How to Photograph Star Trails With SLR
- 1). Mount your camera on a sturdy tripod. It is crucial that the tripod is strong enough to support your camera as there will always be environmental factors that can make your camera move while you are creating a star trail photo. If the center tube of your tripod has a hook on the bottom, hang some extra weight on it to increase stability.
- 2). Locate Polaris (the north star) in the sky. In star trail photos, Polaris serves as the center of the spiraling collection of stars. Depending on the season, Polaris will either be in the top of the sky or closer to the northern horizon. Wherever in the sky it may be, it is always the last star on the handle of Ursa Minor (the "Little Dipper").
- 3). Compose your shot using whatever other elements are in your shooting environment. Landscapes, barns or landmarks of some kind can add interest to a star trail photo. Consider following the rule of thirds when deciding where to place Polaris in your photo. Placing the star in the center of your photo may be tempting, but doing so may diminish visual interest.
- 4). Connect your release cable to your camera and make sure that the camera is in Mirror lock-up mode. Set your camera to its narrowest aperture (f22 on most SLRs) and set the shutter speed to "Bulb" mode. Set the wide-angle lens in manual focus mode to manual and set the focus distance to infinity. Put the cable release in continual mode to start the exposure. Experiment with different exposure times. Start with a short time like 10 to 15 minutes and work your way up. Pick your favorite exposure after you are done.
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