Sky is no limit: Astro photographer Ajay Talwar

“In the film days, the challenge was technical. You shot an image and did not know the result for days or weeks later, till your film was complete,” says Talwar, who describes astrophotography as extraordinary, uncommon and tough.

While technology has made things simpler, providing him options like studying the histogram of the image immediately after shooting, Talwar recalls that when he began astrophotography in Delhi, more than two decades back, he was on a lookout for lens that allowed long exposure. He also searched for dark open places around Delhi, where he could shoot the stars. “Neb Sarai was a remote location when I began and the next best location was Chattarpur,” he says.

Part of the global organisation, The World At Night, he also photographs India’s historical heritage and landscapes under the night sky. Talwar has also conceptualised Sky Photo Trip, astrophotography workshops in Majkhali, a small village in the Himalayas. The unique feature of the endeavour is that all equipment is provided for astrophotography and the workshop is relevant for beginners as well as veterans of astrophotography.

“During every edition of the workshop I introduce a new equipment and this year we will have Hyperstar with a large 14-inch telescope. This can shoot deep sky images in 20-30 seconds,’’ says Talwar, who adds that patience is a prerequisite for astrophotography. “You need to wake the night and see the stars from a suitable location,” adds the photographer who plans to make short movies in various cities, all at night. “I will start with either Shimla or Agra, both historical cities. I would like to tell the story of these cities and their landmarks at night,” he says.