Night Sky Photography is an enjoyable hobby. You can learn it by just reading the instructions that are found on the Internet. However, it may take some practice to get the right settings and compose your photos beautifully. You might also need to compare your works with that of other photographers. Most importantly, you need to continue clicking pictures of the night sky, it will eventually lead you to get some really spectacular results.
Here are the Best Night Sky Photography Tips:
- Make it Manual.
Learning to shoot manually can help you to control your exposure. It can also enable you to click perfect pictures in RAW format, which will allow you to edit the image afterwards. Most cameras have an “M” setting that allows you to sets the camera’s aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. That makes it easy for pros to shoot in manual mode.
- Maximize Exposure.
The sky is the limit when it comes to night sky photography, and amateur photographers can snap amazing images without buying an expensive camera. For instance, even if you have a mobile phone, you can get astonishing results with it. All you would need to do is buy a tripod, adjust your camera’s settings and use your imagination.
However, if you have a DSLR, then you might need to buy a long-exposure wide-angle lens to click some mesmerizing pictures. Leave your camera on ‘Auto’ and be at ease! If you want better results, using Night Vision or Infrared, Control (the ‘hot’ setting) could also prove to be beneficial. Use an ISO of 200 or 400, if possible. ISO 800 or higher can bring noise into some photos, especially if you’re shooting in conditions like the night sky. Also, shoot in black-and-white to add drama to your photos. Regardless of what kind of a camera you have, try looking deep into space to capture your subjects rather than at the sky.
- Prepare for Planetary Views.
A new app, Sky Guide, can help point you to the best night sky viewing locations in your area. Stargazing sites like Space.com and Nightsky365.com feature colorful maps showing where to look for planets, constellations, and other objects. The beauty of the night sky always inspires wonder, but capturing those sights is even better. The styling of these apps is pretty clean and uncluttered, which can give you a clear view of the sky and maximize the number of stars you can see. Moreover, you can modify photos you take in the app, and you can save them to the camera roll, email them, print them, share them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or save them to Pinterest. Remember that with proper planning, you’ll be well on your way to stunning nighttime photos.
- Shoot for the Moon.
Shooting the moon is a relatively simple task as you just need to look for the bright stars next to the moon. The “Green Glow” is a result of shooting the photo during the full moon or when the sun is on the horizon. This will give the moon a greenish tone. A tripod is absolutely essential. Because the moon and its stars move slowly across the sky, you’ll want your camera to be as stable as possible to capture the sharpest images.
- Gear Up.
The article has repeatedly emphasized photographers use a tripod. Though you can easily overlook other extraneous tools like carrying an external flash, a tripod is a must as it can aid in capturing long exposures effortlessly. Additionally, it would be a good idea to carry plastic bags to protect your camera from the elements of nature like rain or hail.
- Look for Experiences of a Lifetime.
Many of us enjoy watching meteor showers. They appear in the sky as bright points of light. In photographs, they sometimes appear as trails, streamers, or bursts of light. The experience is as important as knowing how to compose your shot, using a tripod, exposing yourself to the stars, or picking a good location for your shot. Above all, it’s about being outdoors and appreciating the wonder of the night sky.
- Locate Dark Skies.
You’ll want to select a clear night without city lights. A moonless night is best, but nights that are partly cloudy or completely overcast can still offer reasonably good results.
