Need help taking pictures of the stars: Hi, I just joined but have been lurking around for a couple of weeks. I have really enjoyed some of the topics and have found many helpful tips.

Andrea.Jarrell Loc: Mount Airy, NC

Hi, I just joined but have been lurking around for a couple of weeks. I have really enjoyed some of the topics and have found many helpful tips. Now I need some specific help. I live out in the country and don't have much light pollution at night so I am trying to get pictures of the stars. I shoot with a Canon T3i and I have a tripod and remote shutter release. I have tried tonight but I am not sure my shutter is even opening. I have put the camera in bulb mode and made sure my max ISO is set at 3200. I am still pretty much a newbie but I am trying to learn more about all aspects of photography.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Andrea.Jarrell wrote:

Hi, I just joined but have been lurking around for... (show quote)

Do you get sploches of white on black? In a timed exposure you should get streaks owing to the rotation of the earth. Astronomical observatories have the capability rotate their telescopes to get star pictures.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Andrea.Jarrell wrote:

Hi, I just joined but have been lurking around for... (show quote)

Welcome to the Hog, Andrea.Jarrell.
Hope you didn't overlook the astronomical links here on the Hog.
A 20 sec. exposure will show stars..... Experiment.
I'll watch this thread for better answers then I can give.
Enjoy, and post some pictures,
Marion

Andrea.Jarrell Loc: Mount Airy, NC

John_F wrote:

Do you get sploches of white on black? In a timed exposure you should get streaks owing to the rotation of the earth. Astronomical observatories have the capability rotate their telescopes to get star pictures.

I didn't even get an exposure and I held the remote shutter button in what I thought was the open position for at least 20 - 30 seconds. I am not sure the shutter opened. I had the camera on manual mode which still befuddles me some so I am sure there was something wrong.

Andrea.Jarrell Loc: Mount Airy, NC

Marionsho wrote:

Welcome to the Hog, Andrea.Jarrell.
Hope you didn't overlook the astronomical links here on the Hog.
A 20 sec. exposure will show stars..... Experiment.
I'll watch this thread for better answers then I can give.
Enjoy, and post some pictures,
Marion

Apparently I did overlook those links. I will go in search of them and maybe I can find some answers.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Andrea.Jarrell wrote:

Apparently I did overlook those links. I will go in search of them and maybe I can find some answers.

At the top of the page is a Home link. Click on that and subscribe to the astronomical link. You can ask your question their, and maybe get some better answers. If need be.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6ypRbPzoPM

Preachdude Loc: Geneva, OH

Andrea.Jarrell wrote:

Hi, I just joined but have been lurking around for... (show quote)

Landscape astrophotography falls into two categories: Those with the stars streaking, and those without the stars streaking. For the former, it is a matter of using the highest ISO you can without too much noise along with a long exposure with the lens at f/2.8 or lower. If you don't want the stars to streak visibly, and if you're not using a Sony a7s, the length of exposure must be limited to the "rule of 500." Take the full-frame-equivalent focal length of the lens and divide it into 500 to determine the maximum exposure in seconds. For instance, if you're using a Nikon D800e with a 20mm lens, the maximum length of exposure would be 25 seconds. One more thing: If you want to avoid light pollution fogging up the sky, get away from the lights of civilization and take your pictures so as to avoid the moon's light. You can do this during the few nights either side of the new moon, or either before moon-rise or after moon-set. Have fun!

El Capitan, Yosemite, 6% moonlight

(Download)

Yosemite, Tunnel View, 6% moonlight

(Download)

Yosemite, Valley View, 6% moonlight with clouds

(Download)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Andrea.Jarrell wrote:

Hi, I just joined but have been lurking around for... (show quote)

here is some info I've accumulated.

Night Photography

http://improvephotography.com/672/blue-hour-landscape-city-photography-tips-cityscape-light/

http://improvephotography.com/178/the-1-night-photography-mistake/

http://improvephotography.com/694/night-portrait-photography-tips-lighting-flash/

http://improvephotography.com/632/10-tips-for-beautiful-sunset-portrait-photography/

http://www.digitalphotomentor.com/easy-guide-to-night-photography/

Star Stacking
http://deepskystacker.free.fr/english/index.html

Star Trails
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-star-trails#ixzz2RUakCR6q

StarStaX (star trails)
http://www.markus-enzweiler.de/StarStaX/StarStaX.html

Night Settings, one possibility
Settings were Aperture Priority, manual focus of course, f/18, ISO 100, WB -tungsten, 30 second exposure

treadwl Loc: South Florida

All the exposure advice given here is right on. However most neglected to give you the f-stop setting.

Generally, on a dark night ISO set to 3200 with a shutter speed of 25-30 seconds, and an f-stop of 2.8 or less should yield a good star field. I try to keep my lens zoomed to 18-24mm to avoid star motion (movement blur)

If the photo is still to dark if your lens sets below 2.8 then open it up more or increase the shutter duration.

you can see some sample shots here:

http://reminisces.smugmug.com/RECENT-ADDITIONS-1/Recent-Additions/i-xtrHDSQ/A

http://reminisces.smugmug.com/RECENT-ADDITIONS-1/Rocky-Mountain-Memories/i-34Dh6CZ/A

http://reminisces.smugmug.com/RECENT-ADDITIONS-1/Rocky-Mountain-Memories/i-TQpP5QD/A

good luck.

Larry

Straight Shooter Loc: Newfoundland, Canada

You mentioned that you had the dial set at manual and thought the shutter had not opened. I think you should have had it on B (bulb); then the shutter should stay open until you release the remote.

roser400 Loc: NC

I'm pretty new here with a Canon Rebel also. I did night photography in the very dark Antelope Canyon, Arizona this week. Got some great shots of the Milky Way.
I used my 18-55 kit lens at 25 sec, f4, ISO 3200

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

dirtpusher wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6ypRbPzoPM

forgot to mention, if you haven't got a wire or wireless trigger yet. use your hat or something to cover lens when you click.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

I shoot a T3i as well. Do you have the lens turned to manual focus? If you have it on auto focus it won't be able to focus in the dark. If it can't achieve focus lock, the shutter will not fire. I would set it to manual focus and use the live shooting mode to focus. Hopefully this will help.

Walt

Andrea.Jarrell Loc: Mount Airy, NC

Straight Shooter wrote:

You mentioned that you had the dial set at manual and thought the shutter had not opened. I think you should have had it on B (bulb); then the shutter should stay open until you release the remote.

I set the exposure length to bulb in the menu. I don't know if this is the same thing.