Thread by @People_Of_Space

Sure !
Here we go for a #thread !
What were obstacles and traps when I started in astrophotography, or in general: "What should I pay attention to, when I begin in astrophotography?"

https://twitter.com/Leaving_Orbit/status/1082374228626866176

Well, first, a little advisory:
I really can tell what kind of problems you encounter when you begin because...
I'm still beginning 😬😬

So!
The first issue for me have been: I did not know my camera well and what it can do.
Almost any camera can do at least a nice astro landscape.
With the right settings, you could even capture the milky way with a high-end smartphone.

I was with @Leaving_Orbit , what was my only camera, a Lumix fz72 bridge, in hands, and seeing that I had a nice focal length on it, she suggested me to try to capture the moon craters.

So I tried. And I was 100% sure it was de worst camera in the world to do it !

The result:

It's not an incredible photo.
But I realized that I was wrong: I was sure that the only good pictures of the sky was taken by experts with expensive cameras and telescopes, and there was the moon, with some nice details of its surface !

So in short, the camera you have can probably take nice photos of the sky.
To do it you need :
- to know how to do (learn photography basics)
- to try

Second thing is to know what you want to shoot :
50% of a good astro shot is how you prepared it. So identify your target, learn how to shoot it the best and where and when you will be able to shoot it, and then, you may have nice results.

At the very beginning, I was just going out at night with my camera and trying to identify visually what was in the sky and what could have been a good subject.
After that, I was missing 99% of my shots because I didn't know how to shoot my subject.

Very simple things can help:
- Know what you want to shoot and try to learn with YouTube videos or documentation on internet what could be a way to capture it.

- Download an app on your phone to have a sky map and find your subject when you're outside.

You will have better results, more satisfaction, and have more time to do your settings and you will need it !

In astrophotography, patience is the key!
You will spend time outside, trying and trying.

I am too tired ATM to keep it up, but I still have few things to add. See you tomorrow !

I have few other things to add :
If you shoot a planet, a nebula or a subject on which you need details, always use your digital magnification to make sure your focus is perfect. On some cameras, the "infinite" length is before the mechanical stop.

Many times I took pictures and realized that the focus was bad only on my computer screen.

Last things :

- Sometimes wanting to open fully your diaphragm won't give you the best pictures if you want a detailed shot, so close it a bit and...
- Use. A. Tripod.
It is not always handy to carry, but it will help you way more than you can imagine at the very beginning.

Oh and never go without warm clothes ! Nights are cold and you won't move a lot !
And keep an eye on your optics, mist can ruin your shots, so take the time let it cool down to air temperature first.

Well, I think that's all about astrophotography advices. I am sure I forgot a lot of things so please feel free to give yours or to ask me questions !

Let's close this thread with photos you took or you liked !