Night Photography Checklist

Night photography means remote places, cold temperatures and darkness. A good checklist turns a stressful night into a productive one.

Camera gear

• Camera with a charged spare battery (cold drains batteries fast — keep spares in an inside pocket).
• Fast wide lens (f/1.4–f/2.8).
• Sturdy tripod — a light one shakes in wind.
• Intervalometer or built-in interval timer.
• Lens heater band and power bank to prevent dew.
• Memory cards with plenty of space.
• Optional: star tracker, light panel for foregrounds.

Lights

• Headlamp with a red mode to preserve night vision.
• A backup light.
• Dim, warm light for foregrounds — and only where allowed.

Clothing and comfort

• Layers, insulated jacket, hat and gloves even in summer at elevation.
• Camp chair or pad for long time-lapses.
• Hot drink, snacks and water.

Safety

• Scout in daylight: know cliff edges, creeks and the route back.
• Tell someone where you are and when you'll return; carry a satellite messenger in areas without signal.
• Download offline maps and mark your car.
• Be aware of wildlife active at night; carry bear spray where appropriate.
• Check weather and road conditions; mountain roads can ice up after dark.

Dark-sky etiquette

• Keep lights pointed down and switch to red when others are shooting.
• Warn people before turning on a bright light — it can ruin someone else's long exposure.
• Avoid car headlights at popular spots; park facing away.
• Respect park hours and closures; many parks restrict night access to designated areas.

Planning tools

• Milky Way by state and the Milky Way planner.
• Moon phase calendar and full moon calendar.
• NPF rule calculator for shutter speeds.
• Star trail calculator.