Astro

This supremely sharp close-up of the moon was created by stitching a whopping 250 photos together in specialist stacking software AutoStakkert!. A Nikon D7100 was attached to an Orion telescope and 300 images were shot. The best images were then selected for stacking and the final image was processed in Adobe Photoshop.

This image of the Milky Way is bursting with interest. The viewer’s eye traces the curvature of the galaxy and settles on the brightly lit lodge. To the left is a small figure, which amplifies the already immense sense of scale. The sprawling angle of view was achieved by stitching together a panorama in Adobe CC. The image frames the distinctive peaks of Tre Cime di Lavaredo in northeastern Italy’s Dolomites mountain range.

No astro shortlist would be complete without a star trail, and this one is particularly attractive. This was taken at Il-Blata tal-Melh in Malta and is the product of three hours worth of exposures. But it’s within the edit where this image undoubtedly shines. The rich collection of warm and cool tones draw the viewer’s attention, and the beautifully rendered star trails boast a truly hypnotic quality.

The key to a good astro image is finding an interesting subject for the foreground. Vita Nova is a grounded wreck that resides in the town of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. We particularly like how light falls upon the ship’s embossed name, and how the composition is weighted towards the starry sky, producing plenty of negative space.

We couldn’t help but mention this charming image. Star trails take time and patience to execute effectively, and it can be very easy to forget about the foreground. The laser sword-wielding figures are a fun addition to this photo, and complement the cosmic theme. Thanks for making the N-Photo team smile!