To photograph the night sky, mount your camera on a tripod, open the aperture as wide as it goes, set ISO to about 1600 to 6400 and use a shutter speed of roughly 10 to 25 seconds. Focus manually on a bright point of light and shoot from a dark place away from city glow. Here is a clear routine for beginners.
Plan Your Night
Dark skies make the biggest difference. Choose a spot far from streetlights, such as a rural field or hilltop, and go on a night with little or no moonlight and clear weather. Dress warmly, bring a torch with a red setting, and tell someone where you are going.
- Check the weather and cloud forecast
- Look up the moon phase, since a new moon gives the darkest sky
- Let your eyes adjust for around twenty minutes
- Scout the location in daylight if possible
Camera Setup, Step by Step
- Put the camera on a sturdy tripod and level it.
- Use a wide-angle lens with the widest aperture, such as f/1.8 to f/2.8.
- Switch to manual mode and manual focus. Turn off autofocus and image stabilization when on a tripod.
- Set ISO to 1600 to 3200 as a first try.
- Choose a shutter speed with the 500 rule: divide 500 by your lens focal length in millimeters. A 20mm lens gives about 25 seconds. High-resolution cameras may need shorter times, so try 15 to 20 seconds.
- Focus: use live view, zoom in on the brightest light or a distant street lamp, and turn the focus ring until the point is smallest. Take a test photo and check at full zoom.
- Use a two-second timer or remote release, then check the histogram and adjust ISO.
Settings Table
| Lens | Shutter speed range | Aperture | ISO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 to 16mm | 25 to 30 seconds | f/2.8 or wider | 1600 to 3200 |
| 20 to 24mm | 15 to 25 seconds | f/1.8 to f/2.8 | 1600 to 6400 |
| 35mm | 10 to 14 seconds | f/1.8 to f/2.8 | 3200 to 6400 |
These are general ranges. Longer times blur the sky into short trails as the Earth turns.
Make the Picture Better
- Include a foreground, such as a tree, tent or hill, for scale
- Shoot raw to adjust brightness and color later
- Use a lens cloth when dew forms
- Try several exposures and choose the cleanest
- Look for the Milky Way band in the right season and location
FAQ
Why are the lights in my photo streaky?
The shutter was open too long. Shorten it, or raise ISO to compensate, until the points look round.
Can I shoot the night sky with a phone?
Many phones have a night mode. Place the phone on a tripod or a steady surface and avoid touching it during the exposure.
The Short Version
Find a dark place, use a tripod, a wide aperture and manual focus on a bright point. Try 15 to 25 seconds at ISO 1600 to 3200, then adjust to your results.
