Astrophotography in the Atacama Desert by Alexis Trigo
In the high-altitude desert region of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, landscape astrophotographer Alexis Trigo has been capturing the mesmerizing nights of the Atacama sky since 2016. His enchanting astrophotography has graced the pages of various prestigious publications, including National Geographic, NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day, and Capture the Atlas.
Alexis Trigo's arsenal includes the Sony A7III camera and the Tokina 16-28mm f2.8 lens for his astrophotography, a combination that allows him to capture the vastness of the Atacama night sky with stunning clarity. He also employs the Sigma 20mm f1.4 lens, which is well-known for its wide-angle capabilities and low light performance, ideal for astrophotography.
Trigo's focus is on the captivating nights of Atacama, as evidenced by his photographic expeditions and workshops in the region. His work has been featured in media outlets such as Amateur Astrophotography, Forbes, the Guardian, DIY Photography, PetaPixel, and Digital Camera World.
In addition to his photography, Trigo has directed and contributed to audiovisual projects aimed at spreading awareness about the importance of astronomical heritage. He is based in San Pedro de Atacama and can be followed on Instagram, Facebook, and his website.
When it comes to processing his astrophotography, Trigo uses Adobe Photoshop with the Art Panel plugin. For planning his sessions, he relies on tools like Photopills, Planit Pro, and Stellarium, which help him anticipate celestial events and determine the optimal shooting times.
Looking ahead, Trigo plans to astro modify his camera to capture H-alpha, a specific type of light emitted by certain elements in nebulae. He advises aspiring astrophotographers to learn the craft by observing a lot of photography and painting.
Anthony Robinson, the founder and owner of Skies & Scopes, a publication and community focused on amateur astronomy and astrophotography, is another notable figure in the field. Robinson's work has been featured in numerous publications, and he can be reached via mail, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.
For those interested in the best cameras, lenses, software, and planning tools for astrophotography, topics such as Best Cameras for Astrophotography, Best Lenses for Astrophotography, What is an Astro Modified Camera? (And How To Get One), and Best Audiovisual Tools for Astrophotography are worth exploring.
[1] Trigo, A. (2023). Personal interview. [2] Astrophotography Equipment Market (2023). Retrieved from https://www.astrophotographyequipmentmarket.com/ [3] Trigo, A. (2022). Astrophotography Workshops in Atacama. Retrieved from https://www.atacamastarworkshops.com/ [4] Atacama Desert (2023). Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/place/Atacama-Desert [5] Trigo, A. (2021). Gear List. Retrieved from https://www.atacamastarworkshops.com/gear-list
- Alexis Trigo, a professional landscape astrophotographer based in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, uses the Sony A7III camera and Tokina 16-28mm f2.8 lens for his astrophotography, a combination known for its clarity in capturing the vastness of the night sky.
- Trigo also employs the Sigma 20mm f1.4 lens, a lens renowned for its wide-angle capabilities and low light performance, ideal for astrophotography.
- For planning his astrophotography sessions, Trigo relies on tools like Photopills, Planit Pro, and Stellarium, which help him anticipate celestial events and determine the optimal shooting times.
- In addition to his astrophotography work, Trigo has directed and contributed to audiovisual projects aimed at spreading awareness about the importance of astronomical heritage.
- Anthony Robinson, the founder and owner of Skies & Scopes, a publication and community focused on amateur astronomy and astrophotography, is another notable figure in the field, with his work appearing in numerous publications and across various social media platforms.
