So, you want to do astrophotography, but are you worried you need expensive equipment to get started?
Then you are in for a surprise.
you’re able to shoot beautiful night sky photos with a basic DSLR.
That’s right: You don’t need pro-grade cameras or the latest mirrorless cameras.
Often, you will have to plan for the right conditions and travel to different locations for astrophotography.
If you have a crop sensor DSLR, that will work just fine.
You want to shoot at an aperture below f4.
As you work in low-light conditions, you must also use a slower shutter speed.
So, a tripod is imperative to keep your camera steady.
A shutter release, although not mandatory, can help.
you might get inexpensive ones from Amazon.
Unfortunately, some cameras may not have the in-built timelapse option.
you’ve got the option to buy an intervalometer instead of a simple shutter release for your camera.
An intervalometer has a small display that will allow you to shoot timelapse photos.
A headlamp or flashlight is a critical piece of equipment you must carry.
You don’t want to get lost or hurt yourself in the dark.
Also, remember to choose a red light torch or red cellophane to cover your light.
Using red light will help you retain your night vision.
If you want to use your smartphone, here ishow to change the iPhone’s screen color to red.
A star tracker will move along with the Earth’s rotation to get you the sharp stars.
A light pollution filter is also an excellent accessory for astrophotography.
you’re free to avoid streetlights' glare and get rich-colored photos.
You need pitch darkness to avoid light pollution and capture the beauty of the night city.
This means going to a dark place for your astrophotography adventures.
That’s very true in the case of astrophotography.
it’s crucial that you know where and when to find exciting subjects for your astrophotography.
You don’t have to memorize the sky chart for that.
Apps likeSkyVieworSky Guidecan find planets and stars for you.
Then, you could point your smartphone or tablet to locate them.
Instead, you have to take complete control of your camera through manual mode.
If you’ve forgotten the basics, refresh them before you try your hands at astrophotography.
In addition, you shouldshoot in RAWto get all the information from your camera’s sensor.
Take the guesswork out of finding the correct exposure by using some astrophotography exposure rules.
Use your camera’s screen rather than the viewfinder.
Take a couple of sample shots and check at full resolution.
Some of the brightest stars in the Northern Hemisphere are Arcturus, Altair, Deneb, and Vega.
you’ve got the option to see the last three stars in the summer triangle.
Compose in Layers
Unless you’re shooting deep-sky objects, add interesting elements in the foreground.
For example, flat images of stars, constellations, and galaxies can be boring.
Having a building or person in the foreground will make your composition stand out.
Read aboutlayers in photography compositionhere.
But sometimes, you may have to do advanced techniques like stacking to reveal the details in your images.
If you’re not proficient in post-production, you must learn through some courses or YouTube videos.
You also need special stacking software likeDeepSkyStackerorSirilto stack hundreds of images to get a clean image with less noise.
You must also fare the elements and rub shoulders with wildlife when working in the dark.
