How to Shoot Meteor Showers (No Fluff Guide)
- Ryan Oswald
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
No fluff tutorial for camera settings and quick tips you need to shoot meteor showers like the Perseids or Geminids.
RECOMMENDED STARTING SETTINGS
Manual Mode
f/2.8
6,400 ISO
10-20 seconds Shutter Speed (avoid star trailing)
Manual Focus
Use Continuous Shooting
3500–4000K WB
QUICK TIPS
Shoot after midnight for peak activity
Avoid light pollution. Check lightpollutionmap.info
Use Clear Outside or Stellarium to monitor conditions
Point near but not directly at the radiant for long trails
Include a foreground if possible
Stack multiple shots later
Need the full breakdown with the “why” behind each step?
Read the detailed tutorial →
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the best time to photograph a meteor shower?
The best time is typically between 12:00 AM and 4:00 AM, when the sky is darkest and the radiant is high in the sky. Peak activity usually occurs a day or two before or after the official peak night
What is the radiant?
The radiant is the point in the sky where all meteors from a specific shower appear to originate. It’s an optical illusion...meteors travel in parallel paths, but from our perspective on Earth, they seem to radiate outward from a single spot (like railroad tracks converging in the distance)
Should I point my camera at the radiant?
What’s the best lens for meteor photography?
Use a wide-angle lens (14mm to 24mm) with a fast aperture like f/2.8 or lower. This gives you a large field of view and lets in more light to catch meteors.
Can I shoot with a moon in the sky?
If the moon is full or bright, it can wash out fainter meteors. Ideally, shoot during a new moon or when the moon has already set below the horizon.
How many photos should I take?
As many as possible. Set an intervalometer to shoot continuously for 1–2 hours or more. More frames = more chances to capture meteors.
How do I stack meteor photos in editing?
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