If you have not heard of this unique type of photography, these spectacular Cape Town astrophotography images are sure to inspire. Combining astronomy and photography, astrophotographers capture the magic of the Cape’s skies like never before. As anyone who’s ever ventured out on the open spaces of the Western Cape countryside knows, the ceiling of stars that appears after dark is utterly breathtaking. There is something magical about star gazing, and while you could see similar wonders at the South African Planetarium, it’s just not the same to being outdoors. When you look at these photos, you begin to notice just how big, how beautiful and how awe-inspiring the skies really are.
[Cape Town Astrophotographer Bruno Letarte]
We have collected some astrophotos from some of the top photographers in this field. Unless otherwise stated, all images belong to the photographer in question.
Cape Town Astrophotography – A Brand New Perspective
Budding photographer Janik Alheit has captured some amazing astro shots of Table Mountain and surrounds, which are rather science fiction-ish in their beauty. He stated that it can take weeks to get the perfect shot, but luckily, his endless patience paid off. This shot captures the iconic flat topped mountain with the Milky Way, and was taken just before dawn.
He also captured an equally beautiful shot of the Milky Way over Sir Lowry’s Pass, which also required great patience, timing and preparation.
John Rodger meanwhile does not only capture amazing images of the night skies – he also offers expeditions and tours for those wanting to learn the art of this field.
On his website, CaptureTheCape.co.za, John says, “Astrophotography is a wonderful field of photography that also requires a lot of patience and dedication and did I mention travelling to distant places, but the results can be spectacular. On a recent visit to that amazing place the Tankwa Karoo I had a clear night sky and nobody else for miles.”
Another photographer who offers tours and star gazing expeditions is Lucas Ferreira. Over on his website www.LucAstronomy.co.za, he also showcases some of his amazing photographs of stars, planets, the moon and the Milky Way on his gallery (visit his site to have a look!).
Then there is Bruno Letarte, who not only captures incredible astro photographs, but has also turned them into equally amazing time lapse videos that give you even more of a sense of wonder at what lies above us.
If you have an interest in photography as well as astronomy, astrophotography in Cape Town is something you really need to try. Visit one of the photographers mentioned above to take a night tour of the skies, or start planning your own after-dark expeditions to see the world in a whole new way.
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What do you think – are these photographs amazing, or what?
