Sky at Night

Waxing Crescent 27% 15th June 2021

Waxing crescent (27%) moon captured at home on 15th June 2021. Olympus EM1 mk3 100-400mm f6.3, 1/125, ISo250

Parrial solar eclipse

Captured at home on 1oth June. Weather conditions not good with a few breaks in cloud allowing a few snaps. This is a composite of best I could get - start approx 10am through till 11.30am

Eriba stars Somerset

Captured in Somerset whilst staying at Clevedon Tobella Farm CC CL site on evening 1st & 2nd June 2021. Camera: Olympus OM-D EM-1 mk3 Lens: 7-14mm This star trail was captured by using the Olympus in-camera function called Live Composite (Setting B on top dial). I chose 15s exposures and set the camera shoot for a period of 4 hours, which is the maximum time I could push with the shorter summer nights. The final image you see is a 4hrs composite captured in camera or 4hrs x 15s in a single image. BEHIND THE LENS Camera:- Olympus OM-D EM-1 mk3 Lens: Olympus 7-14mm Tripod - Mounted on site at Clevedon Tobella Farm CL site 15s exposure time using Live Composite mode in camera. F4 ISO 400 I mounted the camera on a tripod next to where our Eriba cravan was pitched. I set up the composition using a 7mm focal length composing the camera with the Eriba caravan in frame. Using the Live Composite mode on the Olympus camera the star trail is all generated in-camera, a very cool feature which reduces post processing. The resulting shot reveals 4 hrs of Earth spinning above ET (our Eriba caravan).

50% Half Moon

Exactly 50% half moon captured at home on 19th May 2021. Early evening, 2106hrs. Olympus EM1 mk3 100-400mm + x2TC Tripod with Skywatcher Star Adventurer tracking mount. f13, 1/125, ISo320

Crescent moon 9% 14th May 2021

9% crescent moon captured on 14th May 2021. Single shot, no telescope nor stack. This shot was captured earlier on in evening at 2131hrs. Gear:- Star Adventurer Sky Watcher tracking mount. This is essential when shooting long exposures of a moving object, especially with high focal length/good zoom lens. It essentially rotates at the same speed as the moon ensuring a sharper image. Olympus EM1, (mk3), 100-400mm lens Settings - f6.3, 1/30s, ISO 400

Earthshine crescent 9%

9% crescent moon captured on 14th May 2021. Single shot, no telescope nor stack. This shot was captured earlier on in evening at 2132hrs. It was a challenging shot capturing Earthshine in the twilight and 0.3s was the slowest shutter speed I could use before blowing out the exposure. Gear:- Star Adventurer Sky Watcher tracking mount. This is essential when shooting long exposures of a moving object, especially with high focal length/good zoom lens. It essentially rotates at the same speed as the moon ensuring a sharper image. Olympus EM1, (mk3), 100-400mm lens Settings - f6.3, 0.3s, ISO 400

Eriba stars

Captured in Cornwall whilst staying at St Agnes Beacon CC site on evening 6th & 7th May 2021. A wonderfully clear sky (only one in the week stay). Camera: Olympus OM-D EM-1 mk3 Lens: 7-14mm This star trail was captured by using the Olympus in-camera function called Live Composite (Setting B on top dial). I chose 15s exposures and set the camera shoot for a period of 6 hours, which is the maximum time setting on the in-camera live composite mode. The final image you see is a 6hrs composite captured in camera or 6hrs x 15s in a single image. BEHIND THE LENS Camera:- Olympus OM-D EM-1 mk3 Lens: Olympus 7-14mm Tripod - Mounted on site at St Agnes Beacon CC site 15s exposure time using Live Composite mode in camera. F4 ISO 500 I mounted the camera on a tripod next to where our Eriba cravan was pitched. I set up the composition using a 7mm focal length composing the camera with the Eriba caravan in frame. The light within the caravan (and pop up) adds a nice lit touch. Using the Live Composite mode on the Olympus camera the star trail is all generated in-camera, a very cool feature which reduces post processing. The resulting shot reveals 6 hrs of Earth spinning above ET (our Eriba caravan).

Cloudy stars

Captured at home on evening 28th & 29th April 2021. Cloud forecast was marginal and affected final exposure although sometimes adds something different to the more usual clean image. Camera: Olympus OM-D EM-1 mk3 Lens: 7-14mm This star trail was captured by using the Olympus in-camera function called Live Composite (Setting B on top dial). I chose 15s exposures and set the camera shoot for a period of 6 hours, which is the maximum time setting on the in-camera live composite mode. The final image you see is a 6hrs composite captured in camera or 6hrs x 15s in a single image. Still a few meteors around (Lyrids?). BEHIND THE LENS Camera:- Olympus OM-D EM-1 mk3 Lens: Olympus 7-14mm Tripod - Mounted in garden 15s exposure time using Live Composite mode in camera. F4 ISO 500 I mounted the camera on a tripod in the garden and set up the composition using a 7mm focal length composing the camera with horse chestnut tree in frame. I added a few touches of light in front and behind the tree by shining the torch for a few seconds, which adds a nice lit touch. Using the Live Composite mode on the Olympus camera the star trail is all generated in-camera, a very cool feature which reduces post processing. The resulting shot reveals 6 hrs of Earth spinning above the conker tree.

April Supermoon

This amazing image captures every moon phase (from crescent to full) over a 2 week period in April. Amazing because I have never achieved this before due to cloud/weather. The first waxing crescent was captured on 14th April and the final full Supermoon (Pink moon) captured on 26th April. This is a colour version and the difference in tones/colour in each moon results from atmospheric conditions on the night (moisture, cloud, pollution). Gear: Olympus EM1 mk3 100-400mm lens x2 tele-converter (few of crescent shots) Star Adventurer Sky Watcher tracking mount Tripod with ball head & Move Shoot Move head Remote cable shutter release. All the individual images were put together in this final composite.

April Supermoon mono

This amazing image captures every moon phase (from crescent to full) over a 2 week period in April. Amazing because I have never achieved this before due to cloud/weather. The first waxing crescent was captured on 14th April and the final full Supermoon (Pink moon) captured on 26th April. This is the monochrome version. Gear: Olympus EM1 mk3 100-400mm lens x2 tele-converter (few of crescent shots) Star Adventurer Sky Watcher tracking mount Tripod with ball head & Move Shoot Move head Remote cable shutter release. All the individual images were put together in this final composite.

April Supermoon S

This amazing image captures every moon phase (from crescent to full) over a 2 week period in April. Amazing because I have never achieved this before due to cloud/weather. The first waxing crescent was captured on 14th April and the final full Supermoon (Pink moon) captured on 26th April. This is a colour version and the difference in tones/colour in each moon results from atmospheric conditions on the night (moisture, cloud, pollution). Gear: Olympus EM1 mk3 100-400mm lens x2 tele-converter (few of crescent shots) Star Adventurer Sky Watcher tracking mount Tripod with ball head & Move Shoot Move head Remote cable shutter release. All the individual images were put together in this final composite. This one in the shape of an 'S' as it was a Supermoon ;-)

Gibbous Moon Multiple Exposure

Waxing gibbous moon (98%) capturing it rising in night sky via multiple exposure on 25th April 2021. This is a five number multiple exposure with a 1.75 min interval between shots to achieve kiss effect. Here's how I captured this shot all in-camera using the Olympus OM-D, E-M1 mk3. Olympus OM-D, E-M1 mk3 100-400mm lens f6.3, 1/800s, ISO 200, spot metering Tripod. In camera menu2 select Multiple Exposure - Number of frames 2f - OK and then composing the crescent in top left of LCD screen I took first shot. Using a timer I waited 1.75 mins and then I took the 2nd photo. Once done the camera will process the multiple exposure (2 frames or 2 moons in one image). Thats the first part, now to get more moons in a single frame go back into menu2 select Multiple Exposure again - 2F and also Overlay to On. When you switch overlay on the LCD screen shows you existing images taken. Select the first image of 2 moons - OK. Keep the timer running and after another 1.75 mins take another image. This time the camera will overlay the double moon with the new image making 3 in total. (Repeat the same process for more multiple shots). Each image has to be manually captured and ensuring focus remains consistent is a challenge! A fun project, all done within camera.

Gibbous moon 98% 25th April 2021

Waxing gibbous moon 98% captured on 25th April 2021. Single shot, no telescope nor stack. Gear:- Star Adventurer Sky Watcher tracking mount. Olympus EM1, (mk3), 100-400mm lens Settings - f6.3, 1/500s, ISO 200

Early evening moon 98% 25th April 2021

Early evening blue sky waxing gibbous moon 98% captured on 25th April 2021. Single shot, no telescope nor stack. Gear:- Star Adventurer Sky Watcher tracking mount. Olympus EM1, (mk3), 100-400mm lens Settings - f6.3, 1/500s, ISO 250

Gibbous moon 93% 24th April 2021

Waxing gibbous moon (93%) capturing it rising in night sky via multiple exposure on 24th April 2021. This is a six number multiple exposure with a 1.5 min interval between shots to achieve kiss effect. Here's how I captured this shot all in-camera using the Olympus OM-D, E-M1 mk3. Olympus OM-D, E-M1 mk3 100-400mm lens f6.3, 1/800s, ISO 200, spot metering Tripod. In camera menu2 select Multiple Exposure - Number of frames 2f - OK and then composing the crescent in top left of LCD screen I took first shot. Using a timer I waited 1.5 mins and then I took the 2nd photo. Once done the camera will process the multiple exposure (2 frames or 2 moons in one image). Thats the first part, now to get more moons in a single frame go back into menu2 select Multiple Exposure again - 2F and also Overlay to On. When you switch overlay on the LCD screen shows you existing images taken. Select the first image of 2 moons - OK. Keep the timer running and after another 1.5 mins take another image. This time the camera will overlay the double moon with the new image making 3 in total. (Repeat the same process for more multiple shots). Each image has to be manually captured and ensuring focus remains consistent is a challenge! A fun project, all done within camera.

Gibbous moon 93% 24th April 2021

93% waxing gibbous moon captured on 24th April 2021. Single shot, no telescope nor stack. Gear:- Star Adventurer Sky Watcher tracking mount. Olympus EM1, (mk3), 100-400mm lens Settings - f6.3, 1/640s, ISO 200

Gibbous moon 86% 23rd April 2021

86% waxing gibbous moon captured on 23rd April 2021. Single shot, no telescope nor stack. Gear:- Star Adventurer Sky Watcher tracking mount. Olympus EM1, (mk3), 100-400mm lens Settings - f6.3, 1/500s, ISO 250

Gibbous moon rising

Waxing gibbous moon (86%) capturing it rising in night sky via multiple exposure on 23rd April 2021. This is a six number multiple exposure with a 1.5 min interval between shots to achieve kiss effect. Here's how I captured this shot all in-camera using the Olympus OM-D, E-M1 mk3. Olympus OM-D, E-M1 mk3 100-400mm lens f6.3, 1/640s, ISO 250, spot metering Tripod. In camera menu2 select Multiple Exposure - Number of frames 2f - OK and then composing the crescent in top left of LCD screen I took first shot. Using a timer I waited 1.5 mins and then I took the 2nd photo. Once done the camera will process the multiple exposure (2 frames or 2 moons in one image). Thats the first part, now to get more moons in a single frame go back into menu2 select Multiple Exposure again - 2F and also Overlay to On. When you switch overlay on the LCD screen shows you existing images taken. Select the first image of 2 moons - OK. Keep the timer running and after another 1.5 mins take another image. This time the camera will overlay the double moon with the new image making 3 in total. (Repeat the same process for more multiple shots). Each image has to be manually captured and ensuring focus remains consistent is a challenge! A fun project, all done within camera.

April star trail

Captured at home on evening 23rd & 24th April 2021. Lyrids meteor shower is peaking and I had 2 cameras shooting all night. Camera: Olympus OM-D EM-5 mk3 Lens: 7-14mm This is a 6 hour long exposure star trail. Using the Olympus OMD, EM5 in M mode, 7-14mm, set to 15s exposures, f4 over approx 1500 exposures. Star Trail put together post processing in software (Starstax). BEHIND THE LENS Camera:- Olympus OM-D EM-5 Lens: Olympus 7-14mm Mounting bracket fixed to fence. 15s exposure time. F4 ISO 500 I mounted the camera on a tripod in the garden and set up the composition using a 7mm focal length composing the camera with horse chestnut tree in frame, looking due East. I added a few touches of light in front and behind the tree by shining the torch for a few seconds, which adds a nice lit touch. The resulting shot reveals 6 hrs of Earth spinning above the conker tree with a few Lyrids.

Crescent moon 56% 20th April 2021

56% crescent moon captured on 20th April 2021. Single shot, no telescope nor stack. Gear:- Star Adventurer Sky Watcher tracking mount. Olympus EM1, (mk3), 100-400mm lens Settings - f6.3, 1/160s, ISO 320

Moon Kiss 22nd April 2021

Waxing gibbous moon (78%) capturing its setting via multiple exposure captured on 21st April 2021. This is a five number multiple exposure with a 1.5 min interval between shots to achieve kiss effect. Here's how I captured this shot all in-camera using the Olympus OM-D, E-M1 mk3. Olympus OM-D, E-M1 mk3 100-400mm lens f6.3, 1/640s, ISO 250, spot metering Tripod. In camera menu2 select Multiple Exposure - Number of frames 2f - OK and then composing the crescent in top left of LCD screen I took first shot. Using a timer I waited 1.5 mins and then I took the 2nd photo. Once done the camera will process the multiple exposure (2 frames or 2 moons in one image). Thats the first part, now to get more moons in a single frame go back into menu2 select Multiple Exposure again - 2F and also Overlay to On. When you switch overlay on the LCD screen shows you existing images taken. Select the first image of 2 moons - OK. Keep the timer running and after another 1.5 mins take another image. This time the camera will overlay the double moon with the new image making 3 in total. (Repeat the same process for more multiple shots). Each image has to be manually captured and ensuring focus remains consistent is a challenge! A fun project, all done within camera.

Gibbous moon 78% 22nd April 2021

78% waxing gibbous moon captured on 22nd April 2021. Single shot, no telescope nor stack. Gear:- Star Adventurer Sky Watcher tracking mount. Olympus EM1, (mk3), 100-400mm lens Settings - f6.3, 1/500s, ISO 250

Gibbous moon kiss

Waxing gibbous moon (67%) capturing its setting via multiple exposure captured on 21st April 2021. This is a five number multiple exposure with a 1.5 min interval between shots to achieve kiss effect. Here's how I captured this shot all in-camera using the Olympus OM-D, E-M1 mk3. Olympus OM-D, E-M1 mk3 100-400mm lens f6.3, 1/320s, ISO 200, spot metering Tripod. In camera menu2 select Multiple Exposure - Number of frames 2f - OK and then composing the crescent in top left of LCD screen I took first shot. Using a timer I waited 1.5 mins and then I took the 2nd photo. Once done the camera will process the multiple exposure (2 frames or 2 moons in one image). Thats the first part, now to get more moons in a single frame go back into menu2 select Multiple Exposure again - 2F and also Overlay to On. When you switch overlay on the LCD screen shows you existing images taken. Select the first image of 2 moons - OK. Keep the timer running and after another 1.5 mins take another image. This time the camera will overlay the double moon with the new image making 3 in total. (Repeat the same process for more multiple shots). Each image has to be manually captured and ensuring focus remains consistent is a challenge! A fun project, all done within camera.

Gibbous moon in a line

Waxing gibbous moon (67%) capturing its setting via multiple exposure captured on 21st April 2021. This is a five number multiple exposure with a 2 min interval between shots. Here's how I captured this shot all in-camera using the Olympus OM-D, E-M1 mk3. Olympus OM-D, E-M1 mk3 100-400mm lens f6.3, 1/400s, ISO 200, spot metering Tripod. In camera menu2 select Multiple Exposure - Number of frames 2f - OK and then composing the crescent in top left of LCD screen I took first shot. Using a timer I waited 2 mins and then I took the 2nd photo. Once done the camera will process the multiple exposure (2 frames or 2 moons in one image). Thats the first part, now to get more moons in a single frame go back into menu2 select Multiple Exposure again - 2F and also Overlay to On. When you switch overlay on the LCD screen shows you existing images taken. Select the first image of 2 moons - OK. Keep the timer running and after another 2 mins take another image. This time the camera will overlay the double moon with the new image making 3 in total. (Repeat the same process for more multiple shots). Each image has to be manually captured and ensuring focus remains consistent is a challenge! A fun project, all done within camera.

Gibbous moon 67% 21st April 2021

67% waxing gibbous moon captured on 21st April 2021. Single shot, no telescope nor stack. Gear:- Star Adventurer Sky Watcher tracking mount. Olympus EM1, (mk3), 100-400mm lens Settings - f6.3, 1/320s, ISO 200

Lyrids Meteor

Close up of meteor captured on 19th April 2021.

Stars & Lyrids watch

Captured at home on evening 21st & 22nd April 2021. Lyrids meteor shower is peaking and I had 2 cameras shooting all night. Camera: Olympus OM-D EM-5 mk3 Lens: 7-14mm This is a 7 hour long exposure star trail. Using the Olympus OMD, EM5 in M mode, 7-14mm, set to 15s exposures, f4 over 1500 exposures. Star Trail put together post processing in software (Starstax). The Lyrids meteor shower is peak and already showing in the night sky. A few nice meteors in this shot at top of image. BEHIND THE LENS Camera:- Olympus OM-D EM-5 Lens: Olympus 7-14mm Mounting bracket fixed to fence. 15s exposure time. F4 ISO 500 I mounted the camera on a tripod in the garden and set up the composition using a 7mm focal length composing the camera with horse chestnut tree in frame. I added a few touches of light in front and behind the tree by shining the torch for a few seconds, which adds a nice lit touch. The resulting shot reveals 7 hrs of Earth spinning above the conker tree with a few Lyrids.

Stars & Lyrids watch

Captured at home on evening 21st & 22nd April 2021. Lyrids meteor shower is peaking and I had 2 cameras shooting all night. Camera: Olympus OM-D EM-1 mk3 Lens: 12-40mm This star trail was captured by using the Olympus in-camera function called Live Composite (Setting B on top dial). I chose 15s exposures and set the camera shoot for a period of 6 hours, which is the maximum time setting on the in-camera live composite mode. The final image you see is a 6hrs composite captured in camera or 6hrs x 15s in a single image. The Lyrids meteor shower is peak and already showing in the night sky. A few small meteors in this shot but not very good. BEHIND THE LENS Camera:- Olympus OM-D EM-1 mk3 Lens: Olympus 12-40mm Tripod - Mounted in garden 15s exposure time using Live Composite mode in camera. F2.8 ISO 500 I mounted the camera on a tripod in the garden and set up the composition using a 12mm focal length composing the camera with horse chestnut tree in frame. The conker tree has started to flower. I added a few touches of light in front and behind the tree by shining the torch for a few seconds, which adds a nice lit touch. Using the Live Composite mode on the Olympus camera the star trail is all generated in-camera, a very cool feature which reduces post processing. The resulting shot reveals 6 hrs of Earth spinning above the conker tree.