STACK #204 Oct 2021

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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SHOOTING STARS There is something so humbling about being under a clear night sky full of stars. No matter who is doing the viewing, we are all looking up at the same thing. On your next outdoor adventure, point your camera to the sky and try your luck capturing the great unknown above. A GUIDE TO ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE

There are four main types of astrophotography, but really, the following are just ideas. Get your creative juices flowing and make something special on your next midnight trip. Star Trails This technique is a popular way of showing off your creativity, as well as Earth’s rotation. By using long exposure methods, you can manipulate light and motion to paint pictures in the sky. Time-lapse SKY'S THE LIMIT photographers with a few hours to spare. Capture a rising moon or a setting sun by anchoring your camera in a stationary position, then set your camera to snap a shot every 10/20/30 seconds. Stitch them together during editing for stunning results. You could even piece all the frames together to create a time-lapse video of your outdoor adventure! Tight Focal point These are the stunning close-ups that you see online when there is a blood moon or eclipse. These images are more accessible to capture than you think! The secret (and this is just between us) is a telescope. You don’t need a huge tele- zoom lens – simply point your camera into the viewfinder of your telescope on the next full moon If you have the right camera, time-lapse photography is a great option for keen

Prepare for the conditions As you could imagine, there are a number of

Know Your Gear Astrophotography really pushes the capability of your camera, so it’s important to have a device that can complete the job well. Phones or point- and-shoot cameras won’t be suitable. A full-frame mirrorless or DSLR are your best options, as they have great low light performance. Likewise, the sky is a big place, so you’ll want a wide lens to fit in as much of the Milky Way as possible – anything wider than the human eye (35mm) is ideal. Take it slow and steady Given Earth’s slow rotation and a photographer’s generally unsteady hand, it is important to use a tripod for astrophotography to get the clearest images.

mistakes (there will be a few at first, no doubt). However there are some things you can do to limit early mistakes: our top three tips for beginners are to shoot in manual mode, choose bright stars to focus on for exposure levels, and shoot in RAW file format. Editing A big part of the process will be how you edit your pictures. Sometimes there will be assets missed by the human eye your camera will capture, which makes for a nice surprise when you increase the clarity or highlights in your editing program. Experimenting with levels and curves can produce stunning results, allowing your images to reach their full potential – experiment 'til you’re happy.

natural factors to consider before heading out with your tripod and camera. A cloudy sky will prohibit clear images; light pollution in populated areas will affect your best results (it’s always best to shoot the night sky in darkness); and lastly, understanding lunar conditions is paramount. In Australia, the best time to capture the Milky Way in its full glory is between February and October, ideally between midnight and 5am. Technique – Be patient It is going to sound clichéd, but astrophotography experience will really come

and get snapping. Starscapes

With a wide-angle lens (24mm generally), you can capture vast, sweeping starscapes producing images of the night sky usually hidden from the naked human eye.

through trial and error and learning from your

SETTING HACKS

ISO For astrophotography, you want to keep the ISO as low as possible while retaining the light sensitivity – this will keep your images of the sky as crisp and clear as possible.

Shutter Speed This determines how long your shutter stays open to allow light in. When shooting performers, animals, or aerial photography, you might have your shutter speed down to 1/400 a second. Astrophotography may require shutter speeds in five, eight, or even 10 seconds per image – that’s why a tripod will be so important.

Aperture The aperture (also known as the f-stop) should be kept as low as possible in low light conditions. Increased aperture allows a great depth of field, but for astrophotography, it will affect the exposure of your image too much.

The 500 Rule To help calculate the shutter speed you might need, the 500 rule is a great guide. What is it? 500 divided by the focal length of your lens = the longest exposure (in seconds). For example, let's say you're shooting with a 24mm lens on your Sony AIII (or any full-frame camera). You would calculate 500/24 = 21 seconds, and then round down to the closest option on your camera. This will give you the correct shutter speed, and help your exposure. In the end, these are guides; the best results will come when you are comfortable in the conditions and with your gear. Experiment with the settings, and explore your creativity in post production.

Hot Tip! Before heading out on your first astro shoot, download the SkyView App. It will help identify which direction to point your camera to capture all kinds of stars, moons, and planets in the deep beyond.

56 OCTOBER 2021

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