Star Photography
Discussion
I've had a look at some of the pics and threads on here about astro photography, but still just can't seem to get it right.
Basically what I'm after is two different type of shots:
Star trails like this:
And just stars/milky way, like this:
I see there is a lot of settings to consider, so some trial and error, but if anyone could answer these questions I would be grateful.
Trails:
1. For trails why do people use ISO's from 800-1600? Surely a lower ISO would enable a longer shutter speed, and a longer trail?
2. Can you stack the images in PS, or do you need dedicated software? If PS is OK, is there a tutorial or action that anyone on here has used?
3. I tried getting some trails last night, but the sky was coming out very bright, do you rally have to be miles from anywhere to try this? The thing is, I see a lot of star trail images with buildings and things in the foreground (which I would also like to do), how do you stop them from lighting up the rest of the frame on a long exposure?
4. Any help with ISO/shutter speed/aperture would be useful.
Static night sky:
1. I also tried this last night, high ISO, faster shutter etc. Got nothing. I think it was too bright. Has anyone has any success at these type of shots within say 50 miles of a city? I don't know how far out in the sticks I have to be to be able to see this?
2. Does a wide aperture and high ISO cause any issues? I imagine you have to get the focus just right otherwise everything will come out soft.
3. Anything else to help would be great!
Also for either shot, do I need to know moon cycles, light polution maps etc.? I live in Waterloo, Ontario BTW.
I have the time to experiment, but with two young toddlers and a demanding job, I can't be out all night every night, so anything that would speed up my learning would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
P.S. There is a building near me (in the city) that I would love to have as the foreground, but I fear the light polution might not make it possible.
Basically what I'm after is two different type of shots:
Star trails like this:
And just stars/milky way, like this:
I see there is a lot of settings to consider, so some trial and error, but if anyone could answer these questions I would be grateful.
Trails:
1. For trails why do people use ISO's from 800-1600? Surely a lower ISO would enable a longer shutter speed, and a longer trail?
2. Can you stack the images in PS, or do you need dedicated software? If PS is OK, is there a tutorial or action that anyone on here has used?
3. I tried getting some trails last night, but the sky was coming out very bright, do you rally have to be miles from anywhere to try this? The thing is, I see a lot of star trail images with buildings and things in the foreground (which I would also like to do), how do you stop them from lighting up the rest of the frame on a long exposure?
4. Any help with ISO/shutter speed/aperture would be useful.
Static night sky:
1. I also tried this last night, high ISO, faster shutter etc. Got nothing. I think it was too bright. Has anyone has any success at these type of shots within say 50 miles of a city? I don't know how far out in the sticks I have to be to be able to see this?
2. Does a wide aperture and high ISO cause any issues? I imagine you have to get the focus just right otherwise everything will come out soft.
3. Anything else to help would be great!
Also for either shot, do I need to know moon cycles, light polution maps etc.? I live in Waterloo, Ontario BTW.
I have the time to experiment, but with two young toddlers and a demanding job, I can't be out all night every night, so anything that would speed up my learning would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
P.S. There is a building near me (in the city) that I would love to have as the foreground, but I fear the light polution might not make it possible.
Thanks for all the tips, especially yours Andrew! I am off on holiday next week so will post the results back in a fortnight or so.
I think I have all I need for the static shot, for the trails, three more questions:
1. Should I shoot RAW or JPG, or both?
2. If shooting JPG what white balance should I use?
3. Is there a way to set the camera up (D300) to take shots continuously so that I don't have to keep clicking the remote for every exposure? What if the exposure is longer than 30 seconds?
Also, people (on flickr) seem to be able to get trails with 30 second exposures? When I tried it the other day to took me 10 minutes to get small trails. So does the stacking software combine many very small trails (i.e. virtually dots) into one longer trail?
I'll probably only get one night to try this, should I try many 30 second exposures or one really long one (1 hour or more)?
I think I have all I need for the static shot, for the trails, three more questions:
1. Should I shoot RAW or JPG, or both?
2. If shooting JPG what white balance should I use?
3. Is there a way to set the camera up (D300) to take shots continuously so that I don't have to keep clicking the remote for every exposure? What if the exposure is longer than 30 seconds?
Also, people (on flickr) seem to be able to get trails with 30 second exposures? When I tried it the other day to took me 10 minutes to get small trails. So does the stacking software combine many very small trails (i.e. virtually dots) into one longer trail?
I'll probably only get one night to try this, should I try many 30 second exposures or one really long one (1 hour or more)?
Thanks for all the advice everyone, I got my pics!
Rest of them here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob_smith_photography...
The star trails one had tiny gaps between the shots, next I will shoot jpg only and turn off in camera NR, I think both of those might have contributed to a tiny delay.
Rest of them here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob_smith_photography...
The star trails one had tiny gaps between the shots, next I will shoot jpg only and turn off in camera NR, I think both of those might have contributed to a tiny delay.
One Shot. Straight from camera. Very happy with it!
Genesis and Galaxy by rob smith photography, on Flickr
Genesis and Galaxy by rob smith photography, on Flickr
AndWhyNot said:
Pretty nice with the car Bob, given what I guess were the ambient light conditions you've done well to light the car quite subtly.
Thanks. I actually used a torch which was too bright, so I covered it with a paper napkin and ran past the car during the 30 sec exposure. Took a few tries!DibblyDobbler said:
Bob_Defly said:
Thanks. I actually used a torch which was too bright, so I covered it with a paper napkin and ran past the car during the 30 sec exposure. Took a few tries!
I can only imagine what any passers-by must have thought 
I use this to find the nearest place I can drive to that is the darkest.
http://www.jshine.net/astronomy/dark_sky/
Is there anything similar for Europe?
http://www.jshine.net/astronomy/dark_sky/
Is there anything similar for Europe?
vesparider said:
Thanks for the advice. I saw your star photography guide and it was really really good, thanks very much for doing it!
I think at least a better camera is not an option, i upgraded from an Olympus E510 to a 5D mkIII just because i kept blaming the camera for not being able to get the shot i wanted. Now i have removed that excuse i need to face up to life and just get better at taking photos
If i was to look at a faster lens, is there any particular one you would recommend? Preferably one thats useful for other things too as i'm not sure i can afford a lens just for stars!
Thanks
24mm primes are good, and cheap! Great first attempt BTW, well done. Keep at it.I think at least a better camera is not an option, i upgraded from an Olympus E510 to a 5D mkIII just because i kept blaming the camera for not being able to get the shot i wanted. Now i have removed that excuse i need to face up to life and just get better at taking photos
If i was to look at a faster lens, is there any particular one you would recommend? Preferably one thats useful for other things too as i'm not sure i can afford a lens just for stars!
Thanks
Same here, looking the other way, over Lake Erie.
Our Galaxy by rob smith photography, on Flickr
I drove an hour and a half to get away from the light.
http://www.jshine.net/astronomy/dark_sky/
Our Galaxy by rob smith photography, on Flickr
I drove an hour and a half to get away from the light.
http://www.jshine.net/astronomy/dark_sky/
Thanks everyone! For focusing I just go to infinity, and back a little. Sort of the opposite of Buzz Lightyear!
I was out on Saturday (Sun am) during the meteor shower, I didn't manage to capture any as they are quick, but oh my god they were impressive. Two were so big and bright that I actually thought they were going to hit the lake! They even left a smoke trail.
The Milky Way shot was f/2.8, 30sec, ISO-1000, D300. The D300 can get a bit messy above ISO1000, I'm very happy with how that one turned out.
P.S. Take a chair, standing and looking up is hard on the neck.
P.P.S. Anyone interested in some 'Focus on Astrophotography' T-shirts, "To Infinity...and back a bit!"
I was out on Saturday (Sun am) during the meteor shower, I didn't manage to capture any as they are quick, but oh my god they were impressive. Two were so big and bright that I actually thought they were going to hit the lake! They even left a smoke trail.
The Milky Way shot was f/2.8, 30sec, ISO-1000, D300. The D300 can get a bit messy above ISO1000, I'm very happy with how that one turned out.
P.S. Take a chair, standing and looking up is hard on the neck.
P.P.S. Anyone interested in some 'Focus on Astrophotography' T-shirts, "To Infinity...and back a bit!"
Harry Flashman said:
Guys, I am using a D5100 and the Tokina 11-16 2.8 - photos above are from that. To be honest, it will never be as good as full frame, but some improvements to technique should show marked improvement on the two shots above (pointing at the right bit of the milky way would have been a good start, for example!)
I used the same lens, I found it slightly sharper than the Sigma 10-20mm. My camera is also a crop sensor, but an older sensor to boot, newer ones should be even better.Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff