subject: How To Make Star Trail Photo [print this page] Preparation: Preparation:
1. The best time for star trail photo is from 2 hours after sunset until 2 hours before sunrise, choose a night where the moon is still a half, when the full moon and the star look dim, when the moon dying the stars is much brighter, but it is rather difficult to choose the composition and FG, unless already standby from the evening. From the experience of trying those third time, the best time is when half moon.
2. Select a location that far away from urban lighting, darker is better so the star will be seen more clearly.
3. The sky was cloudless that is ideal for star trail, thin cloud can help dramatize the results of star trail.
4. Make sure the camera battery is fully charge, take a backup if necessary, free up memory + bring another memory if it was possible.
5. Tripod is obligatory, the more solid the better.
6. Cable release with lock function is very important if you didnt want to click shutter every 30 seconds
7. Compass or on your mobile phone Skymap program created star position to positioned Polaris.
8. Flashlights, lamps, etc ... for illumination during setting and waiting for star trail.
9. Tent, sleeping bag, pillows, bolsters, blankets ... let comfortable waiting for star trail
Camera setting:
1. Shot with only fine JPEG, dont use RAW because the file size is large enough and can make a delay when saving the file, moreover we use standard memory card not the high speed one.
2. Turn off the High ISO noise reduction function and Long Exposure noise reduction in the camera, there will be a delay if it was enabled between shots, Our star trail will be discontinues and interrupted, but do not worry, we'll shot dark frames for make this noise reduction.
3. WB can be auto, tungsten or low Kelvin, just try it during a test shot later.
4. Pre focuses our lenses, can be directed to use AF in focus, if it was focused enough, change to the manual focus. We can also use manual focus to infinity and reduced it slightly. Some ultra wide lens third party, such as Sigma 10-20 does not have the AF-MF switch on the lens, so it must be changed from the menu in the camera. Can also use hyper focal distance, which is important star plasticity.
5. Set the camera (see description above)
6. Set camera mode to M (Manual), set speed 30 seconds, set the lens's largest aperture (small f number), can f2.8, f3.5, f4, etc., set the ISO at ISO-400, then do the test set composition shot . See the results, check the histogram, if it is too dark or bright adjust the ISO setting, if forced to change the aperture of 1/3 or 2/3 stop. For normal result is 1/3 peak in the histogram is to the left, but this depends on taste of each photographer. Important, the test is a zoom shot, check whether the stars are recorded in our frame or not.
Shooting the star trail:
1. If it is just right Our shoot test results, plug the cable release, continues to set the camera shot mode, press the shutter release cable and slide lock so the shutter is locked (as if we shot BULB with cable release). Wait a minute until the 1st shot complete, make sure the camera LGS continues with a second shot, and so on. Do not forget to check the clock, so we know from what time the first shot.
2. If so, times to enjoy the cushion covers and a warm cup of coffee under the dim light of the moon and the twinkling lights of stars, Lol... Occasionally check the camera, make sure it is operating normally and continues shot.
3. If it is about 2 hours, we could stop the shot, or want to wait until 3 hours or more is fine, the longer star trail is growing more beautiful as a longer the trail.
4. Do not change the first position and setting up the camera, because we will create a dark frame shot noise reduction in post processing later, how to stay put lens cap, shot 1 or 2 times with the same settings.
5. Dont change the position of the camera, check the results, if the FG is too dark or less sharp, you can adjust the camera settings for this shot FG.
6. Finish and enjoy the result (you can edit it using your lovely image processing to get better image quality).
