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The Big Bang Theory
1st PlaceThe Big Bang Theory
Dennisheckman


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Night Sky II (Basic Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X
Lens: Carl Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon T for Canon EF mount
Location: Twin Lakes Colorado
Date: Jun 7, 2013
Aperture: f/2.0
ISO: 5000
Shutter: 13
Date Uploaded: Jun 9, 2013

 Timing for this challenge was perfect for me. We made our plans about 6 months ago to take our first RV trip of the season last weekend to Twin Lakes Colorado. It's 25 miles south of Leadville and 20 miles north of Buena Vista Colorado. I got very lucky there was no moon and the sky was clear and very dark. It was windy all weekend but would calm down at night. This was taken about 10PM mountain standard time. This type of photography is why I bought the Canon 1DX. It excels at high ISO shots like this. I set this at 5000 ISO and a 13 sec shutter. I used a remote release and mirror lockup. I also used the noise reduction in-camera. Not sure if that was a good idea but it did not seem to diminish the quality.

Processing was not complicated, too much. Made some adjustments in LR4, then went to PSCS5 and finished it there. All global adjustments since this is a basic editing challenge. I used several curves layers to get the tones the way I wanted. Since no selections are allowed, it took a few curves layers to do the job. Each one with very minor adjustments to "tweek" each tone the way I wanted. But, I will process in advanced editing too, because I want to print this one. Although now, I am not sure I need to do anything more to enhance anything. I really like the way it has turned out.

One thing that has me scratching my head, where in the world did the green tones come from?? I have other shots from that night that also show green streaks across the entire sky. I wonder if this is the Aurora Borealis this far south? I should also state that the orange glow on the horizon is not the sun. This image is taken at roughly SSE at 10PM, so I think it is a small nearby town. Since it was so dark, the image sensor picks up any stray light.

Only 18 entries on the final day. I don't think I have ever seen a challenge with so few entries. It seems the timing of this challenge was off for lots of folks around the globe. I feel VERY fortunate to have had an opportunity not just for this challenge, but to capture this scene at all.

[Jun. 18th, 2013 11:42:25 PM]

This was a very exciting week watching the score of this entry. All the votes and great comments are very much appreciated!

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 25
Avg (all users): 7.7970
Avg (commenters): 8.8333
Avg (participants): 6.8125
Avg (non-participants): 7.9316
Views since voting: 3441
Views during voting: 415
Votes: 133
Comments: 38
Favorites: 5 (view)

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AuthorThread
 11/05/2014 01:25:54 PM
this is not the aurora, but rather air glow, an unrelated phenomenon.

//www.universetoday.com/112237/how-to-see-airglow-the-green-sheen-of-night/
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/24/2013 06:18:29 PM
Well done. I like how your photographic choices have optimised the scene; that,s what it's all about. Great stuff.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/20/2013 08:41:27 PM
Breathtaking shot! Really impressive! Congrats on the ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/20/2013 03:16:49 PM
Ohmy! Certainly award winning photography right there. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 12:01:38 PM
Gorgeous, Dennis. Congrats on the blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 11:33:31 AM
Congrats on the ribbon,a fine image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 10:58:37 AM
congrats - a beautiful image
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 10:17:30 AM
Thanks phylvince for the information. I assumed that was the case, but did not take time to research it. Could not see it with my eyes while shooting the scene and only discovered it once I uploaded the images. Very interesting.
 06/19/2013 09:18:57 AM
As you can see on this link, June 7 was a pretty ACTIVE day for the Aurora. Go to the Aurora Forecast/Geophysical Institute and use the back button (or previous button) to go back to June 7 2013.

I am not surprised that the camera was able to detect it this far south Great shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 06:22:20 AM
Beyond admiring this beautiful picture, I'm admiring you for sharing so much information. Why other photographers don't do so is a mystery to me. Why is it so difficult to at least identify the location of a scene (or the name of a building)?

You, however, took us on your journey and truly shared your experience. For that alone, I would have given you the Blue! Congratulations for a truly winning photograph.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 06:22:20 AM
Beyond admiring this beautiful picture, I'm admiring you for sharing so much information. Why other photographers don't do so is a mystery to me. Why is it so difficult to at least identify the location of a scene (or the name of a building)?

You, however, took us on your journey and truly shared your experience. For that alone, I would have given you the Blue! Congratulations for a truly winning photograph.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 05:11:15 AM
Excellent shot. Congrats Dennis.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 03:57:52 AM
So glad to be on the podium for your PB party! Where are the beers? :p

Congrats on the WD blue - it was clearly the winner :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 02:26:35 AM
And blew right out of the water into a blue, you did! Congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 01:44:50 AM
Superb!! Congratulations on a much deserved blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 01:32:04 AM
Congratulations on the blue. Fantastic image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 12:59:41 AM
Ohhh.. Camera envy. Grand shot, just grand.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 12:39:03 AM
go longshots
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 12:37:28 AM
Wow! Great score for an awesome shot!! Congrats Dennis! So there is not one, not two, but three Long Shots in the top ten!! :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2013 12:08:25 AM
Always the winner, well done Dennis!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
06/18/2013 10:52:55 PM
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, I can imagine how beautiful it looked, a bit like this, it's quite stunning, and no need to say you will win! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/18/2013 10:24:06 PM
Ummm... Wow... Nuff said! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/18/2013 04:58:37 AM
Winner, winner, chicken dinner! This is ridiculously awesome. Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/17/2013 10:55:33 PM
My favorite shot in this challenge. I love the colors and being able to see the stars. Absolutely marvelous.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/17/2013 01:45:48 PM
Love the colours.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2013 11:46:39 PM
this is a stunning photograph. This is a winner! Good Luck
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/16/2013 02:31:37 AM
Top image 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/15/2013 09:27:01 PM
The sky is spectacular. The winner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/14/2013 07:33:06 AM
Super colours you got here and many stars! Great
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/13/2013 12:22:50 PM
Lovely colours, well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/13/2013 07:25:00 AM
Dreamlike colours - very nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/13/2013 07:19:57 AM
You nailed it, great job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/13/2013 03:28:18 AM
Fabulous shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/12/2013 04:23:30 PM
One of my top 5
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/12/2013 08:45:57 AM
And we have a winner. I knew there would be one or two photos that would blow the rest out of the water.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/12/2013 04:36:05 AM
Pretty colors, peaceful mood.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/12/2013 04:02:19 AM
A great range of colour throughout the image. It creates a really dramatic effect.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/12/2013 02:07:29 AM
Amazing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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