Shoot for the stars
Astrophotography is the closest most of us will get to outer space, and while it doesn’t require a helmet or rocket fuel, training, practice and top-notch camera gear are essential.
With the brand new X-T3 compact digital camera and FUJINON XF8-16mm lens from the Fujifilm X Series, astrophotography can reach new heights.
Here are some secrets from the Fujifilm pros for capturing stunning starry sky shots:
To capture a breathtaking night sky, plenty of planning prior to the shoot is tops. Moon phases, weather, star constellations and the Milky Way need to be considered. Clear skies and no moonlight make for perfect astrophotography conditions, especially if you want to capture the Milky Way in all its glory. There are lots of smartphone apps that show you the night sky to help you plan your shots during and beforehand.
Scout for a location that has minimal light pollution and an interesting foreground. Try focusing your attention on earthly elements such as trees and rock formations as well as the night sky to frame up a winning shot.
Switch the camera to manual focus and use the magnify viewfinder/LCD function to zoom in on a bright star and adjust the focus until the star appears small and sharp. Experiment with shutter speed and play with exposure time to ensure that you capture sharp stars. Use an ISO of 400 or 800 and a wide aperture lens. Remember to shoot in RAW format so that more detail and colour can be pulled in the post-production edit and white balance can be adjusted.
Avoid touching the camera so that there is no vibration. Use a remote release, the Fujifilm Camera Remote app or the self-timer to trigger the camera. A sturdy tripod is critical for astrophotography.
An awe-inspiring astrophotography shot is most likely not going to be captured on your first attempt. Go for ‘trial and error’ and learn from your mistakes.