TIL a random event at Kitt Peak changed how I frame deep sky shots

I was out at Kitt Peak last October trying to get the Orion Nebula and a passing truck's headlights ruined my 8 minute exposure. That made me realize I was never checking light pollution forecasts before planning trips so now I always check the Clear Dark Sky chart beforehand. But part of me thinks accidents like that can add character to an image with unintended light streaks or star trails. What do you all think, should we try to control every variable or let some randomness in for unique shots?

2 comments

2 Comments

elizabethhayes26d ago

Kitt Peak ruined a 4 minute shot for me last year but now I actually like those light streaks better.

gavin_kelly9126d ago

Huh, so do you think those light streaks actually add more character than a perfectly clean shot would have?