Shoutout to the ranger at Big Bend who saved my night shots

I was out at Big Bend National Park last month trying to get some Milky Way photos. Had my tripod set up near the Chisos Basin parking lot and this ranger comes rolling up in his truck. He told me my red headlamp was way too bright and scaring off other people's night vision. I was like well it's red so it's fine right? Turns out I had the brightness cranked to max and it was basically a beacon. He showed me how to tape over part of the light with some electrical tape he had. Now I carry a dimmer headlamp and actually check my settings before I head out. Has anyone else gotten schooled by a park ranger on night photography etiquette?

2 comments

2 Comments

claire_ramirez2221d ago

That 80% brightness default on red lights is such a trap... feels like most things these days are designed to be way too bright or loud right out of the box.

wells.morgan21d ago

Feels like most things these days are designed to be way too bright or loud right out of the box" - man, that hit me. It's like every brand thinks we're all trying to signal a plane from a runway or something. Ever notice how phone alarms, car headlights, and even coffee makers have this aggressive "must be noticed" setting? What's the deal with that - is it just lazy engineering, or do they think we're all half-blind and hard of hearing?