Tried night photography at Bryce Canyon last week and the light pollution was worse than I expected

I drove out to Bryce Canyon last Tuesday hoping to get some clear shots of the Milky Way. Got there around 11 PM and set up my tripod near the rim. But honestly the glow from the nearby lodges and even some parking lot lights was way stronger than I thought it would be. I ended up having to hike about a mile further in just to get a decent dark sky. My longer exposures still had that orange haze creeping in from the horizon. Has anyone else run into this problem at national parks? Do you use light pollution filters or just scout better spots further from the facilities?

2 comments

2 Comments

hill.jade14d ago

Use a good light pollution filter but honestly those lodge lights are just bright. Hiked out to Fairyland Point last fall and found much darker skies there, worth the extra walk. The orange haze from the visitor center area messes up exposures if you're not careful. Might try stacking shorter frames instead of one long one to manage the glow.

willow24414d ago

That reminds me, three years ago I tried shooting the Milky Way from Sunset Point and had to scrap everything because I forgot my intervalometer. Ended up just sitting and watching the stars instead, which was probably better for my sanity anyway.