How to photograph the Milky Way

The Milky Way is one of the most spectacular subjects in photography, and Yucatán’s flat, rural areas offer dark skies away from cities.

When to shoot

• The Milky Way core is visible from about February to October in the northern hemisphere.
• Shoot around the new moon, when the sky is darkest.
• Use apps like PhotoPills or Stellarium to see where and when the core rises.

Where to shoot

Get far from city lights. Rural areas, beaches far from towns and archaeological zones at night events offer darker skies. Check a light pollution map.

Gear

• A wide, fast lens: Sony 14mm f/1.8 GM or Sigma 16mm f/1.4 on APS-C
• A sturdy tripod
• A remote or timer

Settings

• Aperture: as wide as possible, f/1.4 to f/2.8
• ISO: 3200 to 6400
• Shutter: use the 500 rule as a starting point; with a 14mm lens on full frame, about 20 seconds
• Manual focus on a bright star using magnified live view

Composition

Include a foreground: a palm tree, a pyramid silhouette, a hacienda chimney or a pier. Light it gently with a dim flashlight.

Editing

Increase contrast and clarity, adjust white balance around 3800K to 4200K and reduce noise. Stacking multiple frames reduces noise further.