Creating a star trail picture is a challenging but worthwhile photographic endeavor. Star trail photos are created by setting your camera to take a picture with an extremely long exposure. The result is a picture with numerous concentric circles representing the movement of stars in the sky. Mastering the technique is incredibly difficult and requires monumental patience and dedication. However getting a star trail shot right can strengthen a photographic portfolio.
Instructions
- 1
Mount your camera on a sturdy tripod. It is crucial that the tripod is strong enough to support your camera as there will always be environmental factors that can make your camera move while you are creating a star trail photo. If the center tube of your tripod has a hook on the bottom, hang some extra weight on it to increase stability.
2Locate Polaris (the north star) in the sky. In star trail photos, Polaris serves as the center of the spiraling collection of stars. Depending on the season, Polaris will either be in the top of the sky or closer to the northern horizon. Wherever in the sky it may be, it is always the last star on the handle of Ursa Minor (the "Little Dipper").
3Compose your shot using whatever other elements are in your shooting environment. Landscapes, barns or landmarks of some kind can add interest to a star trail photo. Consider following the rule of thirds when deciding where to place Polaris in your photo. Placing the star in the center of your photo may be tempting, but doing so may diminish visual interest.
4Connect your release cable to your camera and make sure that the camera is in Mirror lock-up mode. Set your camera to its narrowest aperture (f22 on most SLRs) and set the shutter speed to "Bulb" mode. Set the wide-angle lens in manual focus mode to manual and set the focus distance to infinity. Put the cable release in continual mode to start the exposure. Experiment with different exposure times. Start with a short time like 10 to 15 minutes and work your way up. Pick your favorite exposure after you are done.
Creating a star trail picture is a challenging but worthwhile photographic endeavor. Star trail photos are created by setting your camera to take a picture with an extremely long exposure. The result is a picture with numerous concentric circles representing the movement of stars in the sky. Mastering the technique is incredibly difficult and requires monumental patience and dedication. However getting a star trail shot right can strengthen a photographic portfolio.
Instructions
- 1
Mount your camera on a sturdy tripod. It is crucial that the tripod is strong enough to support your camera as there will always be environmental factors that can make your camera move while you are creating a star trail photo. If the center tube of your tripod has a hook on the bottom, hang some extra weight on it to increase stability.
2Locate Polaris (the north star) in the sky. In star trail photos, Polaris serves as the center of the spiraling collection of stars. Depending on the season, Polaris will either be in the top of the sky or closer to the northern horizon. Wherever in the sky it may be, it is always the last star on the handle of Ursa Minor (the "Little Dipper").
3Compose your shot using whatever other elements are in your shooting environment. Landscapes, barns or landmarks of some kind can add interest to a star trail photo. Consider following the rule of thirds when deciding where to place Polaris in your photo. Placing the star in the center of your photo may be tempting, but doing so may diminish visual interest.
4Connect your release cable to your camera and make sure that the camera is in Mirror lock-up mode. Set your camera to its narrowest aperture (f22 on most SLRs) and set the shutter speed to "Bulb" mode. Set the wide-angle lens in manual focus mode to manual and set the focus distance to infinity. Put the cable release in continual mode to start the exposure. Experiment with different exposure times. Start with a short time like 10 to 15 minutes and work your way up. Pick your favorite exposure after you are done.
Photography community, including forums, reviews, and galleries ...
photo.netBrowse Gallery Gallery Top Photographers Random Gallery ImagePhoto.net is a photography community that includes forums, reviews, and galleries for members and casual viewers.
Photography tips and techniques: articles and guides from Photo.net
photo.net/learnPortrait Photography, Macro Photography, Street Photography, Wedding Photography, Travel Photography, Stock Photography, Studio Lighting, Digital
eHow How to Videos, Articles & More - Discover the expert in you.
www.ehow.comHow TOs Computers eHow Home CarsLearn how to do just about everything at eHow. Find expert advice along with How To videos and articles, including instructions on how to make, cook, grow, or do ...
Camera reviews, DSLR reviews, lens reviews, photography
www.cameralabs.comThe Canon EOS 70D is the company's latest mid-range DSLR, featuring a 20.2 Megapixel APS-C sensor, Full HD video, a fully articulated touch-screen monitor, 7fps ...
How to Photograph Fireworks Displays - Digital Photography
digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-fireworksDo you want to know how to photograph fireworks? With 4 July just days away I thought Id refresh this article in which I give 10 Fireworks Photography tips to help ...
eBay Buying Guides - Electronics, Cars, Fashion, Collectibles ...
www.ebay.com/gdsNo matter what you're buying from eBay, it's important that you're making well informed purchasing decisions. Our guides will lead you through the process.
How To Make Digital Photos Look Like Lomo Photography
www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-digital-phThe following tip on getting digital images to look like Lomo Images was submitted by DPS reader Frank Lazaro. You can see his photography at his Flickr page and ...
How To Photograph Star Trails - - Photography by James
www.jamesvernacotola.com/Resources/How-To-Photograph-Star-TrailsHow to Photograph Star Trails With a Digital SLR Camera Thanks for taking the time to check out this tutorial. I'm naming this article "How to Photograph Star Trails ...
0 comments:
Post a Comment