There’s a stillness that only reveals itself after dark — when the winds calm, the crowds fade, and the stars begin their silent symphony. Night transforms the landscape, inviting a deeper connection with the universe. The Celestial Collection by LIK Fine Art is a celebration of that transformation — a curated series of limited edition fine art prints by Peter Lik capturing twilight’s glow, starlit skies, and the brilliant arc of the Milky Way.
Whether you’re a photography enthusiast seeking practical guidance or a collector drawn to nature’s quiet majesty, this expert guide offers both inspiration and technical insight into capturing the beauty of the night sky.
Planning Your Shoot: Where Day Meets Night
As daylight fades, the window for night photography begins. Zion Nights illustrates this delicate moment — twilight tones giving way to starlight.
Expert Tip: Scout your location during the day to identify foreground elements like trees, cliffs, or buildings. Use apps like PhotoPills or Stellarium to plan your shot based on moon phase, star movement, and Milky Way core visibility.
Essential Gear & Camera Settings for Night Photography
Images like Midnight Flight and Spirit of the Universe show the Milky Way rising above earthly silhouettes. Achieving this takes more than timing — it takes gear you can trust.
Expert Tip: Use a full-frame DSLR or mirrorless camera with a fast wide-angle lens (14–24mm, f/2.8 or wider). Start with ISO 3200, f/2.8, and a 15–25 second exposure. Use the "500 Rule" to avoid star trails: 500 divided by your focal length gives you the max shutter speed before stars begin to blur.
Bonus Tool: Star Tracker
For ultra-sharp Milky Way detail, consider using a star tracker. This device moves your camera in sync with Earth’s rotation, allowing longer exposures (up to several minutes) without star trails. It’s essential for deep-sky imaging or stacking multiple exposures — particularly useful for a photograph like Stargazer, built from 36 two-minute exposures using two dedicated camera rigs.
Capturing the Transition: Sunset to Stars
A Sky Full of Stars is a great example of a transitional image — captured across twilight into full night with a multirig setup. Begin photographing during blue hour and continue into full darkness to blend the warmth of sunset with the clarity of the cosmos.
Expert Tip: Multi-camera setups allow for creative flexibility. Dial in one camera for the foreground at twilight and another for the stars after dark. This technique preserves both natural color and clarity in post-processing.
Long Exposures: Revealing the Sky in Motion
Night photography opens the door to long exposures that reveal motion the eye can’t see. In OE0079, stars spiral and stretch across the sky.
Expert Tip: For star trails, stack multiple 20-second exposures using software like StarStaX. Anchor your scene with a foreground subject to provide scale and balance. A sturdy tripod and remote shutter release are essential for sharp results.
The Emotional Pull of Night Imagery
Night photography is more than technique — it’s an experience. Celestial Twilight and Midnight Falls demonstrate the meditative stillness found in dark skies and quiet landscapes.
Expert Tip: Clear nights around a new moon are ideal. Find Dark Sky Parks or remote coastlines free from light pollution. Be patient — some of the best photos happen after hours of waiting in silence.
Why Collect Celestial Art?
Photographing the stars is a practice in wonder. The Celestial Collection brings that sense of awe indoors. From Midnight Falls to Spirit of the Universe, these limited-edition works are invitations to pause, reflect, and dream.
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Browse the full Celestial Collection and discover the perfect piece that speaks to your love of the stars, the stillness of the night, and the quiet wonder of the cosmos.
