Seasons End over Malmsbury Viaduct
I have been waiting to capture this image for a year! I envisaged this mid 2020 but have been in Covid Lockdown off and on (mainly "on") ever since. Finally the state was released from lockdown in mid October 2021 and I had this one chance in early November before the Milky Way sets until next year. In Australia, the Milky Way is only horizontal in the west during September and October which is the alignment I needed for this image. So if I missed this chance, that was it for at least 10 months. A few nights earlier than I expected the forecast was good, the MW was in the perfect position, a friend was available to help (thanks Brett!), so it was on.
However this is not an easy shoot. I wanted to light both the face of the bridge and under each arch. Problem being there is a creek and water channel running under the bridge that cannot be crossed. The only way over was a 2 minute drive and 10 minute walk. Thankfully it turned out not be necessary as the lights under the first 2 arches was enough to light the remaining arches on the other side.
Foreground is a blend of 4 images with a combination of 3 LED lights on stands and a bit of torch work. A single sky image was added to the foreground blend. The sky image is from that exact scene at that time, ie it is NOT an replacement sky.
The bright light in the centre of the Milky Way is Venus and it is not enhanced or modified in any way. It really was that bright on the night.
Built in 1862, the Malmsbury Viaduct is Victoria's largest and Australia's longest blue stone railway bridge. It supports 2 tracks which are still in use today by Vic Rail for hourly services to northern Victoria.
This is my first astro image I have been able to take in over 3 months and it was magnificent to get out again.
Seasons End over Malmsbury Viaduct
I have been waiting to capture this image for a year! I envisaged this mid 2020 but have been in Covid Lockdown off and on (mainly "on") ever since. Finally the state was released from lockdown in mid October 2021 and I had this one chance in early November before the Milky Way sets until next year. In Australia, the Milky Way is only horizontal in the west during September and October which is the alignment I needed for this image. So if I missed this chance, that was it for at least 10 months. A few nights earlier than I expected the forecast was good, the MW was in the perfect position, a friend was available to help (thanks Brett!), so it was on.
However this is not an easy shoot. I wanted to light both the face of the bridge and under each arch. Problem being there is a creek and water channel running under the bridge that cannot be crossed. The only way over was a 2 minute drive and 10 minute walk. Thankfully it turned out not be necessary as the lights under the first 2 arches was enough to light the remaining arches on the other side.
Foreground is a blend of 4 images with a combination of 3 LED lights on stands and a bit of torch work. A single sky image was added to the foreground blend. The sky image is from that exact scene at that time, ie it is NOT an replacement sky.
The bright light in the centre of the Milky Way is Venus and it is not enhanced or modified in any way. It really was that bright on the night.
Built in 1862, the Malmsbury Viaduct is Victoria's largest and Australia's longest blue stone railway bridge. It supports 2 tracks which are still in use today by Vic Rail for hourly services to northern Victoria.
This is my first astro image I have been able to take in over 3 months and it was magnificent to get out again.