Getting Started: No Expensive Gear Required
New Zealand’s dark skies are among the best in the world for astrophotography — and the good news is you don’t need a $5,000 camera to capture them. Modern smartphones have come a long way, and with the right settings and a clear night, you can walk away with images that will stop people in their tracks.
Find a dark location away from town lights, set your phone to Night Mode or Pro Mode, bump the ISO up and set a long exposure of 10–20 seconds. A small tripod makes all the difference. The rest is patience — and letting your eyes adjust.
