A Serendipitous Encounter: Toad Under the Milky Way

Sometimes, the most memorable moments in photography are the ones you don't plan for. This was certainly the case for a recent astrophotography session that was meant to capture ancient ruins bathed in the glow of the Milky Way.

The Plan vs. The Reality

The original intention was to photograph a specific set of ruins under the vast canvas of the night sky. You can actually see the ruins faintly in the background of this shot, a testament to the photographer's initial vision. However, as the setup was underway, a small, unexpected visitor made an appearance: a toad.

While the photographer acknowledged it would be an extra challenge to incorporate the amphibian into the shot, the opportunity was too good to pass up. After all, the ruins would still be there another time, but this fleeting moment with the toad was unique.

The Technical Details Behind the Magic

Capturing this scene required a multi-layered approach, combining techniques for both the celestial and terrestrial elements. Here's a look at the impressive technical breakdown:

• Camera: Canon RP
• Lens: Laowa 15mm F2
• Tripod: Aoka cmp163cl
• Star Exposures:
  • 12 x 15 seconds
  • F2
  • ISO 5000
  • Filter: NiSi 1/4 black mist
• Background (Milky Way):
  • 1 x 8 minutes
  • F2.8
  • ISO 800
• Foreground (Ruins):
  • 16 x 1/30 second
  • F8
  • ISO 800
  • Lighting: Godox Litemons LED6R
• Toad:
  • 1 x 1/30 second
  • F8
  • ISO 800
  • Lighting: Godox Litemons LED6R

Post-Processing

The magic wasn't just in the capture, but also in the meticulous post-processing:

• Star exposures were stacked in Sequator.
• Foreground exposures were stacked using Helicon Focus 8.
• The stacked exposures were then merged in Photoshop.
• Denoising and general editing were handled in Lightroom.
• Sharpening specifically for the toad was achieved with Topaz Photo AI.
• Final color and contrast adjustments were made using Nik 6 Color Efex.

A Shot Worth the Effort

The result is a truly spectacular image that beautifully blends the awe-inspiring vastness of the cosmos with the charm of a tiny, terrestrial inhabitant. It's a wonderful reminder that sometimes, the best photographic subjects present themselves when we least expect them, and stepping off the planned path can lead to the most rewarding outcomes. This image is a testament to the photographer's skill, adaptability, and their appreciation for unexpected beauty.