Process Improvement – The quest for a Circular Star trail image and video

Lean process improvement, or as I like to call it for this story, “the quest for the perfect star trail image,” can be a challenging and rewarding pursuit.

It’s a bit like exploring a new galaxy: you’re bound to encounter some unfamiliar terrain, and there may be some unexpected obstacles along the way. But fear not, intrepid space adventurer! With the right tools and a willingness to learn from your mistakes, you can capture the beauty of the cosmos in all its circular glory.

Now, before we dive into the nitty-gritty of process improvement, let me share a little story with you. I have a passion for Sci-Fi, photography and the stars. In fact, I recently set out to capture my own star trail image using the techniques I’d learned through my reading. And let me tell you, it was quite the journey.

First, I had to learn a whole new language, filled with terms like aperture, aspect ratio, and depth of field. It was like learning a new dialect of intergalactic code. But once I had a handle on the basics, I set up my camera and started taking long-exposure shots (30 s), one after the other, for hours on end. 4 hours to be precise!

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I downloaded and processed the images, stacking them on top of one another, eagerly awaiting the circular star trail of my dreams. And what did I get? A few measly dots in the sky, barely connected by an almost-horizontal line. Not exactly the stuff of interstellar legend. Take a look, do you see anything in the bottom left of the image?

But here’s the thing about lean process improvement: it’s all about trial and error. So, I went back to the drawing board, checked my process, my settings, and looked for the problems. The problems we threefold, incorrect settings, camera pointing in the wrong direction and a battery could not sustain 4 hours of continual photographs. I adjusted my process, made a standard check sheet for the settings, worked out where celestial south was and got power to the garden. And the next time around, I got a little bit closer to the circular star trail I was after.

And the time after that, even closer still but the clouds got in the way! But the next time, even closer still with the image to the left.

So, what’s the lesson here? Well, for starters, process improvement is all about identifying the root cause of a problem and working to address it. Maybe your camera settings aren’t quite right, or your technique needs a little tweaking. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to approach the problem with an open mind and a willingness to learn.

And don’t be afraid to make mistakes! After all, even the most experienced space explorers encounter some unexpected turbulence from time to time. The key is to keep experimenting, keep refining your process, and keep your eyes on the stars. Who knows? With a little persistence and a lot of determination, you just might capture the perfect circular star trail image.

And finally, let me introduce the final video: