SHOOT A STAR TRAIL

Discover the awe-inspiring potential of action cameras when used in low light

Action cameras feature wide-angle lenses that are excellent for expansive landscape photography. Over the years, their flexibility and improved image quality have made them a worthy tool for low-light shooting, and the variety of stands now available also means that they can reach angles and vantage points that are inaccessible or too precarious for a DSLR. On a GoPro, the Night Photo mode can be used to capture a single still photo in low light environments, such as the night sky, while the Night Lapse preset will shoot a series of photos at specific intervals and exposure times for a star trail. If the moon or bright lights are present in the scene, drop down the ISO and Shutter from the below settings.

1 Setup setting In Night Lapse photo, set the interval to 1min, Shutter to 30secs, Output to RAW, Scheduled capture to N/A, Duration to No limit. In Protune, set the White balance to 4000k. The ISO MIN & MAX depends on the available light.

2 Set the stage You’ll need to find a location with a dark enough sky to capture star movement. Once identified, position the camera somewhere discreet and secure, as it will need to be in the same place for several hours.

3 Power problems Timelapse sequences will likely drain the battery of your action camera. If possible, attach an external battery pack to the camera prior to starting the shoot which could easily double the shooting capacity available.

4 Editing Use the GoPro app to download the time lapse images, then put them into a combination app such as Startrail. You could also import them into Photoshop, masking out areas of overexposure and adding detail.