In this snapshot episode of The Wild Photographer, Court shares a quick, practical guide to astrophotography — specifically, how to photograph the Milky Way with strong composition, sharp stars, and a plan for success.
Astrophotography can feel intimidating at first. You’re working in extreme low light, trying to make tiny points of starlight stand out in a big, dramatic way. Plus, you're likely using gear that is specialized, and let's face it, things are more challenging in the pitch dark.
But the good news is that with a solid plan, it's a fairly straightforward formula. With the right lens, a sturdy tripod, thoughtful foreground composition, and a few repeatable camera settings, you can create beautiful night sky images that will really help elevate your nature photography.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Sun Surveyor App
A planning app for tracking the sun, moon, and Milky Way, including augmented reality tools for scouting compositions.
https://www.sunsurveyor.com/
Timeanddate Moonrise and Moonset Calculator
Useful for checking moonrise, moonset, moon phase, moon direction, and timing for astrophotography planning.
https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/
Court Whelan on YouTube
Court’s YouTube channel includes photography tutorials, editing walkthroughs, and visual companions to topics discussed on the podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/@courtwhelan
Smallrig LED Light: https://amzn.to/3PlZvTT
Petzl Actik headlamp: https://amzn.to/4nUlwWE
Court's Websites
Sponsors and Promo Codes:
