How to locate the Milky Way on site

Just like to share the 2 favourite Android applications that I use when I'm on-site shooting the Milky Way. Couple these applications with Stellarium on your PC desktop, now you will practically be able to plan ahead where you intend to shoot and what is the best time to shoot as described in my previous article.

1. Google Sky Map

With a simple interface this application is easy to use. I particularly like the feature where I can search for the constellation Scorpius and the time travel feature to allows me to plan ahead of time where the Milky will appear a few hours later.

2. Planets

A visually pleasing application that shows more than just the Milky Way on the screen. Does not have a search feature. Supports time travel too like Google Sky Map. Available for both the Android and iOS devices.

Do I need expensive gears for good landscape shots?

HDR shot processed from 3 bracketed shots

For my first weekend on Blogspot, I will try to answer one of the most frequently asked questions to me since my landscape shots were first posted - "Do I need EXPENSIVE gears for good landscape shots?"

First and foremost, my answer is an outright NO!!! Now, I know that many out there will want to debate this with each other and both camps will obviously have their reasoning to argue till the cows comes home (errr.. no disrespect meant to the cows living comfortably in their condos, but that's another story)

Guess which camera took this shot?

To me, the most important thing in a GOOD shot is always about framing, composition and exposure. Sure, having expensive professional gears might make your life easier in terms of having better contrast and color saturation that might save you some time in post processing, but it definitely does not replace having a good understanding of the basics. I'm not saying that having good complements like the LEE or Singh Ray filters does not help but you can overcome it with exposure bracketing and a little bit of work in Photoshop or Photomatix for HDR post processing.

In a nutshell, you can have the most expensive gear in the world and you will still take crap shots if you do not bother to shoot correctly while someone with patience to frame and compose correctly will beat you even with their hand phone camera.

Okay, so much for my rant and raves. Appreciate your comments if any. Happy Sunday everybody. :)

Some of my latest shots of the Milky Way

Many people have asked me or commented that it's not possible to shoot the Milky Way in Malaysia. Well, not true at all. These shots was taken recently at Parit 14, Sg Besar about 20 minutes drive from Sekinchan.

Important things to remember is to find a relatively dark place with less light pollution to shoot. It is recommended to use a wide angle len so that you can include some foreground elements in the shot and a tripod plus a remote shutter cable is required.

Want to know more? Wait for my next post.