Welcome to issue 84

It takes light from the nearest star four years to reach us, and peering into the heavens is to look millennia into the past. Astronomy is a fascinating subject, and so is photographing it. So this issue master of darkness Ollie Taylor shows us how to shoot all things astral, from the Milky Way and star trails, to the moon, Northern Lights and all manner of night-sky phenomena.

From the sky at night to the Isle of Skye, our Apprentice learns to photograph classic landscapes under the guidance of photo wizard Chris Rutter. We also hear the amazing story of how wildlife photographer David Plummer refused to let his suffering from Parkinson’s disease put a stop to his photography.

In our Gear section we check out eight macro options for super-sharp close-ups, put advanced shutter releases to the test, and offer our thoughts on a three-in-one kit of arty lenses…