Experiences Astrophotography

Photographing night landscapes in Guanaqueros can be a memorable experience, whether from the coastal edge or from one of the many rocky formations that catch your eye.

However, if your interest is in photographing celestial bodies or astrophotography, and your only equipment is a manual camera or a smartphone, you will certainly prefer areas with minimal or preferably no light pollution.

At Ocho Águilas, despite being relatively close to the urban center of Guanaqueros — a rapidly growing beach town — we can say that we enjoy a Bortle class 3–4 sky. This allows for very interesting and, under clear skies, quite satisfying results, especially if you don’t want to venture into the mountains or a completely dark remote location.

If your photography level is intermediate or advanced, you will already be familiar with the concepts presented here.

For those just beginning their nighttime adventure and who don’t mind staying up late waiting to capture an astronomical phenomenon, Ocho Águilas offers a quick guide to help you get your first results and avoid disappointment:

Basic concepts:

• Exposure triangle
• Challenges in low-light environments
• Use of tripods
• Camera and/or phone settings (PRO mode)
• Choosing the right location
• And in case the first attempts don’t go as planned, some light painting exercises and their applications

One thing is certain: you’ll have fun as you learn — and with practice, who knows how far you can go.

All activities take place within the grounds of Ocho Águilas Eco Lodge, that is, in a closed and secure area. You’ll be just a few meters away from your cabin.