One of the most significant man-made pollutants affecting the atmosphere is light pollution. The over-lighting of landscapes and the lack of use of light sensors and timers obfuscates the night sky. Each year, light pollution grows approximately 10% globally, disrupting the wildlife. The DarkSky International 2025 Capture the Dark photography contest is a key initiative in raising awareness about light pollution through photography. The goal is to illustrate the wonders of the night sky responsibly. These images are more than just pretty photos of the sky; they encourage the preservation of the night. This year, there were 2,284 submissions from over 22 countries. DarkSky honored the winners based on technical skill, composition, and conformity to DarkSky's 5 Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting:

1. Useful - The light should have a clear purpose and is only used as needed.
2. Targeted - Direct and aim the light to where it is needed.
3. Low Level - Use the lowest level of light required.
4. Controlled - Use timers or motion detectors to control light use to only when necessary.
5. Warm-Colored - Limit the use of shorter wavelength (blue-violet) light to the least amount needed.

 
Established in 1988, DarkSky International is the leading platform for responsible nighttime and astrophotography. They are a nonprofit company working to reverse the growing light pollution trend through the 5 Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting.

Applying these principles to lighting design creates functional lighting that is safe and healthy for the environment. The projects that incorporate the principles will reduce light pollution, minimizing disruptions to the surrounding environment and wildlife, while saving money and energy in the process. Locations that meet and maintain these requirements are certified as an International Dark Sky Place. Presently, there are 250 certified International Dark Sky Places, protecting 196,000 kilometers of land and sky across 22 countries and six continents.

DarkSky Friendly Lighting and Design Category
Even when Paris is asleep, the City of Light never seems to dim. Photographer Gwenael Blanck captured the Paris skyline in the hours before dawn in the image Paris, Asleep in the Pre-Dawn Hours. In Paris, the city shuts off the lights at night to preserve energy, including at iconic monuments like the Eiffel Tower. Despite this, the sky was so polluted by light the stars were barely visible in the sky. It takes more than being responsible about lighting use to lower the effects of light pollution. Proper lighting design is how light pollution can be significantly reduced.

In Northern France, the trenches at a Canadian WWI memorial have been carefully preserved, creating the Vimy Memorial. The photographer, Louis Leroux-Gere, spent a total of five hours lighting up this site for one night. He wanted to create a peaceful atmosphere under the stars that was softly lit. Artificial soft lighting was used to light up the trenches and is reflected in the swirling lights in the sky. There is an orange glow on the horizon, not from the artificial light but from the nearby cities Arras and Lens. Leroux-Gere was awarded third place in DarkSky's Friendly Lighting and Design category for this image.

Across the Atlantic in Fort Davis, Texas, Stephen Hummel captured the lighting design of the High Frontier resort and event space. This photograph was awarded second place in DarkSky's Friendly Lighting and Design category. The owners of the resort designed their own lighting fixtures specifically to lower energy waste and reduce light pollution. Amber light shines through solar-powered luminaires, directed only where it is needed and at a low intensity. There is no blue light emitted from these fixtures, as they are phosphor converted amber LEDs. Here in western Texas, at the Greater Big Bend Dark Sky reserve, the stars are clearly visible in the night sky.

The Impact of Light Pollution Category
Up in the northern Alps by Mont Blanc lies Chamonix, France. Ambre de l'AlPe visited Chamonix in January a few years ago when she captured Requiem for a Dream. Due to the lighting design at Chamonix, the warm light shines right up to the summit of Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in the region. A sea of clouds covers the view of Chamonix, simultaneously filtering the light from the town, allowing the stars above to shine visibly. Ambre de l'AlPe won first place in DarkSky's Impact of Light Pollution Category for this incredible image.

Photographer Xin Wang wanted to capture how far away the stars are from Earth, and how lighting design can affect the perception of the distance. Wang shows that even in the brightest of cities, the stars still exist in the night sky. The shining Shanghai skyline fills the night sky with light pollution, turning the sky gray. Despite the dull sky, streaks of silver starlight swirl above, proving Wang is correct: the stars are not as far away as they seem, even in a light-polluted sky. Traces of the Stars won second place in DarkSky's Impact of Light Pollution category.

Capture the Dark Category
The second-place winner of DarkSky's Capture the Dark category was Whispers of the Dancing Auroras by Mónica Mesa. She captured the image in Hornafjörŏur, Iceland at the Vestrahorn mountain. Behind Vestrahorn, the night sky is full of swirling green auroras and thousands of glimmering stars. There are flashes of artificial light near the base of the mountain, but it does not impede the view of the auroras. Mesa wanted to capture the stillness of this moment, when the beauty of the night sky reminded her of the importance to protect dark skies.

Conclusion
The best way to protect the night sky from light pollution is through responsible lighting design. DarkSky's 5 Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting outline how artificial outdoor light can be used so it does not pollute the sky. Landscapes designed with these principles in mind will not only benefit the surrounding environment, but also create a view of the universe that would be impossible to see in any other circumstance. The winners of DarkSky's Capture the Dark contest captured these impossible views, showcasing how light pollution alters the perspective of the night.