To Tofino and Beyond: A Bortle 2 Milky Way Adventure

What an incredible weekend away from the city! My friends and I recently ventured to a Bortle 2 dark sky area in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, for a much-needed escape into nature.

We were treated to some spectacular stargazing, with the Milky Way putting on a breathtaking show. Campfires crackled, and the general atmosphere was pure bliss, especially while the campfire ban was still lifted. As if the celestial display wasn't enough, we were also graced with the magic of bioluminescent waves washing ashore – a truly surreal experience that words can barely capture.

For those curious about the technical details behind capturing this moment:

• Sky: 10 x 60 seconds, ISO 1600, f2.2
• Foreground: 1 x 60 seconds, f3.2, ISO 1600

The images were expertly stacked in PixInsight and then masterfully blended in Photoshop to bring out the incredible detail and color.

I'm using a Nikon Z6a with a Sigma 28mm f1.4 for this shot, and I'm always striving to perfect the colors in my Milky Way captures. Your feedback is much appreciated!

If you'd like to see more of my astrophotography and nature shots, feel free to check out my Instagram:

This trip was a reminder of the beauty that awaits us when we step away from the urban glow and immerse ourselves in the natural world.