November 2018
Shoot for the stars with Fujifilm’s guide to astrophotography
Astrophotography is possibly one of photography’s toughest subjects. Fortunately, the X Series system is the answer to
all astrophotography prayers. The brand new X-T3 compact digital camera and FUJINON XF8-16mm lens is a star-studded pair
to help reach new photography heights. Here are some secrets from the Fujifilm pros for capturing stunning starry sky
shots: Study the sky To capture a breathtaking night sky, plenty of planning prior to the shoot is tops. Moon phases, weather, star
constellations and the Milky Way need to be considered. Clear skies and no moonlight make for perfect astrophotography
conditions, especially if you want to capture the Milky Way in all its glory.
Location, location, location Scout for a location that has minimal light pollution and an interesting foreground. Try focusing your attention on
earthly elements such as trees and rock formations as well as the night sky to frame up a winning shot.
Set the scene Switch the camera to manual focus and zoom in on a bright star to adjust the focus until the star appears small and
sharp. Experiment with shutter speed and play with exposure time to ensure that you capture sharp stars. Remember to
shoot in raw so that more detail and colour can be pulled in the post-production edit.
Hands-free Avoid touching the camera so that there is no vibration. A sturdy tripod is your best friend in astrophotography.
Practice makes perfect An awe-inspiring astrophotography shot is most likely not going to be captured on your first attempt. Go for ‘trial and
error’ and learn from your mistakes.
Available from specialist photographic retailers.
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