Milky Way Over Lynmouth: A Campsite Astrophotography Adventure
This past August Bank Holiday weekend, I found myself at a campsite just outside the charming village of Lynmouth, nestled on the border of the stunning Exmoor National Park. The clear night sky beckoned, and I was eager to capture the majesty of the Milky Way.
An Unforeseen Challenge: The Missing Tripod
As many astrophotographers know, a tripod is an essential piece of equipment for long exposures. Unfortunately, in my haste to get to the campsite, I realized I had forgotten mine! This presented a unique challenge. To capture the shot, I had to get creative, using a box of cards to prop up my camera on the ground. This resulted in the trees in the foreground being cut off a bit disproportionately, a small compromise for the incredible view I was able to capture.
On-the-Go Processing with a Mobile Touch
With limited time before heading back, I opted for a quick post-processing session using the Lightroom app on my phone. While I usually prefer to process RAW images on my PC, I was happy with the results achievable on the go. I focused on enhancing the "Dark Drama" scene, pushing it to approximately +50, and reduced the "Highlights" to around -50 to bring out the detail in the celestial band.
Gear and Settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS R50
- Lens: Sigma 16mm F/1.4
- Exposure: 20 seconds
- Aperture: f/1.4
- ISO: 1600
- White Balance: Auto
The Result:
Here's the image I managed to capture, a testament to the beauty that can be found even with a few logistical hiccups:
Despite the tripod situation, I'm thrilled with how this shot turned out. It's a beautiful reminder of the wonders that await us when we look up, especially in dark sky locations like Exmoor National Park. Have you ever had to improvise during a photography session? Share your experiences in the comments below!
