Photographing Star Trails explained

Your Complete Guide For Photographing Star Trails

By Trevor Williams

Ever seen those pictures where the stars streak across the sky in a big arc? Or maybe the whole sky looked like it was spinning?

What you saw was star trails. The streaks were light left behind on the sensor or film from the star as it traveled across the sky in front of an open camera shutter. In fact, it only seems that way. What actually being recorded are stationary stars and the rotation of the earth that makes them spin. Kinda like you were standing on a vinyl record while it is playing. (yes, vinyl record, it is a form of ancient iPod).

For me, the images seem to have a certain magic or mystery about them. You must have heard a photographer talking about capturing that perfect moment in time. Well for capturing star trails you will need to capture the perfect hour or two in time. For such amazing looking images the technique to capture them is really quite simple. Keep reading for a complete set of instructions from start to finish.

For complete article click here

twiching: Stunning Inspirational Silhouette Photos

twiching.com : Stunning Inspirational Silhouette Photos.

Stunning Silhouette Photos for Inspiration

In the area of photography, a silhouette is defined as an outline that appears dark against a light background. More specifically, it is where your subject appears as a plain black shape against a brighter background. It is an artistic photography expression that many photographers like to refine and perfect in their images.

This effect can be achieved with any bright light source with the sun being the most common. In a sunset silhouette photo, the sunlight in the background is exposed correctly forcing everything else in the photo to be underexposed causing the effect.

Usually the best silhouette photographs can be taken when there is a lighting ratio of 16:1. When taking the photo, exposure is set for the background, the aperture is usually set at 9-11 and shutter speed is set at around 120-200.

What we have listed here are some of the best silhouette photographs. There is something to learn in each one of them. If you observe what others have done to take these stunning photographs.

Here are a few of them to inspire you.

A little too early for you, kid by Tanakawh

See more photos