Photographic skills of shooting beautiful starry sky

The night sky is a beautiful picture. When I stare at the starry night sky, my heart is filled with awe. I want to know how big the universe is, how many stars are there in the sky and how far they are from us. It is very difficult to catch the stars in the sky, but I hope the following skills can help you.

Step 1: Prepare

First of all, you need to find the right location under the right conditions, so as to increase the chances of taking wonderful photos. I live in a city in northern England, and I can hardly see the starry night sky. You need to go to a remote place, away from the light pollution in the city. Choosing a sunny night will also help. Check the weather forecast in advance, of course you don't want to be blocked by thick clouds.

It is very important to keep the camera completely still during a long exposure, so you must use a stable tripod. Cable release is also useful to avoid touching the camera during exposure. Any slight vibration will affect the exposure effect. When you start to press the shutter, one trick is to cover the lens with a piece of dark cardboard, and once the camera stabilizes, take it off.

Step 2: Clear the photo

Because the earth is spinning, it is difficult to take clear pictures of the starry sky unless you have professional telescopes and other equipment. The longest exposure time should be limited to about 15 seconds, without obvious tremor. In order to get a clear picture of the starry sky, you need to choose a clear night. Choose the aperture as large as possible, such as f/2.8, and set the shutter speed between 15 and 20 seconds. You also need to set the sensitivity. In order to control noise, ISO 100 or 200 is ideal. But for accurate exposure, you may need to increase the sensitivity.

Step 3: Star Orbit

The first thing to understand when shooting the starry sky is that the earth is turning, which means that the stars will move after you shoot. This is the so-called "star orbit" effect, as you can see in the chart. In order to capture the picture of the star orbit, set the aperture as large as possible, from f/ 1.8 to f/4, and set the focal length to infinity, and then aim the camera at Polaris, which will remain stationary while other stars will revolve around it.

Also, you need to set the sensitivity. Initially, the sensitivity was ISO 100. In order to increase exposure, sometimes you need to give in to noise. The exposure time varies according to the light projected by the moon. If it is a new moon, the exposure time is about 1 hour; For half a month, the exposure time is controlled at 20 minutes. This is just an attempt to use the existing light. But remember, the longer the exposure time, the longer the star track appears.

Step 4: Equipment

Remember to bring some basic items, which will make your whole shooting smoother. First of all, a flashlight will make it easier for you to set up your camera and find a flat place to put your tripod. Don't leave the shutter open when you press it. Secondly, if you shoot for a long time, bring one or two spare batteries. Third, you can use a stopwatch or timer to check the exposure time without touching the camera. Finally, if you feel tired or very tired, a chair or bench is quite useful.

Step 5: Go out to practice at night.

Shooting the stars is very tiring, especially an exposure takes a long time. However, when you take the photos you want, it is also worthwhile. You can also go out to shoot the moon at night. This is a good practice opportunity, which can help you master some basic essentials.

It is difficult to capture the pictures in the starry sky with a camera, but once you master some basic exposure setting skills, you will find it less difficult. What you need to do is to keep practicing and use composition to find the right conditions. After one or two attempts, you will take good photos.