Star Trails, Astro and Light Painting Photography
Intro to Astrophotography
Astrophotography blends science, art, and patience — and in this intro-level class, you’ll learn how to capture stunning images of the night sky, even from your own backyard. Whether you’re curious about photographing the Milky Way or creating dreamy star trail images, this class will give you the knowledge and tools to get started.
In this session, Josh will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for a successful night shoot:
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Planning your shoot around moon phases and light pollution
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Camera settings for both Milky Way shots and star trails
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How to focus at night and what gear makes the job easier
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Tips on star stacking and an intro to free software like StarStaX
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A brief look at post-processing workflows to help you bring out the most in your images
This is a hands-on, interactive class designed to demystify night photography. While we won’t be heading out into the field, Kyle will show examples of real-world scenarios and walk students through their own gear setups. You’ll leave class feeling confident and ready to head out during the next new moon to capture the stars.
What You’ll Need:
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A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual mode
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A tripod (a must!)
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A remote shutter or intervalometer (helpful, but not required)
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A basic understanding of manual camera settings is helpful, but not required
Who It’s For:
This class is perfect for beginners or intermediate photographers who want to get into night sky photography. Whether you’re planning a trip to a dark sky park, or just want to shoot from the suburbs during the next clear night, this class will give you a solid foundation.
MEETING LOCATION
Taylor, Texas
Topics Covered
- Night Sky Orientation - what you will see 2
- What are Star trails? 3
- How star trails are made - Single exposure vs Stacking 4
- Finding + Focusing a Scene 5
- Exposure Settings for Star Trails 6
- Assembling stacked star trails 7
- The basics of light painting (why & how) 8
- Different type light sources and their uses 9
- Controlling light color 10
- Determining proper exposure 11
- Basics of stacking multiple light painted frames 12
- Dealing with nighttime difficulties: focusing and framing 13