Q&A for How to Photograph the Night Sky

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How do you take pictures of people at night?

Victoria Sprung
Professional Photographer
Victoria Sprung is a Professional Photographer and the Founder of Sprung Photo, a wedding photography studio based in Chicago, Illinois. She has over 13 years of professional photography experience and has photographed over 550 weddings. She has been chosen for Wedding Wire's "Couple’s Choice" Award eight years in a row and The Knot's "Best of Weddings" award five years in a row. Her work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out Chicago, Chicago Magazine, the Chicago Reader, Rangefinder, The Chicago Sun-Times, and Pop Sugar.

Victoria Sprung

Professional Photographer

Expert Answer

If you want to photograph a person with the night sky as the background, use a slower shutter speed so you get a longer exposure because that will expose more stars. Also, pre-focus on the person, since it will be hard to see them, and consider using a flash, which will illuminate the person against the sky.

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Question

When is the best time to take photos?

Community Answer

During a "new moon," or two or three days before or after one. This often occurs around the middle of the month. Also, choose a spot away from any city light (you want to avoid light pollution). And choose a night that's not too windy or dusty.

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Question

How would I photograph a meteor shower?

TomPN

Top Answerer

This is a bit tricky. You need a tripod with a star drive that will follow the motion of the stars across the sky and stop them from coming out blurred. You also need a camera where you can leave the shutter open as long as you want. Set it up and leave the shutter open all the way through the meteor shower. Because the star drive on the tripod tracks across the sky, the stars will come out as points of light, but the meteors will come out as streaks.

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Question

How do I keep my flash off?

Community Answer

Just switch it off if you have a digital camera, or don't attach one if you have an analog camera.

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