Astrophotography is a fantastic way of taking your landscapes to the next level by injecting the awe and wonder of our fascinating solar system into your scenic shots, and it’s a great way of honing your low-light camera skills.
Modern digital cameras pick up much more detail in the night sky than the human eye – so you can capture incredible depth, use long exposures to create amazing star trails, boost the ISO to capture an aurora or attach a telephoto lens to pick out distant galaxies in breathtaking detail.
When it comes to equipment, night sky photography is a genre that you can geek out in – with different filters, lenses and tracking mounts to name just a few. Over the page, we’ve listed our core gear essentials as well as some optional extras to elevate your astrophotography photography. That said, you’ll be able to follow many of the techniques we’re covering with just basic kit, such as capturing pin-sharp stars, blurring them for star trails and shooting the Northern Lights. Ready to photograph galaxies far, far away? So let’s jump right in!
1 WISE BUYS FOR ASTRO
Start with basic equipment and build up your kit bag as your journey progresses
As with any photographic genre, there are optional expensive, niche items and accessories – and that’s no different when it comes to astro. The good news is that you can get great results with simple kit such as an entry-level DSLR or mirrorless camera and a sturdy tripod. If you want to take your astro shots further, you may then wish to expand your kit bag with an extra lens or accessories such as an equatorial mount.
This story is from the September 2023 edition of Digital Camera UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2023 edition of Digital Camera UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Jess McGovern
The multi-award winning photographer will speak twice at The Photography Show this month. Niall Hampton finds out what's in store...
Viltrox AF 27mm F1.2 Pro
A ‘pro’ lens with a consumer price tag
Lumix S100mm f/2.8 Macro
Ticks many boxes but is not a total success
Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM
Every so often, a new superzoom telephoto lens grabs our attention.
Hasselblad 907X & CFV 100C
Not just a beautiful camera system but versatile, too
Sam Davis
The caving photographer will be shining a light on his passion at The Photography Show. Niall Hampton gets a deep dive into the subject
Explore the Multiply blending mode
Multiply is a versatile mode that can be used for a wide range of effects, either on its own or combined with other modes
Create a fine-art border in Lightroom
Enhance your landscape photos by adding a fine-art border with an even feathered edge
Content Credentials explained
Fight the fakes and prove your own photos are genuine with provenance tools in Photoshop and Lightroom
Scanning ahead...
With ever-higher sensor resolutions, Jon Devo asks whether zoom lenses have had their day