Mount Bachelor Milky Way

We are scheduling a classic Milky Way outing to Green Lakes Overflow Parking Lot along the Cascades Lakes Highway. We plan to photograph the Milky Way as it rises above Mt. Bachelor.

ABOUT NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

Night sky photography is quickly becoming possible for photographers using their phones or camera and lens combinations customized for low light photography.

Photographers using more advanced phone cameras are increasingly more successful using their phones. As low light capabilities vary between phone makes and models, please refer to the documentation of your particular phone to best utilize its low light, night photography features. Then plan to stabilize your phone to prevent movement during long exposures.

For photographers using discrete cameras and removable lenses, night sky photography typically requires a large aperture (aka "fast") lens that captures more light. Lenses with smaller aperture openings that let in less light are considered "slower". Slower lenses (f/3.5 or f4) can work for night photography but they greatly limit the available light captured by the camera sensor.

The focal length of a lens determines the field of vision and how much of the night sky can be seen in one image. Wide angle and ultra-wide lenses (rated 24mm capture or smaller) are generally used.

Success photographing low light images at night involves finding a balance between the physical abilities of your equipment, high ISOs that increase your cameras sensitivity to light, and the duration (shutter speed) of your photograph. If the ISO is too high, an image may have too much noise. If the exposure is too long, the movement of the stars as they travel across the night sky can appear in the image. It's good to experiment until you know what is best for you. In addition, other photographers are happy to help too!

Night sky photography usually involves the use of an external or built-in intervalometer. Many photographers prefer external intervalometers to program the length of each exposure and automate hands free shutter actuation. Please practice settings and use at home before testing it out in the dark.

NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY PREREQUISITES

1. Finding Infinity
In order to achieve sharp focus on stars, the most accurate focus for infinity for a lens must be identified.

On most DSLRs, the infinity mark on the lens barrel may not be the true infinity focus of your lens optics. You will need to find, identify, and then preserve the true infinity setting on your lens for the sharpest star images. It's easiest to find infinity in the daytime using your autofocus then turn off your autofocus and preserve the exact focus setting for infinity by taping your lens, use rubber bands, or photographing the lens barrel and reset the lens to that mark prior to night shooting.

On many mirrorless camera lenses without infinity marks, sharpness can be found in manual mode by zooming in on a star using Live View and then adjusting the focus of your lens manually until it looks very sharp. Keep the camera in manual. If your lens has a manual focus lock, use it. Otherwise, physically secure the focus setting by using rubber bands or blue painters tape on the lens barrel (optional).

2. Red Light District Etiquette.
Red or green lights are used for night photography as they interfere less with eyes sensitivity to darkness. The light sensitivity of the rods of our eyes basically adjust in five minutes but can take 45 minutes to be fully sensitive.

However, improper use of red lamps greatly impair image quality. Thus, a few guidelines.

1. If you have brightness settings on your light, turn the red light to the dimmest setting.

2. Always point your red light towards you and not the scene. Don’t wear your headlamp while adjusting your camera. Let the reflection of the light off your body illuminate the camera or intervalometer you are adjusting. You can also hold your red light in your hand over the lens barrel facing you and your camera/intervalometer.

3. If you finish photographing before others, point your red light away from the scene and other photographers to gather your belongings. Fully leave the shooting vicinity before using white lights again.

4. These basic practices will help photographers to transition from being inexperienced to experienced night sky photographers and score points with fellow photographers.

3. Rule of 500
Because we're taking long exposure images of a moving night sky, calculations are made to determine maximum time the shutter can be open without blurring the stars. To get crisp stars with no blur, here are basic formulas:
Full Frame Sensor
Basic 500 Rule: 500 Divided By the Focal Length of Your Lens = The Longest Exposure (in Seconds) Before Stars Start to Trail.
Ex. 500/24= 20.83 sec. or 20 seconds before trails/elongation of stars
Cropped Sensor
Basic 500 Rule: 500 Divided By the Focal Length of Your Lens Divided by the Crop of Your Sensor (eg Nikon 1.5; Canon 1.6).
Ex. 500/24/1.6 = 13.02 sec. or 13 sec. before trails/elongation of stars.

TENTATIVE TIMELINE

09:15 pm: Meet outside the Starbucks in the parking lot of Century Drive Safeway
09:30 pm: Carpool to Green Lakes Overflow Parking Lot.
10:15pm: Arrive at Green Lakes Overflow Parking Lot.
10:38pm: Night Begins (end of Astronomical Twilight)
11:16 pm: Galactic Core of Milky Way rises
12:30 am: Finish and drive back to Bend

THINGS TO BRING

Since we'll be at around 5000 feet expect and dress for cold temps and possibly breezy conditions. We will be walking only a short distance from the parking lot to photograph. In the past, the ground has been marshy where waterproof boots were required. Expect drier conditions.
• A head lamp with a red light only or green light only setting.
• a flashlight,
• a sturdy tripod,
• fresh and extra camera batteries,
• an empty memory card,
• an intervalometer is very useful but not required.
• proper footwear as we could be walking across desert scrub brush,
• "Little Hottie" Hand warmers: use 1 package to prevent condensation on your lens and as many as you want for your person.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Night photography has inherent risks as low light conditions increase the possibility of encountering unseen obstacles and hazards. Personal safety has to be the constant focus as locations with unmarked level changes and tripping hazards.

Shield/close your eyes if headlights on Century Drive are visible. Otherwise, the light exposure could reset the clock on your night vision sensitivity.

If the frogs are croaking, they can be loud and persistent. Be ready just in case.

As always SAFETY: before, during, and after shooting.