Easy Astrophotography: Shooting the Night Sky

Photographers Skernick (Back Roads of the Pacific Northwest) and Valente detail the ins and outs of photographing the night sky in this concise and informative manual. Without fancy gear (any mirrorless camera, a few lenses, and a “good, sturdy” tripod will do), readers can capture bewitching shots of nighttime spectacles from the moon or eclipses to the Milky Way. Each brief section spotlights a subject (comets, meteor showers) and provides information on aperture, shutter speed, and focus, along with specific tips such as rendering shots of the moon in black and white for an otherworldly image, taking multiple exposures when photographing comets, and choosing a vantage point “with a good foreground and as little ambient light as possible” when capturing meteor showers (“you will be there for three to five hours,” the authors caution). While the technical tips serve as an excellent starting point for novices, the authors also make clear that passion and patience are key to astrophotography, and that it needn’t be a solo pursuit: they “recommend you find a friend to join you in your quest for night sky photographs.” It’s an ideal resource for aspiring shutterbugs eager to take on a new challenge. (Sept.)