Basics of Astrophotography

To start, the basics of astrophotography is that you need to use a lens that is wider and not zoomed in. The sky will be difficult to focus on, so you will need to use manual focus. I used a 35mm lens on my Canon 5d Mark 4 to take these images below.

My next tip, is to make sure you have something sturdy to hold your camera, like a tripod. I am a little messy with my process, and sometimes I balance the camera on anything I can find. Most likely my car. So when I stand outside in the middle of the night to take photos, I balance the camera on my car, facing upwards to the sky.

Further, when I do astrophotography, I leave the shutter open for as long as 30 seconds sometimes. The longer the shutter is open, the more light can come through. This is how you can capture the light coming from the stars, even when everything else is pitch black.

Overall, my best piece of advice for astrophotography, is just to start. As messy and as lost as you might feel, starting is the answer. The more you practice it, the better it will come out sooner than later.

A summary to remember:

Astrophotography can be simplified with a few quick tips. First, use a sturdy tripod to minimize camera shake. A remote shutter release or timer can further reduce vibrations. Choose a wide-angle lens with a large aperture (f/2.8 or lower) to capture more light. Set your camera to manual mode for full control, starting with a high ISO (800–3200) and a long exposure (10–30 seconds). Use the 500 Rule (500 divided by your lens’s focal length) to avoid star trails. Focus manually on a bright star or planet, ensuring it’s sharp. Find a dark location away from city lights to reduce light pollution. Use apps like Stellarium to plan your shoot and track celestial events. Pack extra batteries, as long exposures drain power quickly. Experiment with compositions, including foreground elements like trees or mountains, to add depth to your images. Patience and practice are key!

More Information

A popular link tree to astrophotography blogs here.

More on ally frances blog here.