Heads up if you visit Cherry Springs State Park at night

I drove 4 hours last weekend to Cherry Springs in Pennsylvania for some dark sky photos. Got there around 10 PM and set up my tripod near the main field. But I noticed a bunch of people were using bright red headlamps that were way too strong, you know, ruining everyone's night vision for like 50 feet around. Even a faint red light can mess up long exposure shots if someone walks behind you. Has anyone else had problems with light pollution from other visitors at a designated dark site?

2 comments

2 Comments

alicew688d ago

Went there last fall and had the exact same problem. I used to be one of those people thinking a red light is a red light, can't be that bad, but finally seeing it from the other side changed my mind completely. Those super bright red LED headlamps blind everyone nearby just as bad as a white light honestly. Now I tape a piece of red cellophane over my cheap headlamp and keep it pointed straight down at the ground. Night vision and long exposures are way too sensitive to mess up with even a faint glow bouncing around.

rileyellis8d ago

Changed my mind about red lights honestly. Thought they were fine but now I see how even dim ones wreck long exposures in a real dark site.