Tag: sky

Conjunction of Venus And Jupiter – Part 2

The weather forecast for Kuala Lumpur tomorrow night, when the planets are supposed to be closest, don’t look too good. Plus, I wanted a picture when the planets are not merging or merged into a single blob as some predicted, so I shot some tonight just in case.

This is my first time looking and photographing a conjunction of planets, so I really don’t know. Tomorrow could be even better, weather permitting.

There is no need to try to get very close with a very long lens. Although bright, the planets are still small and far, even when using long tele lenses. You will need a telescope with tracking mount to get really close.

You don’t want a a picture of the pair by themselves, anyway. Find a local landmark to juxtapose, if you can. This gives the picture a geographical perspective or identity.

City skyscrapers are good but tricky as the surrounding roads are usually polluted with light from street lights. This can cause flaring and other unwanted effects.

To expose correctly for lighted buildings, you may end up underexposing the relatively less bright planetary bodies.

Finally, you don’t have to photograph the celestial event at all. Watch it live with your naked eyes, take in its beauty and store it to to your memory.

This was photographed with the Sony FE 70-200mm G OSS Lens in 2X CIZ mode.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f14, 4 sec.

Conjunction of Jupiter And Venus 2015 – Part 1

Conjunction of Jupiter And Venus 2015 – Part 1

The two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, are appearing close together for a rare and dramatic event known as a conjunction. OK. For those in countries where it is now already or past twilight, go to your window or balcony to look. Come back to read Part 2 about photographing the mating planets.

If you are an Android user, install Google Sky Map. It is one of the best reasons to own an Android phone or tablet. Turn on your GPS and search for Venus or Jupiter in the app. Point your phone according to the guide arrows and you will find the two planets in just a few seconds.

Depending on your location, time and phone’s GPS accuracy, the two planets may not be as close or in the exact position shown on screen. The orientation and perceived separation may also vary from that of pictures you have seen. This is because the pictures are most likely photographed from a different location and time.

Nevertheless, the handy app gives you an idea as to where to look. In this picture, the two planets are hidden behind clouds. I know where they are and what they are going to do this summer.

Next: Photographing the conjunction or planetary copulation.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 400, f4, 1/60 sec.

Love Wins And Rainbow Colours Abound

This is a rare natural phenomenon known as a rainbow cloud or fire cloud. I photographed it last July from Bukit Beruntung near Federal Route 1. It was my second time seeing and photographing this beautiful weather phenomenon. The first time was from the old Bentong road.

I discovered something new when I re-opened the image in the updated Photoshop software today. Rainbows and cloud rainbows benefit greatly from the new Dehaze filter in Photoshop CC 2015. The rainbows colours became more vivid and clearer when Dehaze was deployed under Camera Raw Filter.

With another image of a regular rainbow arc, I was able to bring out the so-called double arc or secondary rainbow that was otherwise invisible. There is payload though. It is at the cost of noise increasing in the blue spectrum, especially that of the sky.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f11, 1/1000 sec.

Guardian Of The Cemetery

A Hindu shrine guarding a Chinese cemetery in the outskirts of Slim River. What was even more interesting was that the burial grounds had both Taoist and Christian tombstones mixed together. Quite unusual.

I suspect there is also a Hindu or Indian burial ground nearby. I can see what looks like a funeral pyre.

Waited for a lighting strike but it didn’t happen at where I pointed the camera. I was the only living soul around and the atmosphere was getting a little creepy. Could hear howling dogs but I can’t see where they are.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f13, 1/320 sec.