Astronomy lovers have grown a strong appreciation for astrophotography, which is taking photos of astronomical or celestial acts. Browsing through some of these photos on Instagram will leave any space fan in awe. These breath-taking pictures of the outer world show you parts of the sky that you can’t see from your porch at night.
Snapping a gorgeous shot of something that is happening in the night’s sky is one of the most gratifying feelings for a photographer. A photograph like that is a fascinating gift to share with the world as well. Looking up at the stars, I always knew there was more that we couldn’t see with just our eyes. Thanks to modern technology (and some helpful tips that we’ll be sharing in a moment) we can now take our own pictures of astronomical acts.
Capturing high-quality photos of what’s up in the night’s sky is one of the more challenging aspects of photography. Once you learn the basics, it really isn’t that difficult to get outstanding space photos. There are some tricks involved in getting a top-notch picture. One thing you definitely need is the right camera. We recommend using Nikon D3500 Astrophotography for the best pictures every time.
Once you have the Nikon D3500 Astrophotography camera and know where you want to have your photo session, you can follow these 5 tips to get the best photos. With a bit of practice, you can become an astrophotography expert or at least convince your friends that you are.
The Best Pictures Require Proper Planning
Capturing a breath-taking photo of the night’s sky requires more than just grabbing your Nikon D3500 Astrophotography and taking a few shots. That only happens if you are lucky enough to come by a perfect astrophotography scene during your travels, which is usually rare. Getting that magical photo isn’t about good luck, it’s more about perfect planning. With careful planning, you can get the best photos.
Always do your research of when and where you plan on doing this photoshoot. Choosing a date around a new moon is the best way to avoid light pollution. You will want to pick a location that is sufficiently dark. Light pollution will create a poor quality picture. Plan for a night with clear skies to get the best visibility.
Make sure there isn’t anything obstructing your view of the sky. If you want a really captivating photo then plan out a location that has landscape elements that will compliment your photo. Use things such as mountains or buildings. Anything you can think of that would add a unique touch can help improve your shot.
Taking the time to properly plan out your photoshoot will help you achieve the best results with your astrophotography practice. There are many aspects that could ruin the quality of your pictures, so if you plan ahead of time you can avoid that happening to yours. Proper planning and patience are always on your side when it comes to getting the best astrophotography shots.
Practice, Practice, And More Practice
One common saying I am sure you’ve heard many times in life is “Practice makes perfect”. We are always a little on the flimsy side when trying something new for the first time. Whether it’s tying your shoes, riding a bike, or learning how to play the piano. We all start off a little rough, to put it politely. Astrophotography is no different.
Did you ride your bicycle perfectly straight the first time you got on it? Probably not. Were you able to paint a realistic-looking portrait the first time you picked up a paintbrush? I don’t think so. That’s why you shouldn’t get discouraged if your photos aren’t that good for your first few tries. Taking pictures in the dark is completely different, especially when your subject is the sky.
You may be an excellent photographer in the daytime, but photographing the night sky is a different game. Even professional photographers need to practice their technique when it comes to taking breathtaking space photos. This is something that takes time, but it well worth the effort once you get the grasp of it.
Don’t worry if you are not seeing great results within your first few nights of taking pictures with your Nikon D5300 Astrophotography. It could take you a week or two of taking pictures every night until you finally start seeing shots you like. Hang in there and before you know it taking pictures of astronomical acts will come naturally to you.
Bulb Mode Will Be Your New Best Friend
You never know when something amazing is going to happen up in the sky. That’s probably a big motivation for why you want to start learning about astrophotography. If you’re wanting to get pictures of star trails and the star trail circles then it’s a good idea to get familiar with the Nikon D3500 Astrophotography bulb mode setting.
Bulb mode is essential for getting the best pictures of the night’s sky. Not every camera is equipped with this setting, but luckily the Nikon D3500 Astrophotography camera is. Bulb mode takes photos at a shutter speed for however long you choose. Your camera will stay in bulb mode for as long as you hold down the shutter-release button. This could take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.
It’s important to make sure you are in a comfortable setting because you could be there for a few hours trying to get that perfect picture. Hopefully, you paid attention to our first tip on planning and brought a folding chair and blankets to stay cozy.
If you want to avoid blurry pictures while using bulb mode then make sure you don’t touch the camera at all while it’s taking the pictures. Take some time to get to know your camera and all of its features before your photoshoot. The more familiar you are with how to work the features, the better quality your shots will be.
Composition Adds An Important Touch
Have you ever watched a video of an artist painting a night sky? There is one similar thing they all have in common. They put a lot of detail into creating a breath-taking scene in the sky, and when it gets to the bottom they paint in little silhouette details. These silhouettes may be small and simple, but they are necessary for completing the scene.
They paint things such as mountains and trees. Some are cityscapes with different sized buildings. Others have small little details incorporated into the painting, such as a deer silhouette or a couple dancing under a tree. Even though the artist’s main focus in their piece is the night’s sky, these little details of a composition are what pulls the scene together. Imagine how funny these paintings would look without the composition?
Keep this in mind when you’re planning a location for your photoshoot. It is always a good plan to arrive early while there is still enough light to set up. This way you can practice a bit to find the perfect composition for your shots. This will save you from struggling to find the right angle in the dark and help you produce better pictures.
When you’re finding the right composition for your shot, avoid simply pointing the lens at the North Star and snapping. Use the Nikon D3500 Astrophotography camera to experiment with the composition and add more depth to your photos. Make sure everything is in balance and that your horizon line is straight for the most breath-taking photos.
Astrophotography Does Call For Traveling
We mentioned earlier that one thing you need to eliminate for the best quality pictures is light pollution. If you live downtown or in a city then you will need to get in your car and drive somewhere more peaceful. When the sun goes down, you want to be in an area with as little light as possible.
It may take a few tries and a lot of planning to find your ideal photoshoot location, but your end results will be worth it. All it takes is some practice, your Nikon D5300 Astrophotography camera, and the right location to shoot the night sky pictures that will turn your Instagram page into the account everyone wants to follow.
If you live in the city, you may have to travel an hour or 2 away from your home to get magical shots. Once you have become more familiar with your camera and have perfected your technique a weekend getaway could be next. Rent a cabin in the wilderness for the weekend and take advantage of the opportunity to snap pictures with little to no light pollution. The perfect shot is always worth the trip, even if it is a couple of hours away.
Using a Nikon D5300 Astrophotography camera is a great way to get the best quality photos of astronomical events. Hopefully, these tips help you take breath-taking night sky photographs.
