Daily Photo Inspiration (June 26, 2024)
Astrophotography by Toan Thai
I was perusing photos on a Facebook group when I came across a photograph that caught my attention. It was Taken by Toan Thai from California. I simply reached out to Toan and got permission to share that with you today.
So, this is the image that caught my eye:
A few details that Toan provided in his post:
The photograph was taken in Joshua Tree, California of the Milky Way, and was created using tracking, then stacking and blending the exposures.
He even provided some of the specific Exif details:
Canon 6D (astro modified)
Sigma 28 art f/1.4
Star Adventurer Mini
Sky: 3 panels. 50s x 3, f/4 @ 3200iso
Foreground: 3 panels. 50s x 3, f/4 @ 3200iso
For me, this is amazingly interesting. I love the resulting image. I also don’t know a lot about astrophotography. Such images have caught my attention before but I wasn’t in a position to experiment with it, living in Seoul, light where the light pollution is horrid. I only returned to Canada last year. Since returning, I’ve gone out and tried a couple of times to take photographs of the stars. But came out with nothing spectacular. I always figured that at some point I’ll learn a bit more about how to do this type of work, but I still haven’t done so just yet. Now it seems like the time to give it a shot!
Just checking out more of Toan’s work on his Instagram (toan.thai.astro), I discovered that Toan began his journey with Astrophotography at the beginning of 2022! He’s certainly doing amazing in such a short time!
There are a few things that I just learned since discovering and exploring this work. Toan mentioned using a Star Adventurer Mini, it’s a bit expensive, but basically, it seems to move and adjust to the movement of orbit to keep the stars from trailing in the images. This allows you to use longer exposures without those effects. If you have tried to take photographs of stars before, you’ll know that the startrails happen quite quickly. So, this will be on my gear list when I can do so.
Additionally, I discovered that special light pollution filters can be purchased to enhance the images while reducing the negative effects of artificial light, which I’m curious about!
I’m quite excited to give this type of photography a shot! Toan has inspired me!
This is a second image of Toan’s that I enjoyed from his Instagram:
He detailed the adventure to capture this image.
Canon 6D (full spectrum)
IR cut clip-in filter
Rokinon 135mm
Star Adventurer 2i
Siril/ Photoshop
Sky: 50s x 230, f/4, 2000iso
Idaz-NBZ: 120s x 28, f/4, 6400iso
Ground: 60s x 11, f/4, 3200iso (focus stacking during moonset)
It seems like quite the procedure to create just one final image, but certainly well worth it considering the amazing result!
Check out more of Toan Thai’s work on his Instagram.
Have you tried astrophotography to any degree?
If so, please share some of your results. You can reply to this newsletter and send me the images directly, or send me a link to your website or social media where you have posted them!
I’m looking forward to seeing them!
*You may always reach out to me at any time, reply to this newsletter, or leave a comment on my substack. Feel free to share your views, photographs, questions, or other insights you have. I look forward to chatting with you.*