell5196]

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

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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.

[@dannissley4633]

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!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much Dan. Your positive comments are always very much appreciated.

[@jmart_4]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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.

[@paulmills8472]

Fantastic video Richard, with brilliant results using all of the techniques!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching Paul.

[@marshysterrs1011]

Спасибо Ричард! 👍

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks again for watching Mars

[@kingtubby999]

just found this channel, as a beginner, this is fantastic... respect from the UK.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

That's very kind of you Ian. I hope you can find some videos to help you along your way. Always happy to help.

[@nickholt8104]

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

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes that's a very valid concept for sure Nick. We sometime have Blinkers on regarding what we have to do.

[@adithompson199]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching Adi. As you saw from this video .. you don't need a tracker to do stacked photos.

[@brianhinneberg3090]

Another insightful and informative piece Richard. Thank you 🙏

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

You're very welcome Brian. Thanks for watching.

[@rogeriopeccioli1616]

Thank you for another video of great importance. Here in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) it's very hot - 39° Celsius this week.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I hope you can find some relief from the hot weather Rogerio.

[@johnbrennen1776]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching John. Yes it's good to know that for sure.

[@dhg1960]

Hi Richard, thanks for a very informative video. I must amit, viewing the results on KZbin, 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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks again David for your insights. I have visited this location many times before but it keeps drawing me back.

[@SteveZodiac777]

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.....

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Appreciate you watching Darrel.

[@David-x6e7n]

All beautiful. Thanks for

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Many thanks Chris

[@DevonRich697]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching Richard, I'm pleased you find the videos helpful.

[@JasonNgPhotography]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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.

[@gavinheppenstall766]

Hi Richard, another great video. The extra effort wins out me. Clear skies 🖖

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks as always for watching Gavin

[@gabrielmercier-blouin7478]

great video! thank you!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching Gabriel

[@robynambler1479]

Thank you. I would love to see a follow up video on how you edit the singe image, and also the stacked image.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks Roby. I'll be working on it soon.

[@frednorman1]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

It was an enormous event that's for sure Fred. Thanks for watching.

[@inefekt]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks again for watching. Yes I don't mind some controlled light pollution to frame my foregrounds.

[@treeman3663]

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 📷

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

It's quite simple really . .I sent it off to a camera clinic. I'd never attempt such a thing myself.

[@Daniel-qg4mf]

Magnificent! ❤

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much Daniel

[@Moonrocket59]

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...😊

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching. Yes indeed, we do get best results by going that little bit extra.

[@davidletz9123]

Thanks Richard!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Appreciate you watching David.

[@davidletz9123]

@@nightscapeimages.richard You bet, Richard! Question: do you have a preference between mechanical shutter or electronic shutter for your Milky Way photos?

[@marvinspates924]

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!!!👍👍👍🇺🇲

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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.

[@RafaelCBeltrame]

"What a cinematic video, Richard! And such wonderful photos! Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us! Best Wishes!"

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

You are always very welcome Rafael. I appreciate you watching.

[@ggagne7165]

Great and helpful video! I’m looking forward to the edit on the single. Thx for the inspiration and insights.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

You're very welcome my friend. Appreciate your support.

[@amitdutta8768]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I very much appreciate you watching Amit. Thank you.

[@neilpond3441]

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

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for tuning in Neil. I really love the 20mm lens. Hope the weather turn for you soon.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for tuning in Neil. I really love the 20mm lens. Hope the weather turn for you soon.

[@oliveresch9954]

Thank you Richard for this very helpful video! Just what I’ve been wanting to know for quite some time!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for tuning in Oliver

[@oliveresch9954]

@@nightscapeimages.richard Can’t wait to see your next video! Thanks again’

[@ericwilkes1840]

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!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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 ..!!!!

[@martinsarre]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching Martin. I reckon that Z8 would be wonderful.

[@TheMiniD3]

Thank you Richard, Lacking software here, but I should shoot for when I have the software I guess Regards , .............. Gary .......................AU

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks as always for watching Gary

[@rogeriopeccioli1616]

Obrigado Richard.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching Rogerio

[@alexberman4508]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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.

[@akkarparkiamopas3401]

Thanks Richard for this useful comparison.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

And I very much appreciate you watching again my friend.

[@grigoryvidishev1810]

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 :)

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for your kind words. I usually try to discard those bags properly.

[@scottrud2699]

Amazing video and gorgeous photos! Thank you.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for tuning in Scott

[@donhuff3795]

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😊

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching Don. Yes it's amazing how those bugs come out of nowhere as soon as the temperature rises.

[@peterkennington1043]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

It was very close indeed and I think a lot of people are agreeing with your sentiments Peter.

[@kohhy88]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I think a lot of people agree with you on that one. Thanks for watching.

[@robertYTB78g]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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.

[@CoroDan]

Great video. Looking forward to that editing video for your single image 👍

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching Dan. Tune in this coming weekend for the editing video.

[@dalesee]

Great effort mate, all the images look stunning, but the stacked one looks best to me 😁👍

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much Dale, really appreciate it.

[@stephy_spacesout]

I do like the tracked image best. The lagoon nebula really comes out in that image. Great work ❤

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes I think technically it is the best image. Thanks for watching.

[@brianhenno4744]

Fantastic as always Richard 👍👏👏👏

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching Brian

[@PentaxLife]

Great shots, Richard. Did you happen to see the meteor that went through your video? When you're Discussing Your single shots and your Camera settings..

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

That happens all the time Jeff .. I'm always looking at the camera when they happen behind me ..!!!

[@michaellewis5921]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching Michael. I very much appreciate your comments.

[@raphaelcoelho1557]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes no doubt you are correct Raphael. I am blessed with Bortle 2 or 3 skies near to where I live.

[@csc-photo]

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)

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaa7eYejrMiUfK8 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.

[@wellwhatthen10101]

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

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I think many would agree with you. It's simple and easy to get our heads around.

[@randybottphotography]

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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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.

[@paulclark9123]

Very reassuring to see that quality results can be obtained whatever the method! Thank you for your time and effort Richard. May get my 'old' camera astro modded, cheers, Paul. P.S. endless cloud up here in my part of the UK.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

It's a constant problem Paul. I hope it clears soon for you.

[@katemaxwell6061]

Very helpful video, thank you 🙏 I look forward to the edit!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

You're very welcome Kate. Thanks for watching.

[@Noone.fromnowhere]

Richard, thanks a lot for sharing your passion and knowledge. As you asked for feedback, I can speculate that KZbin 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.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

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.

[@SimplifyingIT]

Im as green as the colour in your profile picture but soaking up as much information as i can. Your videos are beautifully presented with stunning footage. Thank you for all this incredible information and training. Im subscribed 😊

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for your support. I have lots of videos which i hope help in the future.