My first try at the Andromeda Galaxy ended with a dead battery and a lesson

I drove out to Joshua Tree last fall to get away from city lights, set up my Star Adventurer tracker, and got everything framed. Right as I started a 3 minute exposure, the tracker just stopped. The battery pack I brought was totally dead, and I had no spare. I sat there for a bit, then just took some wide shots of the Milky Way with my regular tripod. Has anyone else had a whole night's plan fall apart because of one dumb thing like a battery?

3 comments

3 Comments

jennifer_henderson8920d ago

Whole night's plan fall apart" is exactly right. I used to think gear was the main thing, but a dead battery taught me prep is more important. Now I check everything twice before I leave.

abby_wilson5120d ago

Oh man, @jennifer_henderson89, that's so true. People forget to prep their own energy too, not just the gear. I've been so focused on my camera battery that I've gone out with no snacks and just hit a wall halfway through the night, lol. Keeping yourself going is part of the plan.

owens.ben11d ago

Seriously, the snack thing is a game changer. I was out shooting a sunset last month and my stomach started growling so loud I thought it would ruin the audio, lmao. Now I throw a granola bar in my bag every single time. It's crazy how a little planning for yourself makes the whole shoot go smoother.