Astrophotography

You can never have too many wide angle lens options. Different uses require different capabilities, and this new prime option is more versatile than it seems. 

Is there a difference between blending and compositing in post-processing? Some photographers make no distinction between the two. But for many, there's a notable difference. It can represent the difference between deception and handling noise or dynamic range. 

The Perseid meteor shower is often the most spectacular meteor shower in the Northern Hemisphere due to frequency as well as its appearance in summer. Here's how to photograph it! 

An intervalometer are inexpensive and invaluable. We will break down what it is, how it can help you, and how to use it. 

How might you take a night photo of an observatory near the entrance of Joshua Tree National Park? We take you behind the scenes to discuss photographing this image for a local magazine and some quick problem-solving. And you'll learn more about how to create photos such as this. 

What LED lights are the best tools for you to light paint subjects at night? Let's start with the most inexpensive light painting choices and work our way up. 

You can learn how to light paint subjects in a matter of minutes. You'll learn how to do it well. And you'll learn how to do it inexpensively (if you want). Let's go! 

Astrophotography using a star tracker can dramatically improve your deep space images, but setting it up properly takes careful preparation. Even small errors can reduce the clarity and detail of your shots. 

What gear do you need to photograph landscapes with the Milky Way? The good news is that you don't need the most expensive, fanciest gear to get amazing Milky Way photos. 

Adobe's new Adaptive Color Profile uses AI to analyze an image, adjusting color, tone, and contrast of raw images. Unlike presets, Adaptive Color Profile is not a "one size fits all." How would it work with night photography images, which are notoriously difficult for AI to interpret? 

Astrophotography hinges on choosing the right location, often even more than equipment or technical skill. Whether you're battling city lights or traveling to remote spots, knowing how to select a dark sky location directly impacts the quality of your images. 

An unusual Soul Service Station in the desert. Long streaking stars. Surreal light painting. We take you behind the scenes to reveal how you can also create photos such as this. 

Star trails are magical. They show the apparent movements of the stars over a long period of time, a result of the rotation of the Earth. And even better, they're easy to photograph and process in Adobe Photoshop! 

Canon has just released the fourth lens in its L VCM line of Hybrid Primes, the RF 20mm f/1.4 L VCM. I got to have an early look and wanted to share my thoughts. 

Photoshop is a powerful tool for enhancing deep space images, offering capabilities that go beyond traditional astrophotography software.  

While most photographers chase the Milky Way's dazzling core, there's a quieter, overlooked region that holds its own celestial magic. In this video, Jeroen ventures to the darkest skies of the Netherlands to reveal why this hidden galactic treasure deserves your attention. 

You've probably wondered whether investing in a specialized lens for astrophotography will significantly boost your results. According to this veteran, however, there's something else far more important that beginners should focus on first. 

In this article, I will show you one of the most critical skills a landscape photographer must have. It helped me take the title photo and many of the best images in my portfolio. 

Josh Dury, a photographer based in Somerset, UK, recently captured a panoramic image showing all eight planets—including Earth—in a single frame. He took the photograph on February 22, 2025, during an uncommon astronomical event called the "planetary parade," an occurrence when all eight planets align on one side of the Sun. 

When Dwarflab announced the development of the Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope, I could not contain my excitement. I thoroughly enjoy astrophotography. For me, that has been limited to subjects like the Milky Way or Aurora Borealis. Deep Space photography and solar imagery have always been a dream of mine, but the learning curve and costs can be extraordinary.

Star trackers can transform your astrophotography by enabling longer exposures without star trails, allowing you to capture more detail in the night sky. Understanding their intricacies, however, is essential, as they can be finicky and require practice to master.

Small, uncomplicated automated telescopes for casual viewing seem to have taken off. Among the most popular are the Seestar, the Dwarf2, and the newer Dwarf3. 

The problem is that the included editors are pretty basic, but there's enough data in these little scopes' images to get a better result than the included apps can provide.

Satellite trails can be a major headache when photographing deep space objects, especially during the winter months when many popular targets are affected. These streaks disrupt the clarity of your images, and understanding how to manage them is key to producing clean, polished astrophotography. 

When it comes to lenses, photographers who hear "ultra-wide" and "fast apertures" are usually bracing for an equally impressive price tag. The Viltrox 16mm f/1.8, however, seeks to deliver excellent optical quality and unique lens features at a reasonable price—in this review, I’ll see if Viltrox can execute a truly great ultra-wide prime. 

If you'd like to try some comet photography, tonight and the next few days are for you. Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will be in our night skies just after sunset. Happily, you likely have all the gear you need on hand. No fancy tracking mounts, telescopes, or filters are required. A DSLR will do the trick.

A common misconception in landscape photography is that using the lowest ISO setting always results in the highest quality images. I frequently encounter this question and concern in my YouTube comments. Therefore, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share a video and article discussing the importance of ISO. 

When you first look through a telescope, something changes. You’re no longer just gazing at the night sky—you’re exploring it.  

Following the success of the very popular Dwarf II Telescope, DwarfLabs has announced the brand-new and upgraded Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope. This compact and portable telescope is very exciting and is currently set to ship this September. 

There is an elusive giant cloud of space dust right around our North Star called the Polaris Flare. If it were bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, it would appear 100 times wider than the diameter of the full moon.  

Across the vast millennia of human existence, the total solar eclipse remains the most spectacular and celebrated of astronomical phenomena. As the blue sky dimmed, I suddenly decided to shoot the 2024 solar eclipse on black and white film using my trusty Hasselblad 500 C/M. 

Capturing a photograph of a total solar eclipse ranks high on many photographers' bucket lists.

Astrophotography presents unique challenges and opportunities, making the choice of lens critical. This helpful video will show you some of the best options for Canon users. 

On Friday, May 10, millions of people, maybe billions, were treated to one of nature's finest shows. Following a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), a large geomagnetic storm headed our way and treated us to a northern lights display to remember. 

Your social media feeds have probably been full of purple and green night skies that last few days if you're almost anywhere in the United States, or if you have U.S.-based friends. Chances are, they got a good glimpse of and possibly photographed a rare event: Northern Lights. 

Except for me. I didn't get those photos. And as a photographer, I'm really kicking myself about it.

It's been a few days since a swath of the United States was engulfed by the solar eclipse. Internet traffic dropped drastically as everyone turned their (protected) eyes to the sky. And of course, photographers feverishly figured out how to photograph the dang thing without properly preparing. Well, most of us, anyway. 

Astrophotography opens a window to the cosmos, allowing photographers to capture the stunning beauty of the night sky. This niche combines the meticulousness of photography with the awe-inspiring vistas of astronomy, offering a unique blend of science and art that can mesmerize and inspire. 

Capturing the total solar eclipse is a momentous opportunity for any individual behind the lens, though it presents unique challenges and rewards. This helpful video from a professional meteorologist will show you what to expect.  

Several days ago, on March 29, the photography world was rocked by the news of Alyn Wallace's sudden passing. The family of Alyn have now released a statement on his Instagram page. 

The statement reads as follows:

"Hi all.

The photography world was stunned on March 29 as we heard the news that Alyn Wallace, a popular and incredible astrophotographer, has sadly passed away. In this article, I want to pay tribute to Alyn. 

Capturing deep sky objects from a city backyard presents a unique set of challenges due to light pollution, yet it remains a common practice for many astrophotographers. The comparison between images taken under dark skies and those captured from light-polluted backyards reveals significant differences, emphasizing the importance of sky quality in astrophotography. 

Selecting the right solar filter for photographing the sun, especially during an eclipse, is a critical decision for photographers. Understanding the differences between visible light or broadband filters and narrowband filters can greatly impact the quality and safety of solar photography. This helpful video tutorial will show you what you need to know. 

Today, Nikon has announced that it has entered into an agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, yes, that NASA, to take the Z9 to another world. Literally. 

It's a trip of a lifetime, after all. You'll to want to make sure you have the right gear with you when the bears start sparring or the leopard seals give chase to an unsuspecting penguin chick out for its first swim.

Nikon has today announced that their Z 9 model has boldly gone where no Z series camera body has gone before! That's right, the Nikon Z 9 along with a selection of lenses, is off to space and I, for one, cannot wait to see the images. 

This is the story of "Earthrise," an image that changed the world, emerging from the unlikeliest of circumstances aboard a spacecraft plagued by fogged windows. 

Exploring the night sky provides photographers with a unique opportunity to capture the awe-inspiring beauty of celestial events and objects. For those passionate about astrophotography, understanding the dynamics of the night sky, including planetary alignments and deep sky objects, is crucial to planning their shoots and enhancing their portfolio.

Capturing a total solar eclipse is not only a technical challenge, but also an awe-inspiring experience that merges art with astronomy. With such an event coming up for many of us, now is a great time to check out this fantastic guide to capturing one.  

Astrophotography is a fascinating niche within photography that combines technical skill with an appreciation for the cosmos. It requires specialized equipment to capture distant celestial objects like star clusters and nebulae, making the choice of gear crucial for enthusiasts and professionals alike, and that choice can often be expensive.

The Seestar S50, a portable smart telescope, is revolutionizing astrophotography by making it accessible and straightforward for everyone. This great video review showcases the S50's capabilities, emphasizing how it simplifies the process of capturing celestial images without requiring prior photography experience.