Capturing the Perseid Meteor Shower in Scotland: A Night to Remember with My Canon R5 and Volvo XC40

As a car photographer in Scotland, I’m always on the lookout for opportunities to blend my passion for cars with the breathtaking landscapes that Scotland offers. On the 12th of August 2024, I set out to photograph the Perseid meteor shower—an annual celestial event that is both challenging and rewarding to capture. Armed with my Canon R5 and an old but dependable 35mm f/1.4 lens, I journeyed into the Scottish Highlands for a night of photography that would leave a lasting impression. I of course, decided to incorporate the Volvo XC40 into my shots, merging those brilliant wee stars with a car.

Journey into the Highlands

The Scottish Highlands are a photographer’s paradise, offering some of the darkest skies in the UK, perfect for astrophotography. At 10pm, I left the lights of my town behind with my good friend Neil and we drove deep into the Highlands, the Volvo XC40 handling the rugged terrain with ease. The excitement of capturing the Perseid meteor shower kept us energised as we navigated the winding roads under a sky already starting to twinkle with stars.

The Gear: Canon R5 and 35mm f/1.4 Lens

While most astrophotographers might lean towards super-wide lenses to capture as much of the sky as possible, I opted for my 35mm f/1.4 lens. The Canon R5’s full-frame sensor paired with this lens offered just the right balance between field of view and intimacy, allowing me to focus on specific areas of the sky without losing the grandeur of the meteor shower. The f/1.4 aperture was invaluable, pulling in the faint light of distant stars and the bright streaks of meteors with stunning clarity. The decision to use this lens, despite it being an older model, turned out to be a game-changer.

The Volvo XC40 Under the Stars

Incorporating the Volvo XC40 into my shots was a natural choice. Its modern, stylish design provided a perfect contrast to the raw, natural beauty of the night sky. We positioned the car strategically within my compositions, using the headlights to softly illuminate the foreground while the stars and meteors filled the sky above. The XC40’s silhouette against the backdrop of the meteor shower added a dramatic, almost cinematic feel to the images.

Photographing cars under the starry skies of Scotland requires careful planning and a bit of creativity. Here are some tips based on my experience:

1. Location: Choose a location with minimal light pollution. The Highlands offer dark skies and rugged landscapes that make for stunning backdrops.

2. Timing: Plan your shoot around a meteor shower like the Perseids, or when the Milky Way is prominent. This adds an extra layer of interest to your shots.

3. Gear: A fast lens with a wide aperture, like my 35mm f/1.4, is essential for capturing the faint light of the stars. The Canon R5’s excellent low-light performance made it the perfect companion.

4. Composition: Position the car in the foreground with the night sky as a backdrop. Use the car’s lights creatively to illuminate the scene.

5. Settings: Use a tripod, set your camera to manual mode and start with a low ISO, wide aperture and longer exposure. Tweak your settings as needed to achieve the perfect balance between the car and the stars.

A Night of Stellar Photography

From midnight until 4am, we were completely immersed in the experience, capturing image after image of the Perseid meteor shower, the Volvo XC40 and the vast Scottish sky. The combination of the car and the stars created a series of images that were both striking and evocative. The 35mm lens allowed me to frame the XC40 in a way that highlighted its features while still capturing the awe-inspiring beauty of the meteor shower.

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