Star Trails and Light Painting at Fred Lossing Observatory

CHANGE OF DATE:

According to the weather network, Thursday September 5th is going to be crystal clear skies.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ ALL THE DETAILS BELOW

The address of 2854 is approximate and slightly off if you google map this place. It doesn't have a solid address. Use this link to google maps HERE (https://www.google.ca/search?q=45.24411%2C-76.258552&aq=f&oq=45.24411%2C-76.258552&aqs=chrome.0.57j62j60.873j0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) It is very easy to drive by. Here's a day time view of the entrance.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/a/5/8/event_238699032.jpeg

This meetup depends on the new moon, no city light pollution and little to no clouds. The photo below is from our last meetup at this location. (taken by Paul Lam) (Link to last meetup HERE (https://www.meetup.com/The-Ottawa-Photography-Meetup-Group/photos/10771122/160033482/)) You do NOT need a telephoto lens or telescope. Your 70-200mm lens will not bring stars that are 200 million lightyears away noticeably closer.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/c/1/0/event_236899472.jpeg

Star Trails + Light Painting Example (source (http://500px.com/photo/14697315))

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/7/e/a/event_236906602.jpeg

About the last experience at Fred Lossing:

It is DARK!!!! Almost no light pollution Bring dim pocket flashlights for navigation / camera operation It's a massive field with short grass that will take your breath away on a clear night where the Milky Way Galaxy can be seen with the naked eye For those wanting to light paint, there are areas on site far enough away to not pollute the star trail people PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE arrive on time! The idea is we will start shooting at 9:30 pm. People arriving late will have their vehicle headlights ruin everyone's photos even though the field is hundreds of feet away. Imagine being 30 minutes into a 45 minute long exposure and someone causes your image to go pure white because they couldn't make it on time.
Beginners to advanced welcomed! I will be able to provide basic help to those wanting it and I'm sure just like last time, there will be some very experienced folks to also provide assistance. There is tons of opportunity at this slow paced meetup to talk shop or just relax and enjoy the galaxy. It will take your breath away.

Need to have:

Camera capable of long shutter speeds. Some photographers take multiple 30 second exposures and combine them after to prevent hot pixels and noise. Remote shutter release or timed shutter. Tripod Nice To Have (in no particular order)

Bright lenses ( F/1.4 - 4) Camera with timer capabilities, mirror up options, and exposure delay Telescope / DSLR combo for deep space astronomy shots (not for star trails) A LAWN CHAIR! (man I wish I brought this the last time) Some of the exposure times were over 20 minutes and the grass was cold Snacks and refreshments Camera and/or UFO abduction stories to share during those long exposures lol Flashlights if you're painting.

Pre-Meeting Discussion In Parking Lot

At 9pm sharp, we will meet in the parking lot. Please don't goto the field right away. We will separate the light painters from the star trail folks and decide on locations. This doesn't mean that you can't mix it up later... it's just that the last meetup, we had people waving flashlights around ruining exposures who didn't understand the effect it had

Supplemental Info

I'm new at this myself and likely missing information above. It would be helpful to google this subject and add your comments / suggestions.

Meeting Location: http://www.millofkintail.com/directions.htm

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/5/f/4/event_238693812.jpeg

Google Maps:

Note when you zoom in, there's a little "Mill of Kintail" tree HERE (https://www.google.ca/search?q=45.24411%2C-76.258552&aq=f&oq=45.24411%2C-76.258552&aqs=chrome.0.57j62j60.873j0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8)

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/3/a/0/event_238697312.jpeg

Fred P. Lossing Observatory Info: http://www.mvc.on.ca/conservation-areas/mill-of-kintail (map in the bottom of the page)
Observatory Clear Sky Chart: http://cleardarksky.com/c/FLOkey.html

Tech link 1: http://www.jamesvernacotola.com/Resources/How-To-Photograph-Star-Trails/12233655_V7cX4D

Tech link 2: http://www.lightstalking.com/how-to-photograph-star-trails