What Is Astrophotography?
Astrophotography involves capturing faint light from distant objects using long exposures and careful technique.
It ranges from:
Smartphone night photos
DSLR Milky Way shots
Deep-sky imaging with tracking mounts
Beginner-Friendly Setup
You can start with:
DSLR or mirrorless camera
Wide-angle lens (14–24mm)
Tripod
Manual camera control
Basic Camera Settings
Typical Milky Way settings:
ISO: 1600–3200
Aperture: f/2–f/2.8
Exposure: 10–20 seconds
Settings vary based on location and equipment.
Tracking & Deep-Sky Imaging
To capture nebulae and galaxies:
Use a tracking mount
Take multiple exposures
Stack images in software
This overcomes Earth’s rotation and reduces noise.
Processing Is Half the Work
Astrophotography relies heavily on post-processing:
Noise reduction
Contrast enhancement
Colour balance
This reveals faint details invisible to the naked eye.
Key Takeaways
You can start simple
Long exposures capture faint light
Processing is essential
Patience pays off