How to Photograph a Rocket Launch at Night

If you want to photograph a rocket launch at night, you better pick the right camera settings, because you'll only get one chance to take your picture before the rocket leaves the atmosphere! I made this quick guide (my first attempt at KZbin's new #Shorts feature) so that you know for certain you'll get the photo you want.
The key is to use a wider lens than you may expect, simply to give yourself some wiggle room in case you don't predict the path of the rocket perfectly. I also recommend that you slightly underexpose the shot just to make sure you don't blow out any color detail in the rocket's path. The settings I use by default are f/5.6, ISO 100, and a 5 minute exposure.
Keep in mind that the techniques in this video are exclusively for capturing long exposure photos of a rocket arc at night. If you want a close-up photo where the rocket is sharp, you'll need to be much closer to the launch site, and your shutter speed will need to be much quicker.
I hope this answered your questions quickly and easily!
~Spencer
/ ​
_________________________
If you want to support my channel, one of the best ways to help is to follow me on Instagram @spencercoxphoto! I’m new there, but I’ve started posting regularly, including some behind-the-scenes content when I’m out filming.
Other than that, one of KZbin's biggest considerations for ranking videos from a niche channel like mine is shares. If you know someone who would find this video useful, click the share button under the video to send it their way! If you're a blog or website owner, you have my permission to post it on your website however you deem best.
_________________________
#NASA #SpaceX

[@debangarajchoudhury1409]

Photography knee 😂

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Haha, glad you found that amusing!

[@debangarajchoudhury1409]

@@PhotographyLifeChannel Haha. Btw, love your videos ❤️

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

@@debangarajchoudhury1409 Thank you! Happy to hear it 😄

[@thomastarner8683]

I'd recommend shooting at a smaller aperture like f16. If you plan on shooting the next Artemis launch I'd go even smaller because SRB's (Solid Rocket Booster's) are very bright!!! My streak shot of Artemis I damn near blow out the sky with f16 at a viewing distance of 13 miles.

[@rickyrabinowitz6000]

Thanks for the video! I live down here and seeing these pictures inspired me to get into photography! I went and bought an A6400 today! And sure enough there is a launch tonight! I’m excited for my first attempt to capture something like this!

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Right on! That’s awesome. You may want to take some test photos to check bulb mode and locking focus ahead of time. And since the A6400 has a built-in 1.5x crop factor, I recommend framing so there’s mostly sky and not much land in your composition. Otherwise you may cut out some of the rocket at the top.

[@frankf9233]

Would be so cool to shoot one of these one day. Thanks so much! Knees haha

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

The one you see in the video is the first launch I had seen. Really amazing sight. From that far away, it was like watching a sunrise.

[@BinkyNoss]

Short & sweet. Thank you.

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Sure thing! Hope you get some good shots. I’m packing up at this moment to photograph the launch tonight.

[@dakotas76]

Up, up, and... out to the ocean :D

[@antonoat]

Short and sweet!

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Thanks!

[@sultanalmudimeegh1001]

Nice 👍, more short video like this

[@dhanushka931]

One I'd point out, The f Number might be more smaller like f16 depends on how close you are

[@cougjimmy]

Great video, thank you for the guidance. I'll be shooting the Crew 2 launch from the KSC causeway next week with a 200-600mm and a 1.4x tele. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

[@1upphilly267]

You rock

[@johnnick3]

Any suggestions for the best camera and the best smartphone for a launch?

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Any camera with manual mode that lets you use a long exposure. For a phone, get an app that can do long exposures with light trails. Either way, a basic tripod is essential.

[@sociallyinept32]

Love your teaching style. Thanks for keeping us beginners in mind!

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Glad you liked it, thanks!

[@666hobart]

May I purchase some photography knee please?

[@briansquibb999]

Thanks Spencer. Was the launch at the Cape?

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Yes! I filmed most of this short during the 1am launch on February 4, and then a bit on the more recent February 15 evening launch. Both at Cape Canaveral.

[@briansquibb999]

@@PhotographyLifeChannel Super. My in-laws live in Cocoa Beach and we visit there at least once a year. Each time I'm down there for a scheduled launch it gets re-scheduled. Frustrating! Thanks again for the video, Spencer!

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

@@briansquibb999 You’ll catch one at some point! It’s just a numbers game. They do seem to delay them a lot. Not that that’s surprising when the optimal weather conditions are so slim.

[@MrMysterious31]

Can I do this in a basic entry level dslr? I have nikon d3500

[@PhotographyLifeChannel]

Yes, absolutely! So long as you have a tripod and a remote shutter, you can do it with any camera.