Milky way around Penang with Keong Da' Great

Hi all milky way lover. I am too. Hehe... Lately, milky way hunters have been increasing. So, i would like to share  my experience and locations of my journey for the past 3 years for this basic astrophotography. I did my shooting mainly at my hometown, Penang. I have been shooting milky way since 2011 with my first DSLR, canon 550D + kit lens 18-55mm f3.5. With this budget gear, you can get a basic shot of milky way. Moreover, I am not an expert.

My first ever shot of milky way back in 2011. Exif :18mm, F3.5, ISO1600

First of all, you need a basic camera which is able to adjust exposure time at least >10s with aperture at minimum as possible.

The idea is very simple, you must allow as maximum amount of light as possible to enter into your camera with the usage of aperture, exposure time and sensor sensitivity (ISO). 

For exposure time determination, please use the “600” RULE to avoid star trails.

Idea of “600” rule : -  Exposure time = 600/(focus length  x cropfactor)

Example :

Canon 550D at 18mm, Exposure time = 600/(18x1.6) = 21s

Nikon D7000 at 10mm, Exposure time = 600(10x1.5) = 38s

Talking about aperture, it is advisable to open as big as possible to allow more light to enter. However you need to beware of vignette for certain lens.

For ISO, it depends on your camera ability. Based on my experience, an entry DSLR has no problem to shoot at ISO800. For high end DSLR, it can go until ISO12800 with a minimum noise generated.

How to track the milky way? Please use an app called StarChart which will cost you USD0.99.

Click here for Andriod , Apple

For focusing, just set to manual --> infinity.

After shooting, the most challenging part is the editing. Use this link for basic guidance: Here

The second part of this article I would like to share is the location where I did my shooting. The quality of the photos are not that good as my editing skill is not up to pro level, yet my gear is lousy. Hope it wont hurt your eyes.

I am an islander, so mainly I did my shooting on the island. I seldom go to the mainland because I am not familiar. Very sorry. And REMEMBER,  never to go to isolated location alone. Safety is more important than shooting your dream milky way.

So, below are the locations which I did my shooting. 

I will start with…

Permatang Damar Laut :  This place is very dark. Sometimes, there will be some light pollution from the plane in Penang International Airport.

Boats With Milky Way

Selfie with milky way

The Bunker

Road To Eternity

Teluk Tempoyak : This place is great for sunrise. But too bad the bridge has already broken

Panorama Twilight Milky Way

Bayan Lepas, 2^nd Penang Bridge : I tried to shoot something impossible. The super light pollution from the 2^nd Penang Bridge and Milky Way

Milky Way With 2nd Penang Bridge

Batu Uban : Just outside my balcony

 Outside my balcony

Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Prai : Milky way on top Bukit Mertajam. Sorry I cannot remember the exact location. 

 BM Lonely Tree

Prefect Grass Bed

Karpal Singh Drive, previously known as Nautilus Bay : Milky way on top of 1^st Penang Bridge.

Milky Way On Top Of 1st Penang Bridge

 Panoramic View

Clan Jetty : Shot the milky way set.

 
Milky Way Set On Top Of Flats

Milky Way Set On Top Of Flats#2

Heart of Georgetown : The ultimate light pollution. Just find a tall building and shoot into sky. I shoot in Kedah Road Flat

Milky Way In The Heart Of Georgetown

Batu Ferringhi : I seldom come to his area as it is very far from house. I only come here once. It is a waterfall in Batu Ferringhi. This place have dogs and dangerous.

Land Of Fantasy

Teluk Bahang : I cannot remember this place because while we are driving, we stop by the road side and using starchart to track the milkyway. We only have few shots and left the place.

Garden of Eden

Sungai Burung, Balik Pulau : This paddy field is very common for landscape photographers. During night time, you can simply find any spot here in Balik Pulau

The Rise Of Milky Way

Shy Behind The Cloud

Sungai Batu : This place is famous for pre-wedding and sunset. But for me, I prefer astrophotgraphy.

 Milky Way Rising

 BN!!!

Milky Way Set With The Moon

 Setting By The Bridge

Gertak Sanggul : The champion of all. Anywhere in this area, you can get an amazing shot of milky way. This is because this place can consider a very less light pollution in certain direction.

 In Between

The 2 famous locations are which we called it “The Lonely Tree” and “The Lovers Bridge”

The Lonely Tree :

 Venus And Milky Way On Top Of Lonely Tree

 Photography Under The Stars

Hiding Behind The Cloud

The Magical Moment

The Lovers Bridge :

The Rising

Panoramic View

 

Milky Way Rising With The Bioluminescence Sea

 

45 Degrees

My Little Planet

 

Fish Eye

 The Spaceship

The Twilight Setting

Summer Milky Way

Milky Way on Top of Georgetown

Panoramic Summer Milky Way on Top of Georgetown

Besides, here is my previous timelapse which featuring some of these places.

Hope you enjoy this. And happy shooting.