SHOOT LIKE A PRO

Kim Bunermann meets Josh Dury to discuss the preparation for his astronomical shoots and how he overcomes challenges including flight cancellations, bad weather and light pollution

Pictured Shooting range Josh captured the C/2020 F3 comet over Stonehenge in 2020, but says comets are notoriously unpredictable

All main images © Josh Dury

While it might seem as though every inch of the planet has already been photographed, the universe is one subject that remains underexplored and full of mystery. Ever since he was a child, astrophotographer Josh Dury has been interested in astronomy and celestial events.

“I was inspired by children’s science fiction programmes, dreaming of life on other planets and I wanted to be closer to them,” he says. “So I pursued astrophotography during my education and then took a degree in it, documenting our place within the universe.”

Dury graduated with a firstclass honours degree from the University of the West of England (UWE) and, today, is an established award-winning landscape astrophotographer, displaying his work and sharing advice across many outlets, from magazines (including Digital Photographer) to TV and radio programmes as well as lectures and podcasts.

Dury is also a delegate for the International Dark Skies Association, representing Bristol and southwest England. “I use my photography as a platform to inspire audiences and to visualise the impact light pollution has on our environment,” he says. “I’m also a fellow of The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), which allows me to engage with parliamentary activities to support these initiatives. That’s where my voice becomes reality.”

I meet Josh at the DP offices in Bath to discuss the thrilling life of an astrophotographer, especially in light of two recent major astronomical events – the solar eclipse in the USA and the aurora borealis over the UK. Josh was there to capture both.

Josh Dury aka Starman

Based in Somerset, southwest England, Astrophotographer and night-sky conservationist Josh Dury has dedicated his career to using photography as a means of promoting conservation initiatives and raising awareness about the negative impacts of light pollution. He has gained recognition as an award-winning landscape astrophotographer, presenter, speaker and writer. Josh was shortlisted twice for the APOTY in 2017 and 2023. In the same year, he won the HPOTY title. His work has been featured in major media outlets, including the BBC, ITV and CNN. joshduryphoto-media.com

@josh_dury_photomedia

Before diving into these subjects, I ask Josh about the particular challenges that come with this genre of photography. “Astrophotography can be one of the more challenging practices. You need to have a ‘Goldilocks’ effect to photograph the stars and beyond – your image has to be not too dark, not too bright, but just right.” Of course, the most notable challenge an astrophotographer faces is the weather. “No matter how much you plan, the weather may have different ideas and change at a minute’s notice. You also need to embrace the elements, the colder temperatures and noises at night. It all builds up the anticipation.”