Deep Sky Astrophotography with a Smartphone

[@brokenaxles1]

Thanks for the great video, been wanting to get into astrophotography for sometime now by using my s22+ and this video helped out a lot.

[@kitchenraw]

You're very welcome! This pro photography mode performs even better when you are away from the city light pollution. You can get crazy milkyway shots with the main 50mpixel camera or super wide angle in pro mode by long exposing 20 or 30 seconds on a tripod 😯

[@haroldbrown3782]

Perfect instruction for my new S22. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much for creating and posting!

[@kitchenraw]

@BoredTV Good luck

[@kitchenraw]

@BoredTV That's great. Btw, I started using the Galaxy Ultra's 10x optical camera on top of my star tracker, which is equivalent of 230 mm, and you can literally capture deep sky objects without a telescope. Here is a link to how I did: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYeXqp2Hj7eEZ6s

[@rd_0939]

Thank you so much. I will try this tonight with my s23

[@moaayedfarooq4743]

Fam you're a legend and your skills are legendary. I honestly won't capture half that stuff with a pro grade camera. Respect ++++.

[@kitchenraw]

Thank you Moaayed! Finding a really dark sky farther from city light pollution is the key. I am also lucky that I live in California and we have deserts here with zero light pollution. You can literally see the Milky Way with naked eye.

[@nunesandrew4198]

@RAWKITCHEN, why dont you do an update video? the s23 ultra has a new expert raw update that makes the capturing of nebula much easier, please look into it and update us?

[@kitchenraw]

I tried last week while I was camping in Big Bend National Park. I used 10 mins option with Expert Raw. The result I got wasn't even close to the quality, what I got by doing the stacking manually. I can send you the example image I tried with expert raw and just compare it by yourself ;) I can send you the example. Just send me an empty email at: [e-mail] 👋

[@dzorzo]

Did you use the plain S22 or S22 ultra? Thanks. And congrats on the job and awesome explaining video. Ty

[@kitchenraw]

I used regular s22, not the ultra.

[@Jazzinthecountry]

Thanks. I wish there was an Android app for stacking.

[@kitchenraw]

Samsung Expert Raw app has astro mode that supposedly works by stacking. I couldn't get a decent shot with that tho. Maybe they will make it better in the future.

[@AliKandemir]

Exactly what I needed and was looking for! Thanks!!

[@kitchenraw]

You're welcome!!

[@vitorsimoes4435]

This is amazing. Thank you for the video and the detailed explanation for the whole process

[@vitorsimoes4435]

Btw, Samsung just released an update to ProRaw and added an Astrophoto mode, would love to know your thoughts about it!

[@kitchenraw]

@@vitorsimoes4435 This is great news! Thank you for letting me know. I just updated my ExpertRaw app but learned that it only works with One UI 5 beta version. I am hoping to get an update soon in the US so I can test it out.

[@bensneen]

Such an interesting exercise In DSO. I am absolutely amazed that you're able to get that out of 8 second Frames.

[@kitchenraw]

I realized if you have a camera with manual controls and no light pollution around you, it is pretty easy to capture bright, deep sky objects.

[@skipirtyyyy6165]

I just stumbled upon yur channel holy hell, subscribed immediately. Would like to see more of deepsky objects using s22 ultra.

[@kitchenraw]

Thank you Jay! I am actually planning to make another video with the Galaxy soon. It is hard going to rural areas in California especially in the summer because it gets too hot. I am planning a trip high in the mountains of Yosemite first week of July, let's see what it brings.

[@esmediamarketingldn]

This is seriously incredible!

[@kitchenraw]

Thank you!!

[@Uborpriest]

In the countryside for Christmas... HOPING for some epic snaps!!!

[@kitchenraw]

Good luck!!

[@youdontknowmemom8119]

I have the s22 not plus or ultra. Will it take good night sky videos

[@kitchenraw]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2fEaJSQn7uUf7c

[@PingpongPoof-c3r]

Thnxxx the expert raw module is really wonderful for astro, especially of you have a star tracker

[@kitchenraw]

Never tried expert raw on a star tracker. I like expert raw, but somehow, it auto applies noise reduction and sharpening, which is a dealbreaker for me. I have to have raw untouched images without any autonoise reduction on it, so I can stack manually just how I do with my regular pro astro cameras.

[@PingpongPoof-c3r]

@@kitchenraw the advantage with using exp. Raw with star tracker is you can go upto 10min exposure without star trailing so there is more detail and less images . But stacking more images with shorter exposure can get comparable results too.

[@kitchenraw]

@user-jm9iw6mm9o I tried Orion Nebula with 10 mins exposure on the fixed tripod. It was really disappointing 😞 It comes nowhere close to manual stacking. But I will try to put it on the star tracker and try the 10-minute exposure next time. Let's see how it will work.

[@basskickersoutdoors5594]

Newb here. I have the 22 plus I followed your directions getting fantastic shots however the pictures are not coming out as dark as yours mine it's like the stars are out during the day lol. I feel like i have a exposure issue and need to tweak it still cool but definitely want the dark sky looks much better. Any tips?

[@kitchenraw]

Hey, it sounds like you need to capture from a dark site away from city light pollution. Also make sure the Moon is not in the sky. When you take pictures from a light polluted city or when the Moon is up and bright, it creates a light haze in the atmosphere and it blocks your view. You can check the light pollution level in your area from this website: www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=2.84&lat=45.5956&lon=-114.0044&layers=B0FFFFFFFTFFFFFFFFFFF Green, blue and gray/black areas are perfect for astrophotography. Good luck!

[@basskickersoutdoors5594]

@Raw Kitchen Thanks alot got a full moon out tonight in my neck of the woods im plenty far from any citys so I figured that may have been the culprit but thought I'd ask anyhow just to be sure it was not a miscalculation on my end. But like I said still getting fantastic photos tho. Thank you again you've gained a new sub from me if you like fishing check my page out as well it's a hoot.

[@davisrush5567]

Is picsart good for edit deep sky images?

[@kitchenraw]

I don't think Picsart has an astrophotography stacking option.

[@davisrush5567]

@@kitchenraw ok 😕

[@d-space7204]

This is very impressive ,Thanks for the Video😊😍.

[@kitchenraw]

Thanks!!

[@mihailssisovs6983]

Horse head and Barnard's loop, great

[@kitchenraw]

Yess!! Thanks

[@joelhutter7271]

Hi :), very informativ video. would i be able to take good pictures with a A53 64mpx?

[@kitchenraw]

👋 I can't be sure for that specific model. If you have the Pro mode with manual shutter, it works pretty good.

[@autumnleaftv5563]

Can regular iphone 14 take this type astronomy photos?

[@kitchenraw]

You can take milkyway shots with Iphone's night mode up to 15 seconds, but I don't think you can take deep sky pictures with an Iphone. First, you need to be able to have full manual control of the camera. Especially for stacking process, you have to get raw unedited picture files taken with exact same settings (shutter speed/iso/focus). If you can find a third party app for Iphone to deliver raw unedited picture files with full manual control, yes it would work.

[@autumnleaftv5563]

@@kitchenraw does raw image mode supports on regular iPhone 14?

[@debrato2356]

Should I stack 20 images taken at different isos and stack total 100 images...??? Like 20images at iso 100...

[@kitchenraw]

For stacking, you should only use the pictures taken with same ISO and same Shutter Speed. All pictures need to have the same values. ISO 100 is really low to capture anything in the dark. I would suggest using ISO 800 or 1600 and take at least 20 pictures of the same frame.

[@kitchenraw]

Also, there are different techniques to take deep sky object with different ISOs to create better dynamic range, but it is more for professional stacking with real cameras. For smartphone cameras we are already limited to take max 30 sec exposure, so it is better taking all pictures with same values.

[@debrato2356]

Thanks man will shoot a photo tonight will share its link...

[@debrato2356]

I am going to shoot 50 light frames and 6 dark frames just hope the night is not cloudy and i live in class 7 bortle zone so don't know how it will turnout...

[@evopenguin5742]

Hello i am from India. I have s22 ultra. I live in highly light polluted area. Whenever I take photo of sky, i can see nothing but just stars. I want to see the whole galaxy not just some stars. Please help with settings.

[@kitchenraw]

You need to be out of the light polluted areas like cities. Also Moon creates light pollution too. Check this map to find a dark spot. www.lightpollutionmap.info/

[@evopenguin5742]

@@kitchenraw see this is the problem. I cannot go to the less light polluted area beacuse the most near non light polluted area is 700 km away from me

[@kitchenraw]

@@evopenguin5742 It doesn't have to be "zero light pollution" You can capture in green, yellow and blue areas too

[@evopenguin5742]

@@kitchenraw oh thnx

[@kitchenraw]

@@evopenguin5742 Check this video for preparing, location hunting and finding a good spot. Also it shows how to check moon phases and wind speed etc... kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoqbZ5p8frh7r5o

[@itsAJ819]

Do you know if the regular S22 or the Plus models have the astrophotography feature in expert raw? I know the ultra does

[@kitchenraw]

Yes they both have when you update to the last version of android.

[@ΚώσταςΒαγγελής-χ9θ]

I think the result with the telephoto X10 from 22ultra would be stunning

[@kitchenraw]

Only challenge using the 10x camera will be the exposure time limit to avoid star trails. On a fixed tripod you can only exposure 2 to 3 seconds with 10x camera to get sharper stars.

[@zakir00798]

thank you for such informative video

[@kitchenraw]

Thanks!!

[@md.mueedulislamchowdhuryab9760]

Want a milkyway post processing & color grading tutorial in Lightroom

[@samtorbert6554]

My method for automation is recording myself saying capture and putting it in a loop using the voice recorder

[@kitchenraw]

Hahaha that is amazing. You literally find a hack to make your own free intervelometer.

[@greekpandagaming9657]

how did you shoot the intro videos with your phone?

[@kitchenraw]

Here is a tutorial I made before how to do it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bomzoJyEopVlrKM

[@tsi_yoav2363]

Any idea for pictures stacking app for Android?

[@kitchenraw]

There are a few apps for Android and iPhones, I never tested but there are some videos reviewing it on youtube. The app called Deepskycamera

[@themajesticmarkhor]

Thumbs up! for sharing great info

[@kitchenraw]

Thank you!!

[@samushiba1607]

Hi is this with just the phone and no other things such as telescopes?

[@kitchenraw]

Hi there! Yes I only used the phone's telephoto camera which is 70mm

[@samushiba1607]

For the s22 ultra is it better to use the 10x rather than 3x?

[@kitchenraw]

@@samushiba1607 When you use the 10x zoom with this technique your exposure time limit will be 3 seconds instead of 8 sec to avoid star trails, but it might still work.

[@kitchenraw]

@@samushiba1607 There is a formula called "Rule of 500" to calculate perfect exposuring time depending on your focal lenght without star trails. Formula is easy "500÷Focal Lenght= Exposure Time(shutter speed)". S22 Ultra's 10x camera is equivalent to 230mm. So 500÷230=2.1 seconds. 2 second can be short so you need to take more pictures to get more detail in your picture. If you are a beginner, I would suggest you to start with main or wide angle camera on s22 to give you more exposure time and learn the process. Using 10x camera will be really hard because you need to spend good amount of time to locate your object in your frame in the dark.

[@licanmartinez569]

@@kitchenraw where did you find the equivalence to focal distance in mm?

[@ShiftyDarkSpidr]

What exact S22 model were you using for the astrophotography?

[@kitchenraw]

S22 and s22 plus has the exact same cameras. I used the regular s22 not the ultra.

[@ShiftyDarkSpidr]

@@kitchenraw awesome thanks bud. I've been trying to find out if the other S phones can do astrophotography but no one has any videos or info on it. You're the first I've seen. I absolutely hate curve glass screens.

[@kitchenraw]

Most of the newer Android phones with good cameras are now capable for taking RAW images besides JPEGs. And most of the android phones can use the long exposuring option from the android Stock Cam App by choosing "PRO Photography Mode". If you are not into curve corners Galaxy s22 Ultra has sharp edges and better cameras. Doesn't matter which Samsung Galaxy you have, you will have great results especially for astrophotography when you use 30 sec, 20 sec, 8 sec shutter speed.

[@ShiftyDarkSpidr]

@@kitchenraw Thanks for info. I appreciate it.

[@damienlobb85]

@@ShiftyDarkSpidr Both the S22+ and Ultra have great photos, with their own respective strengths. I think the 50MP sensor in the S22 is about as good for night photography.

[@Diego_de-la_Vega]

Amazing. Great video. I just got a S22 Ultra and I'll definitely try that

[@kitchenraw]

Make sure to find a dark place for better results by using this light pollution website. Good luck! www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=11.68&lat=34.0272&lon=-118.8922&layers=B0FFFFFFFTFFFFFFFFFFF

[@ΚώσταςΒαγγελής-χ9θ]

Is there any change to make a video capturing nebula with the main camera?

[@kitchenraw]

Main camera is too wide (23mm) to see any nebula. You can definetely capture it, but it will be too small in your frame. Nebulas are considered as "deep sky objects" and it requires at least 50mm or higher focal lenght. Main camera (23mm) performs the best if you capture wider objects like Milkyway Core or Cygnus Region. Summer season is perfect for Milkyway. I will post a video soon about capturing the milkyway with s22 too.

[@kitchenraw]

Here is a new video I just posted "Capturing Astro Images with the Main Camera" it might give you some idea kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5Cymmatrdx8ea8

[@ΚώσταςΒαγγελής-χ9θ]

@@kitchenraw i saw it. Beautiful job

[@nidhalbouabana3497]

Hi ,is it an Exynos 2200 or 8 gen 1 ?

[@kitchenraw]

It is USA version

[@atluangapachuau]

very helpful vids..can it be done using iphone 12??

[@kitchenraw]

I tried with an Iphone 13 Pro Max but it didn't work. Especially for stacking you need to be able to take multiple shots with the exact same settings which is impossible for any Iphone because of the lack of manual control over the camera. I used 30seconds long exposure in night mode with an I phone, but the results were all mushy because Iphone also auto-denoise the image.

[@atluangapachuau]

@@kitchenraw ok ok..thank u so much for replying..i'm a big fan now 🤩😁

[@Quoutub]

@@kitchenraw Yes, you probably need to use a 3rd party app because Apple's dng files have been processed or you stack the images manually. But 3rd party apps for the iPhone can only choose a short exposure time as far as I know (1 or 3 seconds). Then it should work or one needs to use a different software..

[@Pubg-qg5tj]

S22 or pixel 7 which is best for astrophotography????

[@kitchenraw]

They are both capable of astrophotography. They would perform similar bc they have similar sensor technology. S22 has an extra 3x camera tho which you can get better close up captures.

[@Quoutub]

Sadly, there is apparently no 3rd party app that can access the periscope camera of the Pixel 6 Pro in manual mode. Google's periscope camera hardware (the Galaxy S20 Ultra seems to have the same periscope lens) should be theoretically(!) one of the best smartphone cameras for deep sky objects (in comparison with the 70mm camera of the S22 you should get about the same signal to noise ratio from deep sky objects with roughly only 24-29% as many frames (though I haven't taken into account that the periscope lens is rectangular), if you use the same exposure time per frame and reduce the resolution afterwards).

[@samuelebotteon]

Awesome video! Do you think there will be a lot of differences if i use an s20?

[@kitchenraw]

It would look similar but wider. S20's tele lens has 29mm focal lenght which is considered as wide angle. Using wide angle will give you more exposure time like 20 sec but less zoom.

[@michelangelofilippi1717]

What about the focus, I tried manual at max but it wasn’t good the photo. Can I do something like that with lightroom without stacking photos

[@kitchenraw]

You should manually focus until stars are small and sharp. You can try capturing milkyway with wide angle camera or main camera and set your shutter to 20 sec or 30 sec, you will see milkyway without stacking. But for deep sky astrophotography, stacking is a must.

[@michelangelofilippi1717]

@@kitchenrawmy main camera is the wide one. I have the S22 ultra. Do you have some tips, or the different settings, for ultra wide, wide, telephoto or maybe supertelephoto? Ty so much Btw i have the app expert raw too, some tips there?

[@kitchenraw]

@@michelangelofilippi1717Expert raw proccess your image to reduce the noise, it is not real raw image. S22 Ultra has Super Wide and Wide Cameras and it will give you 30 sec exposure without star trails. Tele lenses are challenging in many ways, if you are a beginner starting with wide angle lenses are good to learn the process. Most importan thing for astrophotography is the light pollution. Make sure that you are far away from city lights and there is no moon when you are capturing. Read the description, I left some links to check lightpollution around you and Moon phases.

[@michelangelofilippi1717]

@@kitchenraw ty mate appreciated

[@kitchenraw]

@@michelangelofilippi1717 No worries. I realized I didn't mention in the description. Here are my "Have to List" www.lightpollutionmap.info www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/ Also I use Stellarium app to find my targets in the sky. Good luck!

[@SaturdayMusicMachines]

That's very impressive. I have use the Google Pixel 5's astrophotgraphy mode, which produces some decent results, but you can't control all the parameters.

[@kitchenraw]

Yeah, google pixel's stock camera app has astro mode instead of pro mode. Astro mode is taking multiple long exposures shots and stacking them internally. But there are 3rd party apps that will allow you to use the manual mode. There is this app for $5 bucks: www.camerafv5.com/devices/manufacturers/google/pixel_5_drogon_0/ I bet there are other free camera apps if you search for it.

[@Quoutub]

@@kitchenraw There is sadly no 3rd party app that supports the periscope camera of the 6 Pro. It seems that 3rd party apps can't access the camera in manual mode.

[@greenfalcon1568]

Hey do you think the s22 50mp camera will do better astrophotography than the a73 108mp camera?

[@kitchenraw]

Megapixels are not that important especially for astrophotography, because more pixels creates more noise in your image under low light. Important part is the sensor size which all newer Samsung models are using similar sensor size. I tried Note 20 Ultra's 108 megapixel camera capturing Milkyway before, there is no difference with capturing milkyway with my new s22's 50mpixel main camera. I bet a73 uses the same 108mpixel sensor so you will probably get the same results if you can use the pro mode with 30 seconds long exposure. I would actually love to see results of a73's on astrophotography.

[@kitchenraw]

Also forgot to mention, most important requirement for astrophotography is the having the full manual mode with 30 seconds long exposure time in "Pro Photography Mode" for sure Galaxy S series are capable for long exposuring and raw image capturing. After checking some reviews I learned that a73 is not capable of taking "raw" images. So the answer is s22 will take better astrophotography pictures then a73 bc it can take raw unprocessed images.

[@greenfalcon1568]

​@@kitchenraw thank you for taking the time to reply, very informative info, i want to get an s22 but i am waiting for samsung to optimize the battery

[@kitchenraw]

@@greenfalcon1568 No worries! I know the battery is a little small on regular s22. When I first got it I was barely getting 5 to 6 hours screen time but after a month of use, it improved to 9 to 12 hours screen time. I learned that the phone uses AI to adapt your usage pattern and shutting off unused apps in the background.

[@FabioPegli]

Could Pixel 6 Pro with astrophotography mode be even better?

[@kitchenraw]

Pixel phones are so amazing in terms of astrophotography because besides the long exposuring option, pixel has an "astrophotography mode" as you mentioned. When you are in Astro Mode, Pixel can auto take lots of long exposured pictures of the dark sky and stack them internally in seconds to give you a stacked final file. I normally use sequator stacking software on my laptop and spend hours for stacking. Pixel does it in seconds is crazy.

[@techstation365]

@@kitchenraw But Pixel phones with astro mode will take upto 4 mins for one photo..... Doing a full timelapse will be the ultimate test of patience.

[@Quoutub]

Yes, as far as I know, the 6 Pro chooses 16s per frame when you choose the periscope camera. This leads to star trails and it seems that no 3rd party app can access the periscope camera in manual mode. So Google really needs to solve these issues.

[@metaspherz]

Thanks for the great share!

[@kitchenraw]

Thanks!!

[@calvingyasi8292]

You could use your s pen to press the shutter button remotely. Its more reliable than saying cheese.

[@kitchenraw]

S22 series don't come with the pen, only note series have the pen. There is a 2 sec and 10 sec timer in the stock app if you dont want to use the sound activated shutter release or if you don't have a pen

[@cort1234]

same settings as the s7 i love the manual mode lol

[@kitchenraw]

Right! I will sell my dslrs soon 😄

[@cort1234]

@Raw Kitchen im not to impressed on my s22 camera tbh

[@MrAko.]

Looks awesome :) If I may ask, is it possible to take photos without a star tracker and only with a tripod? I am afraid that in the next photos that I take, the object in the photo will be shifted and that as the earth rotates, it will somehow affect the resulting photo that I will try to compose.

[@kitchenraw]

@@MrAko. Thank you 🙏 Yes it's possible. Because the target is moving, every after 10 - 15 pictures, you need to re-center the target manually with your hands.

[@kitchenraw]

@@MrAko. Same technique I used in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoqbZ5p8frh7r5osi=zWTwjRLs2FXqeNaT

[@MrAko.]

@@kitchenraw okey thank you 😃

[@frackjohn]

What is calibration frame means and how it can be done? Also how I can use it when I stack my images? Is there an option in the software to add my frame as a calibration frame? Edit: Oh I just discovered that you mentioned about it in description. Thanks

[@kitchenraw]

Great! Calibration frames are helpfull to get rid of the noise also helps removing vignetting and distortion while stacking your images. When you are stacking, there is a button for uploading for "Dark and Bias Calibration Frames" says "Noise Images". And "Flat Calibration Frames" goes to the button says "Vignetting Images".

[@frackjohn]

@@kitchenraw thanks man. You don't know that you are giving me the baby steps that I need to get in that interesting field.

[@kitchenraw]

@@frackjohn I am glad that you are interested. You will be more amazed and inspired when you start capturing and seeing the final image. I learned everything about astrophotography in the pandemic sitting at home watching tutorials and started practicing while camping. You need to stay away from the city's light pollution and make sure there is no moon creating light pollution and the rest is easy actually. Good luck!

[@frackjohn]

@@kitchenraw I'm starting from today actually. I can't wait until I fully understand it.

[@RandomTimeLapse]

New starry night sky timelapse video in my channel 💙💙

[@Philosober]

Harikasın bro

[@kitchenraw]

Tesekkurler efenim 🙋‍♂️

[@Vesperoth]

Man! iPhone needs really bad that intervalometer app

[@kitchenraw]

There must be some 3rd party app in the app store. Maybe?

[@Vesperoth]

@@kitchenraw afaik, nothing close to what the app you showed does. Only through 3rd party like reflex or even longer but nothing that allows to do it on the native app, and nothing beats the native camera app quality. I love iPhone but things like this are a shame 😑

[@sebastianodicaro]

Best bro thx

[@DimiProject2]

still trying to understand how works. From expert raw said i need 4 to 8 minutes for astrophoto

[@kitchenraw]

I didn't use Expert Raw's astro mode for this video. I prefer using pro mode with real raw dng images. Expert Raw app is easy to use with and user friendly, but you won't be able to pull this much detail.

[@DimiProject2]

@@kitchenraw thank you..Nice to know it Now i got s23 ultra..

[@kitchenraw]

@Dimis That's a great phone. You can try to capture Orion Nebula with the 3x camera with a tripod and astro mode with 10 minutes feature, considering that Orion will be visible another month and it will disappear for the whole summer.

[@w3tua]

Use Camera RAW to fix the vignetting..

[@kitchenraw]

Camera raw app processing your image, it wont give you unedited raw. For stacking you have to have unprocessed raw images

[@kevinhertelt7116]

Damn