How to PLAN a Milky Way Photo | Step by Step with PhotoPills

Learn how to PLAN A MILKY WAY PHOTO in this step by step tutorial using the PhotoPills app. Have you been confused by PhotoPills or are you just getting started in night sky photography? Then this photography tutorial is for you. I explain how to find the Milky Way and demonstrate how to plan a Milky Way photo using the PhotoPills app. This is Part 1 of my 3-part series on how to photograph the Milky Way. Stay tuned for the next videos as we head into the Milky Way photography season.
DON'T MISS:
Part 2: How to PREPARE for Night Photography | Gear - Accessories - Tips & Tricks: • How to PREPARE for Nig...
Part 3: How to PHOTOGRAPH the Milky Way | Settings - Timelapse - Tips: • How to PHOTOGRAPH the ...
LINKS:
PhotoPills App: www.photopills.com
*UPDATE* - I referenced this site in the video, Dark Site Finder: darksitefinder.com/, but here is a more up-to-date reference www.lightpollutionmap. Thanks, @MichaelMcKeag!
▶ Love what you're learning here and want to support this channel? You can buy me a coffee! :)
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CONNECT WITH ME:
Website: outdoorphotographyschool.com/
Online gallery: www.brendapetrella.com/
Instagram: / brendapetrella
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▶ Check out my gear on Kit: kit.co/brendapetrella
#milkyway #nightphotography #outdoorphotographyschool
BORING BUT IMPORTANT:
All video and still images are by Brenda Petrella.
Royalty-free music from: www.epidemicsound.com

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Hey folks - I just created a new step-by-step video on using PhotoPills to Plan a Milky Way image that is updated for 2020: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3y1f3SGfreEqrc if you want to check it out. It just focuses on PhotoPills, whereas Part 1 of this Milky Way series goes into more detail about all aspects of Milky Way planning.

[@spamtelevision]

Sorry, but u wrong. The earth is not rotating!

[@joefrat]

Yup, you were right. There are a lot of videos about Milky Way Photography. You are also correct that you actually explain this so I actually understand. To top it all off you actually explained PhotoPills better than they do in their 60 minute video. Thank you.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thanks so much for the high compliments, Joe! Glad you found the info to be helpful. Took me forever to figure out PhotoPills, but I'm so glad I finally did! Very robust.

[@christophercolumbus5547]

At first I found PhotoPills confusing. I am a relative newbie to photography. But taking the time to read the articles, download and read the ebooks, watch the tutorials and try practical shots, paid dividends. So worth the investment in $$$ time and energy. Plus I have never had such prompt, detailed, passionate support from any app of any kind as I have from the guys at PhotoPills. Eg Same day detailed reply to help me actually plan a super moon shot due in just 48 hours! Best value app I’ve ever come across. Thanks for adding some more clarity though. Great video. For the record the guys at PhotoPills freely acknowledge their expertise is more in the technical development - less in the instruction - and are reshooting a lot of their videos in response. Can’t ask for much more than that IMO. 🙂

[@burtgummer8514]

But they don’t have the charm and charisma of Brenda👍🏻

[@DavidBrown-wf6pz]

As a Rutlander now living in CO I'm envisioning a trip to include the Milky Way using some old barns etc in the composition. Good to get your confirmation that VT is still dark enough for such a shot. Great video.

[@chilodaone]

OMG, thank so so so much for this tutorial, i will make sure to watch all your videos. This explanation of how to use the app is amazing!!!

[@BackroadExploits]

Well this certainly makes it a lot easier to plan a shoot of the milky way. Thank you. I've wanted to do this for some time...

[@betsybotsford9719]

Thank you for this!!

[@LouisaLee63]

Very helpful! Thank you!!

[@robgerety]

Just found your channel. Turns out we are virtually neighbors. Lovely view of the White River from that hill. Great videos.

[@johnjackson9601]

Thank you it clarified several things!

[@karismasvlog3446]

Love the details , such a good video

[@fderv5484]

What a great video. Thanks so much!

[@ianmcclelland2524]

Love love love your channel.....

[@SherlockMahomes]

Thank you so much! One of the better videos out there!

[@thanasisefta9185]

Thank you so much...amazing explanations and video!!!

[@RScottNH]

Watched this last night. You explained Photopils perfectly Brenda. Better than anyone else that I have seen. Going to do some Milky Way shooting Mother's Day week. Probably watch this another 10 times. Thank you. Scott.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Awesome! That made my day! Good luck with your Milky Way shots - I'll keep my fingers crossed for some clear weather ;).

[@wawanbalik]

Thanks a lot Brenda, very informative video!

[@donnymarrion3576]

Very helpful thanks so much!!

[@JennFredrickson]

This is absolutely incredible. Thank you!

[@jasonseaton6206]

Excellent work Brenda! Thanks for taking the time to do this and help a bunch of us out.

[@rickpeterson7303]

I found your channel and loving it! Keep the awesome content coming!!! 👍👍👍

[@LisaRSArt]

Thank you so much for this. Subscribed. Love your videos. 👏👏❤️

[@502randy5]

Thank you Brenda! ❤I have watched PhotoPills on KZbin and have had a heck of a time understanding that guy speaking, you made it so simple.

[@vesnaveljkovic-kazoti4334]

Best explaination ever!!!

[@lisamarie7527]

Thank you soooo much for making Milky Way photography so clear!! Cant wait to try it this year!! Love your channel

[@frikinalex]

Was looking for some Milky Way inspiration and stumbled upon this great PhotoPills tutorial… from a fellow Vermonter!

[@mitersaw648]

Great video!

[@davidbell5525]

Excellent. Thanks for sharing.

[@real1861a]

Love your videos. You are so articulate and engaging.

[@anotherhuman7344]

You put so much work into this! I have checked several videos and this is the best one by far - completely worth it!

[@cleokatra.]

Thank you ! Watched all 3 parts of your videos and they were supper informative and helpful. I learned so much and feel super confident to go out tonight and take some awesome photos of the Milky Way 🌟

[@libbylord1094]

Hi Brenda, Your tutorial was perfect. I did have to pause, and back up and re-view a couple of times, but that's what's great about KZbin. I am getting into the Milky Way game a bit late in the year, but I"ll be ready to roll in spring thanks to you. I've also started following you on Instagram. Thanks for sharing your knowledge in a clear, understandable way!

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Yes! I have been waiting for a video like this. Love your style Brenda!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Perfect! Glad you found it and it was helpful! :)

[@crs1flo]

Best video i've ever seen on this subject! Bravo! Very weel explained!

[@wilfswanderings]

Great info. Thanks..

[@brianharradine8130]

Awesome video for Photocells planning thanks

[@giacomofabrini9353]

This was just brilliant - thank you so much Brenda! You got yourself another sub :)

[@allen4505]

Thanks very much, now I understand Photo Pills much more !!

[@kurtdixon4700]

Thanks!! Very informative! Excited about going out for my first planned shot!

[@vikramyerneni]

Truly amazing content

[@Janice947]

I just discovered your KZbin channel and it's terrific! Not only do you explain the procedures very clearly, but the video footage is often lovely and compelling. I've now watched all 3 astrophotography videos and love the inclusion of the trek through the snow, the recapturing of the bull, and the final time-lapse of the night sky. I look forward to more.

[@VesaGuardian]

Now I get it! Thank you!

[@arniet1]

Just brilliant! Thanks from Northern England

[@clacla1968]

I just purchased Photo Pills and BAM! a whole world opened before my eyes! lol It will be very useful on my trip to the Outer Hebrides, Scotland in August. Thank you Brenda :) Claudia, Italy.

[@Roshambo3]

Amazing tutorial. Loved how thoroughly yet intuitively you broke down the Photo Pills app and your process for planning. Thanks and keep up the great work!

[@madelynbrown5230]

Great tutorial. Very clear directions. Thanks

[@Frank-ez5wy]

I agree with the follower that said you explained how to use PhotoPills better than their own video guides!I tried and just did not stick. Love your enthusiasm. Thank you very much.

[@perambulatingmike]

Excellent tutorial, Brenda...thank you!

[@iamKRAUZER]

omg thank you so much! doing this is one of my dreams and goals! this is beyond helpful! thank youuuu!!

[@johnwheeler5271]

Thankyou for all your help toward planning my trip to photographing the Milky Way.

[@Heli4213]

Best video ever. You answered so many questions

[@martingranger40]

Thanks for taking the time to make the video - I learned a lot, and appreciate the insight into using the PhotoPills app; it makes a lot more sense now - well done!

[@joeflower7398]

Very easy to absorb,thanks.

[@terrylong8465]

Very informative indeed. Good job.

[@johnlangston4108]

I’ve only just now discovered Photo Pills and your channel. Thank you so much for the in depth instructions! Your videos are amazing!

[@WALKITOFFDavidSmith]

Loved your video. Thank you for making and posting this! Very helpful.

[@justinwaite1913]

Awesome tutorial. I will also go and watch your updated video.

[@britainthroughmylens]

This was really useful for a newbie to night sky photography and Photopills like me. Thank you for a very clear and intelligible guide - the best I've found.

[@rafewahmmedjiju9030]

My gosh. You hiked 4 miles in total just to show us how to plan these things... Hats off to you. You are such a passionate person. Thank you so much for all these

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Much appreciated, Rafew! :)

[@jeffwegge2737]

I watched all 3 videos---Thanks Brenda for all of your advice and time. It gave a Milky Way rookie like me a shot at success my first time out which will be soon.

[@EarlLJ1]

Outstanding !!!! .... You are great !! .... You are an outstanding communicator !!!!

[@hardwickpete]

Hi, thanks for these really great videos. Really informative and very helpful. Keep the great vids coming. Stay safe 😊

[@rjrezagholi8925]

you explained photopills perfectly .

[@naomirobinson3579]

I absolutely loved this series! By far the most comprehensive (you've thought of everything!) and easiest to understand tutorial. Best Photopills tutorial I've seen as well. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience with us - you're a great teacher, Brenda!! Now to watch all your other videos! x

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Awesome - thanks so much for all of the kind words, Naomi! Positive feedback is always nice to hear.

[@angeles3940]

This explanation of the PhotoPills and Milky Way are awesome!! Thank you !

[@patrickmcsweeney2021]

Awesome video. Thank you for making this. You are an excellent teacher. All the best, Pat

[@TheOnlyGuess]

One of the nicest things is that you combine 2 passions: hiking and photography. Good job

[@aytw661]

That was amazingly helpful, I got so confused when I first got photopills, you made it easier to understand :)

[@shopafelic]

Excellent video - watched it a while back and back to it now to refresh my memory just before a photo trip :D

[@dantediego]

thank you so much for this video! im going out this weekend to photograph the milky way! wish me luck

[@YAMNIKIN]

Big Thank you Brenda!!! Learned a lot. Have been using Photopills for some basic stuff but after going through this tutorial I will be using this app for planning my Milky Way shots. Keep up the good work. Stay safe and take care :)

[@drhectoralmonte]

Excelente, muy útil, gracias

[@dazsmith890]

This was great and awesome to see some Vermont wilderness. Thanks

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pablodiazphotography]

Sweet video Brenda!! Congratulations on reaching a 1000 subs!!! That's awesome. Thank you for the tip on the app for planning the Milky Way shot, I'm digging it 👍

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thanks so much! Glad you liked the tip!

[@mihaidascalu1]

Thank you so much !!!! You answered to a lot of questions and you explained great for me everything !!!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Terrific! Thanks!

[@searchresults1246]

One in a series of some of the most helpful and informative videos. Such a clear walk-through and demonstration of an otherwise intimidating app from a beginner’s perspective. Thank you! Your efforts are a gift to us.

[@devdi7938]

Thank you so much for in depth analysis of astrophotography and photo pills app 👏👏👍👍

[@Bitoypalaboy]

Thank you soo much for this video! learning a lot from you! please keep up the great work.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Glad to hear it, Joni! Thanks!

[@dominey]

Fantastic series! You explain everything so clearly. Appreciate the time and effort.

[@GarethDanks]

Very helpful. This video is brilliantly done. One I keep coming back to. Thanks so much 😊❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@antonioquiroz4]

OPS - You are so wonderful to share your info. I'm INSPIRED!! We're planning a Fall Milky Way photo shoot and we're prepping using alot of your wonderful advise and camping attire. Please keep on KEEPING ON!! Love it. Love. It. ALL.

[@Nedslevel]

Thank you great intro to using PhotoPills

[@candaedomkowski6569]

Wonderful video Brenda! You're definitely a great teacher- there would be so many people who'd do a workshop with you. For many people who haven't done it, shooting the milky way can be intimidating or elusive (and freaky to do it out there alone in the dark, lol). Thank you so much for making this video, and I'm looking forward to part 2 and 3 :)

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Aww, thanks Candae! That means a lot. My hope with this series is to make Milky Way photography accessible to anyone. I know when I was first learning it, I needed the basics to get over that first hump of fuzzy images ;).

[@shakeandbake9562]

Thank you so much for such a great explanation on how to use Photopills. I downloaded the app the other day and trying to watch their videos is a little difficult, but you knocked it out of the park on how to use it. This app is great and so are you! thanks again.

[@Night6436]

Great video. Best I’ve seen so far.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Wow, thanks!

[@thegreeklife2854]

Great video

[@bellapatel]

Thank you so much for sharing...Am new, biggi & learning ...see you in next one...

[@machfour8501]

This was so helpful! Can't wait to try this in the mountains. And you just got a new subscriber. 😀

[@scotty4418]

found your channel by accident the other day but now subscribed and notification on for future releases. I find Photopills to be like the swiss army knife for apps as it is very versatile and use it to help plan what I am going to do. Look forward to more releases Brenda and now off to watch the remaining vlogs you've produced

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Great - thanks, Scotty! I still have more to learn with PhotoPills. Like you said, it can pretty much do anything! A very helpful tool once you figure out what all the menus and buttons do.

[@hallgrimurragnarsson3032]

Thank you very much, needed a crash course on site in Yosemite for shoot tonight

[@ZilveriCosas]

Okay, this is the best explanation of the app, and to top it off, you actually went on field! That is amazing dedication. Subbed and liked the video!

[@ChipChapinSJ]

This is just a great video. Not only taught me how to use PhotoPills for exactly what I wanted (new moon, shooting tonight), but I love the hike. Thanks for the maple syrup tips :-)

[@hikeandphoto2521]

Excellent video, really helpful

[@modeverything9949]

Great video on this app. I’ve had it for months and was so confused by it I just stopped trying. Looked up how to use it and seen your great vid. Going to check out all three parts. Thanks again

[@jiffy1313]

Thank you so much for this, I can't tell you how much this helped me!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Yay! That totally makes my day!

[@cathydevlin1781]

So far, after watching maybe a dozen videos on PhotoPills, I lucked into your video. Your delivery is great and it was easy to follow your video with a few stops to go back and watch a section again. I feel like I can now start using the app, there is so much content in this little app it is overwhelming when you don't know where to start.

[@vaibhavravichandran]

Stumbled upon this recently and learned so much. This is one of the most comprehensive tutorials for someone who has never done astrophotography before. If I get a good picture in the coming weeks, it will be thanks to you!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

I hope you do! May you have clear skies ahead!

[@jimhamilton8775]

Great video Brenda. Looking forward to the rest.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thanks, Jim!

[@kakumanus1]

Nicely narrated, very well done. Thank you.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

You bet - thanks!

[@nhamty599]

That explanation of how to use PhotoPill was very helpful indeed. Thank you.

[@dumbscsf]

Thanks so much for this video. I got photoPills 6 months ago and never understood how to use it. Your video explains it perfectly. I just purchased a new lens and am going out to shoot my first MilkyWay this week. Cant wait to try it out