Introduction into astrophotography


Photographed  June 2024, Eagle Nebula



My Astrophotography Journey


Hello and welcome to my new blog about the wonders of astrophotography. I am a 13 year old beginner astrophotographer who will enjoy sharing experiences, tips, and the beauty found in the nighttime sky. To kick things off, let me share with you one of my first astrophotography sessions, which took place right outside of my home.




A Starry Night


It was one of those clear evenings that invites you to raise your eyes upwards. For months, I had been studying astrophotography inside and out-knowledge of camera settings, composition, what gear to buy, and the most ideal objects in space to shoot. But tonight, I decided to take the plunge and try it out for myself-no fancy locations, just my backyard and a willingness to explore.




Setup


Equipped with my trusty Nikon D750 DSLR, an HEQ-5 mount, and a 5 inch newt that I modified for astrophotography, I stepped out, with the excitement inside me. The cool evening air was refreshing as I began to set up my gear. I chose a spot next to the pool where I could see most of the sky. Suddenly, above me twinkled the first star of the night, Vega. It was not near to where I was shooting but it was the brightest star in the sky at the time.




Finding My Focus


As the time hit night, I took a moment to adjust my camera settings, remembering the basic things I had learned. The first few shots were a mix of trial and error, some images were too dark, in some the stars were a streak, and others slightly blurred, but with every click, I felt more in tune with my camera and the environment.




I was thrilled to get the eagle nebula peeking through the light pollution resulting from the sacramento lights. It was an awesome scene, framing something so far out from my backyard. Finally, wonders of the universe were at work right before me!




A Moment of Connection


Did a few more tweaks in setting and started a sequence of images, in return I got an excellent eagle nebula shot for a beginner. I sat back and just took some time to absorb the whole thing.  Facing away from the light pollution I realized there's something really very humbling about lying on your back and looking up at the night sky, knowing it's so big and beautiful.




That's exactly what it did for me: how complacent we can get and see beauty in what is right in front of our yard-in our own backyards. Sometimes just with a camera, this ordinary thing would turn into something extra special.




Reflections


I stacked all the images together and finished the night with some satisfaction, not only from the image that I took but from taking that first step into something new. The adventure of capturing the night sky, even from my backyard, was enough to spark a flame in me that I'm excited to dig more deeply into.




The Future


Well, this is where my astrophotography adventure begins. I am looking forward to understanding it all the more, and improving and developing new techniques. For the next few weeks, I will be sharing my time doing astrophotography, and stories about my experiences under the stars. I want people to learn with me as I start my journey through the complicated field of astrophotography. 




If you are into astrophotography or simply an avid stargazer, then feel free to come along on this remarkable adventure as we embark on our journey to explore the cosmos-together, star by star!


Happy shooting and clear skies!


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