The Stars from Our House
One of the things that I have been longing to do since learning how to use my DSLR is to take photos of the night sky and the stars that fill it.
Ever since moving to Somerset, I have been stunned by the amount of stars I see in the night sky compared to those I used to see in Surrey. I know that it is recommended that photographers find somewhere away from light pollution but I decided to set myself a challenge and take the picture from our drive. Not only did I have to contend with the street lights and the light on the house opposite, but the big, bright ball of light in the middle of the two houses in the photo is the moon! I wanted to focus more on the stars this time though.
When I saw how bright the stars where at almost midnight last week, I had to go outside and try out what I had learned. The following were the stages I followed in order to capture this photo:
- Mount the camera on a tripod
- On manual mode, dial in a shutter speed of 30 seconds and an ISO of 1600. Set the aperture to the lowest F stop number and the zoom to it’s widest setting. For example, I was using a 18-55mm lens and I set this at 18m and the aperture was set at F3.5
- Make sure you are photographing in RAW
- Set the self-timer on 2 seconds to help prevent any shake
- Use a manual focus and look through the viewfinder to focus on the stars
Once the photo was taken, this is what used in Adobe to process the image:
- Open the photo in Adobe Bridge and then in Camera Raw
- Adjust the exposure slider to get a fairly good result
- Set the contrast to it’s maximum setting to get the best contrast between sky and stars
- Move the temperature slider around to get the most natural image – around 3000
- If you have light pollution in your image then reduce the vibrance
- Push up the clarity to help the definition
- Take the shadows and blacks all the way to the left to darken the sky and make the stars stand out
This photo is BEYOND breathtaking. It’s just stunning. Thanks so much for linking with #DevelopingLife
That looks amazing!
Thanks for sharing your tips. Sexy Hubby just bought me a viewfinder for my camera for my birthday, I cannot wait to start using it. xx
That is a stunning photo, the stars look so clear. Makes me want to challenge myself as well to take a similar photo! #developinglife
Wow, that is breathtaking X #mySundayphoto
Beautiful photo. I think you definitely succeeded at the challenge you set for yourself. X
Wow! That’s stunning!
Great shot and thanks for the tips. I have tried some of these images but they have not come out at well as yours so i will follow your tips and give it another go
Mollyxxx
I absolutely love this – wonderful stuff. it looks like something from a film.
Lovely shot – really do need to get off auto here! #MySundayPhoto
Such a stunning shot Victoria!! Great picture..
This is an amazing shot and has reminded me it’s n my bucket list Victoria and in all honesty we don’t have to drive that far for less light pollution (definitely this summer!).
That is amazing! What camera do you use?
that is really stunning. My husband has taken some great photos of the moon but we’ve always struggled to get good pics of the stars. x
Wow your photo looks amazing. I’d love to be able to take one like that one day. I hope you put it up on your wall x
Fantastic photo! Something I’ve always wanted to try too, so I’m really grateful you’ve explained how to do it! Bookmarking for another day 🙂
Wow, well done on achieving a great photo. I’ve never photographed the stars but am always meaning to. I have done some photography of both fireworks and the Northern Lights and both were a challenge I tell you. Great pic, thanks for sharing!
That’s a great photo. I’ve only recently bought my first DSLR so still need to learn how to use it properly!
What a beautiful photo. I don’t have any hope of getting a good night photo in London but will try out these tricks the next time we’re away.
This is a great picture. We have virtually no light pollution here so it should work well.
That’s come out really well considering all that light pollution! Well done on those smashing stars 🙂 xox
What a stunning photo! I’ve just ordered a new bridge camera. Can’t quite afford a dlsr just yet but it’ll be much better than shooting all images on my iPhone! #mysundayphoto
What an amazing capture. I will have to see if I can do this on my camera x
What a gorgeous view! I, too, would have longed to take a photo. I could sit under and wonder at stars all the time.
It’s a great photo. I can’t believe it was done on such a small zoom – I always imagined needing a longer lens. I’ll have to get out my tripod and try similar here. We have black skies because we’re in the middle of nowhere, so makes the foreground a bit boring
Wow that really is an absolutely beautiful photo. So striking. Thanks for sharing too how you did it! I’ve just purchased my very first DSLR and I’m so looking forward to learning how to use it properly x #mysundayphoto
Gorgeous view, brilliant photo. I love stars so much – especially as our youngest has a keen interest in them ?✨? will see if I can follow your great tips sometime!
That’s an amazing shot, I love how clear everything is. We get excellent views of the stars around here, and I keep on meaning to try some night photography. Might just give it a go soon!
Totally stunning, love this photo 🙂
#MySundayPhoto
That is absolutely beautiful – looks really magical!
Will try this tonight if the sky is bright! I am always struggling with night shots. #mysundayphoto
Great photo and an excellent tutorial too! Thankyou #MySundayPhoto
What a stunning starry sky
Wow this is such a beautiful photo x
that is an extraordinary photo. so clever and so amazing. the stars are so magical aren’t they? great job.
Amazing photo technique! & Amazing photo too!
Oh wow what a stunning photo – I love looking at the stars and this captures them so perfectly! Thanks for sharing how you did it!
Lovely shot and very useful information – thanks x
That’s an amazing photo and thank you for sharing how you did it too. There’s no chance of getting a shot like that where we live – far too much light pollution and I hardly ever notice the stars which is a shame but I might have to take a tripod down to my mum’s some time and have a go at this myself – there are more stars visible from there!
Oh wow that’s absolutely beautiful. Who needs the northern lights when uou have views like this!
Thank you 🙂 Absolutely! x
Put simply, this is a stunning photo. I’ve always wanted to try it, but never have had the opportunity as we live in a built up are in Hampshire. I will definiitely have to try this #MySundayPhoto
That is quite a compliment. Thank you so much Sherry xx
Awesome photo, I keep meaning to try this but we never seem to get a clear sky here. I’ll make sure I use your tips.
Thank you for linking up
Thank you very much Darren. Look forward to seeing how you get on. Thanks for hosting 🙂
Wow, you’ve done a fantastic job! You must be so pleased with it.
I must admit all those technical details were just words – I have no idea what it all means! One day I might find out.
Thank you so much Sarah – I really am! It is not as hard as it first looks 🙂 x
Wow this is amazing! So much detail and the colour of the sky is fantastic. Fabulous shot!
Thank you Catie x
HI Victoria, a fab photo. The night sky here is full of stars especially in the summer (probably because we sit out at night and notice them more!). This summer I plan to take more night sky pictures and will be using your instructions to do it. Your tips for taking good photographs are fantastic, keep them coming.
xx
Thanks Debbie. I look forward to seeing your photos – and I am so glad they are helping others 🙂 x
Awesome photo and loving the way you are presetting how you took the image. Will try this myself…..although being in Surrey it may not be so starightforward!
Thanks John – I hope you have fun with it 🙂
I’m with you, I’ve always wanted to take photos of the stars. Perhaps I’ll have a go with your brilliant tips. Wonderful shot, too. So inspiring.
Thank you so much Tara 🙂 x
Good first effort. Thanks for adding your process for shooting and editing.
Thank you.
This is just Brilliant. I’ve never been able to take a proper photo of our night sky with the stars so I know how technically challenging this is. I will try and follow your instructions
In the country you realise just how beautiful the sky can be at night, away from the street lights and city hue. I think you’ve captured the night Sky beautifully & I’ve rather jealous!
#SundayPhoto
x
Thank you so much Tracey, I am really chuffed you like it. I hope my instructions make sense! You are really kind xx
Wow! What an incredible photo, amazing how clear the stars are! Fantastic x
Thank you so much Sara 🙂 x
I really don’t understand the camera stuff but that looks absolutely amazing!
Thank you Kim 🙂 x
I really need to get up to date with my photography lingo… after I invest in a ‘grown up’ camera!
This is such an amazing photo lovely! You have a lot of talent!
Looking forward to seeing more of your photos
Laura x x x
Thank you for the really lovely compliment Laura 🙂 x
Wow what an amazing photo! Great tips!
Thank you Lucinda 🙂
Congratulations on a stunning starlit sky. I’m trying to get to know my new camera so will have to go back over your instructions a few more times.
The detail is spectacular. Thank you for the inspiration
Thank you so much Neesie, what a wonderful compliment. I hope they make sense! x
That is a stunning photo, i must invest in a good camera.
Thank you lovely 🙂 It’s been well worth it.
Not sure I understand it all but I’ve just taken a few minutes to take it all in, we have stunning night skies here so I really must give this a go. Pinning it to my photo tech page to come back to, thanks for the tips and a wonderful effect.
Thank you so much Fiona, I hope it all makes sense! It took me a couple of evenings of trial and error until I got it right! x
Wow, absolutely gorgeous! Learning how to take photos would be next on my list! Thanks for sharing your tips!
Thank you so much 🙂 A pleasure – hope they help x
That’s a spectacular photo, both visually and technically. Love how crisp both the sky and the stars are.
Thank you so much Tim 🙂