Tips on star trail photos...

[NationYell]

I own a Canon XSi, and over Thanksgiving I took this photo:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/3073398296_f4b7c23630_b.jpg

This was a 15 minute exposure.

To those of you who have taken star trail photos (in particular with the XSi model), what tips could you give me for next time I take a photo like this? I only have a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens for the time being, but even with this what tips could you give me?

Thank you! :)

[Jethro790]

First of all, nice shot!

I was big time into start trail photos using long exposures, but have since discovered that stacking photos is a superior way to achieve star trail photos. It allows you to control the amount of stray light from pollution or other aspects.

[Adrena1in]

I don't think you need tips, that's a great shot. (I like a bit of background noise.) I see you captured M31, the Andromeda Galaxy, nicely.

I do agree with Jethro though, for 15 minutes, especially with the light-gathering 50mm f/1.8, I'd probably go with 15 1-minute shots and stack them using Deep Sky Stacker or Photoshop or something like that. Using Dark Files, (similar length exposures with the lens cap on), in the stack can help remove noise or hot pixels.