First attempt at night photography and the stars

[Ken Clacher]

A few months back I bought the Sigma 14-24 f2.8 for my Sony A7II to try night photography and to capture stars and when possible milky way shots. So last night I went out and gave it a go. The area I live in is not perfect for it as there are a number of large towns etc nearby but lockdown limits where I can go. I only stayed out for an hour or so and these are the best of a bad bunch. Please comment and give advice as I really want to improve in this area of photography. Cheers in advance. Ken

Balvaird Castle 01 by Ken Clacher, on Flickr
Clatto Reservoir 01 by Ken Clacher, on Flickr
Clatto Reservoir 02 by Ken Clacher, on Flickr

[royent]

Ken Some idea of exposure settings might help

[Ken Clacher]

Ken Some idea of exposure settings might help

Hi Roy, the exposure settings are as follows:
First Image: 14mm, f2.8, ISO 640, 30s - foreground lit by hand torch
Second Image: 14mm, f2.8, ISO 640, 25s
Third Image: 14mm, f2.8, ISO 640, 20s
Cheers

Ken

[Wavelength]

Best outcome is in the first....foreground illumination gives a magical touch

[royent]

Thanks Ken I like the first also
Roy

[pschlute]

Love the first image.

[wide2tele]

I like the first. Would love to offer advice but this is something I have never done and look forward to doing myself eventually. I think you did really well.

[Marwus]

The third one is really nice.

[joebranko]

The third, the Clatto Reservoir, is my favourite. I have never done this type of photography either, so dont feel qualified to offer any advice except to ask if you would consider a crop of the bush in the near foreground, as it doesn't lend anything to the shot.

[wide2tele]

I said #1 earlier but totally change my mind and will go for #3. I initially viewed these on my phone in bright light but under proper viewing conditions prefer #3.

[escape]

I like all three. Living in the city you just don't see stars. Lots of street lights but no stars.

[rpcrowe]

I like these images. IMO, having an illuminated foreground really helps star images (and IMO images of fireworks also) by anchoring the image...

OTOH: as in real estate sales, with astrophotography LOCATION, LOCATION. LOCATION makes all the difference. I remember sleeping under the stars on a balcony of a hotel on the Pacific Coast of Mexico and the stars were brighter than I ever saw them. They were so bright that I could distinguish multiple layers of stars. The little coastal town was lit but, not too brightly with mountains visible in the distance. It would have been the perfect photograph!

Did I photograph it? Heck no - I had other things on my mind because I was on my honeymoon