Night Sky Photography - How can I improve/what am I doing wrong?

[STRBramley]

Hi all,
Looking for a bit of advice.
I tried the camera out last night as it was a clear sky.

Is the main problem with my test photos below the light pollution?
Also, if this is or isn't the case, what else could I do to improve?

I used a low aperture, high ISO (800-3200) and a 30 second exposure with a Sigma 10-20 wide angle lens.

Star Photos - Testing by Sonny Bramley, on Flickr

Star Photos - Testing by Sonny Bramley, on Flickr

Star Photos - Testing by Sonny Bramley, on Flickr

Star Photos - Testing[/url] by Sonny Bramley, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[JamesBryan]

When you say improve, what effect are you trying to get? Star trails?

Light pollution is affecting them though yes.

@Aaron.. will be able to help.

 

[STRBramley]

When you say improve, what effect are you trying to get? Star trails?

Light pollution is affecting them though yes.

@Aaron.. will be able to help.

Thanks for the reply.
I wasn't going for star trails, just a good picture of the stars that can't be seen with the eye. I'd like to get a milky way photograph but I assume the conditions need to be perfect for this.

 

[Inequality Street]

I can't see your photo's (at work) but I have seen a few of @TheEvilGiraffe 's - and they're wicked. Tagging him in for you!

 

[Ay Ay Ron]

As James says, light pollution it having an effect on your shots. The way to resolve this is by going miles away from populated areas, and I do mean miles!
You have a bit of trailing in your second image, can't see the exif details because the picture is set to private but if it's 30 seconds, try shooting at 20-25 instead and you'll get sharper images where the stars don't start to trail.

Nothing wrong with the iso, I generally shoot between 3200-5000, maybe 8000 if I'm doing a short exposure timelapse (usually 8-10 seconds, f2.8)

The milky way isn't great this time of year, wait until April October for the best part to be visible, peaking July- August but you'll have to stay out super late to get the dark skies for it midnight - 2 am ish in July.

 

[Ay Ay Ron]

This was at 10mm on my old 10-20, 30 seconds, f4, iso 6400. Don't be afraid to push the iso. This was on a canon 550d in July a couple of years ago. The glow in the distance is light pollution from a fairly small town about 20 miles away.

The road by Aaron, on Flickr

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

For a first attempt - absolutely fine. As for improving ...

Focus / subject:
Make sure your subject is interesting / actually in shot. Those trees are out of focus - I guess it was windy and probably not focused properly anyway.

Use the onboard 2-second timer, if not 10-second timer. Make sure the camera is still before the shutter opens !!

For static star shots - High ISO, low number f-stop. So ISO 1600 / f/4.0, see what it looks like, fiddle the numbers to see if you can get it looking any better.

Use an app / website which calculates longest shutter speed you can get away with before movement shows, for a given focal length.

Watch out for the moon. It will crash your party more than you can imagine for something that comes out at night... and it moves bloody quickly.

Aside from that - composition is key.. as with any photo. White balance too is important to look 'right'.



Iron Man by Rob James, on Flickr


The Unit at night by Rob James, on Flickr


ChurchMiniStack by Rob James, on Flickr

Or make them move....


Planes, trains and Earths rotation over approximately 20 minutes shown by the stars by Rob James, on Flickr

Good luck !

 

[STRBramley]

As James says...

For a first...

Thanks both, this is exactly the advise I was after. I think I'll head up Derbyshire when there's another clear sky.

 

[Ben]

Wouldn't you use a higher f. number rather than 4, to get a sharper image?

 

[JamesBryan]

Wouldn't you use a higher f. number rather than 4, to get a sharper image?

To let as much light in as possible.

 

[rsbeano]

Hi all,
Looking for a bit of advice.
I tried the camera out last night as it was a clear sky.

Is the main problem with my test photos below the light pollution?
Also, if this is or isn't the case, what else could I do to improve?

Late to this party, but check out this..

http://karllindsayphotography.com/blog/2013/04/how-to-take-stunning-night-photos-1

3 parts guide to doing so, it's what I used as a base for my knowledge then went out and practiced time and time again. Trial and error, every camera/lens set up will react differently, and everyday is different!

Some great advice from TheEvilGiraffe and Aaron..

You can also capture the milky way in major light pollution by way over exposing it, then adjusting curves bringing in contrast etc, but there's a limit to how far you can push that!

This gives an idea of light pollution, shot at the beginning of September if I remember rightly just as the milky way's 'galactic centre' starts disappearing on the horizon. ISO3200, 25secs at f/2,8 11mm (cropped sensor so realistically 17mm ish)

 

[Scrooge]

Those are awesome! I've still not shot the Milky Way

 

[rsbeano]

Those are awesome! I've still not shot the Milky Way 😧

Cheers! I probably go hunting the milky way more than landscapes now, although I've started working more with people/models to try and spice things up a bit

 

[Scrooge]

Cheers! I probably go hunting the milky way more than landscapes now, although I've started working more with people/models to try and spice things up a bit :wink:

Tbh id have no idea how to find the Milky Way bar point the camera at the sky lol

 

[rsbeano]

Tbh id have no idea how to find the Milky Way bar point the camera at the sky lol

Fair! I use an app called star walk, pretty handy as it points you exactly to the right place! Trial and error eh. You can always count on the best bit being somewhere towards the S/SW in summer

 

[Scrooge]

Fair! I use an app called star walk, pretty handy as it points you exactly to the right place! Trial and error eh. You can always count on the best bit being somewhere towards the S/SW in summer

Thanks, just downloaded the app!

I'm guessing it isn't actually labelled as the Milky Way?

 

[rsbeano]

Thanks, just downloaded the app!

I'm guessing it isn't actually labelled as the Milky Way?

It should be quite noticeable as a belt of stars. Look for the constellation Sagittarius also, that'll point you in the right direction!

 

[Ay Ay Ron]

Tbh id have no idea how to find the Milky Way bar point the camera at the sky lol

Get somewhere dark enough and you will see it easily mate. I can pick it out at home now in a fairly light polluted town. It should be fairly obvious on the app, looks like a massive cloud.

 

[Scrooge]

Get somewhere dark enough and you will see it easily mate. I can pick it out at home now in a fairly light polluted town. It should be fairly obvious on the app, looks like a massive cloud.

Even when I'm out in the sticks here and the stars are very clear I can't see it, well I haven't so far.

I'm down in Kent for the Easter weekend so hopefully I'll be able to pick it out.

I was going to try tonight but the sky is cloudy as f**k

 

[Ay Ay Ron]

The missus is out tonight and I've got the little one. Whilst I absolutely love him to bits, I can't believe that this is kicking off. Taken from my porch, all my mates are out with the cameras checking this! Sorry for the FB quality. Just editing some more.

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

The missus is out tonight and I've got the little one. Whilst I absolutely love him to bits, I can't believe that this is kicking off. Taken from my porch, all my mates are out with the cameras checking this! Sorry for the FB quality. Just editing some more.

Aurora ?

 

[Ay Ay Ron]

Aurora ?

Yup. Hope its still kicking off when I go to Skye in the morning. 4 nights of clear skies now please!

 

[Scrooge]

Yup. Hope its still kicking off when I go to Skye in the morning. 4 nights of clear skies now please!

No chance of ever seeing that down here 😧

 

[Yanoo]

Use Stellarium Mobile app, that is one of the best for finding Milky Way. With this app it is very easy to figure out when and where the Milky Way will be visible.
For example I used Stellarium and Google Map when I planned this pic:


I'm the light in the night by <-Y->, on Flickr