Everything You Need To Know About Photographing the Night Sky

13.09.2023 - 14:29 / matadornetwork.com

Astrophotography is the art of capturing photos of the nighttime sky. It’s like landscape photography, except it happens in the dark hours after sunset. This type of photography requires camera gear, know-how, and determination. You can start with the equipment you already have, but grit and patience are things that can’t be bought or taught — you must want it. By the end of this guide, you’ll be armed with a few simple rules and helpful apps, so you too can venture out and capture photos of the stars.

My name is Jason Barnette. I’m a travel writer who started as a photographer. One of my favorite hobbies was capturing astrophotography. For many years, I used a simple prosumer-level camera and a third-party wide-angle lens. I aim to teach you how to capture stunning photos using similar equipment.

Photo: Jason Barnette

Astrophotography includes photos of anything in the nighttime sky — celestial events, planetary objects, and stars. The photos can be anything from a wide-angle view of the entire sky to a narrow view of the moon. For beginners, it almost certainly means you’ll be capturing nightscapes and star trails.

Here are the five types of astrophotography:

Technology has come a long way since astrophotography was first captured on film. With today’s market of prosumer-level DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, the sky is the limit for capturing astrophotography.

There are three requirements for a digital camera:

Features like megapixels, video recording, and touchscreen are a non-issue for astrophotography. These are good features to have, but not necessary. Does your camera meet these requirements?

If you’re just beginning to capture astrophotography, I advise using your own camera. Astrophotography can become an expensive hobby. But first, you must see if you have the determination for the time-consuming hobby.

These are the minimum specifications for beginner camera bodies:

Anything better than these settings, and you’re set to go. But if you’re in the market for a new camera, here are some budget options to get you started.

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The Canon EOS M50 Mark II was announced in 2020. This is a great budget mirrorless camera with a 24.1 MP sensor and an ISO range of 100-25600. For about $500, it’s perfect for anyone needing a camera before they can begin astrophotography. The M50 Mark II with EF-M 15-45mm Lens is a great beginner’s kit.

The Canon EOS R10 is more than just a beginner’s camera — for around $1,000, it’s a camera that can capture great photos in any situation. The mirrorless camera features a 24.2 MP