Originally posted by Michael Piziak Perhaps I could try the "interval" option with my camera. I have never tried it before, but I read if you set the exposure for 45 seconds, then set the next interval for 46 seconds or more.
Here are a couple of additional suggestions. You do need to get away from the city lights. How far is far enough, when and where? Good Question. Try this link.
You need to find a time when the moon is not shining or out. There are a number of websites that provide the moon rise and setting times. Find a time during the night - either before the moon comes up, or after it sets. If it does not work one evening walk forward to find a day that does work for you.
Here are some other web sites...
You can find dark sky locations here - its a google map, just zoom in and find a location near you that will work.
The eastern US is pretty saturated with light, however that does not mean all is lost. Take a look at this link.
It was shot near the outer edge of a Yellow zone and things turned out pretty well. I was shooting away from the city center or out to the dark area. Also, see if there is some terrain that you can put between you and the lights. After finding a good location, then -
- mount the camera on the tripod, aim it at something, focus to infinity, set the ISO to the lowest you can go then put it into P mode.
- You want to adjust both the aperture and shutter speed.
- Select the largest aperture (smallest f number) and try say 10 seconds.
- Take a look at the image - too dark (go to 15 seconds), or too light (go to say 8 seconds). You can also adjust the aperture as appropriate (or needed) but you will probably stay with the lens wide open.
- Wash and repeat, until you get a shot that you are happy with. Then, using that aperture and shutter speed, take 20 or 30 images in quick succession. These are the ones that you will want to stack in order to get a composited result that has the star trails.
Shooting at night is a lot of trial and error.
Here is a video .....