Presteigne photographer 'over the moon' as night sky images boost battle against fears

Candi Perkins said she finds comfort from taking photos of dark skies from her home in Kinnerton near Presteigne.

"I've always adored stars and the universe but could only ever view them from inside," she said.

"It's a dream come true for me from being petrified of the dark to be shooting photos like this."

Candi suffered a bad bipolar breakdown nearly five years ago and was given anti-depressants, mood stabilizes and anti-psychotics. She said there were many side effects however one of the major changes was the lack of overwhelming anxiety she felt about the dark.

She started to go outside in moonlight with her dogs and partner to take photos of the night sky. She said that photography has been a form of therapy that has helped her cope with anxiety.

It takes hours of patience to get the perfect shot of space 1,500 light years from Earth. A recent photo of the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) and Horsehead Nebula (B33) in the Orion constellation took almost six hours of imaging and 140 shots in total.

"I realised I hadn't done any shots this year except the full moon, so I thought I would try before new year and it clicked. I finally got the photos I wanted. I really am over the moon."

Candi has spent the last four years learning about astrophotography, which she says is not something she can practice every night, and sometimes feels that she cannot face the dark.

"I still have to be in the comfort of my own garden as I am agoraphobic, but I am lucky enough to be in a dark skies area in Kinnerton," she added.

Mid Wales is recognised as one of the UK’s top spots to go star-gazing. Some of Powys most picturesque and remote areas have been awarded international recognition for watching stars. Brecon Beacons National Park was the first place in Wales and only fifth in the whole world to be given International Dark Sky Reserve status, with the Elan Valley near Rhayader being awarded the following year.