Safety First

Safety in the field is always your first priority, for both yourself and anyone else you may encounter. While it may seem obvious, there are several common hazards that you must be vigilantly on guard against, especially since you will largely be working in the dark. Landscape astrophotography is often performed in remote, physically rugged environments, where there are plenty of opportunities to trip and fall over unseen obstacles. Cellphone coverage is frequently nonexistent. Many prime vantage points are on rocky points, or worse, the edges of cliffs or riverbanks where a fall could be disastrous. For many people, the decrease in mental acuity and simple balance that goes along with the lack of sleep from staying up well past their normal bedtime, coupled with the stresses of being in unfamiliar surroundings and the desire to obtain specific images further compounds the potential for accidents. The fact that you’re working in the dark, and often in cold conditions exacerbates the difficulty of even the simplest of tasks.

It is important to always be aware of your surroundings and the potential for serious harm. A basic first aid kit containing light sticks, a whistle, compass, wound dressings, penknife/razor, tweezers, and pain medication should always accompany you when you venture afield. Finally, before each nightly outing, leave a note behind in your car or room describing your planned destination(s) for the night, when you expect to return and who to call in case of emergency. Also, leave an overall trip schedule with family and friends at home including a specific time for when they should invoke emergency services if they haven’t heard from you.

Getting Lost and Found

Each night when you venture into the field for a nightscape session, especially in a wilderness setting, there is always a distinct possibility of becoming completely disoriented and lost. You may find yourself with no alternative to spending the night outdoors. While you have probably heard these words before, I can assure you from first-hand experience that totally losing your bearings, alone and in the dark, far from your car and the comforts of civilization can suddenly become a very real, startlingly disconcerting experience. Especially during periods of the new moon, the complete, utter darkness of the deep wilderness can be shocking and overwhelming. Even moderately strong headlamps are only able to project a beam so far; relying on landmarks several hundreds of feet away may prove fruitless. I have personally become totally lost several times, and each time only have been able to find my way out using my portable GPS device and hand-held compass. It is very worthwhile acquiring these devices and practicing with them well ahead of your trips afield. You may also wish to consult any of the excellent references on basic back country navigational skills.