The first thing I started shooting when I got my first DSLR was nightscapes. There is something about going to a location in the middle of the night, and shooting the majesty of the skies. I loved the quiteness and stillness of the night, watching the changing constellations over the different nights.
I don’t get out as much as I would like to at the moment, so I thought i’d document some of the tips I wish I had when I started out creating these shots. I’d love to hear your own tips in the comments below.
Look For a Focal Point
All Shots need some sort of focal point, and starscapes are no different. In fact some photos can look quite empty, and leave the viewer wandering through the image with nowhere to rest. Focal points can range from a building, a tree, a silhouette , a boulder or rock formation etc….
Think not only about what the focal point is, but where you place it.
Get a good Solid Tripod.
I really mean this. Go for a ‘basic’ or ‘value’ tripod and you will find yourself in all sorts of trouble. You have a little wind and a flimsy tripod, say goodbye to your camera and lens. When your doing long exposures, and one of the legs is loose, or not seated properly, just watch as your series of shots for a startrail slowly get lop-sided. You don’t have to spend too much money. Below is one of my favourite beginner tripods.
Q-666 Pro SLR Camera Tripod Monopod Ball Head Changeable Portable Compact Traveling
Consider the sky, and a not so clear evening.
You think taking photos of the night sky and starscapes is all about clear as a bell nights. Sometimes it is….most of the time it’s probably not, especially living in the UK. Use the clouds to your advantage.
Lines
How am i leading the viewer into the image? What’s leading them in. Provide the viewer with lines that lead them into the image. The give depth and scale to an image.
Create Patterns in your shot.
Points of View.
You get to your location and setup your tripod at full height so your comfortable with your viewfinder and that’s the height you shoot at. Try different angles and levels. To be honest, using a lower angle can usually end up with the ‘wow’ shot.
and of course going up high as well.
Dusk and Dawn.
Just at the edges of night, the landscapes can just come alive. That little bit of extra light and creates fantastic dimensions and textures.
I hope these few tips help with your photography.
If you want to take a look at the kit i use, you can open the link below which has a lot of information.
If you have any questions about the technique or photography in general, drop me a comment.
Finally, have fun and stay safe, and enjoy shooting.
Any suggestions for future blog posts, drop me an email.
you can see more of my work at
About Me
I’m Gareth, a 39 year old Photographer, Eternal Optimist and Blogger. I have been behind a camera for about 4 years now and love shooting the stars, and anything else for that matter. Learning is the main aim for me. I am a family man, and strive to be the best i can be in all fields that i put my mind and heart to.
