My whole night got wrecked by a neighbor's floodlight during the Perseids

I drove out to Joshua Tree to shoot the meteor shower, got my camera set up perfectly, and then a new house nearby turned on a massive yard light that washed out half my frame. I tried moving three times but it kept hitting me, so I packed up after an hour. What's your go-to move when you get light pollution you can't control?

3 comments

3 Comments

grantf7312d ago

I read an article last year about a guy who uses a portable changing tent as a light shield. He sets his tripod inside it with just the lens poking out. Seems like a hassle, but for a planned shoot like the Perseids, it might be worth the extra gear. I've also had some luck with a good lens hood and stacking multiple exposures to edit out the light bleed later. Honestly though, sometimes you just have to admit defeat and find a new spot, which is the worst feeling after all that setup.

wells.karen12d ago

That "admit defeat and find a new spot" part is the worst lol. The changing tent idea is wild, but honestly packing up in the dark is the real hassle.

the_terry7d ago

That tent trick is next level commitment. I'd probably just drive an extra hour for a darker spot.