Photojournalist Herbert Neidhardt has successfully captured breathtaking images of the night sky over Lake Muttelsee in mid-August, taking advantage of exceptionally clear weather conditions. The spectacular photographs showcase the Milky Way and star trails in what has become a masterpiece of long-exposure photography.
Neidhardt, who operates under the brand TT-Bilder and maintains a well-established reputation in the region, has been photographing the Tettnang area and surrounding landscapes for decades. His work regularly enriches local publications, and he is particularly known for his technically demanding photography combined with sophisticated post-processing techniques.
The photographer chose Lake Muttelsee, located southeast of Hiltensweiler, as his shooting location. Around 11 PM, when conditions were optimal, he began his work using 15-second long exposures to capture the Milky Way visible in the southern sky. However, the initial shots also picked up light pollution from Lindau, which brightened the horizon and required careful post-processing to achieve the final striking images that clearly show the Milky Way.
Timing proved to be absolutely critical for the success of this project. Neidhardt emphasized that such photographs are only possible on one evening per month cycle, noting that the very next evening would have been impossible due to hazy sky conditions that had already returned.
For the star trail images over Lake Muttelsee, the experienced photojournalist employed a different technique altogether. He captured approximately 50 individual photographs pointing northward, though he could only use 22 of these images due to interference from airplane and car light trails that appeared in many of the shots.
Using computer software, Neidhardt carefully merged the 22 usable photographs together. The Earth's rotation creates the appearance of circular star trails with the North Star at the center, he explained. These northern-facing shots also encountered light pollution, this time from the direction of Ravensburg, which had to be managed during post-processing.
Neidhardt stressed that using a tripod is absolutely essential for such long-exposure photography work. The stability provided by proper equipment is crucial for achieving the sharp, professional results that characterize his distinctive style of night sky photography.
