Capturing Your First Astrophotography Panorama: Lessons from Bodie Island Lighthouse

My first attempt at an astrophotography panorama was at the iconic Bodie Island Lighthouse in North Carolina. Armed with my Sony a7iii and a 16mm f/1.8 lens, I set out to capture the grandeur of the night sky. The setup involved a 9-shot panorama, each exposure at 15 seconds, f/1.8, and ISO 1,000.

The Challenge of Panning Without a Tracker

A burning question for many beginners, myself included, is the feasibility of creating panoramas for stacking without a star tracker. While it's tempting to stack multiple exposures to reduce noise and capture more detail, the reality of field rotation can significantly disrupt the final result. For panorama stacking, it's generally recommended to limit the number of exposures you stack, perhaps to 4-5, to help mitigate issues like satellite and airplane trails.

Key Considerations for Your Panorama:

• Cloud Control: Avoiding clouds is crucial for a clear view of the Milky Way. While nature often has other plans (as it did with a bit of cloud cover in my shot), being mindful of weather forecasts can make a big difference.
• Light Pollution: Bright scenes, like the lighthouse and its surroundings in this case, can detract from the subtlety of the Milky Way. Light domes from nearby sources can also impact the quality of your night sky shots.
• Color Balance: Using a daylight color balance can help achieve more natural colors for the night sky, making the celestial elements pop without appearing artificial.
• Gear Matters: While a 16mm lens is a great starting point, a longer focal length with a wider aperture can offer more impact for capturing the night sky. Consider investing in a star tracker if you plan on doing extensive astrophotography; there are affordable options available that can greatly enhance your results.

Dealing with the Unexpected (and the Bugs!)

Even with the best planning, sometimes you just have to work with what you've got. While I was a bit bummed about the clouds, the experience still provided valuable learning opportunities. The next evening, with the new moon offering darker skies, I headed back out to try again.

And a word of caution from personal experience: if you're shooting near Bodie Island after dark, be prepared for the mosquitos! I learned the hard way that they can be incredibly tenacious, turning a beautiful night of photography into a bit of an itchy ordeal.