Taking photographs of certain things, such as the sky at night, can present quite the challenge. The night sky can be mercurial, pardon the pun. Sometimes it is gray and overcast, other times filled with stars, and at yet other times you may see clouds moving by quickly during a storm, or because of some other fast moving weather front. But that is what makes the night sky so fascinating. But are there secrets to photographing it, whether it be a cloudy sky or a celestial night sky?

Where: The Rural Countryside

You need to get away from street lights, car lights, and other artificial lights when photographing the night sky, so the best place to do it is in the rural countryside. The phenomenon created by the artificial lights at night is called light pollution, and you need to get away from that so you can see the bright, sparkling stars clearly. The darker the sky the more the celestial bodies will pop on a clear night.

When: The Moonless Night

Residual light caused by the light of the moon can ruin the impact if you are using a long shutter speed, which many beginners do. They do this in an attempt to capture long star trails. However, if you keep the shutter open for long periods of time after sunset, there is a good chance the picture will look like a day shot. It is the same when taking a photo during the full moon with an exposure time of 10 minutes. It too could end up looking like a day shot. Therefore, the best time to take a picture of the celestial night sky is before the moonrise, after the moon sets, or during a new moon when it is a slender crescent. It is at these times that the starlight is most distinct.

The Right Exposure Length

 Finding the right exposure length is a process of trial and error regarding shutter speed, aperture setting, and lens length. Also, for exposures over 30 seconds, a cable release is necessary to ensure tack sharp final photos, meaning a photograph with the main subject in sharp focus, with no blurring, crisp details, and clean lines.  

ABOUT YOUR DALLAS, TX, PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER:

Doug Davis has been producing professional, engaging videos and product, food, and lifestyle photography from his Dallas, TX, studio for more than 20 years. D-Squared Studios is located at 4312 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas, 75226. Contact our office at (214) 746-6336 or email Doug at doug.davis@d2studios.net.