Idilija's reflective journal

A star or Milky Way photo is taken to capture the stars as small, sharp points of light. To do this, the camera needs to use a high ISO, a wide aperture (such as f/2.8), and a relatively short shutter speed, usually around 10 to 25 seconds depending on the focal length of the lens. A tripod is essential because even the slightest movement will blur the image.

A star trail photo is different because it is meant to show the movement of the stars across the sky as the Earth rotates. Instead of freezing the stars, the photographer uses a very long exposure, or combines many long exposures, to create circular trails around the North Star or across the sky. The camera is still placed on a tripod, but the shutter remains open for several minutes or even hours, or many images are stacked together later in editing. A lower ISO is often used to reduce image noise during the long exposure.

Possible astrophotography location

A place I would like to photograph is Sognsvann in Oslo. It is far enough from the city centre that the skies are darker than in downtown Oslo, making it a good place to photograph stars. The best time to photograph the Milky Way is during late summer and early autumn, especially from August to September, when the nights become dark again after the bright summer. It is also best to go during a new moon or when the moon is below the horizon, because moonlight makes it harder to see the stars.

I could get there by taking the T-bane to Sognsvann and then walking a short distance around the lake to find a location with less artificial light. Before the trip, I would check the weather forecast for clear skies, use an app such as PhotoPills or Stellarium to see where the Milky Way would appear, charge all camera batteries, bring a sturdy tripod, a headlamp with a red light, warm clothes, and possibly a power bank. Since I would be outdoors at night, I would also tell someone where I was going and when I expected to return.