Milky Way with Perseids
Capturing the Vastness of the Universe
One of my husband’s greatest hobbies is photographing constellations, planets, nebulae and everything else the night sky has to offer.
However, this requires a little more than just a camera and a beautiful view of the sky. After a great deal of internet research, intensive study of the camera and countless checks of the stargazing app, the time had finally come: everything was perfectly planned. The weather was on our side, the date in August was ideal, and hopefully the stars would be on our side too.
Our plan was to drive to a place we had visited several times before. From there, you have fantastic views of both the west and east coasts of Fuerteventura. Above all, it is usually wonderfully quiet, lonely and secluded — just right for a romantic evening for two beneath the stars.
After a drive of around 30 minutes, we were looking forward to a relaxing evening outdoors. If we were really lucky, we might even be treated to a few spectacular shooting stars.
At last, we turned the final corner — and found ourselves facing a completely overcrowded car park.
Erm… what on earth was going on here?
We certainly hadn’t expected this. There were people everywhere! Pedestrians were stumbling through the darkness along the final stretch of the rocky, unpaved path — some of them wearing beach clothes and flip-flops. It looked more like a popular tourist attraction or a mass migration than a romantic place for the two of us.
Naturally, our enthusiasm was rather limited.
How was this supposed to work? The camera was meant to take a photograph every ten seconds for two hours. All these individual shots would later be combined to create one beautiful final image.
There was just one small problem: we weren’t alone.
Completely disillusioned and by now slightly grumpy as well, we promptly made a 180-degree turn and headed back.
But, of course, we still wanted to take photographs.
So it was time for plan B.
Eventually, we stopped in the middle of nowhere. We set up the tripod, adjusted the camera and felt optimistic once again.
And sure enough: what wonderful peace and quiet!
Well… almost.
Apparently, a dog lived somewhere nearby and had decided not to let the night pass in silence.
It barked.
And barked.
And barked.
The problem wasn’t just the dog itself. Its barking created an impressive echo that seemed to travel from one mountain to the next. Acoustically, we were being barked at from both behind and in front of us at the same time.
A genuine surround-sound experience — unfortunately without an off switch.
To avoid making the poor dog strain its vocal cords unnecessarily — and, of course, to preserve our own nerves — we decided to move the car, the camera and ourselves a little farther away.
And, lo and behold, eventually there really was silence.
Brilliant!
The photographs were in the bag, and we could drive home feeling satisfied.
For me, however, as someone who likes to go to bed early, it had become a real challenge. At around one o’clock in the morning, I was finally allowed to go to bed.
The next day, of course, I eagerly waited to see the result.
And… well.
The waiting came to a rather quick end.
Because even the best photographers make mistakes sometimes. Let’s just say that, while formatting the images, not everything went entirely according to plan.
To avoid embarrassing anyone, we will not be publishing any further details about this matter. 😉
Let’s just say this much: even the most perfect planning cannot protect you from human error.
Let’s just say this much: even the most perfect planning cannot protect you from human error.
Fortunately, we still ended up with some truly beautiful and impressive photographs.
And so the following night was ready to reveal the sky to us in all its splendour.
By then, however, we had learned something:
You don’t necessarily have to drive through the mountains in the middle of the night, survive an overcrowded car park and listen to an echoing dog to capture beautiful images of the night sky.
Sometimes, the best things are right under your nose.
Or, to be more precise: right on your own terrace.
After all, taking photographs is far more relaxing from a sun lounger, with a glass of wine in your hand and your eyes turned towards the sky.
And honestly:
The vastness of the universe is impressive wherever you are…
But see for yourself…
