7 Astrophotography Tips for Complete Beginners

Astrophotography Tips for beginners (no telescope, no tracker)
In this video, I cover the basics of astrophotography with a DSLR or Mirrorless camera. Just a camera and lens on a tripod, no tracking!
You'll see some incredible images from amateur astrophotographers around the world. All of these images were shot untracked, using a camera lens.
More Info: astrobackyard.com/7-astrophot...
Thank you to everyone that shared their amazing astrophotography images with me on Facebook! Your photos put mine to shame!!
Clear skies.
Drive More = Drive Mode :D
Affiliate Links:
Some of the links in my video descriptions are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase.

[@IanInverarity]

Great video Trevor, and thank you for featuring my shot! 😀 For stacking in landscape Astrophotography I would recommend the free Sequator software! 😀😎

[@flowremix]

I hope so. I'm a new subscriber.

[@RogerKeulen]

Hi, i can buy a camera for $25,- second hand.... MEDION LIFE X44088 Camera modus: 4680 x 3500 pixels Diafragma: F3,1 ~ F5,8 Brandpuntafstand: f=4.5 - 94.5 mm Sluitertijd: 1/2000 ~ 15 sec Is this good enough to begin with ? Just to see something... or do i need to buy a expensive one. Thanx in advance !

[@johnray854]

Yes

[@nazhayri767]

@@RogerKeulen Sorry but that kind of cameras isn’t good for Astrophotography. You will be disappointed from the images you will be getting from that camera. I recommend you to save your money and get a DSLR with a 18-55 mm lens (and you can get better lenses from over time. And with the 18-55 lens you can get Orion Nebula or Andromeda and all that kind of beautiful objects over sky.). That will help you a lot I believe. With the MEDION camera you will have a lot of Chromatic Abberation that lowers the quality of the image. And it’s a Cheap Camera. You can’t really expect good results with it. I hope you didn’t got that camera since it’s been 2 months since your comment. I hope my reply helped you a little bit and I wish you luck and tons of clear skies with your journey.

[@jenniferjuderjahn7807]

Hi what tripod setup are you using?

[@astrophysicholic]

Astrophotography Starter Pack = DSLR + Tripod + AstroBackyard

[@TheAstroGuy_m42]

😀

[@krzysm8930]

+telephoto lens 👍🏼

[@MDezanGlasovic]

The last one hard to reach

[@arjun_makhecha]

Does mirrorless cameras work?

[@shivamdhumal5864]

Pixel 4/5 and nothing

[@JujuWils]

It would be cool to see a single shot compared to a stacked shot. Thanks for all the information!

[@d1waterboy519]

I smell a beginner astrophotography series🤔🤔 I would love to see that happen!

[@TMG_Dude]

Me too!

[@igoreq4495]

Yes please

[@IamKunalPatil]

Yes!Yes!Yes!

[@anirudhnair558]

Yesssss I'd love that as well

[@jurgen0901]

Absolute beginner in astro: Check! Subscribed: Check! Like the video: Check! Thanks for sharing those tutorials! 😊 (Suggestion for other beginner-video's if you haven't already explained it:: explaining the noise reduction feature of the camera and why it's sometimes better to turn it off. It took me till I started watching astro video's to understand why a pic of 30 sec took another 30 sec 'processing time' 😊) I'll recommend you to my friends here in Belgium (Europe)!

[@andyroo3022]

Thanks for your advice and years of knowledge. I just purchased my first Canon DSLR. I am fortunate where I live in Australia to drive about 30 minutes to get dark skies. The patience required in this hobby will do me good.

[@NebulaPhotos]

Nice video Trevor! Love that you featured your fans images - neat idea! Clear skies, Nico

[@theastropods]

really nice video Trevor! always had a fascination for astrophotography, however never really had the chance to pursue it to the best of my capabilities! Thanks to this video (and some advice from fellow astrophotographers), I finally feel like I can go out and finally pursue this passion which I had stalled for so long! thanks so much!

[@markray2209]

Just getting into astrophotography, own a 9.25 Evolution telescope and just bought a Canon T7 as well as a Star Adventurer star tracking rig. Haven't used a real camera in 10 years and this video is just what I needed to get me started. Thanks for putting this together and dumbing it down for a novice like me.

[@thewonderfulmrn9571]

I am in the process of starting to "build" an astrophotography rig. I was bitten by the astronomy bug with all of the hype of the Jupiter and Saturn conjunction this winter. Now, I just can't seem to get enough star gazing. My small telescope enabled my fiancee and kids to see the moons of Jupiter and just barely make out the rings of Saturn. I have watched a bunch of your videos and have become inspired to see more of the night sky. I am pricing out a DSLR camera...it's an expensive investment and I just want to make sure that I am getting the "best" camera....the "right" one for me. As an aspiring beginner, since I have not started yet, I am very happy that you have so much content posted. I will be sure to let you know when I finally start.

[@kylebond2047]

Great video Trevor. I started following your videos about a month ago and your advise is priceless. This video is a great start for me. Keep it up.

[@nikhilkhule3022]

A few months ago i had so many desires like owning a luxury apartment, a supercar and stuff but now there's just one thing. Having my own little observatory. 🤗

[@angelaschnelly]

I think you found your happy place.

[@RTtim]

you should still try for all! Dont cut yourself short on your goals, push harder to gain all goals.

[@darrenhawkes598]

The dream of us all my friend, the dream of us all.

[@gilgemash]

Start with a star chart and a decent 10*50 pair of binoculars...work your way up to a portable telescope...your universe will start to open up. Gradually. Easy to succumb to aperture fever. Observatory won't fall from the sky into your lap. A hard slog, learning curve, respecting the stars which dance for you, for free, every night...it's a slow, patient, majestic process. Don't hasten. You'll eventually be rewarded. Like many other good Earthlings. Greetings from London 🙏 😷 🌈

[@kevlarV2rocketRSV]

As always, great video Trevor. Even though I'm not a complete "beginner" this video will help to refresh my memory since I don't get out to image often enough. Still using a DSLR and tripod. Hope to get a tracker soon.

[@matheustrindade2104]

learning a lot from you, even though i don't know english perfectly, i can extract a lot of information from your video. Thanks and save from Brazil!

[@clickandseewithg739]

Fantastic video. Thanks so much for taking the time to put it together. I'm just a beginner, videos like this keep me on track.

[@scdl606]

Very helpful...and yes, it is all starting to come together with your help. Thank you Trevor!

[@johnsewell3114]

By far, one of the best video's I have seen for beginners like me for shooting the night sky without having to have a telescope.

[@JW-uj3we]

Always a pleasure to watch and learn from a very motivated teacher, thanks.

[@mymagicmurals]

Thank you so much Trevor, I did my first attempt on 28th July here in the U.K. looking for Comet Neowise without any instructions like your video to help me along. Never mind, when our skies clear again I'll have another go to shoot what is out there. This has so much info needed to know. So a big thank you.

[@epoxyfloorhobartsolutions3086]

You're doing important work; don't ever stop.

[@OliverBerresford]

I enjoyed this video clear and well presented having a DSLR I am looking forward to getting started this weekend out in the Australian Outback 👍

[@abrahamvalenzuela1186]

I think this is the best video for beginners like myself, great timing and lots of great information. We would like to see more videos like this and props on you channel and photographs, we are pleased for showing us the universe from the screen of your camera.

[@piotrjakuc6357]

Man, I totally needed this video 2 years ago when I started Astrophotography. Great video, Trevor!

[@p4ul.f708]

Holy crap your profile picture is pure fire ! 🔥

[@switchyduckk]

Dude, did you take that picture in your profile picture

[@piotrjakuc6357]

@@switchyduckk Oh, I wish! When I set up my account a few years ago I chose this pic... well before i started astro. Rly tough target too. Maybe one day!

[@OnyxTTV]

@@piotrjakuc6357 what galaxy is that?

[@stampthelamp]

I'm moving my family to a farm soon and am excited to get into astrophotography! I have been watching your videos a lot lately. Thanks for all of this great info!

[@ZedChuva]

Just got into dipping my toes into Astro this summer, and your channel has been extremely helpful. Also living in light polluted Ontario, it was great seeing the amazing shots you get from your backyard. I haven't had many clear nights (I mean, this IS Ontario), but I got my first, half assed pic of the Milky Way and even if it's dim, it was great to see. I used Sequator, Darktable and GIMP (all free) for editing. Been using GIMP for years, so it was my easy go to. Love the channel!

[@catmonkey6826]

Thank you! This really helps, I'm a newbie, learning as much as I can before a hike through a dark sky area in Wales UK in June.

[@alex.petkevich]

You are very inspiring! Huge thanks for posting all you experience here.

[@will.li22]

Love this video! I’m just getting into astrophotography seriously, and helps a lot! Just gotta see if I can catch a clear new moon night, since Vancouver isn’t exactly known for clear skies 😉

[@MrKenishiwah]

ive watched this video more than a few times because its so informational. thank you for everything your doing.

[@NextDoorFlyer]

Thanks Trevor, really liked this video. I appreciate the walkthrough as I have just started and frankly, I cant tell my ass from my elbow in terms of what I am doing. But the journey of discovery, how my results are changing with every new piece of knowledge I gained, be it figuring out some different setting for my camera, or how to get better output from the stacker, man, I got to say, its very addicting and gives me the drive to push further and further.

[@the_walkyrie]

Thank you Trevor! These are always so helpful :)

[@rolsonn]

Great video and info to help beginners. I started my night photo adventures several years ago and learning you can use your current lens and camera to start out. Just make certain you own a sturdy tripod. You'll find some nights the images look awesome and other nights the sky may contain too much moisture or light; all part of the game. Enjoy your time under the night skies watching the stars and listening to the wildlife wake up and their music. I've listened to loons calling and owls responding, coyotes howling and yipping; fun times!

[@MikeD606]

Dude! Thanks so much for including my photo! It means a lot, especially cause I've learned sooo much from your videos. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! 😊 👍

[@jayavantnijagal7764]

Thank you so much for all your videos for beginners. Very helpful.

[@kcrogers1593]

Hey Trevor, Cheers from Winnipeg! I just wanted to say how much I appreciate what you’re doing here!

[@MikeXMorgan]

Recently discovered your channel and it's already helping me understand and put the theory into practice. Really appreciate your work!

[@mikesensier3656]

This is a great channel...just what I need for a beginner, full of useful tips and tricks and good advice about starting off small and working up, so easy these days to jump straight in and buy everything and get overwhelmed and then lose interest..lol Keep up the great work as its very inspiring...👍

[@splarfzonk]

This was fantastic! I literally had no idea the images we see online of beautiful night skies were stacked multiple exposures! I love astronomy and am a photographer. I think I know what path I'll be going down in the near future.

[@nakul5354]

You explain really nice!!! love your astrophotos!!

[@ericklemus3853]

I just started last month with a move shoot move + D750 + some of my existing lenses. Also gotta add binging this channel for hours!

[@memohech]

Excellent walkthrough! Trevor strikes again!

[@jc_mac712]

Thanks, great info. Will be watching more of your videos. Great help as a newbie!

[@NzyDray]

I've been waiting for this! 🤩

[@peterwesson5667]

Thank you. I can't wait to try these ideas.

[@jimmyjrj1]

Great video Trevor, it's because of you that I got in to astrophotography. Keep up the good work 👍🏼

[@juliainman9389]

Thank you! This brought joy to my afternoon!

[@cityspaceastro]

Trevor That is a truly fantastic and inspirational video for beginner. Well Done again.

[@jameswoods1939]

Being new to AP this was very helpful. Thank you!

[@bobbowring1702]

Great video Trevor. This is just what I was looking for. I have been wanting to do this for ages, I thought I would need special gear, that is until I found this video and I do photograpy so its nice to know I have all the equipment at had to start Many thanks stay safe and a Happy New year to you, I hope 2021 will be a lot better than 2020. Just to let you know I am in Kent here in the UK and I am disabled with walking issues but have crutches to use so I can get about a little bit. Bye for now.

[@ME2K23]

Thanks Trevor for this knowledge sharing!! These really are invaluable info for basic gear / DSLR astrophotography shooters.👍🏻👍🏻🦉📷🔭🌟🤓

[@bimbic79]

Thank you for this video and tips. I am new to Astrophotography. I see so many nice photos, which makes me want to be out there and take them myself. You have given me a lot of helpful tips :)

[@kiranrai4353]

Thank you for that wonderful introduction; I am so excited to go try it out myself!

[@travelingtricia]

This was a really great video! Thank you.

[@icarusbootes1151]

Great video, I'm learning, and this was easy to follow. Thank You!

[@steveamurray59]

Thanks Trevor, will explore these options.

[@CsTvInc]

While I'm not a beginner anymore, it's always great to brush up on stuff. Good vid Trevor 🖒😃

[@1800041]

great information for beginners!!! Thank you!

[@rosalieb7909]

Just now finding your channel. Very informative! I'm heading to Utah this fall for three weeks; and want to learn and try astrophotography. Will watch more of your beginner videos! Thanks!

[@crusty3260]

I'm beginning starting new years! This has got to be the coolest hobby on earth!

[@JonnyDouglasPhoto]

Great video. Very interesting to watch. Always wanted to give astrophotography an attempt. Tried it last night for the first time and was pleasantly surprised with the results. Excited to try it again after watching this video.

[@whippetgal2]

Thank you so much for this! You’ve helped me take my first half-decent shots of the night sky. Now all I want to do is get back out there and improve!

[@mustafanewriwala5796]

How are you gonna make money by this

[@custardsponge535]

​@@mustafanewriwala5796why do you need to make money from it?

[@toddkroll321]

Another excellent video! Thankyou for what you do! 2 thumbs up!!

[@juanblanco4530]

Thanks for this, big hugs from Argentina!

[@angels731]

Been in astronomy since a youngster, always amazed at photos in books. Time to try out what you've suggested, thanks.

[@shatteredsky01]

This actually helps a ton, especially with images that are very bright. I had a few that I took that are far too bright for me to see any detail, so its good to know that I might be able to get some use out of those.

[@karenperry1397]

Very nice video, explaining it so clearly. Thank you!

[@hamiltonrobert488]

Thank you so much for thissssss!!

[@garethmonjones6829]

Many thanks for the feature in this vlog Trevor, keep the great content pal 👌👌

[@elliswashington7059]

GREAT video!!! thank you soooooo much.

[@GillBasswood]

Great channel, just subscribed. I'm just starting out with astrophotography and your channel is a wealth of great info, thank you!

[@GarnettLeary]

These types of videos help the community. Well done.

[@Mikedegot]

Getting some gear together, going to try to capture that Milky Way this Summer. Thanks for helping the rest of us enjoy astrophotography. Every time I see those images it gets my undivided attention, just fixated on how amazing the night sky looks.

[@iTaczer]

Thanks man, I really want to get into this and this was a great video to help me out

[@77moonwalker77]

Fantastic video! I will definitely come back to this video to try to remember all the tips. Thanks :)

[@FrankLucci]

Clear skies man! This helps a lot👍🏻

[@lukpascal]

Love this channel!👍👏🙌

[@psilveirap]

Very good guidelines! Thanks!

[@spdecoy]

really good stuff. always learning more.

[@SCTyler.]

Great vid as always Trevor! Wish i could actually get out there are shoot but South Carolina suddenly turned into a rainforest apparently, been storming or overcast every night for like a month straight.

[@gilgemash]

And clear skies to you too, friend. 🙏From London 🐾🐾🌞 😷 🌈🌌🌠

[@JezzBowden]

Amazing tutorial! I've been a photographer for as long as I can remember, and I've always wated to do AP, but I was put of with my clueless early efforts! Aftr watching this, I'm going to take my 20mm/f1.4 lens out for a walk one dark night, and see if I can do better ths time around, thanks to you tips!

[@iso6203]

Were you able to take some photos? How was shooting the night sky with a camera as a photographer. I am very interested in AP and I'm a beginner, so every tip I get is valuable for me. Thanks! 🙂

[@chrisschaad996]

Hey Trevor thanks for sharing my picture I'm so happy about this! Once more such a great video, I've started my astrophoto journey along with your tutorials and learned so much, thanks for that!!

[@markoechsli9059]

Chris, enjoyed your photo. Would love to know more about your gear and workflow In capturing that image.

[@chrisschaad996]

@@markoechsli9059 hi Mark glad you like the image! I made it with just a DSLR (Samyang 24mm f1.4 and CanonEOS 6D) and a tripod! I made shure to level the tripod properly and then i took 17teen pictures in two rows which were all overlapping by 1/3. Then it's easy to stitch them togheter with lightroom or photoshop automatically!

[@MrJimmy440]

I am a total amateur. This was very informative. Thank you.

[@jeffreybroughton8535]

I was pleasantly surprised to see that I have the same camera you used in your demonstration. I have been interested in dark sky shooting since I was in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and saw the milky way first hand. An awesome site to behold. I will definitely try your suggestions and I will be watching more. Thank You jlbrody

[@niagarascenes]

Great advice for those newbie astrophotographers. Thanks for the video !

[@oussamaghomrasni8491]

Hello i'm kinda new in your chanel so i was watching your video all day, good job and please continue what your doing

[@AlbertAguilera22]

Great tips! Thanks!

[@cameastonphotos]

Love the video! I have the same setup except I have the Canon 5D MkIII. Can't wait to try this out tonight. Thank you!!!

[@NikiWonoto26]

thank you for showing the real process of astrophotography. I've always been interested in astronomy, and might probably start astrophotography. - from Indonesia -

[@MannyG32968]

Excellent tutorial! Great info 👏thanks!

[@johnwilliams5692]

great teacher, thank you

[@MrPabgon]

Oh this video was almost perfect timing. I just went back to my city from being in a small town with little to none light pollution. I could still take some great pics.

[@julianduggan342]

This was insanely useful! Thank you!

[@mauriciomarin5599]

that was awesome! thank you 🙏

[@scidav87]

Your channel means a lot and is a great tool. Thank you so much.

[@fabiocanna85]

Thanks for this video!! Very useful for people like me: stepping for the first time into the Astrophotography world. Thanks!!!! :)

[@kevincarpenter3428]

Thanks for taking the time to do these for us beginners,I'm thinking of enrolling in a photography course as I know nothing about cameras.

[@psyguydnoir]

thank you this is the key infos for me 🤘😊

[@mateuszmench3388]

Great video man!

[@prashantgour3006]

Really Great Explanation

[@warcox]

Thank you 🙏🏻 for sharing the knowledge, I have just entered the Astrophotographers rabbit hole