Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse Photography
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How to Shoot Milky Way Photography
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PEGGY’S COVE LIGHTHOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY
This location is a breathtaking landscape that offers the perfect backdrop for sunrise, sunset, and Milky Way photography. Please plan your trip accordingly, as this area provides the best views of the stunning Milky Way from April to October; you can capture captivating images of the Milky Way against the horizon. Check out our Dark Sky Photography Info page for more tips and tricks on capturing the perfect shot.
Peggy’s Cove is nestled in a quiet, rural community on the eastern shore of St. Margarets Bay. Surrounded by rugged cliffs and shimmering waters, this enchanting spot is also home to Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, built in 1868. With its charming lighthouse and sweeping views of the sea, it’s no wonder why photographers flock to this picturesque location for their next shoot
BEST TIME TO GO
Peggy’s Cove welcomes visitors throughout the year, but the best time to explore is during the warmer months. Most people choose to go during the summer when everything nearby is open. Plan your visit between May and October for the ultimate Peggy’s Cove experience. On a clear night, the lack of light pollution makes impeccable Milky Way Photography. This scenic spot in Nova Scotia is trendy for watching the sunrise and sunset, offering breathtaking views with the iconic lighthouse in sight.
We went in September, and it was relatively quiet.
HOW LONG TO PHOTOGRAPH
Our recommendation is to spend two idyllic days in this picturesque location. Embrace the beauty of the sunrise and sunset as you capture stunning photographs and photograph the mesmerizing sight of the Milky Way above. Be sure to see our Milky Way Information below and make sure you know HOW TO FIND THE MILKY WAY. If you go at the wrong time, you will not see her!
For your stay, we suggest our favorite sanctuary in the area – The Oceanstone Resort. Immerse yourself in its tranquil atmosphere, surrounded by the ocean’s rhythmic lullaby and the lush greenery of the surroundings. This hidden gem is truly a haven for nature lovers and photographers alike.
WHAT PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR TO BRING
- A DSLR camera that allows you to control your shutter, aperture and ISO.
- Fast, wide-angle lenses (14mm to 24mm with f/2.8 or better) are recommended.
- A sturdy tripod is necessary for long exposures.
- A star tracker can improve results by matching the motion of the stars.
- A remote shutter release reduces camera shake.
- Light pollution filters.
WHAT ESLE TO BRING
- Hiking Boots
- Bug Spray
HOW TO GET THERE
We are photographers, so of course, we took the scenic route. It follows Prospect Road or NS 333 W, also known as the Lighthouse Route, and winds through various sites along the coast.
If coming from Lunenburg or the South Shore, you will also take Highway 103 until exit 5. Alternatively, from the South Shore, you can opt for a slower drive along St. Margaret’s Bay Road until it again intersects with Peggy’s Cove Road in Tantallon. The drive to Peggy’s Cove from Lunenburg will take around an hour and 15 minutes.
OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY NEARBY
We found a little nearby on our trip.
THINGS TO DO NEARBY
At Peggy’s Cove, you’ll find multiple souvenir shops teeming with lighthouse-themed memorabilia, ranging from postcards and ornaments to shirts and books. They also have an extensive collection of Nova Scotia souvenirs in general and a plethora of lobster-related items. The largest shop, Sou’Wester, is spread across two floors and offers visitors a wide variety of souvenirs.
The Oceanstone Seaside Resort is one of my all-time favorite places that I have stayed in the years I have been traveling. – Pamela Goodyer
The Best Resort in Town!
8650 Peggy’s Cove Road, Indian Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada
Where the Atlantic Ocean greets you at your doorstep. They’re the perfect choice for your coastal getaway. Nestled into a seaside community just outside Halifax and minutes from Peggy’s Cove, you will find a premier resort destination for rest and relaxation.
From their fantastic cottages and inn rooms to their onsite restaurant, Oceanstone Seaside Resort is a place you must experience at least once (and then again and again)!
This is the perfect place to stay for Milky Way and Landscape Photographers. Peggy’s Cove is just down the road. They’re sure to please you if you need a winter getaway by the fire or a summertime beach vacation. The intimate setting is perfect for gatherings of various sizes or relaxing family vacations. They also host many events, such as “Up Close & Coastal,” whiskey tastings, learning seminars, and more.
This is a perfect destination for Destination Wedding Photographers to offer to their clients as an option! There’s always something to do or a new way to relax. Go and see what the seaside has to provide you with, and photograph the Milky Way right from the porch of your room. It’s time to dip your toes in the water.
OCEAN STONE RESORT
Hotel rooms and suites are available ♦ All rooms are non-smoking ♦ Cable TV ♦ Daily maid service ♦ Spacious sundecks ♦ Barbecue area ♦ Ice cubes for your convenience ♦ WiFi We absolutely loved our stay here, so much we almost added another day to our trip. This elegant, exquisite resort is among Photography Magazine Extra’s top ten resorts for the year 2018! Top Ten.
The intensely dark skies at The Oceanstone Beach Resort are the absolute perfect spot for Milky Way photographers to finish their night off photographing the Milky Way along the shores of the deep blue seas. Rent one of these locations and have a Milky Way Paradise at your doorstep.
AREA INFORMATION
There are no fees to visit Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse. More detailed information on Peggy’s Cove.
WHERE TO CAMP AT PEGGY’S COVE
WAYSIDE CAMPGROUND
10295 Peggy’s Cove Road
Glen Margaret, Nova Scotia B3H 3H1 – Phone: 902-823-2547
RV SITES
Many varied RV sites available. Back-ins, Pull-throughs, secluded or open.
30 AMP 2 WAY SITES
$45
With fresh water hookups
30 AMP 3 WAY SITES
$45
With fresh water & sewer hookups
50 AMP 3 WAY SITES
$50
With fresh water & sewer hookups
TENT SITES UNSERVICED
$40
Rustic unserviced sites (with water taps nearby)
Add your campground here!
Do you want us to send our photography and ghost-hunting friends to your campground to stay during their ghost-hunting trip? Put your campground information here. We will put a picture of your establishment, the website link, the phone number, and the information on your campground to make it easy for our photographers and ghost hunters to find you. They are good at getting there in the dark.
Would you like to be featured in an article as a place to stay while doing photography or ghost hunting? If so, please send us an email. You will be surprised at how affordable our prices can be.
RESTAURANTS AT PEGGY’S COVE:
Rhubarb is directly in front of the Oceanstone Resort. 8650 Peggy’s Cove Road, Indian Harbour, NS B3Z 3P4902-821-3013
Rhubarb is it if you want fresh, locally sourced food served in a casual atmosphere among friends. We loved the portabella burger. The atmosphere is oh-so comfortable. We all enjoyed our meal, and the service was amiable, fast, plain old, and excellent. When the weather is just right, sit on the porch and enjoy the beauty of the ocean and the surrounding area.
RESTAURANT INFOMATION
Add your Restaurant here!
Do you want us to send our photography and ghost-hunting friends to your restaurant after their ghost-hunting trip? Put your restaurant information here. We will put a picture of your establishment, the website link, the phone number, and your information on your restaurant to make it easy for our photographers and ghost hunters to find you.
HOTELS
Oceanstone Seaside Resort
8650 Peggy’s Cove Road, Indian Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada.
We highly recommend you stay here! Pick a room and do Milky Way Photography from your porch.
- Bedroom 1 – two queen beds
- Bedroom 2 – two twin beds
- Bedroom 3 – king (located on the main level)
- Living/Dining Room – couch, wood stove, TV/DVD
- Kitchen – soapstone countertops, dishwasher, fridge, 4 burner stove (with oven), microwave, kettle, toaster, pots, pans, glasses, cutlery, plates, coffee machine and filters
- Bathroom 1 – main floor, 3 piece with stand up shower
- Bathroom 2 – second floor, 1/2 bath
- Outside – large private decks, deck chairs, BBQ, firewood and kindling, gardens
- Basic Occupancy – 8
OFF SEASON- NOVEMBER 1ST TO MAY 31ST
AREA WEATHER:
Don’t forget that you can use a rain sleeve on your camera if it is raining. If it is bright and sunny, you want to use a low ISO such as 100.
If you are doing photography along with your ghost hunting on cloudy days, you can do running water or waterfall photography to avoid the glaring sun. You can also use an ND filter to get a long exposure for dramatic effects, even in the sunshine. If you ghost hunt indoors in abandoned places, be careful!
Go to our Photography Store after reading all about waterfall photography or neutral density filters.
GEAR LIST FOR SHOOTING MILK WAY
Light pollution map:
Camera:
You will need a camera to manually control your ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.
Lens:
A fast, wide-angle lens of 1.4 – 2.8 is ideal. If you use a 3.5 or higher (slower lens), you must increase the ISO. The higher the ISO, the more grain or digital noise or grain will appear in your photos.
Tripod:
A good, sturdy tripod is essential for night photography. If it gets windy, you will need a sturdy one. Remember that when you buy one, it should be sturdy enough to withstand the wind but small enough to fit in your suitcase.
Sky Map:
Sky Guide is available through the iTunes Store for $1.99. It has a 5 out of 5-star rating on both the current (3.2) version (1200+ ratings) and all previous versions (8600+ ratings).
Flashlight:
Our choice is Coast brand for flashlights. The ideal flashlight will have high lumens, and you can zoom in and out on the light emitting from the flashlight. Get the HP7, PX45, or the G50. Ideally, go with the HP7.
Moon Phaze Map:
The best time to go is during a new moon; you want to be in the darkest area possible. The week before the new moon, when the moon has not risen, is a perfect time to go, so be sure to check the moonrise chart to see when the moon will be up.
Remote Shutter Release:
When painting with light and over a 30-second exposure, you must have a shutter release to use your bulb mode. When exposing your pictures in general, you can use the remote release or use your camera’s built-in two-second timer.
CAMERA SETTINGS FOR MILKY WAY
ISO:
Start with ISO 1600 – 3200. This is just a common starting point, and you will adjust from here.
Shutter Speed – Remember, the earth is rotating. If you leave the shutter open for too long, you will see star trails that will not make for a crisp image. We want crisp, non-star trail images. Here is the formula to avoid star trails—the 500 rule – Divide 500 by the focal length of your lens. So, if you have a 24mm lens on a full-frame camera, you will set your shutter speed to 20 sec. (500/24 = 20.83). If you are using a crop sensor camera, first do the math of the crop sensor to find the focal length. Cannon is 1.6, Nikon is 1.5. Convert to full-frame focal length, then use the formula. Nikon 18mm x 1.5= 27mm – 500/27 = 18.51 seconds.
Aperture:
Depth of field isn’t critical on these shots, but letting the light into the camera is; therefore, you should shoot wide open if. If the depth of field is essential to you, try not to go too high. (wide open =the lowest aperture your camera will allow). You will have to increase the ISO some, giving you digital noise.
Shutter Speed:
Now that the ISO and aperture are set in manual mode, roll your shutter speed until your meter reads (0) zero. Take a test shot and adjust from there. Remember, the earth is rotating. If you leave the shutter open for too long, you will see star trails that will not make for a crisp image. You can make star trails specifically, but that’s not what we are going for here since we started with Milky Way photography. We want crisp, non-star trail images when doing this.
Here is the formula to avoid star trails—the 500 rule – Divide 500 by the focal length of your lens. So, if you have a 24mm lens on a full-frame camera, you will set your shutter speed to 20 sec. (500/24 = 20.83). If you are using a crop sensor camera, first do the math of the crop sensor to find the focal length. Cannon is 1.6, Nikon is 1.5. Convert to full-frame focal length, then use the formula. Nikon 18mm x 1.5= 27mm – 500/27 = 18.51 seconds.
White Balance :
In live view mode, you can change your white balance settings and see what it will look like. You can shoot in shade or cloud mode as a standard setting and adjust things later when editing.
Live View:
To focus in the dark, use your camera’s live view, hit the zoom button, and focus on a bright star. You can also use the infinity setting on your lens but do several test shots to determine accuracy. It can be off a little on some lenses. You can also light it up with a flashlight, focus, then gently, without touching the focus ring, put the camera in manual focus so it will not search for the focus. You must do this each time you move your camera to take your next angel.
When to view the Milky Way:
The best images are usually of the dense part of the Milky Way. We can see this part of the milk way in the southern sky. During March, April, and May, the Milky Way rises above the horizon in the pre-dawn hours. In June, at about 10:00 p.m., you will see the Milky Way. From July until October, you can see the Milky Way as soon as it sunsets, and it becomes dark enough to see about an hour after sunset. In November, the Milky Way no longer comes above the horizon. You will have to wait until March if you want to stay away really late or get up early to see her again.
See our Milky Way Hot Spot Locator and our Night Photography Information.
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