Time to Get Ready

It's almost time. Back in mid November the core of the Milky Way was visible for the last time for about a minute. In a few days it will once again peak above the horizon in the pre-dawn sky and by the end of the month it will be visible for almost an hour, making it possible to actually capture images of it. The break is over, Milky Way season is upon us.

The next couple of weeks it will be visible but for such a short time before astro-twilight it's not really worth going out to shoot. This is the perfect time to preform the crucial task of getting your gear ready. Hopefully you have continued to go out and capture sunrises/sunsets or waterfalls or even your pets and kids playing in the yard, anything to keep those skills sharp. Some of those tools specific to astro-landscape photography may need special attention though.

Tripods that were just thrown in the corner after that last trip need to be broken down and cleaned. There is nothing like being out on that first shoot, racing the clock, only to find out one of the legs is frozen in the up position. While your at it give some special attention to your ballhead. They can become stiff and make it difficult for you to manipulate or trick you into thinking they are locked in only to shift at the wrong time.

Next is batteries. All your batteries. Charge up your camera batteries, charge up your rotator and battery bank, you may need that lens heater on the cold mornings to come. Replace the ones in your headlamp and flashlight, if you can't remember exactly when they were swapped out do it now. Otherwise I can assure you they will die when you least expect it. Also, those loose batteries floating around in your bag, are they fresh or dead? If you don't have a foolproof system for keeping the separate or there is any question, chunk'em.

And on the subject of batteries it might be time evaluate your camera batteries. Remember, those off-brand one that you ordered from Amazon a couple of years ago probably aren't preforming all that well now. I have one that will give me less that an hour of usage so it's been retired. There is a reason those OEM batteries cost a little more, they last longer.

As for your camera, even if you have continued to use it show it some love. Give it a good cleaning. I always do a sensor cleaning before I head out for a new season. There is an awful lot of dust that gets in there swapping lenses on a windy beach. Those first few times it can be nerve wracking to stick that tool in there with what you know is a very expensive part of the camera but I promise it gets easier.

Once you're done, repack your bag. Get rid of anything that you don't need. Everything adds weight so make sure it's essential before you hike it a mile or more out to the spot. Do you really need 5 batteries when 3 is more than enough? Do you need 2 flashlights and a headlamp and a phone? I'm all for being prepared but I also know how much that pack weighs after walking 30 minutes in soft sand.

Finally spend a little time on yourself. Go through images from the past few years or if you are just starting out check out some of other photographers. You don't want to copy someone else's work even your own but it's helpful to see what you like and don't like, what worked and didn't. Do some online scouting, re-familiarize yourself with parking, access points and trails. If you have time do some daylight scouts to see if anything has changed and if you really have time go at night to see if there is a change in the light pollution. At my favorite early season spot, the north end of Pawleys Island, I'm seeing the light plume from Myrtle Beach move farther and farther south every year.

Now it's time to rest and wait and watch the weather. Fingers crossed for some clear skies in the next few months. My favorite time to capture the Milky Way over the ocean is these first few cold months of the season when the skies are clear, it's low on the horizon and the "in the way" people are still at home in bed. See you out there soon.