Basic Backyard Astrophotography, Part 2: Preparation and Gear

0Share

Welcome to Part 2 of my guide to Basic Backyard Astrophotography. If you missed Part 1, please click here and we will see you back on this page in a few minutes. In this segment, we talk about the gear you need to create your own astrophotos. We also touch on preparation for viewing the night sky, because you should know what you can see and what you might want to photograph.

Gear: The Bare Minimum

In keeping with our previously mentioned KISS (Keep it Simple, Stargazers) plan, here is your bare minimum gear list.

Camera

Any DSLR or interchangeable-lens mirrorless camera will do. If I owned a top-tier point-and-shoot camera, I wouldn’t be afraid to take that for a spin, as well. (Personally, I haven’t done astrophotos with a point-and-shoot, other than superzoom cameras, but, if you are out there doing it, definitely let us know about it.)

Photographs © Todd Vorenkamp

The mirrorless interchangeable-lens digital Fujifilm X-T2 that was used for most of the images in this series of articles
The mirrorless interchangeable-lens digital FUJIFILM X-T2 that was used for most of the images in this series of articles.

Lens

Yes, you can use your basic kit zoom lens(es). Without getting too far into the weeds, when it comes to astrophotography, there are significant advantages to lenses with wider maximum apertures, but it is possible to do high-quality astrophotos with basic kit zoom lenses. It’s important to realize that focal length has a very pronounced effect on the maximum shutter speed at which you can shoot. For now, know that the wider your field of view and the wider your aperture, the easier it is to avoid getting a photo of blurry or trailing stars caused by the rotation of the Earth. (We will discuss the trailing of stars in a photograph in Part 3.)

The Rokinon/Samyang 12mm f/2.0 lens has an 18mm equivalent field of view when used on APS-C cameras and has a well-deserved reputation as a favorite lens of wide-field astrophotographers.
The Rokinon/Samyang 12mm f/2.0 lens has an 18mm equivalent field of view when used on APS-C cameras and has a well-deserved reputation as a favorite lens of wide-field astrophotographers.

Tripod

A good tripod is an absolute necessity. Here is a list of recommended full-size models and travel tripods.

The astrophotographer needs a sturdy tripod and tripod head.
The astrophotographer needs a sturdy tripod and tripod head.

Gear: Basic Add-Ons

Remote Shutter Release

The remote shutter release could be cabled, wireless, or done via your mobile device. You basically need something, anything, that allows you to trigger your camera’s shutter without you touching the camera. In the absence of a remote shutter release, you may use the camera’s self-timer. It works!

The ubiquitous shutter release is a great astrophoto accessory.
The ubiquitous shutter release is a great astrophoto accessory.

Batteries

Camera batteries are taxed by long(er) nighttime exposures, especially when it is cold(er) out. Be sure to have sufficient battery power (or a plan) to keep shooting through the night. In digital photography, no battery means the game is over. You might find your night photo sessions consist of only a handful of images, but always have power in reserve.

Don’t run out of battery power.
Don’t run out of battery power.

Memory Cards

If you end up doing things like time-lapse photography or attempt to keep the shutter going to capture meteors burning up in the atmosphere, you run the risk of running out of memory before you are ready to go home. Bring a spare memory card or two.

Don’t run out of film—digital or otherwise.
Don’t run out of film—digital or otherwise.

Gear: Non-Photographic

Flashlight

In the dark, you’ll want a good flashlight to find your way around your yard, or light up your gear so you can see what you are doing when you change lenses or set up and break down your kit. A red light or lens will help preserve your night vision.

Flashlight
Flashlight

Headlamps

Carrying stuff in the dark gets easier if you can free up both hands while illuminating your work area with a headlamp. Not always at the forefront of fashion, rest assured that, in the dark, not too many people will see you and your non-fashion-forward accessory.

Headlamp
Headlamp

Stay Warm

When the sun is on the opposite side of the planet, things cool down, so use common sense and have a beanie, gloves, and layers ready to go, in case it gets cold out.

Headlamp and gloves
Headlamp and gloves

The Night Photography Mindset

Astrophotography is “night photography.” Many of the same skills, techniques, and gear are used to get images of the night sky. You will be using remote releases, mirror lock-up, manual mode, etc. If it is not yet dark outside, check out this article on night photography techniques and this one on night photography gear.

Preparation

The view of the night sky is, unfortunately for those of us stuck on the planet’s surface, affected by clouds, humidity, wind, light pollution, atmospheric turbulence, and more. Dark skies are nice, and the darker the skies, the better your view and photos, but you can do astrophotography from your yard or a nearby park. There is no need to road-trip to the desert southwest, unless you are driving and want me to come along. Even in New York City, you can still see the moon, planets, and bright stars.

Deneb floats above the Earth in the night sky through a 35mm (50mm equivalent) lens.

Deneb floats above the Earth in the night sky through a 35mm (50mm equivalent) lens.

It would behoove you to study the night sky a bit, since you’ll need to know where in the night sky to point your camera, even if your lens covers most of the expansive view. There are tons of books on this subject, as well as helpful websites. I personally enjoy the National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Night Sky and H.A. Rey’s classic from my childhood, Find the Constellations. Also, you can likely find local meet-up groups, astronomy clubs, and maybe even a nearby observatory to visit. Space is an exciting thing to explore with others—it can be way more social than the solitude of other types of nighttime photography.

Here are some of my mobile tools of the trade.
Here are some of my mobile tools of the trade.

When it comes to locating and identifying stars, there are numerous mobile applications that show the night sky with labels, and information on celestial objects. I use Sky Guide and Stellarium. If you want to save your phone’s battery or simply unplug from the grid, there is a ton of physical star finders you can use, and you can even print your own from NASA’s website.

When prepping for photos, one other awesome resource I depend on is the website ClearDarkSky. You can enter your location and hopefully a reporting station nearby will be listed where you may see an astronomer’s forecast chart, which shows specific atmospheric phenomena that may alter your view, and to what extent. Rule of thumb: If the stars are really twinkling a lot in the night sky, viewing (and photos) will be negatively affected.

This is an example of a chart from www.cleardarksky.com. Reproduced with permission.

This is an example of a chart from ClearDarkSky. Reproduced with permission.

Hopefully, all of what I just discussed serves to make you even more excited about taking photos of the night sky. Preparation is, definitely, part of the fun!

Is it dark out yet? Now that we are ready to take some photos, let’s head to Part 3.

0 Comments