WHEN SHOULD I GO HERE TO DO MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY?
Any time of year is suitable for general photography, but to photograph the Milky Way at East Point Lighthouse, you must go at a specific time to ensure the Milky Way is visible. Midweek is the best. People come here to watch the sunset, and most leave, but if you want the best chance of having the place to yourself at night, go in the middle of the week. It doesn’t get that busy at all. Be sure to shoot it during the daytime, too.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHEN THE MILKY WAY IS VISIBLE?
Read our Milky Way Information Page to see exactly when the Milky Way will be visible.
IS THERE ANY SPECIAL GEAR I NEED?
Well, in a perfect world, you’ll have an Astro modified camera done by Spencer Camera. But if you’re new to all this, you could put that on your future list. You should have a lens as wide as possible. We shoot with a 16mm. You should also have an open aperture on that lens. Ours is 2.8. The lower the f-stop number, the better to let more light in to avoid digital noise.
YOU MUST HAVE A TRIPOD— Night photography requires long exposures, so a tripod is essential for keeping your camera still and ensuring sharp images during long exposures.