Light pollution keeps us from seeing much of the sky’s offerings at night anywhere around Charleston. We had a fabulous opportunity to go out to Bulls Island last night at the new moon with the milky way fully extended above us.
I read up all sorts of tips and tutorials; in the end just doing it was the best teacher.
On the negative side I could not get sharp focus on the stars so my images are all soft and I didn’t get to a place with a good foreground element. On the plus side, it was a fabulous experience seeing the milky way, listening to the ocean, and taking it all in. I definitely want to do it again.

Some swaying sea oats lend some visual interest:

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 24mm, F2.8, ISO 3200, 20 seconds
Bulls Island, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, SC
September 24, 2022
Gorgeous shots, Ellen.
Thank you!
I think you got the feeling well Ellen.
Thank you, Hans!
Nice results Ellen 🙂
Thank you, Rudi!
Awesome photos Ellen, being able to see the milky way like that is breathtaking isn’t it and when it is dark enough to see it with your eyes.
Thanks, Sandra! Yes, it really is something and I’m really looking forward to getting out there again both to photograph and to experience the bigness of the night sky.
Very impressive!
I’ve tried a few times and can never quite get the hang of it.
You have inspired me to try again!
Paz
Thanks, Paz!
I left out at least one of the steps and ended up having trouble with getting a planet or star in focus. Despite getting set up before I went out, actually being in the dark is a different experience. We are about at the end of the good Milky Way season here but I hope to do this more next year.
Great, I suspect you have some great “dark” locations near you and I look forward to seeing your results.