Todd and I spent a couple of hours in a dark car, with freezing temperatures and creepy sounds to capture the following picture. Was it worth it?
Halls Creek at night.
Click on the photo for a bigger view.
Nikon D5200: 30 minute shutter: F/3.5: ISO 100
sethsnap 
Totally worth it. What are those streaks, may I ask? An ice storm? Or something…paranormal? *shudders*
It’s the stars. The shutter captures the slow moment of the stars and so when it is open for 30 minutes, it shows a trail.
That’s so neat. It came out beautifully. It definitely has an eerie feel to it too.
Yes
Thx.
Definitely worth it!!! Stunning photo! I love the capture of the movement of the stars, well done!!
Thanks Janaline.
Yes!
Thanks David.
I just hope you had a nice time keeping warm as you could while you waited, 😉
Worth it! It’s beautiful.
Thanks Ellen.
Yes,it was worth it.
Thanks so much.
Starlight, starbright, I am sorry you were scared that night
I am sorry you were cold but you were so bold
and brave
and you gave
us beauty and pleasure
in such a good measure
Thank you, it is amazing to see the stars like that.
For you both…I take off my hat 🙂
Love it. Thanks for the prose. 🙂
Worth the 30 mins wait 🙂
🙂
Nice shot….I haven’t set aside some time to try this yet.
Rob, You should try it but if you are impatient like me it is quite torturous.
Yes, totally!!!
Thank you. 🙂
Hell, yes!
Thanks. 🙂
Yes that is beautiful!!!! Burr-tastic!! Hugz Lisa and Bear
Thanks Lisa… and Bear.
absolutely 🙂
Thanks. 🙂
Beautiful.
Thanks Gallivanta.
Yup!!!! Some things are only captured by waiting!!
Thanks!
Star trails! I’ve seen the photos of others and they are always breathtaking (as is your image). I’ve read about the technique, but never tried it myself. Perhaps I will, when the weather is a bit warmer.
Mike- There are two ways you can do it. One is to take a bunch of photos over a long period of time and then merge them together using Photoshop or other similar programs. The other is to leave your shutter open for an extended period of time. The longer its open, then longer the trail. My camera only allows a 30 minute shutter. Some of the fantastic photos online are of 130 or 180 minutes. I’d have to get a more expensive camera to do that. My camera takes equal amount of time to process the photo. So this picture took 30 minutes to capture and 30 minutes to process. And if something is not right then you’ve waisted an hour. 🙂 I would prefer a warmer night too but in the summer the foliage would block most of the sky.
This is the movement of stars? Or the movement of the earth, right? That is too cool! Totally worth it.
Movement of the earth I think. Good question. Not sure which is moving but I’m guessing it’s us.
Yep…definitely worth it…hey could you stay out in the car for few hours and see if you capture a pic of bigfoot…..snap! hey what’s that sound behind you!
Philip- Funny, we were talking about bigfoot. What we would do if bigfoot came running by. Mainly, would I leave my camera and high tail it on out of there or try to grab it. 🙂
Do you want to be able to answer that question is the question..:)
Well done! Spectacular! Thanks so much for sharing….Have an awesome week! Barbara xxxxx
Barbara—Thanks!
Fantastic picture!!
Thanks so much.
Great time exposure–shows that everything is in constant motion.
Indeed. I was amazed at how much things moved in 30 minutes.
Beautiful, beautiful work Seth!
Thank you. Hope all is well.
Thanks it is! And on your side?
Great picture. Definitely worth it.
Thanks Jon.
Hell to the yeah, it was worth it. Also? Don’t you kid me! The cuddles, alone, made this a magical memory! ;oP
Ha. 🙂
Wow that’s unlike any others I’ve seen! Very unique and beautiful! So YES! 😀
Thanks Laura.
you’re welcome 😀
I always enjoy looking at your photos. I don’t always comment, but I had to stop by and say great pic and definitely well worth the wait. By George, you do have patience.
Thanks so much. 🙂
Great shot! Unfortunately my wife won’t let me out at night. She says an old guy out with a camera at night is just wrong!
Ah, you’ve got to break out! 😉
Gorgeous1 Love your work, Seth!
Thanks Bob.
For me it was worth it. Absolutely terrific photo!
Thanks. 🙂
Hope you guys didn’t sustain any frostbite.
Totally.
Thank you.
Creepy sounds … I thought you and Todd were at a haunted site instead of photographing star trails. 🙂
It was a bit creepy. 🙂
Moving in silence ~ Love it.
Thank-you, Tara
Thanks Tara.
Actually kind of cool!
Thanks.
Worth it. I did the same thing to capture sparklers once. It makes for a great photo.
Thanks Olivia.
Absolutely!
Thank you.
stunning!
Thanks.
need we say more? its damn worth it! 🙂
Thanks. 🙂
Amazing Seth!!! 😀 Looks like it was probably worth it!
Thank you Keli.
Absolutely worth it!
Thanks.
Did you have any issues with your battery and the cold? Last time I tried a long exposure like that in winter, I had trouble keeping my battery charged.
I have two batteries and was worried but no. It was 1 hour worth for each picture. Only tried 2 pictures.
Striking image. Beautifully captured.
Thanks!
absoluttely. it is beautiful.
Todd must be a patient guy! 🙂
He is indeed. 🙂
Love it. Definitely worth it. Was it a completely windless night? The trees are so sharp!
Bandar bola terpercaya love your Absolutely terrific photo!