Matt Suess Shares Astrophotography Insights from Decades of Night Sky Photography

Matt Suess, an OM SYSTEM Ambassador and seasoned photographer, shares invaluable astrophotography insights often overlooked in beginner resources. His first encounter with the Milky Way occurred during a 45-minute star trail exposure in Joshua Tree, a stark contrast to his upbringing in light-polluted New England. Suess conducts workshops in locations ranging from the Grand Tetons to arctic Norway, guiding photographers through challenging environments. He advises understanding equipment limitations before making upgrades, recommending the M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 PRO lens for capturing the Milky Way. He highlights features like Live Composite for star trails and Starry Sky AF for automatic focus. Suess also emphasizes the importance of being prepared for weather and wildlife, utilizing apps such as Weather Mate and Windy. For deep-sky photography, he employs trackers like the Move Shoot Move NOMAD with lightweight Micro Four Thirds gear, addressing polar alignment difficulties. He discusses the benefits of astro-modified cameras like the OM-3 ASTRO for vibrant nebula colors. Suess encourages reliance on histograms rather than camera previews and recommends software like DxO PureRAW and PixInsight for editing. Recently diagnosed with cancer, he reflects on the therapeutic aspects of night sky photography, especially amidst rising concerns about light pollution and satellites.