New Zealand's Landscape Illuminated: Ladi Svoboda's Stunning Night Photography
In the realm of astrophotography, Ladi Svoboda, based in Wellington, New Zealand, stands out for his captivating wide-field landscape images. His work showcases the stunning night skies over New Zealand, and his approach to equipment and post-processing is both practical and creative.
For his primary setup, Ladi uses a Sony a7RV, a full-frame mirrorless camera, coupled with the Sony 14mm f/1.8 GM, a wide-angle prime lens. This combination allows him to capture expansive landscapes and star fields at high ISO and relatively short exposures, managing noise and star trailing effectively[2].
In his equipment arsenal, Ladi also includes the Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM II and Sony 200-600 f/5.6-6.3 for closer shots and panoramas. For his foreground shots, he relies on the Sony 14mm f/1.8 GM, his main foreground lens[1].
When it comes to mounting, Ladi uses lightweight tripods, eschewing specialized telescope mounts for star tracking, at least for his wide-field landscape style[1]. However, he does employ a Benro Polaris as his star tracker[2].
Post-processing is an essential part of Ladi's workflow. He uses modern tools such as PixInsight for standard astrophotography stacking and editing, star correction, gradient correction, and noise removal. To add a creative touch, he incorporates AI-based software to enhance images, offering subtle movement or dynamic effects[3].
One tool Ladi recommends for stacking wide-field astrophotography shots is Sequator, a free tool that simplifies the process[2]. He also suggests that beginners start with a simple setup, such as a tripod and a basic DSLR/Mirrorless camera with a wide lens. If budget allows, he suggests getting an astro-modified camera like the Sony A7 III[1].
Ladi's astrophotography achievements are impressive. He has won second place in a competition, been recognised as the third most commented astrophotographer, and been showcased in an exhibition[1]. He encourages aspiring astrophotographers to consider processing as an essential part of the craft, acknowledging that it takes time to master but is worth it[1].
You can find Ladi's work online at Captured by Ladi, @capturedbyladi on Instagram, Picastro, and his upcoming YouTube channel focused on astrophotography tutorials, field trips, and cinematic content[1]. For those interested in learning more about his techniques and equipment, his online presence is a valuable resource.
References:
[1] Captured by Ladi. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://capturedbyladi.com/
[2] Lonely Speck. (2021, June 24). Ladi Svoboda's Astrophotography Gear. Retrieved from https://www.lonelyspeck.com/astrophotography-gear-ladi-svoboda/
[3] Lonely Speck. (2021, July 1). Ladi Svoboda's Astrophotography Processing Techniques. Retrieved from https://www.lonelyspeck.com/ladi-svoboda-astrophotography-processing-techniques/
- Ladi Svoboda, an astrophotographer from Wellington, New Zealand, often uses a Sony a7RV, a full-frame mirrorless camera, for his captivating wide-field landscape images.
- To capture expansive landscapes and star fields, Ladi combines the Sony a7RV with the Sony 14mm f/1.8 GM, a wide-angle prime lens.
- Ladi's equipment arsenal also includes gear like the Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM II, Sony 200-600 f/5.6-6.3, and Sony 14mm f/1.8 GM for diverse photographic needs.
- In terms of mounting, Ladi prefers lightweight tripods over specialized telescope mounts for star tracking, but he does use a Benro Polaris as his star tracker.
- Ladi's post-processing workflow incorporates modern tools such as PixInsight for standard astrophotography editing, Sequator for stacking wide-field astrophotography shots, and AI-based software for adding creative effects.
- Ladi recommends beginners start with essential tools like a tripod and a basic DSLR/Mirrorless camera with a wide lens, and he suggests getting an astro-modified camera like the Sony A7 III if the budget allows.
- With numerous accolades to his name, Ladi's astrophotography achievements include winning second place in a competition, being recognized as the third most commented astrophotographer, and being showcased in an exhibition.
