Structures

Sometimes, you will come across random structures such as commemorative or artistic installations that will take on a very different look when photographed at night, and especially when artistically light painted. However, don't rely on a chance encounter during a nocturnal ramble! Research the area thoroughly and scout the location during daylight hours. The most successful nightscapes are planned during daylight hours.

Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber, Pembrokeshire

Orion, Taurus and Mars above an old lime kiln on the Ceredigion coast

The Milky Way above Kielder Reservoir, Northumberland

Weather monitoring beneath the Milky Way

This shot was taken from the car park at the top of Claerwen dam, mid Wales, looking up at the weather monitoring installation on the hillside above. The backdrop of Perseus, Andromeda, the Andromeda Galaxy, Cassiopeia and Cepheus was spectacular in the dark sky.

Single exposure: 24mm, f3.2, 13 seconds, ISO 8000

Weather Monitoring beneath the Milky Way

The same composition as the silhouette shot, but with some added lightpainting.

Sky: 24mm, f3.2, 13 seconds, ISO 8000 (single exposure)

Foreground: 24mm, f3.5, 13 seconds, ISO 800 (blend of 2 exposures)

Single exposure: 70mm, f4, 10 seconds, ISO 800

Single exposure: 86mm, f4, 10 seconds, ISO 800

Single exposure: 70mm, f5, 10 seconds, ISO 800

Strange goings-on in the cowshed at midnight...

Foreground only: 14mm, f5, 10 seconds, ISO 500 (15 exposures)

The Milky Way above Sark Henge, Sark, Channel Islands

Venus shining brightly above a Northamptonshire trig point

Sky: f2.8, 13 seconds, ISO 1600 (single exposure) | Foreground: f3, 13 seconds, ISO640 (7 exposures)

Chesterton Windmill, Warwickshire

Boddington Reservoir and Comet c/2020 F3 NEOWISE, Northamptonshire

The Hafod Arch, above Pontarfynach, Ceredigion, Wales

Always a popular spot for a quick astro shot, and very conveniently located next to the road, with an adjacent car park!! A passing car on the main road provided some welcome lighting on the rock face in the background.

Sky: single, 18mm, f2.8, 13 seconds, ISO 8000 | Foreground: 15 blended images, 18mm, f5, 8 seconds, ISO 500