Outdoor Photography Magazine

Improve your astrophotography

If you want to try your hand at astrophotography but are worried about the demonstrable effects of light pollution, Josh Dury has the answers. Plus, he looks at the astronomical events you need to know about at this time of year.

With longer days and shorter nights, this can be a more challenging yet compelling time of year for landscape astrophotography.

As we enter what is known as the Milky Way Season, the Galactic Core of the Milky Way becomes more apparent and can provide some dramatic views of our home galaxy. From a dark sky place (darkskydiscovery.org. uk), expect to see a wealth of detail through the Cygnus Rift, as well as asterisms (patterns of stars) known as the Summer Triangle.

Recognising the summer constellations is beneficial when it comes to planning upcoming images under the stars. At the same time, pointing your camera away from the Galactic Core provides further photographic opportunities, with a wealth of astronomical targets, from the Andromeda Galaxy to the Perseus Double Star Cluster. There are plenty of subjects to photograph when the skies clear.

Read more for shooting the stars without worrying about light pollution in issue 305 of OP.

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