AstroLandscapes #65 - The Island of Secrets

[FenlandPaul]

In the middle of April, I had the amazing opportunity to join @Cjg guiding a small group of photographers for an overnight astrophotography experience on the unique landscape of Orford Ness.

Orford Ness is a 10 mile long shingle spit, curving around the Suffolk coastline just south of Aldeburgh.  Shortly before the First World War it was acquired by the UK military and, having served initially as an airfield, it was dedicated to the development of new defence technologies and rapidly became a closely guarded, secretive location shrouded in mystery.  The hardware and techniques developed here shaped human history and were critical to the outcome of the Battle of Britain, among other turning points during Europe’s darkest hours.

After the Second World War, the site was handed over to the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, and so began the construction of some of the more enigmatic structures on the site – huge concrete edifices in which the components of Blue Danube, Britain’s first atomic bomb, were subjected to extreme vibration and pressure testing.  These haunting buildings dominate the otherwise flat landscape, conjuring the sense of a post-apocalyptic dystopia.

About 20 years ago, after military activities had been wound down, the site was handed over to the National Trust, who now act as its custodian.  The site is being returned to nature, and is one of the world’s largest expanses of vegetated shingle, housing some of the world’s rarest flora and now home to an impressive seal colony.  But the site remains very closely controlled, in part due to the fragile ecosystem that’s re-establishing itself and also due to the fact that the MOD believes it has only cleared about a third of the unexploded ordinance from the site since its use for military testing.

So to have the opportunity to spend a whole night there, with a member of the National Trust on standby to keep us safe, really was something I couldn’t turn down.  We were joined by around 10 photographers of varying experience and, whilst conditions weren’t ideal, we did have two to three hours of broken cloud and the occasional clear spell before thick cloud moved in shortly after 1am.

Whilst I wasn’t able to take a lot of images, given the main purpose was to give some guidance to the others, I did manage to capture a few shots and I made a Nightscape Journal video of the whole experience as well.  What I wouldn’t give to be able to spend a whole night exploring the site solo!!

I hope you enjoy, and a big thank you to @Cjg for being such an excellent ambassador for this astronomy lark to the National Trust – without him this incredible experience simply wouldn’t have happened.

✨Trails at the Black Beacon✨

📷 Canon 6D with Samyang 35mm f/1.4 lens

🔧 384x 10 second exposures at ISO3200 and f/2.8
🎞️ Edited in StarStax and PhotoShop

 

✨The Lost Lab✨

📷Canon 6D with Sigma Art 24mm f/1.4 lens
🔧Sky: 48x13s exposures at ISO1600 and f/2.8.  Foreground: 1x120s at ISO1600 and f/6.3
🎞️ Sky stacked in Sequator. Edited and blended in Photoshop.

 

✨Black Swan✨

📷Canon 6D (astro-modified) with Sigma Art 24mm f/1.4 lens
🔧Sky: 30x13s exposures at ISO3200 and f/2.8.  
🎞️ Sky stacked in Sequator. Edited and blended in Photoshop.

 

✨Extraction✨

📷Canon 6D (astro-modified) with Sigma Art 24mm f/1.4 lens
🔧Sky: 36x13s exposures at ISO1600 and f/2.8.  Foreground: 1x120s at ISO1600 and f/5.6
🎞️ Sky stacked in Sequator. Edited and blended in Photoshop.

 

 

[Vic L S]

Oh wow. Thank you for sharing. I love the history behind it. 

[FenlandPaul]

13 minutes ago, Vic L S said:

Oh wow. Thank you for sharing. I love the history behind it. 

Thanks Vic - appreciated.  It's certainly a fascinating back story!  

[AstroNebulee]

Amazing Paul. Loved the intro, if you don't quite get to grips with this Widefield astrophotography lark 😉 you've got a job in directing and screenplay 👍. 

A simply amazing location with your stunning images. 

Hopefully some new Widefield astrophotographers were awakened that night with both your guidance and expertise. 

Clear skies 

Lee 

Edited May 3 by AstroNebulee

[FenlandPaul]

1 hour ago, AstroNebulee said:

Amazing Paul. Loved the intro, if you don't quite her to grips with this Widefield astrophotography lark 😉 you've got a job in directing and screenplay 👍. 

 

I think that might be a challenge if I want to actually pay some bills!! 🤣

Thanks, Lee - it was a really enjoyable location to shoot at. Would love to go back.

[Pete Presland]

Superb images Paul, very interesting video as well. Been to Norfolk 100s of times and never heard of Orford Ness.  

I particularly like the "Black Swan" image 🙂 

[FenlandPaul]

2 minutes ago, Pete Presland said:

Superb images Paul, very interesting video as well. Been to Norfolk 100s of times and never heard of Orford Ness.  

I particularly like the "Black Swan" image 🙂 

Thanks Pete. Appreciated. I’m always amazed how many nooks and crannies there are around the Norfolk / Suffolk area - could spend almost a lifetime exploring and still find new areas!

[Pete Presland]

6 minutes ago, FenlandPaul said:

Thanks Pete. Appreciated. I’m always amazed how many nooks and crannies there are around the Norfolk / Suffolk area - could spend almost a lifetime exploring and still find new areas!

I visited Weybourne a couple of years ago, even in summer the lighter skies were very good

[clarkpm4242]

9 hours ago, FenlandPaul said:

a post-apocalyptic dystopia

Excellent stuff Paul!  Great story, location, images and video.

[FenlandPaul]

17 minutes ago, clarkpm4242 said:

Excellent stuff Paul!  Great story, location, images and video.

Thanks Paul - really appreciate that. Incredible place. 

[bosun21]

Lovely set of photos Paul. I do like having the various sheds and constructions in the foreground. Gives the photos more character.

[FenlandPaul]

4 hours ago, bosun21 said:

Lovely set of photos Paul. I do like having the various sheds and constructions in the foreground. Gives the photos more character.

Thank you - appreciated. I do love a good shed or barn in the foreground. Envious of those in the Yorkshire Dales or Lake District who have loads to choose from!!