Scouting Locations for Milky Way Shooting

16/3/2017

This video explores some of my methods for scouting and shooting subjects with the Milky Way in the background. We look at how to work out where the Milky Way will be positioned at anytime of the year using simple smart phone apps.

We also take a drive into the country as I reveal some of my favourite locations for finding unique and iconic photographic subjects. You'll notice I always mark my specific locations into my GPS for ease of navigating in the darkness.

This is my tried and true method of navigating my way around the Country Victorian landscape so hopefully you can all benefit from the many hours of time I've spent perfecting and fine tuning these techniques. As I've mentioned many times before, you should never leave home to photograph the stars at night without a well thought out plan in place. There are lots of hurdles to negotiate to enjoy this form of photography, so getting off on the right foot at the beginning is vital.

The below images are some of those used in the video. I'd love to hear from you and am always happy to chat and discuss any of the techniques or specific gear mentioned in these blog posts. Thanks for following my work ... it means a lot to me.

10 Comments

Chris

17/3/2017 09:45:21 pm

This is the best explanation I have seen. Nice & simple thanks so much for making the effort.

Richard

17/3/2017 11:20:02 pm

Thanks Chris, very much appreciate your comments.

John Carter

18/3/2017 10:54:01 am

PhotoPhils for Android is now available

18/3/2017 01:36:17 pm

Yes John, the day after I shot this video I downloaded the Beta Android version. I like it so far but I need to work on it a bit more as it's a lot more complex that Stellarium.

Sara link

18/3/2017 02:19:55 pm

Hi
Thanks for the video! I'm a beginner at nightscapes so this is very helpful. Do you have a similar one on camera settings for such shots. Thanks and I have pinned you to my favourites!
Sarah

18/3/2017 02:27:17 pm

Thanks Sara ... appreciate your comment.

I don't have a specific video relating to camera settings but if you look at my images posted to my Nightscape Images facebook page you will see that I always list my camera settings with every picture.

Camera settings do differ to some degree depending on camera and lens combinations. I spend a lot of time on my Night Photography Workshops discussing these things as well as the many other finer points of night photography.

I'm always happy to help you wherever I can ... please send me an email or facebook message and maybe I can assist from there.

michelle

18/3/2017 04:56:26 pm

Hi Richard what a fantastic video, i just ha a look at Stellarium on google play but it looks a little different to the one you are using where is the best place to get the app
thanks again for taking the time to give so much information

18/3/2017 05:40:22 pm

Hey Michelle, that's where you buy it. It's called Stellarium Mobile Sky Map and it's made by Noctua Software

Hope that helps.

8/5/2020 02:19:42 am

Hi Richard
Discovered you on YouTube today, and - wow. Your images are absolutely fantastic and have made me want to get out and try nightscape photography. As soon as this lockdown is over, of course.
Could you advise on what lights are worth considering for the painting, and how many would be useful.
I see the Led Lenser p7.2 and Cree g5 are among your tools on one shoot. Are these an either/or option or is it worth having both for different purposes?
Many thanks.
Chris, Huddersfield, England.

Richard Tatti

8/5/2020 09:51:07 am

Hi Chris, I typically use the LED Lenser P7.2 for most of my light painting and the LED Panel Z96 for low level lighting. Have a look at my latest video for more details on lighting. https://www.nightscapeimages.com.au/workshops---online.html

Scouting Locations for Milky Way Shooting

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