Photography - - UK meteor storm Sunday night. So get the camera out

chrishoggy · #1 08-11-2007, 10:08 AM

For those of you wanting to try some night photography, this could be a nice thing to try it on. The meteor storm is set to be at it's peak (and most visible) between 11:00PM and 2:30 AM on Sunday night/Monday morning.
Weather is set to be clear and people should be looking toward the east, to see it.
I've been told to have a UV and polarising filter on, and then play around with shutter speeds to get the right effect.

Happy shooting

Gary Richardson · #2 08-11-2007, 11:26 AM

If the weather forecast is for clear, and there's something interesting in the sky, you can be sure the forecast will be wrong and there'll be horizon to horizon cloud or a pea-souper fog.

Still, even our forecast service has got to get it right sometime ............ NOT!

chrishoggy · #3 08-12-2007, 04:50 AM

This is quite true m8. It's raining a bit here at the moment, so I'm hoping it clears. My neighbour is going to be out with his camera tonight, as he's never tried slow shutter stuff before.

Fingers crossed for clear sky

Gary Richardson · #4 08-12-2007, 08:57 AM

Just started to clear up a bit and I can now see some blue sky. But it's quite windy here so no saying how long it'll stay that way.

I'm out tonight and don't expect to get back till late so probably won't be able to get any shots, still I may at least see the "shooting stars", and I hope it stays clear for you.

chrishoggy · #5 08-12-2007, 11:13 PM

Well I must have seen 100+ in the few hours I sat out, but didn't get one in shot. It was a bit like trying to catch a fly with chop-sticks

15 second shutter speed, and ISO 200 got some bizarre shots of planes flying over, but that was it.
Still, it was a good excuse to eat and drink outside with our neighbour

palms1 · #6 08-13-2007, 02:32 AM

I saw a couple of dozen for the hour i was out,then it clouded up so gave up and went in for a warm and some beauty sleep

Didnt even try to get a shot ! but apperently they will be about for another 2 nights just not so many,

Palms

SwampDonkey · #7 08-13-2007, 04:08 AM

There's another one due Sept 1st. Got a feeling it's going to be bigger too. I might have to have a play myself.

Pete

Gary Richardson · #8 08-13-2007, 06:29 AM

Well, I've been introduced to a totally new experience (no not the Perseids), that of the Met. Office getting things right for a change.

Got in just after Midnight and had a great view of the skies. Unfortunately my state of sobriety (or lack of it) precluded me from picking up a camera. But saw some lovely white streaks in the sky (not sure how many were real and how many imagined) they went great with the pink elephants.

palms1 · #9 08-13-2007, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Richardson

Well, I've been introduced to a totally new experience (no not the Perseids), that of the Met. Office getting things right for a change.

Got in just after Midnight and had a great view of the skies. Unfortunately my state of sobriety (or lack of it) precluded me from picking up a camera. But saw some lovely white streaks in the sky (not sure how many were real and how many imagined) they went great with the pink elephants.

Oh well at least you will have the chance to try it again tonight ( not sure which though)

Palms

Gary Richardson · #10 08-13-2007, 02:25 PM

Well it was raining earlier, but sky looks clear at the moment, so I'll give things a try.

Not using the most sophisticated of cameras though (I'm a point and shoot man), so don't expect I'll capture anything worthwhile (unless by luck and/or accident).

Not seeing the elephants tonight (which is a shame, they were very pretty).

Britsdad · #11 08-14-2007, 06:29 AM

Tried to get my camera set up to see if I could get any shots last night, but too many clouds

I have a Nikon P2 point and shoot camera, but there are many options on it, (like "continuous shooting" by which it can be set to take as many pics as the memory card will hold, about 500,) but I can only set it to take a frame at set time intervals (30secs, 60 secs ect.) and the longest exposure I can get is 8secs. Can anyone give any tips on how to capture a "shooting star"? or will it just be luck if I capture anything?
Regards........John