Photography

Capture the Galaxy
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Tips and tricks to turn your Milky Way photography into masterpieces.

Summer is the most popular time to take pics of the stars. But if you usually end up with night sky shots that are more blurry than breathtaking, you're not alone. Capturing the grandeur of the Milky Way can be tricky, but with the right equipment and our useful tips, you can learn how to take pictures of stars with stellar results every time.

Before you go

First, consider the full scope of what you want to capture. Do you want to catch the Milky Way low in the sky, high in the sky or streaking diagonally across it? Getting the right shot of the Milky Way requires more than just good framing.

Go off the grid

To truly master night sky photography, avoid light pollution found in cities and large towns. The more remote, the better.

Next, consider what kind of foreground you want—after all, if you’re shooting at ground level from planet Earth, there’ll probably be something else in the shot. For example, are there any striking pieces of architecture, eye-catching rock formations or towering trees nearby? Look for elements that will add interest when silhouetted against a starry sky.

Timing is everything

When you shoot is just as important as where you shoot. Time of night and time of year both factor heavily into how the Milky Way will appear in your shot. Since its orientation in the sky shifts throughout that time, too, capturing it takes some planning.

Luckily, there are apps that can help you determine the kind of shot you want, and when and where to best capture it.. PhotoPills has a handy feature called Night AR that maps the galactic core across your current sky based on when you plan to shoot. Even a simple compass app like the one on the Galaxy S20 5G and Galaxy Watch Active2 can improve your starscape photography experience.

Another consideration to keep in mind? The moon. Unless you specifically want it in your shot, try to shoot on the night of a new moon. Since lunar glare can dampen the brilliance of a constellation, the less moonlight you have, the better.

Maximize your megapixels

Of course, all the planning in the world won’t help without the right equipment. Arm yourself with a smartphone designed to take high resolution pics. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G fits a staggering amount of megapixels in your pocket.

When you’re there

4
TIP
It’s easy to make sure all photos save as RAW while using Pro Mode on the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G. Go to Settings (that’s the gear icon) and toggle to "Save RAW copies."

Doing it for the ‘gram

Finally, the fun part: editing and posting. While you’re shooting, make sure to save your photos as RAW file types. You’ll be able to adjust JPGs or PNGs, but you won’t have anything close to the editing capabilities that a RAW file type provides.

Then post the result of your hard work and see what the world thinks. Feel free to tag us on social media, too—we’d love to see what you came up with.

*White balance, contrast, brightness adjusted.

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