Sparks Lake Sunset, Star Trails

This is a multi-photo opportunity with several things happening. We plan to photograph the sunset, star trails, and perhaps a meteor or two in one evening. Specific details to follow.

STAR TRAILS

The primary photography objective of this outing is to capture Star Trails. If you have wanted to learn how to take Star Trails photos, then this could be your night. Here's why. First, camera equipment does not have to be specialized or advanced since a series of long exposure images are taken to compile later into a star trails image. Second, since this outing is scheduled on a night with an 82% moon, it will provide good light for the foreground and mountains and make it easier to create memorable landscape astrophotography. If you want to learn or improve your success with these stunning images, this is an opportunity to develop those skills.

PERSEID METEOR SHOWER

While the bright moon becomes an advantage for capturing the landscape for the star trails image, it becomes a disadvantage for capture a brilliant display of the Perseid Meteor Shower. Even though this outing is scheduled on the night of the peak of the meteor shower activity, too much moonlight will diminish its impact this year. Any meteors we capture while we are taking photos for our star trails will be an extra bonus this night.

SPARKS LAKE SUNSET

We will start this night by photographing the sunset at picturesque Spark Lake. We will head to Sparks Lake and to the dramatic Ray Atkeson Point to shoot the sunset from where we will also capture our night sky images framed by South Sister and Broken Top.

Before going to Sparks Lake, we’ll meet at Starbucks on Century Drive (Safeway Parking lot) to coordinate carpooling. Time will be of the essence to get to Sparks and ready for the Sunset. After sunset finishes we will have at least an hour to answer questions, discuss Focusing at Night and other Night Photography and Star Trail topics.

TENTATIVE TIMEFRAME

06:30pm: Meet at Century Drive Starbucks Parking Lot (not the one in Safeway)

06:45pm: Leave for Sparks (if you are late just head up to Sparks Lake)

07:30pm: Arrive at Sparks and walk out to the Point (.5 mile on paved trail, but bring a headlamp/flashlight for the return walk in case you are alone)

08:15 pm: Sunset (+15 mins for continued color)

08:30 pm Star Trails Setup and Question and Answer period

09:54 pm Moonrise

10:00pm: LIGHTS OUT (except for rear facing red lights to look at controls)

10:08pm: Astronomical Twilight (Night Begins)

11:30pm: Finish and drive back to Bend (or stay longer if you wish and continue shooting)

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/f/1/1/600_450088433.jpeg

PHOTOGRAPHIC CONSIDERATIONS

On this trip with potentially more participants and less hosts, increased cooperation by all attending will be helpful to maximize the experience. For example, if you are an experienced night sky photographer, please consider helping your neighbor along the shore. If you are new to night photography, please be considerate with your neighbors regarding the use of your red light and the suggestions offered to to help you succeed.

1. Gear

• This type of photography REQUIRES the use of built-in OR external remote timer triggers (AKA intervalvometers). First, you should check if you have this feature on your camera. If not, external intervalvometers can be purchased for around $20 on Amazon. Just do a search for "Intervalometer Nikon D750" or whatever camera you have. Note: All intervalometers work essentially the same so there is no benefit in buying the very expensive Canon or Nikon branded units.
• You will also want a Wide Lens (24mm or smaller, sturdy tripod, fresh and extra camera batteries, and an empty memory card. Luckily, Star Trails photography does not require a super fast (low f/stop) lens. A super-wide f/4 or f/5 lens will work fine.
• A sturdy tripod is essential so that your camera does not move during the entire hour or so when your camera automatically takes pictures.

2. Finding Infinity

In order to achieve sharp focus on stars, the most accurate focus for infinity for a lens must be identified.

• On most DSLRs, the infinity mark on the lens barrel may not be the true infinity focus of your lens optics. You will need to find, identify, and then preserve the true infinity setting on your lens for the sharpest star images. It's easiest to find infinity in the daytime using your autofocus then turn off your autofocus and preserve the exact focus setting for infinity by taping your lens, using rubber bands, or photographing the lens barrel and reset the lens to that mark prior to night shooting.

• On lenses without infinity marks, in manual mode zoom in to a star using Live View, and adjust the focus of your lens manually until it looks very sharp. Keep the camera in manual. Physically secure the focus setting by using rubber bands or blue tape on the lens barrel (optional).

3. Red Light District Etiquette.

Red or green lights are used for night photography as they interfere less with eyes sensitivity to darkness. Eyes mostly adjust in five minutes but take 45 minutes to be fully sensitive.

However, improper use of red lamps greatly impair image quality. Thus, a few guidelines.

1. If you have brightness settings on your light, turn the red light to the dimmest setting.

2. Always point your red light towards you and not the scene. Don’t wear your headlamp when using it to view your camera or intervalometer settings. . Hold it in your hand over the lens barrel facing you and your camera/intervalometer.

3. If you finish photographing before others, point your red light away from the scene to gather your belongings and to leave the shooting vicinity before using white lights again.

4. These basic practices will help photographers to transition from being inexperienced to experienced night sky photographers.

4. Star Trails Shooting Techniques

For Milky Way photographers, because of the rotation of the stars in the sky, the length of exposures are limited to have crisp, sharp stars and to prevent elongation of the stars. With Star Trails photography, we will be photographing for a longer time to capture that rotation of the night sky where the elongation of stars is part of the process.

In order for a series of consecutive photos to display Star Trails (stars rotating of the stars around the North Star Polaris), you should capture the night sky for at least 15 minutes. This outing is scheduled so we can photograph the sky for 60 minutes so the star trail arcs are longer. (Members who choose to stay longer can arrange their transportation ahead of time).

How to capture the star trails varies. The rotation of stars/star trails can be captured either in a single photo OR a series of photos. However, since we will also be hoping to capture a meteor streaking across the night sky, we strongly recommend that you capture a series of photos so you can later find the image (s) showing the meteors.

In regards to camera exposure settings, many photographers opt to take 30 second exposures. By using a long shutter speed, the aperture does not have to be set at its widest opening (e.g., f/2.8). If you close the aperture to f/4 or f/5.6, that will increase the depth of field and tend to enhance the landscape component in your image. Lastly, by using a long shutter speed, the ISO can be lower than used with Milky Way photography. You can try ISO 1600 and increase it if necessary to see the stars well with the landscape. Finally, set the intervalometer for a series of images you anticipate taking. The intervalometer could be set up to run with or without a second or two second pause between captures.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/f/2/8/600_450088456.jpeg

5. Star Trails Post-Processing Techniques

The compilation of the series of images captured and their editing are rather straightforward with a few choices. Over the years, we have recommended using the free program StarStax.

In the past former member Tim Schallberger tutored me and many other photographers in the group on night sky photography. He made a Star Trails pdf tutorial which I can send you if you provide me your email address. Meetup does not provide organizers with your email addresses.

If you want this extensive tutorial on photographing and editing star trails photos, send me your email address via Meetup Messenger:

https://www.meetup.com/messages/

THINGS TO BRING

Since we'll be photographing from the lake shore at 5400 feet elevation, please bring:

• A lens cloth to remove any dew on the lens
• A head lamp with a red light only or green light only setting.
• A flashlight for the short walk to the lake
• A sturdy tripod
• Fresh and extra camera batteries,
• An empty memory card,
• An intervalometer (very useful to fine tune the length of your exposure but not required).
• "Little Hottie" Hand warmers: use 1 package to keep dew and frost from accumulating on our lenses (optional).
• Warm clothes.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Night photography has inherent risks as low light conditions increase the possibility of encountering unseen obstacles and hazards. Personal safety has to be the constant focus as locations with unmarked level changes, abrupt drop-offs, and cliffs without warning signs or protective handrails can be fatal. Always SAFETY: before, during, and after shooting.

We will probably set up our cameras and tripods off the trail and on uneven, abrasive lava rock next to Sparks Lake. There are many tripping hazards requiring caution. Because of this, good solid footwear (no open toed shoes) would be best.

Also, although it looks to be very hot on August 12th, plan to bring clothing warm enough for a few hours after sunset.

Lastly, a daily pass on-site, or an annual Northwest Forest Pass is needed at this location. A variety of Interagency Passes are also accepted.

PLAN B

The weather forecast looks favorable. If it changes, we will reschedule for another date (sans meteors).