Beach ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY | Dark skies on the Suffolk coast | Nightscape adventure from Aldeburgh

[@derekhorlock2574]

Another great video of an area I know well but tend to avoid because of the light pollution, but you have pulled it of. Thanks Paul

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks Derek A very kind of you. Compared to where I live the light pollution is minimal so it’s nice to make the most of it! Happy new year.

[@davewilliams319]

The whole video is a treat but the job you did on the tower photo was particularly good. Cheers again for another high value effort, Dave.

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks so much, Dave - appreciated. And a happy new year to you.

[@massimobollini4622]

Thank you for all your nice videos of the 2024, i await you in 2025 with other astrophotography adventures. Happy new year.

[@nightscapejournals]

@@massimobollini4622 thanks for your support, Massimo, and a happy new year to you too.

[@shaunellis6776]

Hi great last vlog of the year in Cromer at the moment and the sky's are clear and looking great😊

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks for your kind comments, Shaun. Awesome to be in Cromer - hope you’re enjoying yourself and make the most of those clear skies!!

[@magnusandersson5596]

Great job! I have follow you from the start and I must say that you are a great inspiration! See you in 2025! 🎉

[@nightscapejournals]

That’s very kind of you, Magnus - and thanks for sticking around on the journey! All the best for the new year. 👍

[@astronebulee578]

Thank you so much Paul for taking me on your astrophotography journal for the last time this year. A beautiful and tranquil half hour spent watching. Stunning images as always, you nailed the foreground on the fortification absolutely brilliant. I don't know how you'll improve with your images but as Widefield astrophotographers we always find a way. Your cinematography and editing of your journals have always been mind blowing to me, for you to find the time whilst the skies are clear, to set up your b rolls. I know I'd be desperate to get the camera clicking away before the skies change. I have the utmost respect to you and consider you my mentor in my astrophotography journey. Regarding tutorials Paul, you just have to do what makes you happy and what keeps your passion alive with the hobby and not getting bogged down. Ps when are you going to start the cooking methods and recipes to your channel 😉😂. Thank you again for a brilliant year on your journey and really looking forward to what 2025 brings to all of us in the community. Best regards and happy new year to you and your family

[@nightscapejournals]

@@astronebulee578 thanks commune for your kind words, Lee - really means a lot. I think we all find ways to improve what we do and the deal with the niggles (many of which no one else will spot but really bother us!). Ha ha, I think if you actually tasted the food I make (especially once it’s gone cold from filming it!) you’d think differently! Happy new year to you. 🙏

[@christopherdean2576]

Very engaging video Paul .... thanks for all of them this past year; those beautiful yet bittersweet comet and aurora events obviously tinged with the sadness of Alyn's departure 😥 ...... Happy 2025 to you and may clear skies head your way !! 👍✨🙂

[@nightscapejournals]

@@christopherdean2576 thanks so much, Christopher. It’s been great seeing your images this year (prolific as they’ve been) - very inspiring to get out and about as much as possible! All the best.

[@timscanlanphotography]

Hi Paul. Love this. It proves to any doubters that Winter astrophotography is so worthwhile ! You've produced some cracking images there but I especially like the scallop compositions. I've enjoyed watching your channel through the year and hope it continues to grow in 2025. Really looking forward to your forthcoming projects as well. Respect to you for mentioning Alyn at the end of the vlog. He's the reason why you and your viewers are on here I guess. Many thanks for sharing. P.S. Great outro btw!

[@nightscapejournals]

@@timscanlanphotography thanks for your very kind words, Tim. I’d take Winter Astro over Summer any day!! Yes, I think Alyn is the reason a lot of us became quite addicted to this nightscape lark - either directly or indirectly. Really appreciate your support.

[@gr-astro]

Excellent astro video Paul. So many nebula to see in Orion!! Bringing out the colour is always a challenge - thank goodness for the H-alpha filter and a weather window long enough to do this!! Great blends on fantastic foregrounds. Yes - looking forward to 2025 and more astrophotography whether it be home or away!!! Happy New Year to you Paul!! 👍😊🎇

[@nightscapejournals]

@@gr-astro thanks so much, Geraint. Definitely grateful for what the h-alpha will tease out! Happy new year to you. 👍

[@terrynewmanphotography]

Awesome captures 👏🏻

[@nightscapejournals]

Thank you, Terry - very kind of you. 🙏

[@pauldensley5459]

Missed this on release, great to have two in one evening though. As well as the superb photography, your cinematography is also top notch. Would like to see some nightscapes shown without all the post production.

[@nightscapejournals]

@@pauldensley5459 thanks Paul - glad you enjoyed it. I may start showing some before / after so people can see the effect of stacking / post processing vs the unedited raws.

[@JauneMacReady]

Another outstanding video ❤👍😃

[@nightscapejournals]

@@JauneMacReady thanks so much Jaune. Happy new year to you - looking forward to seeing where the drone takes you in 2025!

[@MartinFransson]

Yay, finally a new video! 🙂 Perfect timing for me to enjoy the day after returning to Sweden. My favourite shot of your evening there was actually the "simplest" one (meaning only single exposures), with Orion and the sculpture. So beautiful!

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks Martin - welcome back home - hope you had a fantastic time away. I love that image too - just goes to show you don’t need to do all the “hard” stuff or have all that kit to make great images. Happy new year to you!

[@MartinFransson]

@nightscapejournals it was a great trip! Would of course have liked to go when the galactic core is visible but I didn't get to plan when I was going to be born 😅

[@nightscapejournals]

Time to start celebrating half-birthdays as well!

[@MartinFransson]

@nightscapejournals ha ha, true!

[@sjbastro]

Very nice shots you got there and a great summary of the year at the end. It has certainly been an eventful year and thanks for sharing your adventures with us all. Wishing you clear skies for 2025!

[@nightscapejournals]

@@sjbastro thanks so much, Steve - look forward to hearing what you get up to in 2025 too! Paul

[@karlratcliff1205]

Awesome video Paul ! Thanks for providing inspiration !

[@nightscapejournals]

@@karlratcliff1205 thanks Karl - you’re very welcome and that’s great to hear. Happy new year to you. 🙏

[@dougingram4519]

Hi, Paul, and Happy New Year. I might be beyond the statute of limitations with that greeting, but I reckon it's worth being nice at any time! I've only had the chance to watch this today, and again, I am glad to be a subscriber. Your brief 2024 showcase at the end of the vid was terrific. I'm already behind the eight-ball for posting more frequently than last year, so watching features like yours here will hopefully motivate me. All the best for the rest of the year!

[@nightscapejournals]

Hi Doug - happy new year to you too - and thanks for your kind words. Here’s to clear skies and more great adventures this year. All the very best, Paul.

[@TheBstb32]

Really nice video, and a great end to the year Paul. Clear skies for 2025 and RIP Alyn, a great loss.

[@TheBstb32]

and to add, tutorials would be great for us beginners and those looking to step into this area.

[@nightscapejournals]

@@TheBstb32 thanks Stuart - appreciated. And thanks for your thoughts on tutorials. 🙏

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

More great images at a really interesting location Paul . .well done mate. All the very best for the new year .. looking forward to seeing what adventures you get up to.

[@nightscapejournals]

@@nightscapeimages.richard thanks so much, Richard. Really appreciate your encouragement. Happy new year to you. 👍

[@SkyWatch07]

Another great adventure, Paul. Really enjoyed it, and all the other videos. Nice touch on remembering Alyn Wallace, a great inspiration he will long continue to be. I’d be very interested in the tutorials idea. Have you considered pitching your night-sky adventures to Television execs? They’re excellent quality. Clear Skies 👍🏻

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks for your kind comments, and feedback on the tutorials. I suspect the potential nightscape audience is a little too niche for telly interest - very happy with my home here on YT! Happy new year to you!

[@SimonsAstro]

Finally, 6 days later! I’ve found the time to watch your video! What an excellent video as always Paul! Super drone work, great location and awesome images! I loved the collage at the end, a great roundup of the year! Huge congratulations on hitting that 1000 subs milestone, well deserved mate👍 Looking forward to your future videos in 2025, albeit, one camera down!! But that won’t stop you! Onwards and upwards Paul! Clear skies!

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks so much, Simon. It’s a great location and I really enjoyed the night there. Really appreciate the support, mate - it means a lot! 😊

[@matej.mlakar]

Your video really made my evening. Fantastic adventure and great images. All in all, you had a superb year and THANK YOU for bringing us with you. I cant wait for more in 2025 (to be more specific, I am really looking forward to a particular cross-over episode :D). All the best, Paul, and thank you once again.

[@nightscapejournals]

So pleased to hear that, Matej!! Thanks filter your kind words - it means a lot. Ha ha, I hope that lives up to the hype! Looking forward to seeing your adventures in 2025 too, and I hope one day to get to Slovenia to enjoy those mountains with you!

[@scottmcnally]

Another banger Paul. First off, that opening scene with the scallop played tricks on my mind with the scale of the plant, the sculpture and yourself. 😂 I admire your dedication to tracking and blending images. The results speak for themselves. Finally, that closing montage should convince anyone slightly interested in the night sky to become a subscriber. Cheers to 2024 and looking forward to what’s next in 2025!

[@nightscapejournals]

@@scottmcnally thanks so much, Scott - means a lot. Ha - I think the scallop sculpture can create some interesting illusions! I enjoyed having some fun with the closing sequence - my wife thinks I ought to maybe find some more original ways of saying goodbye! 🤣 All the best for 2025.

[@StarScaperPhoto]

Another amazing video Paul which I really enjoyed, as usual! I admire your dedication to astrophotography but even more so cinematography this year. Incredibly inspiring stuff. Hope we can finally meet next year and share some great times under the night skies 💪.

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks so much. Jeroen - that means a lot. Your consistent encouragement and awesome good-vibe videos are one of the best motivators I have - thank you. Yes, looking forward to getting under the same skies together in ‘25. 🙌

[@tonystephenson8105]

Beautiful well presented vlog Paul. I've followed you throughout the year and I appreciate the time and effort you give in making these vlogs. Loved the tribute to Alyn and your montage at the end. Seeing the aurora shots especially took me back to May 10th and October 10th as we were blessed to be able to capture a moment in time and be part of history. X2 epic solar storms. All the very best for the new year and hopefully alot of clear skies in 2025

[@nightscapejournals]

@@tonystephenson8105 thanks so much for your kind words, Tony. Those two solar storms were amazing - nights that live on vividly in the memory. Thanks for your support, and a happy new year to you too.

[@andyhuz]

Excellent work with the video and images. Made with dedication, patience and skill. Well done Paul. You have a new subscriber!

[@nightscapejournals]

@@andyhuz very kind of you, Andy, and welcome to the channel. Hope you enjoy it all. Happy new year to you!

[@nightscapeodyssey.mattclarke]

It’s been much the same here in Australia Paul…cloudy but warm which is also challenging for Astro. I haven’t been able to complete any new videos for my channel because of it. It certainly has been such a memorable year. And look forward following you adventures in 2025. Matt

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks Matt - appreciated. Sorry you’ve had crappy skies too - there was me thinking you guys live under permanently cloud-free Bortle 2 conditions! 🤣 All the best for the new year.

[@focusphotonsfrugally6644]

Great video as always, lovely opening scenes, and lovely sentiments at the end. Hope you had a great Christmas, wishing you and your family a wonderful new year, and most importantly lots of clear night sky.

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks so much, and it’s been great following on on your adventures too. All the best for 2025!

[@paulclark9123]

Great location choice! The sculpture was a perfect object. Am in awe of the planning and effort required to image and vlog!! I've a NW Highlands trip and La Palma week booked. Onwards to 2025 - RIP Alyn.

[@nightscapejournals]

@@paulclark9123 thanks Paul. Highlands and La Palma sounds fantastic - I’d definitely like to get to Tenerife or LP one day (that might be a 2026 endeavour). Happy new year to you. 😊

[@PhoenixNightsAstro]

Quality video Paul and great images as always! Big respect for the Alyn Wallace shout out, he's missed by us all. Regarding the tutorial videos mate, if you have time to do them then defo something to consider, the more people we can help get into this awesome hobby the better. Happy new year mate and looking forward to seeing what 2025 brings for us all.

[@nightscapejournals]

@@PhoenixNightsAstro thanks Scott - appreciated. It’s been great discovering your channel this year and I look forward to what you get up to in 2025. Thanks for your thoughts on tutorials - not fully made up my mind yet as it’s a very big time commitment and if I do it, I want to do it well - but it’s good to gauge demand! All the best.

[@naturehawk1]

cracking video Paul...really love that 1st timelapse with the scallop! Super images too, lots of detail in them...best wishes for the New Year mate & hopefully we can sort that adventure out 🤞

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks, Pete - really appreciated. All the best for 2025 for you too and, yes, it would be great to make that adventure happen (apologies - things have been a bit tricky the last few months for various reasons). 👍

[@AstrokotaFilms]

Incredible as always Paul! Hope everything is going well for you especially into this new year!

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks so much, Dakota - a very happy new year to you as well. 👍

[@AstrokotaFilms]

@nightscapejournals my apologies for missing out on your nightscape adventures recently, things have gotten quite busy for me the past couple of months, glad to come back and catch up!

[@nightscapejournals]

No problem at all, man - I know how things can be. They’re there whenever you need them to be! Hope it’s a good busy for you. 👍

[@GrowPhotography]

All the best for the New Year Paul, it's been great tagging along on your astro outings. Your production quality has improved noticeably. Can't wait to see what the next year brings

[@nightscapejournals]

@@GrowPhotography really appreciate that, Greg - very kind of you. I’ve enjoyed your epic adventures too. Happy new year!

[@TheFangita]

Another quality video Paul, love the scallop shell, makes a great foreground. But tell, where are you getting these clears skies 😅

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks so much, John. Ha ha - I keep a few clear skies spare in case of emergencies! All the best for the new year.

[@godsbackcountryoverland]

Nice video Paul, very well put together and great music choice as well. Looks like you got an amazing sky to work with. Everything came out amazingly well.👍🏽 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement - means a lot. A very happy new year to you - looking forward to seeing what adventures you get up to!

[@godsbackcountryoverland]

@ Posted two for December those are the latest ones. Doing another one next week. Have a great week my friend.

[@karlratcliff1205]

Paul, terrible news about loosing your camera and lens to the sea. As you know i lost mine to a fall onto a hard road surface simply because i hadn't tightened my arca swiss clamp up properly. Even though cameras and lenses are just objects, if its kit you enjoy using it is always a bit heartbreaking. Full marks for executing on yet another great video particularly under the circumstances and lets hope the number of subscribers starts to skyrocket !

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks for your kind words, Karl. It's so easy to damage stuff (and after this so many people have told me about their own "moments"). It took me a while to start looking at the footage from the night as it was all a little painful, but glad you enjoyed the final result. 🙏🙏

[@TK42138]

I think I''ve said it before but your videos and natural presenting style are good enough for TV. Talking of locations closer to home, have you been to Overhall Grove Wood, Knapwell? There's a gentle hill and large field at the end of the main footpath over the wooden bridge that crosses the stream. I reckon on a clear night, the view from the top of the hill looking back towards the church might make an interesting composition.

[@nightscapejournals]

That's very kind of you to say, Andrew. Appreciated. Yes, I know where you mean - we visited a couple of years ago and actually I'd meant to come back to check out exactly that view at night. Thank you for reminding me about it - it had completely dropped off my radar. May try to get out there again in the next few months.

[@andysuzierawlins5462]

Great images, I'm pretty new to your channel, I like the chilled, honest approach. I have a screw on ha filter, but I've never mastered hargb processing, despite following star scaper and John rutter tutorials, my end result was nothing like theres

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks Suzie - really appreciated. I still have plenty of challenges getting the blending of HA and RGB right - it’s not straightforward and sometimes I question whether the effort is actually worth it! But I’m gradually settling into a workflow that’s repeatable, based loosely on John Rutter’s method. Maybe once I’ve got it down a bit better I’ll share some steps on how I do it. Happy new year to you!

[@joaoysphotography]

What an amazing 2024 it was, bring on 2025! 🎉

[@nightscapejournals]

@@joaoysphotography cheers João - absolutely!!

[@davidharris4062]

Whenever I see that sculpture(I’ve never been to East Anglia though) the introduction to Billy Budd springs into my head, you can hear the sea in the music. Could you tell me what your set up with the tracker is, MSM tracker, the laser pointer? Do you need a dedicated bracket to fit it to the tracker? Yes Alyn’s passing is so sad, went on one of his courses in Brecon a few years ago, inspirational guy

[@nightscapejournals]

I have to say I've never seen or read Billy Budd, but maybe that needs to change! My setup is the MSM wedge (which comes with the nomad on most of their packages), the Nomad tracker and then a MSM / Alyn Wallace Z-bracket to give me a level platform (V-bracket would also do the job, I just happened to have a Z), on top of which I place my normal ballhead. You could do without the Z/V bracket and just use a ballhead, but I prefer the greater freedom of movement having the platform gives me. You could also use a ballhead instead of the wedge. The laser pointer was included in my Nomad package and I have to say I love it - so much easier than the polar scope I used with my StarAdventurer. It would have been great to have gone on one of Alyn's courses!

[@ViratShah]

Hey Paul, Great location, great images and lovely vlog.. really enjoyed watching this and we are having easier time with summer shooting with less cold weather and no wind.. I realised we use similar tripod too.. Can you also advise how you can shoot H-Alpha images with the moon light ? Will the nebulas be brighter? I just had my Astro MOd camera with HA filter installed on it.. so I guess, I can only shoot HA images now and RGB files need to be taken on another camera?

[@nightscapejournals]

@@ViratShah thanks so much, Virat - very kind of you. I hope you’ve had more joy with that tripod than I have - it hasn’t stood up to the abuse of astro particularly well unfortunately! If you’ve had your camera modified and had an h-alpha permanently fitted, then yes, you’d only be able to shoot h-alpha with it. If it’s removable, you’ll be able to do both RGB and HA. The HA filter isolates a narrow band of wavelengths around the hydrogen emission line, so the signal to noise ratio for nebulosity, which emit strongly at those wavelengths, is greatly enhanced. Moonlight is reflected sunlight and so is broadband - essentially a continuum of wavelengths, so using the HA filter “blocks” the majority of the moonlight as well. That’s why I don’t worry too much about shooting HA when the moon is in the sky, as it is impacted much less than RGB images, which get washed out very quickly. My HA filter is a fairly average one, and so it does still allow through some of the non-HA wavelengths. But it’s still very usable even during a full moon. You sometimes get gradients across the image, but I only selectively use the HA data where it’s needed so that gradient is irrelevant in the final image. Anyway, I hope that makes sense but feel free to DM me if you need to!

[@ViratShah]

@@nightscapejournals Thank you, Paul for a great explanation and definitely makes sense now.. surprised to hear that the Manfrotto 055 isn't doing well to the abuse of Astro. my main grief is when I visit salkt lakes and the legs are struggling. Thank you for clarifying around the HA filter situation.. mine is fitted on the sensor so I cannot remove so I will need to shoot with HA data only and then do work in post processing.. I may have to shoot RGB files on 2nd camera and that means, I will need another tracker.. so more thinking to do for future workflow.. I dont do a lot of Astro during moon light but thanks for clarifying the moonlight and HA. I have Optolong L-Pro filter and it did a great work on enhancing red of HA.. Will message if I need more clarity.. All the best for 2025 mate and look forward to your greet work

[@chriscockroft6545]

Great video as always Paul, and wonderful images. Do you mind sharing which HA filter you use? I want to get one to go with my Astro modded Z6 but always get so confused by the different options and band widths etc! 😬 Thanks.

[@nightscapejournals]

Thanks for your kind words, Chris. Of course - mine is the Optolong 7nm clip-in for EOS. It’s not the “narrowest” of filters but it does the job for me, although I still find clipping it in to be a really delicate faff! I’m afraid I don’t have experience of other brands though. All the best for the new year.

[@chriscockroft6545]

@@nightscapejournals Thanks Paul, will have a look at that one. Look forward to seeing what you get up to in 2025, You should add the Isle of Wight to your travel list, we have some great dark locations over here.

[@nightscapejournals]

@ thanks Chris. I’d definitely like to get over to the Isle of Wight again as it’s been a while (last time I was there I was being rescued on a dismasted yacht by the RNLI off the Needles! Hopefully any future adventure will be a bit more planned!).

[@Lennymcgra]

3mins in what flew past you? Merry Xmas btw.

[@nightscapejournals]

@@Lennymcgra I’m really not sure - some very fast sea bird! Not sure I’ll be starting a wildlife photography channel any time soon! 🤣

[@Lennymcgra]

@ Thought it might be a drone for a minute ;)