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More often than not, capturing the allure of the Milky Way is a pursuit relegated to those who have the privilege to escape the urban sprawl and venture into the remote wilderness areas. Yet, it is not impossible to photograph the Milky Way amidst the urban glow. It may require more planning, effort, and post-processing finesse, but with the right knowledge and a dash of patience, city dwellers too can capture the grandeur of our galaxy amidst the city lights.
Choosing the Right Equipment
Any modern digital camera boasting a large sensor ought to suffice for astrophotography. A full-frame camera is ideal given its larger pixel size and better light-gathering capabilities. However, APS-C and Micro 4/3 cameras can also capture decent Milky Way shots.
A wide-angle lens, preferably with a wide aperture, is ideal for capturing ample sky. Fast lenses with apertures such as f/1.4, f/1.8 or f/2.8 allow more light to hit the sensor in a shorter amount of time, which is advantageous for photographing the galaxy without star trails. Rokinon and Sigma offer an array of excellent but affordable wide-aperture, wide-angle lenses suited for astrophotography.
Additionally, having a sturdy tripod is crucial. As you will be taking long exposure shots, any movement of the camera can result in blurry images. Remote triggers or in-camera timers can provide hands-off operations to minimize these vibrations.
Scouting the Location
Scouting your location during daylight hours is a surefire means of sussing out interesting terrestrial features to incorporate into your compositions. Whether you opt to include city skyline, chunks of brutalist architecture, or just solitary street lights against the stars, having a solid foreground can add depth and a sense of relatability to the cosmic spectacle in the sky.
While scouting, it’s key to ponder upon how the ambient light will impact your shots. Whereas some structures will emanate light, others will absorb, reflecting little to no light back into the camera. Experimenting with these factors can result in dramatic images where human-made light and celestial bodies intertwine in a harmonious light show.
There are numerous apps available, such as PhotoPills or Star Walk, for determining the Milky Way’s position with extreme precision. Familiarizing yourself with the Milky Way’s trajectory across your chosen landscape will enable more effective planning of your compositions.
Timing is Everything
Understanding light pollution is essential in capturing the Milky Way in urban locales. Light pollution can be categorized as Skyglow, Glare, and Light Trespass. Skyglow is the brightening of the night sky, Glare is excessive brightness causing visual discomfort, and Light Trespass is unwanted or intrusive artificial light.
The weekend around the New Moon phase—when the Moon is least visible—offers the darkest skies, making it optimal for capturing the Milky Way. Apps like Moon Phase Calendar can be used for tracking moon phases.
Moreover, planning your shoots for the ‘Astrophotography Blue Hour,’ which is the period when the sun is between 18 to 12 degrees below the horizon, can aid in achieving well-balanced exposures of the celestial skies and the cityscape glow in one frame. Websites like timeanddate.com provide precise sunrise and sunset times for anywhere in the world.
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