In this article, I’ll introduce you to the world of astrophotography, including the equipment you need, the best techniques for capturing amazing photos, and some tips for getting the most out of your star photography experience. And you don’t even have to be an astronomy amateur to start exploring space!
To me, astrophotography is a fascinating hobby that allows me to capture the beauty of the night sky in ways that are impossible to see with our naked eyes. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a beginner, astrophotography offers a unique challenge and an opportunity to capture some truly breathtaking images. With the right equipment and a little bit of practice, anyone can take stunning photos of the stars, planets, and galaxies that make up our night sky.
So read on my advice from many years of experience taking simple and beautiful pictures of the night sky!
Equipment for Astrophotography
I started with a simple Canon Ixus 70 (that wasn’t even a DSLR!) and without any idea or budget for the right astrophoto procedure. And yet, I kept shooting lots of objects and situations and that was the way I slowly learned more about astronomy – better cameras, lenses, settings, tripods, and so on.
Here I will say that one of the most important things you’ll need for astrophotography is a good camera. Ideally, you’ll want a camera that allows you to control the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings manually, as this will give you more control over your photos. Many photographers use a DSLR or mirrorless cameras for astrophotography, but you can also start by using a smartphone with a good camera and dedicated app (the latest Samsungs and iPhones are the choice). Sidenote: I believe that the future is mirrorless cameras and smartphones, just look at the pace of progress these things make!
In addition to a camera, you’ll also need a tripod to keep your camera steady while taking photos. This is especially important for astrophotography, as even the slightest movement can cause your photos to come out blurry. You can start with a cheap and light tripod (I did with a travel tripod that was only 400 grams) and this way you will learn why and when you should use a heavy and more pro tripod (or even monopod).
Bonus tip: you can even use a selfie stick as a tripod for smaller cameras or your smartphone (with a dedicated night photo app), you can simply stick it into beach sand or buy a cheap base plate with a standard mounting screw on it.
Finally, at some point, you might want to try a good telescope or lens to capture the stars and other celestial objects. There are many different options available, but some of the most popular scopes include the Celestron NexStar 6SE telescope, the Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescope, and the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.
If you’re shooting large night sky objects, like Milky Way, best use a wide lens with fixed focus. And if you’re shooting deep space objects (galaxies, nebulas, planets) you will need a “zoom” lens (something above 300mm).
Important: telescope must have an electronic tracking motor (with software and remote) to avoid the star shots being blurry – and you can either attach your camera (or phone) directly to the telescope (using an adapter ring) or strap the camera with its lens to a telescope that does the tracking for you.
Techniques for Astrophotography
On the first try, you will see that one of the most important things to keep in mind when taking astrophotography photos is that you’ll need a long exposure time. This means that you’ll need to keep the shutter open for several seconds (or even minutes) to capture enough light from the stars. It usually involves switching the camera to fully manual mode (“M” on Nikon or Canon), or choosing a setting that’s called “Night Portrait” or “15sec” or “Long Exposure” on a simpler non-DSLR cam (like my old friend Ixus 70).
To avoid camera shaking during long exposures, use a remote shutter release or the self-timer function on your camera. I know it is easy with Nikon cameras (you can buy a super cheap remote from eBay or Ali), and not so with Canons. The remote allows you to take photos without touching the camera, which can cause vibrations that will affect the quality of your photos.
Pro tip: don’t stress out if you don’t have a camera remote – remember that you can always use its timer setting. I recommend using 5 or 10-second timers, that way if you have a cheap tripod all the vibration will have stopped when the timer triggers a shot.
Another important technique for astrophotography is to use a high ISO setting. This will allow you to capture more light and produce brighter, more detailed photos. However, using a high ISO can also introduce noise into your photos, so you’ll need to find the right balance between brightness and noise reduction. More recent cameras, especially the Sony A7 monsters, will allow you to make great images even with higher ISOs.
When I started, I did use an automatic preference for white balance. But you can experiment with your camera and see what color fits your taste (warmer or colder end temperatures). Tip: if you choose to shoot in RAW (takes up more space, and I do use it rarely), the WB setting can be changed easily later in your computer software.
If you like to play with image software, you can consider using stacking techniques to enhance the quality of your photos (this is popular when shooting deep-sky objects). What is stacking? It involves taking multiple photos of the same object and combining them into a single image using special software. It’s true that tacking can help to reduce noise, increase detail, and produce sharper images. Remember: for stacking you will shoot in RAW and somewhere from a couple of tens to a couple of hundred frames just to make that one final image!
Tips for Successful Astrophotography
If you’re new to astrophotography, there are a few tips that can help you get the most out of your experience. First, try to find a location with minimal light pollution, as this will make it easier to see and photograph the stars. You can use apps or websites like Dark Sky Finder to find dark sky locations near you. Believe me, any close light source will ruin your experience, so don’t be lazy and move to a darker location!
Additionally, it’s important to be patient when taking astrophotography photos. You may need to take many photos before you get one that you’re happy with, so don’t get discouraged if your first attempts don’t turn out as well as you’d hoped. Please try different settings on your camera, don’t be stuck with one single way of shooting, this might have a dramatic increase in your results!
Another tip is to be familiar with the night sky. Knowing what you’re looking at can help you choose the best objects to photograph and can also help you plan your photo sessions. There are many resources available to help you learn about the night sky, including astronomy apps and websites. You can even to your local library and pull up some astronomy books with star charts, that’s so romantic!
If you are a social animal, consider joining a local astronomy club or online community. These groups can provide valuable support and advice for astrophotography enthusiasts, as well as opportunities to meet other people who share your passion for the night sky. Today there are many online groups on Facebook, WhatsApp, or Telegram (if there is none in your area, good, you can create your own and gather like-minded folks together!). One popular topic for such groups is Aurora hunting (the Northern Lights photographers).
Astrophotography Topics & Ideas
I believe there are a hundred subjects you can become an expert in or simply an advanced astronomy amateur (even up to a level of citizen scientist!), but here’s a short list of my ideas where you can start by trying them one after other:
- Moon photography (to me this never gets old, because Moon changes phases every month)
- Sun photography (our closest star is interesting, but don’t fry your sensor – use sun filters!)
- Milky Way (our own galactic plane in different seasons or with different backgrounds)
- Deep sky objects (other galaxies, nebulas, colorful double stars or star clusters)
- Auroras (Northern Lights is all the rage these days, I’m sure you’ve heard about it)
- Noctilucent Clouds (you’ve probably seen them but ignored this beautiful night sky phenomenon)
- Planets & Comets (did you know Venus changes phases just like Moon? And Jupiter or Saturn are our giants! And how about being the first to discover a new comet?!)
- Meteors & Satellites (meteors are fast and colorful, but satellites like the “Starlink train” are also an amazing experience)
What’s next?
Well, it’s up to you – as I mentioned in this article, just take any camera you have and go out at night a couple of times to try it out. You will learn the settings quickly, you will like the many satellites flying above you, and you shall learn to look deeper into the Cosmos. The Space is epic, and I hope you will have clear skies!!!
P.S. Thanks to Dima Kletsel for the main image of the Milky Way on top of my article!