Star Trail - 1st Attempt

My get pushed challenge this week from Mike Gifford was to create a star trail. When we got home last night the moon was almost set and was being obscured by fog, so I set up the tripod and took these 12 photos between 12:44 - 1:18 am at f5.6, ISO 100, exposure time ~180 secs, 48 mm

[Harry J Benson]

@mikegifford thanks for the push, I will be attempting this again during the new moon

[Kerri]

Cool shot

[Harry J Benson]

Thank you Kerri, I am hoping next time I can improve on it.

[Paula]

I can see the trails.

[Netkonnexion]

Cool... certainly getting there. Great.

[Harry J Benson]

@phillyphotos Thank you Paula, I am going to need a wide angle lens and put them together a little bit better :)
@netkonnexion Thank you Damon, it is a learning experience

[Marilyn Wigen]

Very cool, Harry... especially for a first attempt! I want to try those sometime, but it will definitely have to be in nice weather!

[Harry J Benson]

@marilyn Thank you Marilyn, things that I think will help improve this are: clear skies, no moon, and low humidity + hot tea with honey :)

[bkb in the city]

Very cool

[Beth]

Amazing that they come out so sharp and clear.

[Cindy Rez]

cool shot!

[Dione Giorgio]

Very interesting!

[Harry J Benson]

@bkbinthecity Thank you Brian, I will be trying it again
@vernabeth Thank you Beth, it was a good clear night overhead
@cindyrez Thank you Cindy, it is a new experience for me
@sangwann Thank you Dione, it was interesting to try

[scooter]

Very cool harry, nice job.

[Harry J Benson]

@scooter Thank you Scooter, a little cold, but pleased with first attempt :)

[Sharon]

I want to try this myself. Nice job, esp your first attempt!

[Harry J Benson]

@sharritta Thank you Sharon, I put the settings I used so others can adjust when they try.

[Ann Jones]

I've never tried this, you've put the idea in my head now. Nice job, Harry!

[Harry J Benson]

@rhos Thank you Ann, it is fun to try different techniques

[Kristin]

Cool trails - neat variety of colour!

[Harry J Benson]

@kph129 Thank you Kristin, I am not sure of why the variety, I will have to do research on that.

[Trina P Holub]

Wow, good for you! I have tried stars about 5 or 6 times and somehow I get nothing. This is great and I am impressed. :-)

[Harry J Benson]

@5unflow3r Thank you Trina, You can do it. I set up the tripod, put the camera on bulb in manual mode and manual focus (to infinity), using a remote button cable and ever three minutes went outside to stop and start another photo, then layered the 12 photos together in Photoshop (but any software will do)

[Michelle]

Good job, Harry.

[Harry J Benson]

@mstipe Thank you Michelle, I will be trying this again during a new moon if we have clear skies