Earlier this week, the sky was outstandingly clear, so i went for a drive.
Location
Harringworth Viaduct. This location is on my big list of places i want to shoot, and i’m definitely coming back here for more. According to my Clear Outside Application it is a Bortle Class 4 sky, which for the midlands is pretty damn good.
This Viaduct is huge. Over 1 kilometre in length, made up of 82 arches. It was completed in 1878 and is a Grade II listed building. It is also still in use.
When i got there it was already fairly dark, and being the first time i had been there checked google maps to be 100% about the part i wanted to shoot.
Walking into the Field which has a public path through the middle of it i was just taken aback by the size of this thing.
I decided to walk to around the 3rd arch down and move away from the viaduct to get a better view. One thing to remember at this location. Cow Pats. Lots and lots. Watch where you walk!!!!!!
Setting Up
I started the shoot at around 8pm, where the milkyway was already visible to the naked eye.
I setup the D3200 first and decided to just run a trail. With the D3200 I have to use an external remote to time run the shutter and intervals how I want. Super easy to setup, and super cheap to buy. Video about these to follow.
After that was running i setup the D750 towards the core of the milkyway. I know around this time is not the best to pick it up, but you can still get some great images of it. Again I setup the internal intervelometer and let it run for a while.
Letting the cameras run for a good 20 minutes or so I just enjoyed looking at the stars and the relative peace of the countryside.
I started the shoot at around 8pm, where the milkyway was already visible to the naked eye.
Shooting
I only had a limited amount of time to shoot, as it was a school night and I was at the day job early doors. I decided to shoot until around 8:30 so i could get home in good time.
With the time constraints in mind, you sort of go into auto pilot. I already had a good idea on the angles I wanted, and as soon as i know where the milkyway was in the sky, I got on with it.
Editing
As soon as i got home, i had to edit at least one of the images. The edits are pretty conservative and quite quick. Hopefully you like them.
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About Me
I’m Gareth, a 38 year old IT contractor, Photographer, Eternal Optimist and Blogger. I have been behind a camera for about 4 years now and love shooting the stars, and anything else for that matter. Learning is the main aim for me. I am a family man, and strive to be the best i can be in all fields that i put my mind and heart to.
