CAPTURE THE GALAXY

Take a trip into the cosmic world of astrophotography, and learn how to create images that are truly out of this world

- Kim Bunermann

LIFE OUT THERE

Shooting such a complex area presents challenges, but with a few accessories and lots of patience you can shoot spectacular astrophotography images

RALF ROHNER 

Ralf Rohner is an astrophotographer from Switzerland and also a pilot for Swiss International Air Lines, a job that allows him to indulge his passion for travel and astronomy. He is a pioneer of the application of deep space imaging techniques in landscape astrophotography, and has captured the beauty of the night sky over some of the world's most iconic landscapes.

ralf-rohner.pixels.com @skypointer2000 skypointer.photo.blog

Capturing the galaxy and its natural phenomena is an extraordinary experience that can be incredibly rewarding. But shooting such a complex and largely mysterious area in all its beauty presents many challenges. You may think this genre requires expensive gear, but with your current DSLR or mirrorless camera and a few accessories, shooting images from light-years away is possible.

As well as understanding the galaxy, understanding the planet that you're photographing it from is crucial - the Earth won't stop rotating to help you get clearer images, and when you're venturing into the dark, preparation is key to overcoming light pollution, one of the biggest enemies of clear astro shots. And gone are the days of simple and quick shooting in single frames; capturing the best astrophotography requires lots of patience in order to shoot the night sky with multiple frames and long exposures.