Capture a sequence the software can align
Keep the camera locked and make a consistent run of sky exposures. Avoid changing focus or composition during the sequence. Several clean frames give the software more information to separate real stars from random sensor noise.
Separate the moving sky from the land
Stars move between frames while the foreground stays fixed. Starry Landscape Stacker aligns the sky and asks you to identify the ground so each area can be combined correctly. Inspect trees, ridgelines and other fine edges before completing the blend.
Finish with a restrained edit
Bring the stacked file back into Lightroom or Photoshop for color and contrast. The cleaner file can handle more adjustment, but the best result still feels like night. Preserve dark values and avoid pushing the sky until noise or halos return.
A useful workflow removes repeated decisions while protecting the choices that make the photograph personal.