Astrophotography hinges on choosing the right location, often even more than equipment or technical skill. Whether you're battling city lights or traveling to remote spots, knowing how to select a dark sky location directly impacts the quality of your images.
Coming to you from Trevor Jones of Astro Backyard, this practical video emphasizes the huge role location plays in capturing high-quality astrophotos. Jones explains clearly why light pollution isn't just an inconvenience—it's a major barrier to revealing subtle celestial features, such as faint nebulae and distant galaxies. He provides a helpful breakdown of the Bortle scale, a standardized measurement of sky brightness that makes identifying optimal locations straightforward. Jones shares useful tips for finding ideal sites, like consulting the interactive Light Pollution Map to quickly spot areas least affected by artificial illumination. His method for selecting rental properties includes crucial steps, such as scanning photos for hidden night-time lighting issues and directly contacting hosts to confirm details like external lights and available power outlets.
This informative content continues with Jones advocating for simplicity and practicality during these dark sky trips. He suggests using DSLR or mirrorless cameras with moderate focal lengths, emphasizing versatility in capturing wider sky regions filled with fascinating celestial features. Jones also highlights common pitfalls you might overlook—like arriving too late for proper polar alignment, a task best completed at twilight when Polaris is easier to locate. Additionally, he provides thoughtful advice on managing local disruptions, particularly at campgrounds, by kindly approaching neighbors about their lighting habits. Jones’ experiences underscore the practical value of preparedness, not just with equipment but also regarding potential hazards like wildlife encounters or challenging terrains at night.
Jones then expands the discussion beyond personal property rentals, exploring broader options like national and state parks, as well as sites recognized by Dark Sky International. He highlights Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania, noting the rarity and significance of such internationally recognized dark sky preserves. His emphasis on timing is especially valuable, explaining why scheduling your astrophotography sessions around the new moon phase significantly enhances your chances of capturing vibrant, clear celestial images. Tools like Stellarium and PhotoPills are recommended to maximize your sessions, precisely pinpointing the Milky Way’s visibility throughout the season.
The key takeaway isn't just knowing where to go, but understanding exactly how to approach astrophotography once you're there. Jones offers targeted advice on gear selection, lens choice, and strategies for effectively capturing images of star fields, nebulae, and other elusive cosmic features. He reminds you to keep your setup manageable, considering the logistics of carrying gear into remote locations, and the practicality of simpler setups for quicker, less complicated shooting. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Jones.
