star trails help PP

[33L]

Hi guys/gals

I took 45, 4 min exposures of the sky the other night. I cant seem to edit it right to get it into one picture.

what are the best methods to combine the individual images. to create an 3 hour exposure.

Its my first time so it probably going to need some tweaking during capture.
I tried various blending modes. Due to my location (back yard) there was a lot of light polution which has meant the images are getting progressively lighter and washing out the star trails and thats after 15-20 exposures combined.

Please help.

 

[jgs001]

I've not tried a star trails shot yet, I'm planning to attempt it at some point soon, if this cloud lets up. I'll be watching this thread with interest. I don't think any of the stacking software is the right way to go though, as that is designed to add all the information in each frame together rather than merge.

 

[33L]

anyone

 

[Just Dave]

Dont know if this software is any use to you Clicky Link

If you have photoshop try stacking the images and change the layer blend mode to Lighten

Dave

 

[jgs001]

I've managed to find this which stacks the images like DSS for starfield shots. I've not tried it though

 

[33L]

will have to give this a go. just wonderd if there was a way to do it in CS3

 

[Just Dave]

If you have photoshop try stacking the images and change the layer blend mode to Lighten

Dave

 

[33L]

i tried that but over 45 images its very ummm... bright. Might have to capture again without all the light polution.