July Astrophotography 2020

December 04, 2020

July provided one of the most epic months for astrophotography for me. Mostly due to a visit to our skies of comet Neowise. A magical comet that surprised and amazed stargazers across the globe. My first sighting came from a trip to Botallack Mines on the wild west coast of Cornwall. This location is famous for a pair of engines houses perched on cliffside close to the water’s edge. I travelled down with a few companions, and we set off to make the most of the clear conditions. My first image from the night was actually looking the opposite way of the comet towards the Milkyway.

Shortly after this composition, I walked along the coastal path to a northerly viewpoint for the comet. It was difficult finding a good composition but I stumbled across this quaint cottage which lined up with the comet which was now high in the sky. I didn’t quite realise the moment at the time but reflecting back, I probably won’t see a sight like this for another 10-15 years!

Believe it or not, the night still wasn’t over. We wanted more from the night, so wandered the short distance to Pendeen Lighthouse, where not only did we capture the comet over the lighthouse, but we were also treated to a fantastic and rare display of noctilucent clouds. This was an award-winning image from the Alyn Wallace Instagram contest and a mind-blowing experience.

My second shoot of July arrived a few days later and kept with the lighthouse theme with a trip to Trevose Headland. Cornwall and Devon's weather is unreliable at best and with this amazing and rare visitor in comet Neowise, I felt it important to make the most any clear conditions. This location worked well compositionally with the position of the comet I thought.

Later the same night, I travelled down the coast to Bedruthan Steps for my second locations. I have shot this composition before and thought I would try again with the added feature of Neowise. The skies are incredibly dark on this part of the coast, and the tail of the comet looked fantastic.

My third shoot of July took me to south Devon’s Termite Bay. A beautiful beach nestled in the shadow of Start Point. I was delivering a workshop this night but took a few pictures after the sessions.

For my final shoot of July, I travelled to Crackington Haven. A location on the north coast of Cornwall which I have explored on many occasions. The Milkyway core is westerly in the sky this time of year and lines up nicely to the headland. I placed myself in the scene too, to add some scale to this epic viewpoint. A good way to sign off an awesome month of Astrophotography.

June Astrophotography 2020

November 22, 2020

Through June, I visited Cape Cornwall, Start Point and Dartmoor. All three shoots where all-night affairs with quality astrophotography conditions. The first trip was an hours journey to the rugged, dramatic coast of West Cornwall. The cold granite cliffs and hidden coves make it a magical place to shoot under the stars. Our desired shooting location was a rocky headland towering over Porth Ledden, about a 30-minute hike along the coastal path from the car. The skies were starry, striking and surreal with only a hum of a teenage rave on the cliffs breaking the silence.

The Milkyway, Jupiter and Saturn over Cape Cornwall.

After a few hours on the headland, we hiked to Kenidjack Castle as our second location. This is an interesting ruin highly elevated which looked amazing with the Milkyway Backdrop. This night being the summer aquanauts meant the hours of darkness were short and we had to rush to make the most of this second location. Soon enough, the light of dawn would be upon us.

To finish off this night, we where treated to a magical display of Noctilucent Cloud glistening like spiders silk on the northern horizon. The display intensified as dawn approached, my third ever sighting of this striking phenomenon.

My second jaunt took me and my friend to Dartmoor. We ventured to a remote part of the west Moors travelling over Brat Tor to a remote ruin. Skies looked unbelievably clear and dark. I love the concept of ruins, time and stars and felt this scene fitted in well to that. Didn’t take many photos this night but it was great to chill under the stars on this warm clear night wondering on the story to this place.

Brat Tor Ruin under t he watch of the Milkyway.

My concluding shoot of June took place on the south Devon coast to an amazing beach I’ve nicked named termite bay. This is a sentimental place for my and my partner Cait and ranks in my top three Cornwall and Devon beaches. This cove is nestled along side Start Point and this night the skies where breathtakingly salient, clear and striking.

A few beach campers enjoying the starry skies with Jupiter and the Milkyway.

After capturing a few images from the cliff, I wandered down to the beach to photograph some waters edge details. My final image of the night and a fantastic way to sign of a good month of Astrophotography

May Astrophotography 2020

November 14, 2020

Astrophotography through May featured five trips. Mostly around the Moors but also one venture to the coast. My first trip featured Leather Tor and Nun’s Cross Farmhouse. This was a peaceful, calming warm summers night with crystal clear skies.

My initial plan was to shoot the rocky outcrop close to this tent, but after literally tripping over a couple who where ‘star gazing’ amongst the rocks and giving them a fright, I thought it wise to give them some space and shoot from Leather Tor instead. Not a bad alternative view looking over Burrator Reservoir.

Once all was settled with the campers, I wandered back down to the original viewpoint and stumbled across this wonderful view looking back towards Sharpitor.

I then wondered a few miles to my second locations, Nun’s Cross Farmhouse. A quirky and photographic building deep into the open Moor. By this time, the early hours of the morning were upon us. I worked quickly to get two compositions, but the challenge was the most favourable view of the Farmhouse didn’t match the most favourable composition of the sky. However, I was pleased with how these shots came out.

The Milkyway arching over Nun’s Cross Farmhouse.

The “classic” composition of this well photographed farmhouse.

I travelled to the south coast and Gribbon Head for my second shoot of May. This stretch of the coast has plenty of meaning and memories for me. With clear moonless skies forecasted my hopes were to capture a few compositions featuring the Milkyway above the dramatic coastline here.

On my way back to the car, the first light of Nautical twilight was fast approaching but I was eager to get a final composition. By this time of the night, Jupiter was low on the horizon and reflecting wonderfully over the ocean. This panorama was probably my favourite shot of the night.

April Astrophotography 2020

November 08, 2020

April involved three astrophotography adventures. The first was at a part of the North Cornwall coast called The Strangles. This stretch of coastline is dramatic, rugged and expansive. It reminds me a little of the landscape in Jurassic Park with the terrain and vegetation. It is a beautiful secluded place and looked wonderful under crisp starry skies this night. My first image form the evening was taken from the steep narrow winding path that took you to the beach. I like to achieve some elevation in my compositions and this viewpoint looked great with Venus shining brightly over the turbulent ocean.

I then wondered to the waters edge and took this final image of the night.

My second shoot of the month was locally in my home town of Saltash. Light pollution was terrible but it was nice to venture out closer to home.

My final shoot was a substantial night hike across Dartmoor exploring the valley and tor’s around Tavy Cleave. A place I am familiar with but appears different and new every time. This night was magical with the darkest skies I have seem so far this year. My aim was to capture some photographs of the waterfall and then climb up to the summit of the valley for an elevation view.

After spending an hour or so getting different compositions of the river I climbed up the valley for a different viewpoint. By the time the Milkyway Core was beginning to rise and made a great sky backdrop.

February & March Astrophotography 2020

November 02, 2020

The skies and conditions through February weren't amazing, but I did manage to venture out one clear night to the coast of Devon to photograph the coastline at Thurlstone.

Orion and Venus looking spectacular over Thurlstone Beach.

Unlike February, March provided some amazing clear skies but also the beginnings of the pandemic. With a cloak of uncertainly over normal life, astrophotography through March became an important outlet for me to maintain an area of normality amongst all the change. My next location was Hartland Quay on the north Devon Coast. A beautiful stretch of coastline with no shortage of photogenic coastal viewpoints.

This night was particularly windy and with a lapse of concentration, my tripod toppled shortly after this shot was taken, breaking my trusted Samyang lens into two. Wanting to savage the night, I continued up the cliff looking for a second compositions and found this viewpoint which ended up becoming an award winning image.

Looking along the North Devon coastal path towards Hartland.

My next trip saw me travel to North Devon’s Westward Ho in search of this striking shipwreck. This was a risk, as the shifting sands often covered the wreck so there was no guarantee we would see it. Fortunately, after a bit of searching, we were treated to this spectacular view.

On the journey back home from Westward Ho, I decided to stop off a Brent Tor Church on the western side of Dartmoor to capture an early morning Milky Way photo. I also find this a humbling place to visit, especially in the peaceful hours of the early morning.

My third night of astro this month saw me visit the coast again, but this time at my local beach Downderry. I didn't have a lot of free time this evening, so this was a quick grab and dash type of shoot. However, it is always amazing to spend time under the stars, if only for an hour or two.

The dramatic rocks of Downderry Beach always make for some interesting waters edge compositions.

My final shoot of March involved travelling down to Lizard Point to photograph the last of the winter skies before the summer constellation started dominating the skies again. I decided to spend the night at the Lizard boat ramp. Skies where the clearest I had seen this year. Incredible to see such dark and starry skies and a nice way to end a month of good astrophotography.

January Astrophotography 2020

October 30, 2020

January was an interesting month for astrophotography. The new year always provides a feeling of a new start and a renewed drive to work on fresh projects. My first shoot took me to the North coast of Cornwall and the ruins at Chapel Porth, which looks stunning under the winter Milkyway Way.

Wanting to make the most of the clear conditions, I decided to journey along the coast to Godrevy as my second location. Wanting to get close to the water’s edge, I remember clambering along the jagged rocks and negotiating the narrow gullies, which would occasionally be filled with surging seawater as the swell engulfed the foreshore. The retreating tide provided some security and it felt awe-inspiring to be amongst the elements under such a brilliant starry sky.

The following day, I travelled closer to home to Colliford Lake. This is a vast body of water on Bodmin Moor most renowned for its waters edge dead trees. Visiting here always makes me feel a bit sad. I am certain these trees had a story and seeing them as no more than a shadowy imprint on the landscape is humbling. I feel astrophotography naturally lends itself to the concept of passing time and these trees as a subject, fitted this concept well I thought.

My final shoot of January took me to Whitsand Bay. This sandy stretch of coast is a striking part of south-east Cornwall and is littered with interesting old shipwrecks. On this night, I opted to try and photograph a few under the winter sky. This was my favourite from the night.

March Astrophotography 2019

December 27, 2019

March consisted of a flurry of Five awesome astro shoots. These featured meeting up with Plymouth photographer Ben McConnon and Canadian photographer Esme Battern before her return home. A few of my favourite photographs below.

The first shoot of March took place at Wembury Beach close to Plymouth. I met up with Ben and we spent a few hours photographing the winter sky from beach.

This was the scene from myself and Esme’s final shoot together at Aymer Cove. Roughing it all night in the car paid off with an incredible view of the Milky Way in the early hours of the morning.

For my next venture, I travelled west to Portreath. Meeting up with photographer Matt Mario, we spent a few hours photographing this dramatic part of the coast as Orion sunk below the horizon.

My fourth shoot took me locally to Whitsand Bay.

My final shoot brought me to the stunning coastline of Black Church Rock.

February Astrophotography

June 08, 2019

The month of February saw me embark on four stella astro shoots. The first was a local shoot at Long Stone Beach. A remote beach shadowed by a steep woodland covered cliff, found on the east end of Downderry, twenty minutes from where I live. To the east end of this beach is a dramatic rock stack called Shag Rock, which made for the focal point of my shoot here.

The shoot felt rushed with the relentless incoming tide, and precarious as the layout of boulders meant that to achieve a clean composition, I had to balance on a four foot high and meter wide boulder. I remember the sky being brilliantly clear with the polar white and birthstone-blue stars gleaming and glittering spectacularly through the cold winter air. It was a spectacle of nature I'll never tire of experiencing.

Shag Rock - Tracked sky exposure, ISO 800, f2.8, with a 240-second exposure. The foreground exposure was ISO 1600, f2.8, with an exposure of 320 seconds.

My second shoot came on the back of an epic day hike and climbing around the Lizard peninsular with my Canadian friend and fellow astrophotographer, Esme. Through the day hike, we scouted a couple of striking compositions, some of which after camping out in the car, we re-visited once darkness fell upon us.

The dark skies and winter constellations looked incredible. Definately some of the darkest winter skies I have seen, and it was great to get some pictures from our excursion to West Cornwall.

Lizard Point - ISO 800, F2.8, 240 seconds for the sky. ISO 1600, F2.8, 320 second exposure.

My third shoot took place at Dartmoor's Foggingtor Quarry and again, I teamed up Esme. The shoot was a one composition trip where I wanted to capture this exciting place under a winter sky.

The sky this night looked magnificent, peaceful, and dreamy. Orion was shinning dramatic to the southwest, and the views over the quarry were vast and spectacular. The same couldn't be said with the relentless wind battering our position. We were able to huddle under this piddling rock feature, which provided some comfort from the elements while our cameras did their work.

Foggingtor Quarry - ISO 800, F2.8, 240 seconds for the sky. ISO 1600, F2.8, 320 second exposure.

My last astro adventure from February involved journeying the hundred odd miles to the Dorset coast to meet up with Dorset photographers Phill & Tim, for a night astro at Kimmeridge Bay. Kimmeridge was a location I haven't been to before, so it was fantastic to shoot somewhere new with the guidance of local photographer Phill. An excellent way to end a good month of astrophotography!

The much photographed ledge at Kimmeridge Bay- ISO 800, F2.8, 240 seconds for the sky. ISO 1600, F2.8, 320 second exposure.

Kimmeridge Bay - ISO 800, F2.8, 240 seconds for the sky. ISO 1600, F2.8, 320 second exposure.

January Astrophotography

April 07, 2019

January was a fantastic month for my astrophotography. I embarked on seven incredible shoots around the Cornwall and Devon coastline as well as spending an evenings up on Dartmoor. I can’t remember a month that was so positive for clear skies and favourable conditions.

Another highlight for me was meeting an incredible photographer and human, Esme, and being able to share some of these shoots with her.

Soussons Stone Circle - Dartmoor

My first location of the year was just outside Postbridge and sits on the edge of Soussons Down Woods. Photographing Dartmoor's Stone circles at night has been an ongoing subproject, and it was great to add a new addition to this collection. You can read a bit more about my Dartmoor mini projects here:

https://www.nightskies.mattstansfield.com/…/dartmoor-the-pr…

The forecast wasn't confident for crisp, clear skies this night, but my aim for 2019, is to take more risks in photographing when our changeable weather isn't looking perfect. Being out on winter nights like this is always rewarding regardless of the photography, and it was surreal to watch the winter constellations slowly trekking across the dark blue sky above these beautiful woods

This photograph was, in fact, my last composition of the night where I was interested in adding a human element to the scene with some dramatic light. You can see the constellation of Orion just clipping the treetops, with a threatening bank of cloudly stubbornly holding out to the west, reflecting the glow from nearby towns.

Hartland Point Lighthouse

My second shoot from January involved meeting up with photographer Esme, for the first time, and wandering to Hartland Point Lighthouse on the north Devonshire coast. The Quadrantids meteor shower was peaking on this night, so we intended to photograph some of these with the Lighthouse as an interesting foreground.

Once we arrived and begun walking the windy coastal path in search of an elevated viewpoint, I remember being mildly concerned with the cloud cover, but there were gaps, and the meteors were flashing by through the openings dramatically. It was also bitingly cold, so we worked quickly and kept our spirits warm through conversation while capturing some striking images. The first of many memorable night adventures we would embark on in the coming months.

Great Staple Tor

The following night, Esme and I met up again in our pursuit for clear skies and exciting locations. This time we decided to photograph Great Staple Tor. A dramatic place I know well, but which I have never shot under the winter sky previously.

Cloud initially concerned me again while we journeyed up, but as is often the case with the Moor's elevation, clear skies can prevail wherein lower locations, it may linger. Spectacular clear skies greeted us when we did arrive, and I recall the winter circle glistening beautifully about the main stack.

We worked a few different compositions, star gazed and exchanged chat — a perfect night.

Crackington Heavan

About a week later, I spent a dreamy ice cold night at Crackington Haven. The clearest darkest skies I've experienced for some time in Cornwall.

There was a lot in the sky this night for us to enjoy including the Andromeda Galaxy, the star cluster Pleiades, and of course the winter sky superbly glistening above the rugged coastline.

Rumps Point Lunar Eclipse

My fifth shoot in January was extraordinary. Early Monday morning, Esme and I journeyed to the north Cornwall coast to photograph and experience the much anticipated lunar eclipse.

I previously photographed a close-up sequence of a lunar eclipse a few years ago, so wanted to capture a wide angles nightscape with the moon as an element to the overall composition rather than the main focal point.

Typically, the timing of totality was very early in the morning, and on a working weekday, with a high-risk of cloud interfering, it all sounded a perfect combination of circumstances to warrant a trip! A few hours kip after arrival on location certainly helped and we were alive for an exciting event. We chose to visit Rumps Point, as it was an impressive location with dramatic rugged cliffs and importantly dark skies.

It is interesting, because sometimes as a photographer, my impression of an image is influenced by my experience at the time of taking a photograph. I am not sure if this is particularly good from a composition standpoint, but for me, this photographs represents the excellent company, steep moonlit trails, incredibly crisp dark skies, and a powerful sense of peace and tranquillity. What an enjoyable start to 2019 chasing dark skies!

Portwrinkle

About a week later, we ventured to a local beach called Portwrinkle on the southeast corner of Cornwall. I enjoy photographing placing close to home; it's nice to be able to shoot and not need to journey hours to reach home.

This particular night wasn't perfect; it was hazy with high-level cloud but a few hours well spent.

Dartmoor

My final shoot of January, saw me take a solo trip to snowy Dartmoor to photograph the few locations around Sharp Tor and the Dart River.

The night began with a dash from work, full of motivation to have an adventure, or just get lost somewhere within the expense of Dartmoor. I find a strange comfort in the coldness of the moors in the wintertime, so this was my obvious choice. The plan was to trek a 5km circle around Mel Tor, Luckey Tor, and up to Sharp to explore a few places I have previously scouted.

The night was beautiful, the crunchy snow crackled beneath my feet, you could hear owl calls echoing in the dark, and the hum of the mighty River Dart below the peacing stars glistening blissfully above.

For the first time in a while, I actually felt haunted wandering around, been a while since I have ventured out somewhere this isolated solo, but it was refreshing too.

What a month for astrophotography!

October Milky Way - Rame Head & Whitsand Bay

December 10, 2018

I have decided to embark on a mini project photographing beaches, headland, cliffs and coastal features around south east Cornwall. Work commitments have depleted most of my free time and reduced opportunities, to venture far afield, to chase darks skies. However, I have relished the opportunity to photograph closer to home and re-visit some locations, as well as finding some new places to photograph.

My first trip for this project was to Rame Head. A popular local headland landmark standing dominantly at the east end of the sandy bay of Whitsand. A place I have visited before, but not with the tracker. On this night, the window of dark skies was short between the last light for sunset and moonrise.

The Milky was in the southwest sky, so I had two compositions in mind. The first was capturing the small chapel on top of the windswept headland with the Milky Way glistening brightly to the right.

My second composition was rushed, with 200 seconds of the exposure being after moonrise! I wanted a central composition of Rame Head, but the inclusion of the ocean on either side. I don’t think this will be a portfolio piece but a nice addition to the project.

A few days later, I decided to journey to neighbouring Whitsand Bay. A long stretch of beach at low tide, which forms many small interesting covers at high tide.

ISO 800, F2.8, 240 Second tracked exposure

What caught my eye with this composition, was the elevated perspective looking down towards Sharrow Point. This night was my favourite of the two shoots. The star sparkled vividly with a calm vibe deserting all around, as night took hold.

For my final image of the night and most recent photo to date, I climbed down to the beach to attain a waters edge composition of Sharrow Point leading out to the Milky Way. My next location is LongStone beach, for when the nights get clear again, is Longstone beach.

Durdle Door - 20.10.18

November 03, 2018

I like to visit Durdle Door at least once a year. Being a 200 miles round trip, from my base in Saltash, it’s not a location I can regular visit. The conditions where set for a typically astro adventure; with only a 2 hour window between moonset and astronomical twiligh; uncertain weather, and four hours of driving to looked forward to! This was also going to be the first real test for my new Star Tracker and Samyang 14mm lens.

Normally, you would navigate your way through the campsite to reach the beach or coastal path. However, they have created a bypass around the campsite through a dark woodland, which was convenient but slightly unsettling.

Once through the woods, I reached the gravely windy path that snacks down to the cove. My eye was immediately drawn to the moon setting beautifully over Weymouth Bay in the distance. The reflection glistened on the glassy ocean like a flame flcikering in the wind. It was quite a sight to behold and set the scene for a amazing night under the stars.

I already had my first composition in mind; a view from the top of the cliffs, looking down at the famous rocky arch. In fact, I have shot a similar composition before featuring the Milky Way. However, tonight was all about the winter constellations, which I hoped would align nicely in the sky behind the arch.

Durdle Door - Sky exposure: ISO 800/F2.8/240 Seconds. Foreground exposure: ISO800/F2.8/320 Seconds.

The first capture was a success! My idea with the composition was to use the natural leading lines of the cliff and bay to draw the viewer to the arch. The constellation of Orion, was higher in the sky that I anticipated, so I made a two image collage to create this slightly more squared image to include the desired stars in Orion.

Durdle Door is renowned for being busy with photographers, which can sometimes create issue when so many people are light painting, but this night was peacefully quiet. Only two fisherman were on the beach with a lone photographer photographing from the cliffs.

The extra clarity, in the stars, from using the tracker also impressed me immediately. it was superb to have dark skies to put it through its paces. The tracker allowed for longer exposures and a lower ISOs to be used without stars trailing. The lower ISOs also allowed more colour details to be captured, and the stars appear so much sharper.

After my first starscape image, I experimented with some deep space imagery using my Canon 200mm prime. I thought this would really put my tracker to the test, as the lens is heavier and any errors in alignment would be more apparent.

The first space object, I was going to focus on, was the grand Andromada Galaxy. This galaxy is a neighbour of ours in the cosmic world, and is due to collide with our own galaxy at some point in the distant future. It is also relatively big in the night sky; about the size of the full moon. However, it is extremely dim to the naked eye and a perfect subject to photograph as a way to revel that extra detail. I was amazing on quite how much detail I was able to capture with a single shot exposure!

I then placed my attention to the Orion Nebular. This fantastic nebular is visible to the eye, appearing as the ‘dagger’ in the constellation of Orion the hunter. The two bright stars at the top of the frame, are called Alnitak & Alnilam and are part of Orion’s famous three star belt.

I then aimed my lens at Orion’s belt, capturing an interesting nebular above Alnitak. Looking closely, underneath Alnitak, you can also make out the famous Horse Shoe Nebular.

I then swung around and photographed Pleiades, a star cluster, which I always would call the “little plough”.

My final capture of the night, was a wider angle exposure of the constellation of Orion. At this point, with dawn quickly approaching, I was rushing to bag this exposure. I wanted to test the quality of my 24-70mm for astrophotography, as it wasn’t a lens I’ve used outside my wedding work before. It was a tracked exposure and productive unbelievable detail in the stars captured through the area.

In summary, was the shoot worth while? For me, I would say it was. It was great to capture a Durdle Door with the winter sky, which I feel, would be a good addition to my portfolio. As a learning curve, the shoot was very informative too. I feel much more confident in using the tracker with longer focal length lenses, and it was useful to see the added detail that could be captured using it.

So what next? The moon has now taken over, but a new window of dark skies opens on Saturday night. I will probably try a Milky Way capture, somewhere local, before it finally disappears for the winter!

Dartmoor- The Project

September 15, 2018

Dartmoor, what an inspirational and intriguing place. As a night location, it has spectacular dark skies and remote areas that allows for unique photography to be made.

I have a number of mini projects associated with Dartmoor. One of them is photographing Dartmoor's waterfalls. Dartmoor has around fourteen well know waterfalls as described by Legendary Dartmoor. I have visited around 5-6 of these wonderful waterfalls to date with my first visit to Tavy Cleave waterfall resulting in a display from the Northern Lights!

Alongside waterfalls, I have taken an interest in photographing Dartmoor's stone circles at night. There is plenty of interesting stone circles smattered around Dartmoor, and again, I have only covered around five locations so this is one my many continuing subproject.

Fernworthy Stone Circle. My first photograph of one of Dartmoor's intriguing stone features.

Air Glow - Scorhill Stone Circle - Dartmoor

Another interest of mine, is photographing the many the dramatic granit tors. Dartmoor has around 160 tors and it could literary take a lifetime to document them all at night. So this is going to be a long term project that i'll probably never complete!

My final subproject on Dartmoor has involved photographing bodies-of-water. Dartmoor has many amazing reservoirs and lakes that can look incredible on a still clear night and provide a lot of interest for photography.