To get started with astrophotography, you will need a DSLR camera, a tripod, and a telescope or telephoto lens. You may also want to invest in a remote shutter release, a star tracker, and various filters to enhance your images.
To find dark sky locations for astrophotography, you can use apps like Dark Sky Finder or Dark Site Finder. These apps will show you light pollution levels in different areas, allowing you to find the best spots for astrophotography. You can also join local astronomy groups or check online forums for recommendations on dark sky locations.
The ideal camera settings for astrophotography will vary depending on factors such as the type of camera, the lens being used, and the specific subject being photographed. However, some general settings to start with include using a wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower), a high ISO (1600-3200), and a long exposure time (15-30 seconds). It's also important to shoot in RAW format for better image quality and to manually focus on the stars.
To capture the Milky Way in your astrophotography, you will need to be in a dark sky location during the right time of year. The best time to photograph the Milky Way is during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere and the winter months in the Southern Hemisphere. Use a wide-angle lens and a long exposure time to capture the full span of the Milky Way in your images.
There are various post-processing techniques you can use for astrophotography, such as stacking multiple images to reduce noise, adjusting levels and curves to enhance contrast and color, and using tools like star reduction and noise reduction to clean up your images. It's important to experiment and find the techniques that work best for your specific images and style.