Astrophotography Guide: 10 Tips for Astrophotography

Astrophotography, or astronomical imaging, is a type of photography that captures different celestial images in the night sky. Galaxies like the Milky Way, deep-sky objects like the Orion nebula, star trails, and the moon are popular subjects in astrophotography. With the right equipment (including a high-quality camera, a telescope, and star trackers) and proper technique, anyone can take striking nightscape images.

Depending on your gear or experience level, different types of astrophotography might be more suitable for your interests.

1. 1. Wide-angle astrophotography: This is the easiest type of astrophotography, as it requires only a DSLR camera, a zoom or telephoto lens, and a tripod. Wide-angle astrophotography relies on camera settings in order to pick up enough light for striking astrophotography images, without using a telescope. This type is great for photographing the Milky Way galaxy (and even the Andromeda galaxy, which is the largest object you can see without a telescope), meteor showers, and star trails. Time-lapse is another version of wide-angle astrophotography, which involves taking a number of images of the night sky and putting them together to make a rapidly moving image.
2. 2. Planetary imaging: Planetary imaging, also known as solar system astrophotography, involves capturing photos of the sun and the planets that make up our solar system. The moon is a common subject in planetary imaging photography.
3. 3. Deep-sky astrophotography: Deep-sky astrophotography goes beyond our own planets and solar system to photograph the nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies beyond. This type of astrophotography relies on a telescope to capture distant objects with detail and clarity better than the naked eye.

Depending on the type of astrophotography method you use can determine which gear you need specifically. Here is a list of general gear and tools you may need for astrophotography.

1. 1. Telescope: A dedicated astrophotography telescope that you can attach your camera to is imperative for deep space photography, and can help make any of your astrophotography images sharper. Telescopes range from beginning models to more advanced versions depending on your skill as an astrophotographer.
2. 2. Camera mount: A specialized mount, such as an equatorial mount, is helpful for capturing tracking shots. This tool allows you to track the earth along its rotational axis, allowing you to cut down on motion and blurriness as you photograph the objects in the night sky.
3. 3. Camera: You will need either a DSLR or SLR camera to capture your photographs. The digital components of a DSLR are better suited for astrophotography because you can see how your raw images look as you take them.
4. 4. Camera lenses: You will need one or more lenses that can handle low light and long exposures (ideally one of these will be a wide angle lens).
5. 5. Tripod: You will need a tripod to stabilize your camera as you capture your images because you may be taking long exposures and you want to minimize camera shake. Consider investing in a remote shutter release to eliminate any further interference from pressing the camera’s shutter button.
6. 6. Intervalometer: While not necessary, it may be useful to have an intervalometer, which allows you to control the frequency of your shots.
7. 7. Image processing software: Though having digital post-processing software like Photoshop is not necessary to take your nightscape images, you can enhance your images to make your sky subjects stand out.

Once you learn the basics, astrophotography can be a fun and exciting hobby. Here are some helpful astrophotography tips to get you started.

1. 1. Select a location with as little light pollution as possible. Dark skies are one of the most important aspects of catching the right astrophotography images. If you have a car, drive to the most rural area in your immediate vicinity, or as far away from buildings and street lights as possible. The less manmade light, the better your night sky photography.
2. 2. Work from a sturdy tripod. Most astrophotography requires long exposure times, so you’ll need a steady camera. Don’t risk the inevitable camera shake that will come from holding the camera yourself.
3. 3. Pay attention to the moon phase. A full moon will offer the brightest light for your image, but it may function as light pollution and make it harder to detect farther away objects. A new moon or crescent moon will offer the least amount of light but allow your objects in the sky to be much more visible.
4. 4. Check the weather. Make sure you’re working on a clear night before taking out your gear to shoot. A dark, overcast sky or impending snow flurries can completely change your lighting conditions, as well as the amount of time you have to shoot.
5. 5. Use manual mode. A camera’s manual mode allows you to select the proper aperture, ISO setting, and exposure time for the subject you pick. Dimmer objects need a wide aperture, while brighter objects may thrive with tiny apertures. While you’re in manual focus, don’t be afraid to play with the camera shutter speed, white balance, or depth of field to help sharpen your pictures (but try to avoid using autofocus, as it will not provide you with the light you need to properly capture celestial objects).
6. 6. Prioritize a wider aperture. While you’re shooting in manual mode, make sure that you’re choosing as wide of an aperture as you can. This will allow you to capture as much light as possible to help your constellations stand out. The lower the f-stop number, the better.
7. 7. Shoot in RAW. If you’re shooting with a digital camera, make sure to shoot in RAW mode rather than in JPEG. This will allow you greater freedom in digital post-processing to make your celestial subjects stand out as best they can.
8. 8. Frame your photograph. If you wish to make use of the well-known “rule of thirds,” frame your image so that it is 1/3rd horizon and 2/3rds sky.
9. 9. Use extra light for long exposures. If you’re using longer exposures, make use of an LED headlamp to illuminate your “canvas.” However, be aware that short exposures will produce grainier photos, especially if there is more light involved.
10. 10. Keep a sky map handy. A sky map (or star tracker app) can help you properly strategize and plan your shoot. Knowing where in the sky you want to direct the camera ahead of time can help you better optimize your time and effort.

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