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papa_lanks$
Karma : 203751
12529 Posts
Crazy Fool

Jul 31 2011
11:33:43PM

Ever wonder how those stunning images of the stars and milky way you see are taken?
Ever want to do those yourself?

You've come to the right place.

Recently got into astrophotography and figured I'd share the love, since nearly every person I showed it to asked "How did you do that?".

Step by step starts NOW.

1) Get your shit together. Tripod is ESSENTIAL if you have one. Remote shutter release is helpful. Oh, and you'll need a night sky. One with little to no light pollution, no clouds, and little air traffic (best around 3-4 am).

2) Pick your spot and angle to sky, remember that the foreground content will be illuminated and plays a big role in the overall appeal of the picture. Take a few practice shots using the flash to see what it will look like without the stars. A great star picture involves both breathtaking stars and an interesting foreground.
-Also, Look for what looks like a long cloud stretching across the sky at a diagonal angle. Almost foggy, but not blocking stars. If you can see this, you're in luck. That's the milky way. INCORPORATE IT. You won't be disappointed.

3) Set up your tripod. Now you can set your DSLR on a bench or something as long as it will not move a fraction of an inch in 30 seconds...not recommended though.

4) Open your aperture as WIDE as it goes (that's a low f stop number if you didn't know). My lens only goes down to f/3.8, a lot go lower. This is good, you want to let as much light in as possible.

5) Set your shutter speed to 30 seconds. Anything longer than this at 18mm or more will pick up the stars' tracking (the movement of the earth) and leave short, unappealing trails.

6) Optimal ISO range is between 2000 and 4000. 2500 is ideal.

7) Finally, set your timer (or remote shutter release) and FIRE!



If all goes well, you should be pleased and blown away by what your camera can do. It's picking up light sources from billions of lightyears away. How's that for telephoto?

****Things to remember
--Rule of 600. Divide 600 by your focal length (18mm, 55mm, etc). The answer will be your maximum exposure before the stars begin tracking (leaving trails)

EXAMPLE. 18mm lens = 600 / 18 = 33.333
^ Therefore I can leave the shutter open for 33 seconds before losing clarity. Note that the further you zoom, the less time you will have before they track. Adjust accordingly.

--Try to time it so there will be no planes streaking across your shot. Nothing ruins a great picture better than a white and red dash across the frame

--Take a bunch of pictures! You have all night, and the chances of getting another clear night the next night are low.


If your camera has long exposure noise reduction, take one picture with it on and one picture with it off. Sometimes it will eliminate the tiny stars and take away from your shot, yet other times it will do you great justice in removing annoying foreground noise.

Examples! I shot all of these at 30" f/3.8 ISO 2500 with noise reduction OFF (forgot about it)






3 errors in this one: Bland foreground (note difference in next exposure), crooked horizon, and the plane seen in the middle


My personal favorite/best




Best part about these, people go NUTS for them. Bitches, on your dick. Because your camera can see the milky way.

"My camera can see the milky way. What can you do?"