Milky Way Photography Guide
Base Camera Settings
Mode: Manual (M)
ISO: 3200–6400 (adjust for noise)
Aperture: f/2.8 or wider
Shutter: 10–25 sec (use Rule of 500)
White Balance: 3500K–4000K (or Auto for RAW shooters)
Focus: Manual (disable AF)
Focusing in Low Light
Use Live View + 10x Magnification
Target bright star or distant light
Infinity marker: Only use if calibrated
Rack focus slightly back after hitting infinity
Tape down the focus ring once sharp
See my Guides on Astro Focusing:
Essential Gear Checklist
Wide-angle, fast lens (14–24mm, f/2.8 or faster)
Sturdy tripod
Remote shutter / Intervalometer
Headlamp w/ red light (preserves night vision)
Spare batteries & memory cards
Weather protection / lens cloth
Star tracking mount (optional, for advanced shooters)
Creative Tips
Foreground: Find strong shapes (trees, rocks, ruins)
Milky Way core: Visible Feb–Oct (best in late spring/summer)
Use Rule of 500: 500 ÷ focal length = max shutter (adjust for crop sensor)
Sky placement: Off-center compositions add drama
Shoot multiple frames for stacking or panoramas
Common Pitfalls & Fixes
Star blur: Shorten shutter or use tracker
Soft focus: Recheck manual focus every few shots
Light pollution: Use apps like Dark Sky Finder; avoid urban glow
Underexposure: Bump ISO or widen aperture—expose to the right
Lens fog: Use hand warmers or anti-fog wraps
Post-Processing Tips
Reduce noise (use Lightroom, DXO, Topaz)
Boost contrast & clarity around the core
Enhance with subtle color balance
Mask the foreground if noisy or underexposed
Don’t overdo it—aim for natural beauty
Field Checklist
Before Shooting:
◻️ Batteries charged / cards formatted
◻️ Lens cleaned & camera set to RAW
◻️ Focus ring taped after sharp focus
◻️ Tripod leveled & stable
During Shooting:
◻️ Review histogram (avoid clipping)
◻️ Adjust exposure if stars trail
◻️ Shoot foreground frame (if doing blends)
Troubleshooting:
◻️ Stars soft? Refocus manually
◻️ Foggy lens? Warm or clean lens
◻️ Noisy image? Try stacking later
Stay curious, stay patient—the sky rewards those who wait.
Other Guides You May Enjoy
