Samsung added astrophotography features to the Galaxy S22 lineup and has included it with subsequent Galaxy S phones, including the latestSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The feature is called Astrophoto mode, and it lets you take vivid photos of the night sky where the stars are clearly identifiable. We show you how to use Astrophoto mode on all supported Galaxy phones. This method uses the Samsung Expert RAW app, which iscapable of morethan taking photos of the night sky.
What is Astrophoto mode?
The Astrophoto mode on Samsung Galaxy phones is a specialized camera feature that uses advanced computational photography techniques to capture clear, detailed night sky images. This mode, part of Samsung’s broaderNightography suite, was a major highlight during the release of the Galaxy S22 series.
Introduced through Samsung’s Expert RAW app, the Astrophoto mode has been enhanced for the S23 lineup and made available for the S21 series as long as you update them toOneUI 5.1or later.
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How does Samsung Galaxy Astrophoto mode work?
Professional astrophotography requires a complex setup, including a high-end DSLR or mirrorless camera mounted on astable tripodand a deep understanding of photography and astronomy.
Samsung’s Astrophoto mode simplifies this process. It employs complex algorithmic processes to identify and track celestial objects in the night sky. The mode predicts the movement of these objects, selects the optimal settings for the scene, and captures multiple shots over several minutes. These shots are merged usingmulti-frame processing.
The key technique used here is bracketing, where the same scene is captured multiple times with varying camera settings to achieve different exposures. These numerous RAW format frames are processed, enhanced, and stacked together to create a high-quality image. This approach allows Samsung’s Astrophoto to streamline the steps of traditional astrophotography, making it accessible to a broader range of users.
How to use Astrophoto mode
To begin astrophotography with a Samsung Galaxy phone, ensure the Samsung Expert RAW mode is activated in your camera software. Follow these steps to set it up:
you may’t turn on the Astrophoto setting if your phone isn’t stabilized. Instead of fiddling with objects to prop up your phone, pick up an affordable phone tripod to stabilize your Samsung Galaxy for astrophotography.
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Astrophotography techniques
Use these tips to take better photos of the stars.
Use a remote shutter release
A remote shutter release ensures clarity and stability in your astrophotography shots. This is key to avoiding camera shake or blur.
Explore composition variations
Experiment with compositions and angles. This approach can lead to unique and visually stunning images.
Add a foreground element
Add depth and context to your astrophotography by including foreground elements. You can also use light paintings to add more twists to your pictures.
Use a star tracking mount
A star tracking mount is crucial for deep-sky astrophotography. It allows longer exposures without resulting in star trails, capturing clearer night sky images.
Choose your location in the daytime
Visit and scout your planned shooting location during the day. This helps you plan your compositions and identify potential hazards in advance.
Understand astrophysics fundamentals
A basic understanding of celestial movements and astrophysics can improve your ability to plan and execute astrophotography images.
Post-processing tips for astrophotography RAW images
After taking a photo, use these tips to edit your photos for better results.
Adjust and fine-tune
Aim for a natural look by adjusting the white balance to reflect the night sky’s true colors. Fine-tune the exposure to reveal the details, especially in the stars and the Milky Way, but be careful not to overexpose. Work on color correction by adjusting saturation and vibrance, highlighting the natural colors of celestial objects. Address chromatic aberrations using lens correction tools to eliminate color fringing around stars.
Improve visual quality
Increase the contrast slightly to make the stars pop against the night sky. Use noise reduction tools carefully to balance reducing noise and preserving details. Apply sharpening carefully to improve clarity without introducing artifacts.
Use image stacking and improve composition
For images with multiple shots of the same scene, consider stacking them in software like DeepSkyStacker. This process reduces noise and brings out finer details. Lastly, crop the image thoughtfully to improve composition and highlight the most captivating parts of the landscape.
Capture the night sky
Samsung’s Astrophoto mode is a simple way to capture breathtaking night sky photos. It takes a little practice to adjust the various sliders in the Expert RAW mode, so we recommend practicing before heading out for some night-time photography.
Taking the photo is only half the process. After capturing the night sky,edit the imageswith the Samsung Gallery app to make them worth sharing on social media.
