How to Shoot Star Trail Photos 1.0

[Nick]

Nick submitted a new resource:

How to Shoot Star Trail Photos - A tutorial for shooting star trail photos with a DSLR camera.

I've had a lot of people ask how I shoot star trails so I thought I'd post up a little tutorial here. I won't claim to be the expert on this but I've done it enough to know my way around.

I haven't updated this for a couple years so I may need to read through this and update shortly. Just getting this posted as-is for now to get the Resources section running.

Equipment needed:
- A digital SLR Camera
- A sturdy tripod
- A wired remote control trigger

The wired trigger can be an...

Read more about this resource...

 

[mattvogt7]

Thanks for this - super helpful, and for all the work on the back end of the site.

 

[Scott Chandler]

Thank you for sharing this Nick. I've wondered how folks have gotten their night shots for a while.

One question: how are you getting the shutter to stay open for so long? I'm new to my DSLR but I know my old camera could only stay open for 30 seconds and I could never figure out how to get it open longer. I could probably figure it out but advice from an expert is generally the quickest option

 

[Nick]

For stacked trails (preferred method), you only need 30 second exposures. For single exposure trails (option 1 in the tutorial), you just set your camera shutter to bulb mode and lock down your wired trigger. It will stay open as long as the trigger is locked down.

 

[Jerome]

For stacked trails (preferred method), you only need 30 second exposures. For single exposure trails (option 1 in the tutorial), you just set your camera shutter to bulb mode and lock down your wired trigger. It will stay open as long as the trigger is locked down.

Hello: can you recommend a basic but good tripod for backpacking/hiking use? I think you suggested Manfrotto but I don't know what type/model. Their website is confusing with so many options; then you have to buy the head separately.
I have a Canon T4i camera. Thanks, Jerome in Tucson

 

[Nick]

Hey @Jerome.

There are so many options, it just depends on what combination of light/cheap/sturdy you can afford. I use a pretty cheap Slik tripod for backpacking but a better Manfrotto carbon fiber one for other use and trips when I know I want something sturdier/taller. Check out this thread for more info and links:

http://backcountrypost.com/forum/threads/backpacking-and-camera-tripod.564/