Imagine capturing the Milky Way in stunning detail from a city drowning in light pollution. Sounds impossible, right? But that's exactly what astrophotographer Michael Steven Harris achieved, and his breathtaking image, Milky Way over the West Pier, has rightfully earned the People’s Choice award at the 2025 British Photography Awards (BPA). What makes this feat even more remarkable is that Harris snapped this shot from Brighton, UK, a city rated Bortle 6 on the light pollution scale—a level typically considered hostile to deep-sky astrophotography.
And this is the part most people miss: Harris didn’t rely on exotic gear or modified cameras. Instead, he harnessed the power of technique and post-processing, using a Nikon D780 and a Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 G2 lens. By shooting a series of long exposures and stacking them, he minimized noise and amplified the faint details of our galaxy. The foreground, captured in a single longer exposure, was seamlessly blended with the sky, creating a harmonious composition that feels both otherworldly and grounded.
The image itself is a visual feast. The Milky Way rises like a spectral ribbon above the haunting remains of Brighton’s Grade I-listed West Pier, framed by the distant glow of wind farms. Swirling clouds of orange dust and gas dance across the galactic core, while the pinkish hues of the Eagle (M16), Omega (M17), and Lagoon (M8) nebulae add a celestial punctuation. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can such a technically demanding shot truly represent the raw beauty of the night sky, or does it blur the line between photography and digital artistry? We’ll leave that debate to you.
For those unfamiliar, the Bortle Scale measures night sky brightness, ranging from 1 (pristine darkness) to 9 (urban glare). Brighton’s Bortle 6 rating means its skies are bright enough to obscure faint stars, making Harris’s achievement all the more impressive. Most astrophotographers trek to remote Bortle 2 or 3 locations, but Harris chose to confront the challenge head-on, proving that with patience, planning, and a bit of computational magic, even light-polluted skies can reveal cosmic wonders.
The Nikon D780’s 24.3MP full-frame sensor played a crucial role, handling low-light conditions with remarkable clarity, even at high ISO settings. Paired with the Tamron lens’s sharp, coma-controlled optics, the setup delivered the precision needed to resolve those faint nebulae. This isn’t just a victory for Harris—it’s a testament to what’s possible with mainstream gear and meticulous processing.
Here’s the takeaway: If you’ve ever been told your city’s skies are too bright for stargazing, Harris’s image is a beacon of hope. With the right techniques, even Bortle 6 horizons can unveil the universe’s secrets. Explore his winning shot and other incredible works on the British Photography Awards website (https://www.britishphotographyawards.org/2025-shortlist/gallery), where you’ll find everything from wildlife and landscapes to street and portrait photography.
Now, we want to hear from you: Does Harris’s use of stacking and post-processing enhance or detract from the authenticity of his image? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And if you’re inspired to try astrophotography, check out our guides to the best cameras (https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/best-camera-for-astrophotography) and lenses (https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/best-lenses-for-astrophotography) for capturing the night sky. Ready to showcase your own work? Discover 10 global photo contests open for entries (https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/photography/awards-and-competitions/show-off-your-best-shots-10-photography-competitions-open-for-entries-this-november-to-january) and take your photography to the next level.
