Winners Announcement of Optolong 2025 Nightscape Competition-Starryscape Dream

Winners Announcement of Optolong 2025 Nightscape Competition-Starryscape Dream

Organized by Optolong Optics

 

 

 

Optolong 2025 Nightscape Competition-Starryscape Dream has come to an end with a success. 

We are so impressed by the creativity and talent of all the participants who submitted their entries. In the manwhile, massive thanks to our judges, they are  Mehmet Ergün from Germany, Yuri Beletsky from Chile,  Vincent Cheng from Hong Kong(China) , Steed(虞骏) from China, and Stephanie(叶梓颐) from China who keep the contest equitable and fairness. 

It's the most exciting moment, the recipients of the prizes will be published here. Nine winners were born from both Nightscape Category and Special Celestial Phenomena Category. Congratulations!

 

►Winners of the Nightscape Category will be announced. 

NighScape Category	Winners Number	Prizes
The 1st Prize	One winner to be selected	1>Cash prize of US$2,000 *1 2>Optolong L-eXtreme clip-in filter *1 3>Physical award certificate + Trophy
The 2nd Prize	Two winners to be selected	1>Cash prize of US$600 *1 2>Optolong L-eXtreme clip-in filter *1 3>Physical award certificate + Trophy
The 3rd Prize	Three winners to be selected	1>Cash prize of US$300 *1 2>Optolong L-eXtreme clip-in filter *1 3>Physical award certificate + Trophy
Several Excellence Awards: Physical Award Certificates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The First-Prize ONE Winner   

♦1/1 Photo Number：014   Mt. Triglav and Andromeda

Category of participation: Nightscape category

Full name: Matej Mlakar

- Nationality: Slovenian

- Title of the work: Mt. Triglav and Andromeda

- Subject of the photograph: the highest mountain in Slovenia: Triglav and Andromeda galaxy  

- Equipment used for the capture: Ha mod Nikon Z6, Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 G2 lens, Fornax Lightrack ii star tracker.  

- Shooting parameters: Landscape: 5 stacked images single image: 60sec, F2.8, ISO 1250, 200mm Sky: 90 stacked images single image: 60sec, F2.8, ISO 1250, 200mm +1 image with a starglow filter with the same settings.

- Date of capture: 13th of March 2025

- Location of capture: Ravne pri Bohinju, Slovenia

- Brief description of the work: after 4 years of trying I was finally able to capture this "deepscape" image of our closest galactic neighbour: Andromeda galaxy setting directly above the highest mountain in Slovenia: mt. Triglav. Both the landscape and the sky were taken at 200mm, without any cropping or changing the proportion during post processing.

- Post-processing techniques used: Sky images were stacked in DSS, edited in Pixinsight. Blending was done in Photoshop.

 

 

 

 

 

The Second-Prize TWO Winners   

♦1/2 Photo Number：186  星河之眸

Photographer/作者:王璟毅/中国    

Photo Date and place /拍摄时间/地点:2024年10月2日/甘肃省武威市民勤沙漠雕塑公园    

Equipment used/拍摄器材:索尼a7r3+适马14mm F1.4 DG DN     Data sheet/拍摄参数:地景ISO3200，F1.8，30s，14张拼接；天空ISO6400，F1.4，15s*3张堆栈，14张拼接    

Description/描述:我站在无垠的沙漠深处，仰望银河倾泻的穹顶，仿佛窥见宇宙最温柔的凝视。银河如同一条银色的裂痕，撕开时间的帷幕; 流线型的建筑像框架一般，将漫天星河凝固成一只静默守望的眼睛——它望向永恒，也望向每一个仰头凝望的旅人。

Processing method/处理方式: 天空部分Sequator堆栈；地景部分Photoshop堆栈；PTGui拼接成全景图

 

 

 

 

 

 

♦2/2 Photo Number：191 《微萤不自知时晚，犹抱余光漫天飞》

参赛单元： 夜空景象单元

参赛者姓名：唐志辉

国籍：中国

作品名称：《微萤不自知时晚，犹抱余光漫天飞》

拍摄器材：  索尼A7R2改机 + 索尼14mm       F.18 （星空+地景）                    索尼A7R3       + 维卓仕 16mm F1.8 （萤火虫机位保持一致）    

拍摄参数：F1.8   ISO6400   快门  20秒    3张一组堆栈  分别4组接片（星空+地景）                  F1.8   ISO 4000   快门  25秒    150张堆栈 （萤火虫机位保持一致）  

拍摄时间： 2025年6月26日 拍摄地点：广东清远阳山靘雾山脚 作品简述：在粤北的山区，夏日炎炎，正是萤火虫漫天飞舞的时节；虽然夜已深，时间去到凌晨一点半，银河呈落九天的状态， 但是不知疲倦的萤火虫小精灵们，依然在夜空中，在草丛上不停的跳着华尔兹。。。正所谓：微萤不自知时晚，犹抱余光漫天飞

后期处理方式：萤火虫部分 150张最大值堆栈保存为TIIF文件                        

星空 地景部分  单张调色后同步全部照片保存为TIIF 文件                        

地景于萤火虫照片用亮度蒙版(用黄色色彩模式)将萤火虫融合进地景；再将人物用亮度蒙版融合进照片                        

星空+地景（含萤火虫，人像）用PTGUI软件拼接合成；导入PS后 调色，裁剪后出片。

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Third-Prize THREE Winners   

♦1/3 Photo Number：236 The Comet from the Paradise

Category of participation: Nightscape

Full name: Petr Horálek  

Nationality:Czech Republic

Title of the work:The Comet from the Paradise

Subject of the photograph:Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, Milky Way, H-Alpha regions, airglow, bioluminescence

Equipment used for the capture:Canon Ra, Sigma 50mm, Vixen Polarie U Shooting parameters:f1.8, ISO5000, panorama of 58 single 8s exposures from tripod. Comet enhanced with 12x30s images (ISO1600, f1.6, tracked on Vixen Polarie U, used Optolong Clear Sky filter). Date of capture:21 October 2024，Location of capture: Soneva Fushi Island, Maldives

Brief description of the work: Wide view to the comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS seen from a beach of the Soneva Fushi island including Milky Way, H-alpha regions and bioluminiscence, all watched by a stargazer.

Post-processing techniques used: Single exposures stitched into final panorama, comet's tail enhanced from stacked images. Final works contained color corrections, contrast, and curves. Interesting story related to the photograph: Here comes a shot I consider the most amazing moment with the comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS. Watching from a small island Soneva Fushi of Maldives, I enjoyed this view on 21 October 2024. The comet from equatorial locations shows its tail in almost an upright direction just to the northern summer part of the Milky Way. That evening, also the airglow was strong and some bioluminescence appeared in the Indian Ocean which made the photograph even more vivid.

 

 

 

 

 

♦2/3 Photo Number：095 Fire and Ice

Competition Category: NightScape Category

Your name:Max Inwood

Country : New Zealand

Title:Fire and Ice

Description: Tasman Lake New Zealand, Canon 6D 28mm. Processed in PTGui and Photoshop

 

 

 

 

♦3/3 Photo Number：148 彩泉承星河

Photo Tittle and Target/作品主题和目标:彩泉承星河    

Photographer/作者:熊浩宇    中国    

Photo Date and place /拍摄时间/地点:Morning Glory Pool, Yellow Stone National Park,2023/10/7     

Equipment used/拍摄器材:索尼a7改机 + 适马14-24 f2.8  

Data sheet/拍摄参数:     天空: ISO 1600 120s 4组，每组两张叠加拼接 地景: ISO 3200 120s 3张拼接

Description/描述:在黄石的秋夜里，银河缓缓升起，垂直垂落在缤纷如虹的牵牛花泉之上，仿佛宇宙的尽头就在泉水深处。相比大棱镜的磅礴，这口色彩斑斓的小泉更像一颗遗落人间的宝石，在10月的冷夜里静静倒映着星海与梦境。    

Processing method/处理方式: PS, LR, PixInsight, AstroPixelProcessor

 

 

 

 

►Winners of the Special Celestial Category will be announced herewith.

 

Award Categories	Winners Number	Prizes
The 1st Prize	One winner to be selected	1>Cash prize of US$1,000 *1 2>Optolong L-eXtreme clip-in filter *1 3>Physical award certificate + Trophy
The 2nd Prize	One winner to be selected	1>Cash prize of US$300 *1 2>Optolong L-eXtreme clip-in filter *1 3>Physical award certificate + Trophy
The 3rd Prize	One winner to be selected	1>Cash prize of US$100 *1 2>Optolong L-eXtreme clip-in filter *1 3>Physical award certificate + Trophy
Several Excellence Awards: Physical Award Certificates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The First-Prize ONE Winner   

♦1/1 Photo Number：026  洞门泊夜舟

参赛单元：特殊天象单元

参赛者姓名：李海辉

国籍：中国

作品名称：洞门泊夜舟

拍摄器材：佳能6D天文改机+适马35 1.4

拍摄参数：天空 赤道仪跟踪f2.8  iso800   快门90秒     地景关闭赤道仪  f2.8  iso1250   快门30秒

拍摄时间：2024年10月21日

拍摄地点：广西桂林冠岩景区 作品简述：在冠岩地下河与漓江交汇的洞口，船舶静泊。银心之处，紫金山彗星缓缓坠落，洞外山水如墨，洞内微光摇曳，彗星轨迹划破天际，自然的静谧与天梯的奇幻交融，勾勒出一幅跨越尘世与宇宙 浪漫而神秘的神秘图景。

后期处理方式：使用PTGui对拍摄的33张竖构图进行接片，然后再用photoshop进行明暗度调整，最后增加合适的饱和度已经对比度。

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Second-Prize ONE Winner   

♦1/1 Photo Number：49  Above the Clouds - Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)

Photo Number：49

Photo Tittle and Target/作品主题和目标: Above the Clouds - Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)    

Photographer/作者:Gergely Tóth    

Country/国家:Hungary    

Photo Date and place /拍摄时间/地点:2024.10.01. La Palma, Canary Islands

Equipment used/拍摄器材: Sony A7IIIa,Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8,Benro Polaris    

Data sheet/拍摄参数: Sky: f/1.8, 8s, ISO 640 (8 panels in 1 row) Foreground: f/1.8, 4s, ISO 640 (8 panels in 1 row)

Description/描述: At the center of the image is the stunning comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS), streaking across the dawn sky with its bright tail. To its left, the Moon—only 2% illuminated—rises above the horizon. This photo was taken from over 2000 meters altitude on La Palma, from the rim of the Caldera de Taburiente volcanic caldera. I spent a full week on the island doing astrophotography, with the goal of capturing this special comet before sunrise. It wasn’t easy: I woke up at 4:30 a.m. to drive up the winding mountain roads in the dark, while icy winds howled around me. But I feel every moment was worth it.

Processing method/处理方式: Panorama stitched in PTGUI, edited and blended with foreground in Photoshop, final touches in Lightroom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Third-Prize ONE Winner   

♦1/1 Photo Number：20  full STEVE panorama

Tittle and Target/作品主题和目标: A rare phenomenon : full STEVE panorama     

Photographer/作者:Louis Leroux-Géré"    

Country/国家:France"    

Photo Date and place /拍摄时间/地点:10/10/2024 Cap Gris-Nez, France"    

Equipment used/拍摄器材: Canon EOS 6Da Samyang XP 14mm  f/2.4"    

Data sheet/拍摄参数:Panorama of 10 tiles2.5s f/2.4 ISO6400

Description/描述: A panorama of a rare phenomenon called STEVE. STEVE is a glow in the sky that appears to the south of the aurora borealis. STEVE's main feature is a mauve/pink, sometimes green, band of light formed by a stream of 3000°C plasma flowing from east to west through the magnetosphere. "

Processing method/处理方式: Untracked, unstacked. 2 rows of 5 tiles. PTGui and Photoshop"

 

 

 

 

 

 

►Excellence Awards

Nightscape Category

♦Photo Number：109 Looking at the universe

Credit: Osvaldo Castillo

Country: Chile

 

 

 

 

 

 

♦Photo Number：232 Galactic Ascension -Milky Way Over Maligcong Rice Terraces

Credit: MJ Magallon

Country: Philippines

Data sheet/拍摄参数:
Sky: ISO 3200, f/2, 60 sec, 5 image stacked
FG: ISO 3200, f/2, 4 mins Single shot

Description/描述: Step by step, the rice terraces of Maligcong rise—carved by time, shaped by patience. They symbolize progress—effort, growth, and the journey of how far one has come. Yet, they also represent my own path, both as an individual and an artist.
As the terraces mirror the galaxy above, they subtly link my earthly growth with the vast journey of galactic ascension. This image reminds me that no matter how far I have traveled or how hard I strive, I remain under the grace of the universe and the path it has set for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

♦Photo Number：145  与冰川之父共赏星河

Credit: 廉鑫

Country: 中国

拍摄器材：sony A7R3天文改机、sony A7R2天文改机、sony A7M4、sony 24-70GM2、sigma 20 1.4 DGDN

拍摄参数：天空8组竖拍，5x90s，F1.6 ISO1250。地面5组横拍3x30s，F2.8 ISO3200

拍摄时间：2025年5月25日

拍摄地点：中国新疆帕米尔高原喀拉库勒湖

作品简述：终于来到了期待已久的喀拉库勒湖，得益于帕米尔高原极佳的视宁度，让我看到了此生最震撼的银河。

后期处理方式：LR初步筛选及调色，Ptgui拼接，PS调色，PI银河细节及星点调整

 

 

 

 

 

♦Photo Number：224  Fortress of Light

Credit: Mauricio Salazar

Country: Uruguay

Photo Date and place /拍摄时间/地点: 31 August 2024 - Liviara, Jujuy, Argentina

Equipment used/拍摄器材: Nikon z6ii halpha mod, Sony 20mm 1.8g, Sony 14mm 1.8gm, Star adventurer Mini

Data sheet/拍摄参数: Sky Panorama: 20mm, f/1.8, 30 sec, ISO 1600 — 5 tracked and stacked photos per panel for noise reduction.

Foreground Panorama: 14mm, f/2.8, 90 sec, ISO 1600 per panel.

Description/描述: Since I started shooting the night sky, I’ve always sought out landscapes that feel like they belong to another planet — remote, untouched, and far from light pollution. That’s exactly what I found in “The Cathedral,” a surreal rock formation in Jujuy, Argentina.

Photographing at over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) presented its challenges, but when I arrived and saw the rock formations, I was completely blown away. The landscape felt like something from a fantasy world, and the towering cliffs instantly reminded me of a giant stone fortress sculpted by nature.

As twilight gave way to full darkness, the core of the Milky Way appeared high overhead, shining with incredible clarity. I patiently waited as the galactic center slowly descended toward the horizon, perfectly aligning above the cliffs.

While capturing the panorama, the camera picked up bands of orange and green airglow, adding a unique glow to the horizon.

This image captures everything I love about photographing the Milky Way — the silence of remote places, the peace of standing under a pristine sky, and the deep connection I feel to the moment, fully present and grateful to witness it.

 

 

 

 

 

♦Photo Number：067  The Hidden Cave

Credit: Julio Castro Pardo

Country: Spain

Title of the work: The Hidden Cave
 
Subject of the photograph: Nightscape with a Milky way photo
 
Equipment used for the capture: Sony Alpha 7RV + Sony 12-24 f2,8
 
Shooting parameters: 30 seconds, f2,8 and iso 6400
 
Date of capture: 26/05/2025
 
Location of capture: Teide National Park
 
Brief description of the work: A 12-photo 12mm extreme panoramic shot where I used the rock wall behind me to simulate a cave by projecting the panorama at the moment of joining.
 
Post-processing techniques used: Stich Panorama, improve contrast, luminosity, detail and saturation
 
Interesting story related to the photograph: Framing this "cave" is one of the most famous rocks in Teide National Park, Roque Cinchado. There was also a lot of airglow that night, which completes this photo.

 

 

 

 

 

Special Celestial Category

♦Photo Number：51  Dancing queen

Credit: Gianluca Rubinacci

Country: Italy

Equipment used/拍摄器材: Sony a7III+ samyang 12 f/2.8

Description/描述: This image is the result of a 360° panoramic shot taken on November 9, 2024, in the stunning Lofoten Islands, near Flakstad Beach. On a clear night, the aurora borealis erupted in all its glory, stretching across the entire sky with waves of emerald light. I decided to capture the scene in a single composition to convey the feeling of being fully immersed in this natural spectacle, where the sea, mountains, and light dance together in perfect harmony. The small illuminated cabin and the lone figure holding a torch symbolize the profound connection between humans and the majestic Arctic wilderness.

Processing method/处理方式: I shot at different exposures for the sky and the earth, merged the panorama with ptGui and edited it in lightroom and photoshop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

♦Photo Number：09   《神山之约》

Credit: 戚畅

Country: 中国

拍摄器材：SONY Alpha 7RⅢ+七工匠7Artisans 85mm F1.8 AF
拍摄参数：f/1.8，iso3200，单张2s
拍摄时间：2024年10月20日
拍摄地点：云南省迪庆藏族自治州德钦县G214 梅里雪山观景台

作品简述：上次错过新智彗星，后悔了四年，这次为了拍到紫金山-阿特拉斯彗星也是飞了大半个中国。从几天前就一直在用天气软件判断梅里雪山的云图，云图上看起来机会很大，但梅里雪山的脾气谁都不敢下定论。尤其是我们开过去的路上，漫天的阴云真是让人不敢奢望，但我们还是决定赌一把。也幸亏我们来了，日落时梅里雪山还全部藏在厚厚的云层里，蓝调时分卡瓦格博竟然慢慢显出身影。天黑后我们才抵达雾浓顶，一边开车一边不断调整位置，最终摸黑找到了一处平坦的观景台。实际情况远比我们想象的还要完美，一个多小时之后，彗星不偏不倚地正好落在卡瓦格博的山尖尖上。

后期处理方式：Lightroom调整原始文件输出为JPG，Sequator进行堆栈降噪，Photoshop处理拼接后的照片。

 

 

 

 

 

♦Photo Number：11    Reflection, Aurora

Credit: Marcin Zajac

Country:  Poland

Equipment used/拍摄器材:Nikon d810

Data sheet/拍摄参数: 15mm, f/2.8, ISO 1600, 15s

Description/描述: I never expected to witness such a spectacular aurora display just 20 km from the city lights of Warsaw, Poland. But on the night of August 12-13, 2024, one of the strongest geomagnetic storms in recent years brought a breathtaking spectacle, with auroras visible to the naked eye across Central Europe.

Processing method/处理方式: Photoshop

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to all of you. Prizes will be delivered to winners by post soon. 

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