Photographing the Milky Way: Our Tips and Experiences from Namibia and Morocco
- Anna & Tom
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
Photographing the Milky Way is one of the most exciting and simultaneously challenging projects in photography. Its impressive details and colors make it one of the most fascinating subjects in the night sky. We were fortunate enough to photograph the Milky Way in two different countries: under the clear desert skies of the Sahara and amidst the quiver tree forest in Namibia.
In this post, we share our experiences, provide valuable tips, and show you how to capture the best shots of the Milky Way – no matter where you are.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
1. What is the Milky Way and why is it so special?
The Milky Way is our home galaxy – a massive spiral nebula with billions of stars, stretching across the night sky. Especially in remote regions without light pollution, you can see it in all its glory.
For photographers, the Milky Way is a fascinating subject that requires patience, the right equipment, and technical knowledge. But when the conditions are right, the results are breathtaking and unforgettable.
2. Requirements: When and Where Can You Photograph the Milky Way?
The Milky Way isn’t visible everywhere and at all times. To successfully photograph it, you need to keep a few things in mind:
Dark Nights without Moonlight
Moonlight and light pollution are the biggest enemies when photographing the Milky Way. Even a half-full moon can brighten the night sky so much that the details of the Milky Way become barely visible.
The best conditions occur on moonless nights or during the days around the new moon, ideally in less densely populated areas. Nowadays, there are several apps that can help you plan.
For example, we use the app Photopills, which allows you to precisely plan the best time for astrophotography at a specific location and shows how visible the starry sky will be.
Clear Sky
Clouds also hinder the photography of the Milky Way. A clear night with low humidity is ideal. Desert regions, like Namibia or the Sahara, often offer perfect conditions.
Remote Locations without Light Pollution
Cities and artificial light significantly affect the visibility of the Milky Way, making astrophotography more difficult. Look for places far from cities, where the sky is truly dark. Ideal areas are those with a Bortle Index of 1 to 3 – meaning minimal light pollution.
Travel Time and Geographical Location
Namibia: From May to September, the Milky Way is particularly visible in the Southern Hemisphere. During these months, the core of the Milky Way stands high in the sky.
Sahara (Morocco): The best time to see the Milky Way in the Sahara in Morocco is from April to September, when the sky is especially clear, and the Milky Way is prominently visible above the desert.
3. The Right Equipment to Photograph the Milky Way
The right equipment is essential to capture the details and colors of the Milky Way perfectly. We’ve put together a detailed list of the key components you need for Milky Way photography:
Camera
A camera with manual settings and good low-light performance is crucial. DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras or mirrorless system cameras are ideal.
Lens
Wide-Angle Lens: A lens with a focal length between 14 and 24mm allows you to capture large portions of the sky and landscape. We use this lens.
Large Aperture: An aperture of f/2.8 or larger (e.g., f/1.8) is perfect for capturing as much light as possible.
Tripod
Since you’ll be using long exposure times, a stable tripod is essential to avoid camera shake.
Remote Shutter or Timer
A remote shutter or your camera’s self-timer prevents the camera from shaking when the shutter is pressed.
Accessoires
Headlamp with Red Light: To help you navigate without affecting your night vision, we recommend a headlamp with red light.
Startracker (optional): For experienced photographers, a star tracker can help compensate for the Earth’s rotation and capture sharper details of the Milky Way.
4. Important Camera Settings for Milky Way Photography
Good equipment is, of course, only half the battle. To capture the Milky Way well, you need the right camera settings. Take your time with this, as nothing is more frustrating than blurry photos or similar issues.
Manual Mode
Aperture: Set the largest possible aperture (e.g., f/2.8).
ISO Value: Start with ISO 1600 to ISO 3200. In particularly dark regions, you can go up to ISO 6400. However, keep an eye on image noise.
Shutter Speed: Use the 500 rule: 500 ÷ focal length = maximum exposure time (e.g., 500 ÷ 14 mm = about 35 seconds). Don’t exceed this value, or the stars will appear as streaks.
Focus: Manually focus to infinity or on the stars. Use the live view mode and digitally zoom in on a bright star.
5. Tips for Stunning Milky Way Photos
The Right Composition
Incorporate your surroundings into the shot. Trees, mountains, buildings, or even your car can add depth to the image.
In Namibia, for example, we included the quiver trees in our shots – a great contrast to the Milky Way. At Spitzkoppe, we showcased our car with a rooftop tent.
Post-Processing in Lightroom or Photoshop
The Milky Way often only reveals its full beauty after post-processing. Use programs like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to adjust contrast, brightness, and colors. However, be careful not to over-edit the image to keep a natural look.
6. Our Experiences
Photographing the Milky Way in Namibia was an absolute highlight. The clear, unpolluted desert sky gave us an incredible view of the galactic core. Especially near the quiver tree forest or in the Namib Desert, you can expect nearly perfect conditions – as long as you’re there at the right time of year. The Milky Way in the Sahara was also an amazing experience for us. But you don’t have to travel far to photograph the Milky Way. We’ve also had some fantastic Milky Way moments in the Bavarian Forest! :-)
Would you like more insights into our travels and photography? Then check out our Instagram accounts tom_rbg_ and anna_rbg_! If you have any questions about the routes, feel free to contact us through these channels.
*This post contains affiliate links. You won’t pay more by purchasing through these links, but you’ll be supporting our work.
