Equipment for Photographing the Namibian Night Skies
Namibia night sky photography

Deep in the darkness of the Namib Desert, where no lights from city can reach, is the perfect place for star gazing and night sky photography.

Looking up towards the heavens on any given night of your Namibia tour and you will be treated to a spectacular array of shimmering stars.

There is no better place for an amateur astronomer or anyone curious about the night skies, to set up a blanket, lay back on the sands and just gaze in wonder at just how vast and spectacular our universe really is.

The lack of light pollution as well as the fact the desert usually enjoys cloud free skies, makes Namibia a great place for anyone keen on doing a little star photography.

Namibia night sky photography
Namibia night sky photography

5 things you need to photograph the night skies

You don’t actually have to photograph the skies in order to enjoy the sight. You could just lay on the desert sands, beneath the heavens and take in all of nature’s splendor.

But if you are keen on capturing the moment and taking a memento home with you, having the right equipment is a must.

  1. A camera body

You will need a fairly decent camera body, preferably a high-quality point and shoot camera or a decent DSLR. If you go for a point and shoot, you will be somewhat limited when it comes to the accessories that you will have available to you, while if you go for a DSLR, you need to be prepared to travel with pricey lenses.

  1. A Telephoto Lens

These lenses are ideal because they can reach far further than your average 55mm lens. A 100-400mm lens is a pretty great choice but if you can afford something with a bit more reach then its best to go with something a little longer.

  1. Wide Angle Lens

Aperture is going to determine whether or not you get a really good quality photo. For night photography an aperture of 2.8 is great because it will let in more light then anything smaller than that. This lens will also be more than appropriate for shooting in the day light, especially at dawn and at dusk, when the light is just perfect but still a little dark.

  1. A Tripod

You will want to have a steady hand when you are shooting the night sky, because you are going to have to lower your shutter speed by quite a bit. The moment your shutter speed is slower, the risk of having blurred pictures goes up and this is where having a tripod comes really handy.

  1. Camera Cloths

Shooting in Namibia means having to fight off the unrelenting sands and dust that so easily clog up your lens and filters. Make sure that you bring along a few high quality lens cloths and brushes to keep things clean and dust free.

Are you planning a tour of Namibia? We can help you make the most of your adventure by helping you plan the ultimate Namibia tour. Book today on our website or give us a call.