Tips to IMPROVE your ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY | Finding compositions and camera settings
Вставка
- Опубліковано 11 жов 2024
- After a successful sunset shoot, Richard and I went back to the car to re-pack our bags and prepare for our Astrophotography adventures. The moon set at 9:30. So we ventured off soon after that in the darkness.
Check out Richard’s Channel - / richlefroy
Go here for Richard’s video of this trip - • Astrophotography | In ...
When shooting astrophotography in the dark, there are a few challenges. I use the ‘500 rule’ to find the best camera setting. I divide 500 by the focal length of my lens. In this case, it was 14-15 mm, which gives me around a maximum exposure of 35 seconds. I rounded that down to 30 seconds to be on the safe side.
Finding your composition because you are able to see your scene through the camera. I point my camera in the general direction I want to shoot and increase the ISO to a high value like 64000 or 128000, this allows me to change my shutter speed to 5 or 8 seconds so I don’t have to wait around for the full 30 seconds exposure. I adjust my camera angle accordingly and shoot again. Once I’m happy, I change the ISO back to 1600 and shoot a correctly exposure 30-second shot.
Another challenge can be finding the right focus, again because everything is so dark. I know that my lens is sharp for infinite objects when turning the focus to infinity and then just back it off a touch. To know this I’ve focused on an object in the distance during the day and noted the position of the focus setting (a few millimetres back from infinity). As I want to get the star as sharp as possible, I can zoom in on the screen on the back of the camera to check the stars are sharp before continuing.
For this video, I shot with this lens - geni.us/ha4b
Check out our previous videos where we captured the sunset in the Cervantes Sand Dunes:
Mine vlog - • Finding Simple Composi...
Richard’s vlog - geni.us/LfVXU
The t-shirt I was wearing is now available for purchase at geni.us/Aq5yJjt
Check out my adventures with the Fujifilm X-T2
Bracketing Exposures - • Bracketing Exposures w...
Controlling Exposures with Lee Filters - • Controlling Exposure o...
Long Exposures - • LONG EXPOSURE Seascape...
Composition using framing - • Improve your Compositi...
Seascape Photography video from Burns Beach - • Landscape Photography ...
Photography Gear - geni.us/lcoUGn
Current Landscape Photography Gear - geni.us/9qYv
Current Vlogging Kit - geni.us/IGrpPY
MAIN LANDSCAPE KIT
My NEW main camera - amzn.to/2EwKE1D
New Tripod - amzn.to/2BQLyUC
New Ball Head - amzn.to/2Evr7yo
'L' Bracket - amzn.to/2H18tAf
Best lens for those big vistas - amzn.to/2E8TyB1
Most used lens - amzn.to/2H12Hyn
When I need that extra reach - amzn.to/2XiDBkx
MIRRORLESS SETUP
Mirrorless Camera - amzn.to/2Xom36f
Wide angle lens - amzn.to/2E81KkW
Mid-range lens - amzn.to/2E80L4e
Light weight Zoom Lens - amzn.to/2GYbzow
Travel Tripod - amzn.to/2EcXLnd
FILTER SYSTEM
My filter system - amzn.to/2EbPwYr
Slim Landscape Polariser - amzn.to/2U6Y6hO
ND Soft Grad Filters - amzn.to/2U6Y7Co
ND Hard Grad Filters - amzn.to/2tAu9uS
Little Stopper - amzn.to/2XmFKvq
Big Stopper - amzn.to/2EvCbLY
AERIAL TOOLBOX
My Favourite Drone - amzn.to/2EuwFJA
Fly More Kit - amzn.to/2BTRj4e
Best Drone Filters - amzn.to/2Ev16iR
VLOGGING GEAR
Main Video Camera - amzn.to/2Xm6ex1
Mini Tripod - amzn.to/2E9xrKx
Camera Mic - amzn.to/2E90HBl
Lav Mic setup - amzn.to/2BT4bYf
Capture Sound - amzn.to/2Ed1MrN
In Australia, for best service and price, I shop at Camera Pro - camerapro.idev...
Camera - camerapro.idev...
Wide Lens - camerapro.idev...
Filter Kit - camerapro.idev...
Drone - camerapro.idev...
CONNECT WITH ME
Instagram (for other images) | / andrew_marr
Facebook (ask me questions) | / andrewmarrph. .
Twitter (for my latest adventures) | / madebyandrew
WANT TO SEE MORE OF MY ADVENTURES?
Landscape Photography Adventures in Iceland - www.youtube.co....
Landscape Photography in the UK - www.youtube.co....
Seascape Photography Images - www.youtube.co....
Post-Processing Landscape Photography Images - www.youtube.co....
*********** PLEASE SUBSCRIBE ************
If you’d like to be notified when I upload my next landscape photography adventure, please subscribe to my channel | www.youtube.co....
*******************************************
Thank you for your support! 🙂
#astrophotography #Nikon #settings
Hi Andrew, Nice to see you doing some astro photography, the pano is great, with nice dark skies, i was driving to Darwin got some nice shots as no light pollution. I hope you can get out for some more as i think there are some great places out west for it.
Thanks for sharing.
Incredible Andrew! I didn't realise how beautiful and easy Astro Photography is. All your pictures are amazing but my two favorites is the one with your head torch shining up into the galactic plain and the 15 shot stack picture of the entire milky way. Great work!!! :)
Cheers Andy, as with most landscape photography the hard bit to getting out there, the rest is relatively easy! :) I was sure how the touch selfie was going to turn out, on the back of the camera is looked ok, but it was difficult to tell in the light. After a little editing, I was happy with it, thanks again mate! 👍
Andrew Marr You're very welcome mate as always 👍
Your selfie looking up at the Milky Way worked a treat. It gave perspective and a new subject in the image.
Thanks very much, I was thinking it would change the subject up a little, but you’re right it also gave you a different perspective, something I didn’t really see until I saw the image display on the back of the panel!
Thoroughly enjoyed this episode. Despite the challenging conditions, you managed to come away with some epic shots.
Andrew, yet again a wonderful tutorial and stunning images. I particularly like the shot just on the 9 minute mark - brilliant.
I never tried to photograph the milky way. But seeing this vlog makes me want to try it. The pano is just awesome, especially in combination with the beautiful dunes.
Hi Andrew. I've learned a lot from this video. Astrophotography is a new area for me so I'm trying to pick up as much knowledge as I can and watching your vlog has helped enormously. I really like the tip about bumping the ISO to take shorter test shot - very clever ! Your images are breathtaking - love the pano and the head torch selfie. You're creating a top channel here Andrew and I for one can't wait for your next outing. Many thanks for sharing this excellent video.
Thanks for a great video! The picture with the arching milkyway is just amazing.
Wow, Excellent shots Andrew! I don't recall seeing astro on this channel, gotta say I LOVE IT!
Best vlog yet! You explain things so well!Awesome shots!!
Just discovered your channel, great to see all these shots around Perth.
You've inspired me develop my fledgling photography skills. Thank you.
Great vlog and images, nice to be away from light pollution by such a degree. Those dunes look great for all sorts of photographic adventures! Hope you are well and looking forward to your next inspiring video!
Congrats Andrew!😉
Really great shots...
Thanks so much, glad you liked these!
One word...EPIC!!!
Thanks so much Santosh! :)
9:07 It was the most beautiful image in this video💙💙💙. Looking forward for more astrophotography videos specially from you.
Thank you Rutwik, I wasn't sure how that one was going to work out but I was happy with the result. It was lot's of fun, cheers! :)
Another great Video and Amazing photos, great to get the tips and info. Thank you.
Thanks Ross, glad you enjoyed the videos and images mate and found it the helpful, cheers!
Stunning photo's Andrew. I plan on doing my first astro shoot in about 2 weeks ,I'm looking forward to it.
Hi Andrew. I was very impressed with the amount of effort you put into each shot. So much to consider! Composition in the dark, now theres a challenge I never thought about. I think what makes an astro photography image stand out is whats in the foreground or horizon & you did a great job with that, in my opinion. I loved the texture from the dune in the last image, where it was lit by your friend, from the right. Lots to enjoy there, both in the foreground & the sky. Kindest regards, Robert
Thanks for that Robert, yes a bit hard to aim at something you can't see, haha! I agree with you, I think the foreground really helps, the detail and interest increases the impact! Really appreciate you sharing your thoughts Robert, cheers mate!
Awesome stuff guys, those images looked fantastic 👍👍
Brilliant video. We are so lucky to have such a good view of the Milky Way from the Southern hemisphere at this time of year. The texture in the dunes raised the foreground to equal status with epic night sky in your images.
Cheers Kevin, I must admit the Southern Hemisphere certainly has the best view of the Milkyway! Thanks for sharing your thoughts mate!
Amazing it’s on my bucket list to get them kind of shots I bloody love the selfie mate really cool
Thanks Andrew for sharing your dunes/Astro journey. Great to get good first had advice and you have produced some spectacular images. Cheers.
Andrew, one more great video, with stunning images!
….some people are on the opinion, that these milkyway selfies, with the torch on, looking to the stars, are sucked out, during the time.... I cant't confirm that! The picture at 9:10 is absolutely breathtaking!!! Keep on!
Thanks MrFrankie, pleased you like these shots. I wouldn’t mind a few days holiday amongst the stars! :)
Loved the video Andrew. I am a huge fan of dune and astro photography. Very cool you got out there and came back with some lovely images. I'm heading out to Joshua Tree on Wednesday for some astro. I've done quite a bit of astro but never vlogged it. That'll be the new challenge. Anyway...Thanks for the video and tips mate.
Just love your work mate. I would love to see more on your post production work as well. Really like the way you go through your set up before you shoot. Very informative.
Thanks very much, I'm planning of sharing more post production videos soon...it'll be too hot to go shooting over summer! :)
Funnily enough Andrew loved the selfie, top job mate. Wow that was really dark too don’t know how I’d cope with that lol. That was a great video with superb images so thanks for all your efforts kudos cheers from Spain.
Thanks Michael, it was very dark which we were fine with until our main flood touch ran out of charge. Glad you enjoyed the images, appreciate you leaving a comment, cheers!
Never done any astrophotography but hope to get some clear skies in the Lake District week after next, but UK summer is not something to rely on.... Looks like you guys had a great time in the dunes. Australia is moving up our bucket list! Thanks for the inspiration and the wow shots Andrew.
Cheers Steve, ah the Lake District, what an amazing region. I'd love to return there one day. Is it remote enough for you to get enough darkness in the sky without too much light pollution? Australia would love to have you visit mate, I need the WA Tourist Board to see this comment! :)
Excellent!! That all came together really well and those shots are ace! Pano turned out awesome 👏 You do a bloody good job of explaining your whole thought process too. It all seems so manageable when you’re sitting back watching this... but a different story when you’re in the middle of it, right!? It was a pleasure shooting with Andrew, thanks mate!
Cheers Richard, yeah I was so tired towards the end that I struggle to remember some of the detail, haha! You’re right, while we were there battling with the light or lack of light, you not quite sure how it’s all going to turn out. It’s nice editing the footage together and working out how best to tell the story. I really enjoyed the trip, thanks mate!
once again an amazing video Andrew. I love the calmness in which you explain everything. Keep going you're doing an amazing job on teaching us photography
Thanks very much, so please you enjoy the style and approach I take with these videos, appreciate you letting me know!
another great video, and the pictures are stunning. Australia is now one of the destinations I want to visit. Thank you Andrew. Its nice to see different parts of australia that not the east coast and the usual parts we see. You have shown me that the west coast is just as good for photography.
Thanks for that Ian, it’s really nice to hear the impact these videos have had. I’d definitely recommend visiting the west coast, as you can see there’s an abundance of locations to photography and, to be honest, I’m just getting started.
Very interesting video Andrew, I'd been looking forward to this one and it didn't disappoint! The shots were amazing, the head torch one looking up was my favourite. The hard work you put into this was worthwhile - well done 👍
Thanks for that Paul, something a little different from the usual landscape photography vlogs. Glad you enjoyed the video and the images I took, cheers mate! 👍
Great video - loved the 'selfie'! I have tried my hand at astrophotography some, but here on the East coast of the US, there is no dark sky site for a *long* way! Where-ever you go, there is a town just over the horizon, and any haze in the air catches and reflects the light...
Thanks Phil, it’s must be difficult is such high-density population. It’s one of the advantages we have here on the west coast of Australian…there’s no one round! But it can get very windy! :)
Good job guys, love Astrophotography, looking forward to seeing your sunrise
Astrophotography is great fun and you can get some amazing results, cheers! :)
So amazing! Thanks for sharing and brilliant work!
Astro photography brings fourth so many challenges as it is, then add sand to it and man, but you guys had such a productive night! Loved the images. Looks like a great time.
Thanks Diego, you’re right there are plenty of challenges but you be rewarded with some unique images. We had lots of fun, glad you enjoyed the images mate!
Great job Andrew, some really wonderful shots there. Shooting in the dark is so much fun but can be so frustrating. Many a time I have got home to find blurry photos either of the foreground or the sky. Never thought to try banging my ISO up to maximum to do a test shot so thanks for that
Thanks Peter, your right there can definitely be frustrations but the rewards can be huge! So pleased you found some of the tips here helpful mate!
I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation Andrew on astrophotography... A lot of work went into the 12 image pano @ 30 secs. ea... I liked them all, I would have to say the final portrait with the floods coming in from the right really brought out the textures in the dunes beautifully making for a gorgeous milky way image...
Cheers,
Bill Farr...:-)
Hi Bill, the pano was a bit of an effort, I had to take it a second time as I must have bumped the lens and the shots were out of focus, so I had to do it again. Glad you liked that last image, I think changing the position of the light made a huge difference to the textures. Thanks again mate and take care!
Great images, learned a lot about creating the right conditions to get that impressive shot. Thanks again Andrew!
Thanks Aad, glad you found this one helpful, all the best! 👍
Great video. I personally think you lit the pano very evenly, impressive stuff. Well done. Could you maybe provide some info on flood light used?
My favorite kind of photography
Thanks for that Theresa, it’s a lot of fun and very different from landscape photography with its own challenges.
Beautiful shots Andrew
Thanks so much Leanne! :)
Beautiful images!
Good morning Andrew,the time you take to explain all aspects of composition and mechanics to achieve such amazing images.the shot of you on the dune with your torch is classic.
Have you considered using a remote flash to paint the dunes?
Another excellent lesson in your wonderful series,thanks mate.
I notice your billy didn’t boil.😀
Thanks so much David for sharing your feedback here, I’m glad you enjoyed the images. Until you mentioned it I hadn’t considered using a remote flash. I imagine you could get some interesting effects with a flash. You are right, the billy didn’t even come close to boiling! 😀
Andrew Marr I appreciate your response.i would really enjoy as I’m sure others would an episode highlighting your favorites of the past year.
Cheers.
Cheers David, great suggestion, I'll note that down for perhaps an end-of-year roundup! 👍
Great video Andrew!
Great video, I really have to get up to lancelin for some astro shots
Great photos.very informative video.
Thanks for that Nina! :)
A fantastic partnership in photography! Conditions looked so Challenging, well done!!! The shot at 9:04 absolutely love that shot!! Two great vlogs...
Thanks very much for your support Mali, glad you enjoyed the selfie shot. I don’t often do those types of photos but they do give an interesting perspective.
Wow! What awesome images you’ve made there Andrew. Very informative video too.
Thanks Andrew, it was great fun, glad you found it informative! 👍
Love the tips on settings. What white balance setting do you prefer for astrophotographers? ...and what about sunrise or sunset shots?
Another great video Andrew. Learned a lot today.
Cheers Jim, pleased you enjoyed this one and found it helpful mate!
Awesome video Andrew. Some amazing images there loved the pano of the galactic core arch and some really cool information about astro !!!
Thank you Tim, appreciate your comments mate. I wasn't sure the pano was going to come out but I was happy with the results, all the best! 👍
Lovely work Andrew.
Thanks very much Greg!
Great vlog👌
Thanks for that Graviton! 😀
Andrew, ur site is great!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, appreciate you leaving a comment! :)
A rising full moon would give you nice natural light on the dunes,{ i really don't like artificial light on anything myself} although your later images were a lot softer than your earlier ones.You also need a lamp with red light as an option as this allows you to still see where your going and doesn't distract other photographers in the area, if your only using white light in these dark areas and you turn your light off for whatever reason, your eyes need to adjust which is around 15 minutes but if your using the red light then much quicker focusing time.Just thought i'd bring this to future astro-photographers attention :),cheers Andrew.
Nice video again Andrew, yo made also a few amazing images i think. The video was also very informative thank you for that, keep doing great job ;)
Thanks for your encouragement Dimitar, glad you found this one helpful mate, all the best!
Few of those images were absolute stunners, good effort! Sand on your gear is not good especially a 2 and a half grand piece of glass 😳
Cheers Jon, pleased you enjoy the images mate. Nope sand is not good but I’ve managed to clean it all out! :)
Excellent Andrew. Learned a lot and something I’ve not done but feel inspired to try. One question-can you see anything in the sky at all when considering your composition? Or are you using some kind of astronomy app to help? Thanks again! Looked like a lot of fun!
Not your usual sort of vlog. The pano was stunning! In the ‘cliche’ shot, was the pool of light you were standing in spill from the head torch or another light? Thanks to you both, must look out for Richard’s take on it.
Thanks Brian, nope something a little different. I also had the light from my iPhone shining down onto the sand dunes so I could have a little reflected light off the sand to separate me from the background.
Great video Andrew. How did you get your equipment cleaned of sand
. :)
great episode Andrew and loved all the images especially the pano, the composition of this one turned out a real treat. Heading to the lake district next month and something I hope to maybe try out
Glad you like the images Jim, it took a couple of goes to get the composition right. All the best for the Lake District trip, I was there around this time last year…really miss that place! Is it remote enough to get enough darkness?
Not sure how dark it will be but plan to get out at different times in the morning and evening during my trip to make the most of it in any case
Wow, the quality of just a 30s exposure at ISO1600 is amazing compared to anything I can get. I'm not sure if it's the D850 or the location but I am jealous.
Thanks for a superb video Andrew! I’ve been shooting on a Canon 6D until now and just changed systems to a Nikon D850 so I’m very excited to see what it can do where I live in Canberra. Do you think it would be similar settings than the D810? I’ll be using a Samyang 14mm 2.8. I Will experiment with ISO 1600/3200 and 30sec...
Great vid.
Thank you Hu!
Some nice shots there Andrew.
I'd consider placing a warm gel in front of your headtorch as most LED headtorches have a cool blue temp to their light which I don't think is a great look.
Unless of course you want a cool/warm mix in the image.
I use gels to warm the LEDs and you can also get some LED headtorches with warm light.
Another option for lighting large areas would be a LED light panel - Low Light Level lightpainting.
I find it better than using a headtorch - more consistent, plenty of control over light output, and with some of the LED light panels you can control the colour balance.
lowlevellighting.org
Hey mate I'm a qlder down in perth for 4 days left.just wanted to ask ya if ya want to go out and get some photographs
Sorry mate, I’m up in Kalbarri with the family!
Just a question. I'm looking at buying a laptop for when I travel so I can edit. If you don't me asking. What do you own Andrew?
Love this video. Great work. Love astro. That shot of you on the dune was awesome.
Thanks so much for your comment, glad you enjoyed the images. regarding your question, I use a MacBook Pro, it’s quite an old one and needs upgrading but it does the job.