French Beach Vancouver Island: A Starry Self-Portrait
Last night, I had the incredible opportunity to witness the cosmos unfold from the beautiful French Beach Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. The clear skies provided the perfect canvas for a breathtaking astrophotography session, culminating in this self-portrait against a backdrop of shimmering stars.
The Setup
To capture this celestial scene, I utilized the following equipment:
- Camera: Sony A7IV
- Lens: Sony 20mm f1.8 G lens
- ISO: 3200
- Aperture: f/1.8
- Exposure: 13 seconds
The Process
After carefully setting up my gear and composing the shot, I adjusted the settings to maximize light gathering while minimizing noise. The f/1.8 aperture of the Sony 20mm lens allowed for a wide opening, letting in ample light from distant stars. An ISO of 3200 was chosen to balance sensitivity with acceptable noise levels. A 13-second exposure was critical to capture the movement of the stars across the sky, creating those beautiful star trails.
The post-processing was handled in Adobe Lightroom, where I enhanced the contrast, brought out the details in the Milky Way, and ensured the overall image had a pleasing aesthetic.
The Result
Here is the final self-portrait captured at French Beach:
It's moments like these, under a blanket of stars, that truly remind us of our place in the universe. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the night sky from Vancouver Island!
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