The Milky Way is a mesmerizing sight that has captivated photographers for ages.

That's why I've decided to share with you a list of what I consider to be the talented Milky Way photographers you need to follow in 2024.

I hope you find this group of like-minded people can serve you as an inspiring glimpse into the night sky and the Milky Way from all around the world.

Photographers like Mariano Otero, author of the photo above these lines.

And I've asked them to share with you an example of their work.

The pictures transport you to the arid lands of Madagascar, the beautiful island of La Palma, the national parks of New Zealand, and the Canadian Rockies.

While the brilliant galaxy is always the main attraction, seeing it in different settings also highlights the stunning landscapes... And dream of going there someday, don't you agree?

So check them out, and give them a follow, to get some jaw-dropping Milky Way pictures direct to your feed.

Oh... Before I forget...

If you want to give it a try yourself, I have a series of articles and how to guides to get you started, including

• A full guide on Milky Way photography.
• A complete tutorial on Milky Way planning.
• A guide on how to photograph the Milky Way.
• A list of the best settings for Milky Way pictures.

You might also like to see my reviews of

• The best camera for Milky Way photography.
• The best lens for shooting the Milky Way.

And now, it's time for you to discover the 2024 best Milky Way photographers.

Imagine. Plan. Shoot! ;)

"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." - William Shakespeare

Content

1. Alyn Wallace
2. Albert Dros
3. Rachel Jones Ross
4. Nick Page
5. Giulio Cobianchi
6. Adam Woodworth
7. Javier Martínez
8. Jess Santos
9. Isabella Tabacchi
10. Royce Bair
11. Carlos González
12. Mark Gee
13. Mauro Cirigliano
14. Nicholas Roemmelt
15. Stephano Pellegrini
16. Why not discover more great Milky Way photographers?
17. Want to become a Milky Way photographer?

1.Alyn Wallace

Alyn Wallace was a landscape astrophotographer from South Wales, United Kingdom.

Alyn was known for his breathtaking images of the night sky and his ability to inspire and educate aspiring photographers through his popular YouTube channel and social media presence.

Although Alyn studied astronomy at university, he didn't get into photography until later for a very simple reason – he didn't have enough money for a camera.

Seeing the Perseids meteor shower on holiday in Turkey in 2015 persuaded him that he needed a DSLR. He was working in design engineering at the time, but his astrophotography took over.

Alyn's journey into astrophotography began in the scenic landscapes of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons National Park) and the Elan Valley. His passion for capturing the night sky led him to leave his engineering job and pursue astrophotography full-time.

Known for his adventurous spirit, Alyn traveled to various locations like Turkey, Chile, and Antarctica, producing stunning images of celestial events.

Throughout his career, Alyn held numerous workshops and sessions, sharing his expertise and passion with others. He also published a book, ‘Photographing the Night Sky', which became a valuable resource for night sky photographers. In 2019, he was featured in the BBC Wales documentary "Wales: Land of the Wild", highlighting his contributions to the field

His dedication to the craft was evident in his work, which not only included stunning photographs but also educational content that helped many learn about astrophotography techniques and equipment.

Back in 2020, Rafael had the opportunity to share some time with him in recording a complete Masterclass on Milky Way photography.

He inspired so many of us to explore the night sky with awe and reverence. He selflessly shared his knowledge and passion through his videos, workshops, and writings.

Alyn's legacy will live on through his stunning images of the cosmos and the many lives he inspired during his short but impactful life.

At PhotoPills, we truly believe that Alyn was an incredibly gifted astronomy photographer and this mention is our humble way to pay tribute to Alyn.

2.Albert Dros

Photographing the night sky, especially with the Milky Way, is an art that requires planning, the right gear, and patience. Dutch landscape photographer Albert Dros, is known for his night photography, but also for his spectacular landscapes and cityscapes.

He started getting serious with photography in 2012 when he was living in Hong Kong for 2 years. The whole culture of Hong Kong of always being outside encouraged him to capture everything around him. The spectacular city, the street markets, the rainy nights, but also the beautiful landscapes around the city... There was just so much to photograph!

He taught himself photography, learning how to see colors and composition, and basically having the ability to see what looks nice to his eyes and what doesn't.

He's a master in planning and executing unique imagery and has got several viral images as a result of that.

Spontaneity isn't ideal for night shoots. Preparation starts weeks ahead with Google Earth scouting for potential locations and weather checks for clear skies. Albert also considers lunar phases, as a moonless night is best for Milky Way photography.

Once on location, he uses the PhotoPills app to determine the Milky Way's appearance and scout landscapes for compelling foregrounds. Knowing the terrain in daylight is crucial to avoid hazards when navigating in the dark.

Why go through all this effort?

For Albert Dros, the joy is in the experience, not just the final image. Shooting in places like Kyrgyzstan, despite the cold and challenging conditions, is a rewarding adventure. The process of capturing stunning night skies and the camaraderie of the experience makes it all worthwhile.

Finally, post-processing is vital for night photography.

Albert doesn't manipulate his images or alter the content but enhances them by stacking multiple exposures to reduce noise and ensure clarity. This technique involves taking several shots from the same position and using software to average out noise patterns, resulting in a cleaner image. It helps him present the best possible version of his scenes.

For Albert, night photography is challenging but immensely satisfying. With the right gear, preparation, and techniques, anyone can capture the beauty of the night sky, just like Albert does.

3.Rachel Jones Ross

Rachel Jones Ross is known for her stunning astro-landscape photography, and she's become an avid teacher on the topic through her workshops.

As a matter of fact, Rachel shared with us a Masterclass on night sky photography that you should definitely watch.

After embarking on a psychology career, Rachel fell under the spell of capturing the cosmos in awe-inspiring nocturnal landscapes that coax a delicate inner light from the cold, dark Canadian winter.

In fact, Rachel became a photographer because of astrophotography. She takes advantage of long winter nights near her home in the Canadian Rockies to enjoy the solitude and stillness with her camera and the Milky Way.

Winter is absolutely her favorite time of year for photography. She tries not to travel during the winter months because she wants to spend the winter months in the Rockies. Every day the landscape changes and unfolds with frost flowers, puffy snow, and lines and textures in the ice.

For Rachel the difference between a “stunning” image of the night sky and “nice” image of the night sky often comes down to planning. With a bit of planning, she can understand what the possibilities are for shooting in a particular location (what is in the night sky, and when to see it, as well as seasonal variations in the landscape).

Thanks to PhotoPills, she gives herself the opportunity to be in the right place at the right time. At the same time, she is fully aware that having one plan is great, having multiple plans is better. So the more she learns about the area she intends to visit, the better prepared she will be to get great shots, regardless of what mother nature gives her.

Post-processing and compositing images play an essential part in her process. With this in mind, she always approaches photographing any landscape considering post-processing.

Her photographic vision is methodical. She looks at the parts of the scene that make up the whole. She tries to think through how she can best capture each element of the scene in camera (e.g., focus-stacking, exposure-blending, or using shallow depth of field to isolate a subject). Then, she thinks through how she will bring those elements together in post-processing.

4.Nick Page

Nick Page is a versatile photographer known for his nature and landscape photography.

He started his journey after a back injury left him bedridden. During recovery, he discovered a passion for photography through YouTube tutorials.

Initially drawn to portrait photography through capturing images of his children, he later developed a passion for the outdoors. He finds nature photography both relaxing and challenging due to its technical and creative demands.

His work, known for its moody and dreamy quality, aims to evoke emotions. He emphasizes capturing unique moments and relies heavily on post-processing to enhance his images.

Night photography has plenty of logistical challenges. Typically nailing focus is the first hurdle, followed by settings and exposure. But beyond that, he usually emphasizes that composition still matters. It's really easy to get lazy with composition with night scenes, so taking extra time on composition is super important.

You'll notice throughout Nick's work he's very thoughtful with his compositions and his images are minimal in subject but full of life and movement of the land. His feed is one that will keep you scrolling for a while.

Nick emphasizes controlling color in his work to simplify scenes and convey emotions effectively. In this sense, he draws inspiration from film and television, particularly their use of color and lighting.

At the same time, he avoids heavy photo manipulation like sky replacements, preferring to maintain the authenticity of his shots. And he values dynamic range and high ISO performance in camera gear, hoping for advancements that reduce the need for extensive post-processing.

Speaking of post-processing, you should check out Nick's Masterclass on Milky Way post-processing where he shares all his secrets!

He is also a well-known podcaster and YouTuber, sharing his experiences and knowledge with a broad audience. He hosts ‘The Landscape Photography Podcast', aiming to provide valuable insights for nature photographers. He enjoys bringing on knowledgeable guests and occasionally produces video versions to enhance the visual aspects of the discussion.

5.Giulio Cobianchi

Giulio Cobianchi is a professional landscape photographer from Italy, known for his passion for extreme nature and night photography.

Currently, living in the Arctic Circle's Lofoten Islands (Norway), he enjoys capturing stunning scenes of stars and the Aurora Borealis.

Giulio's passion began in 2013, after a trip to Scotland, to the Isle of Skye. Little by little he transformed his love for photography into a career after years of self-study, becoming a professional in 2017.

He relishes spending nights atop mountains or between fjords, capturing the Milky Way and Northern Lights. The solitude of nature and the anticipation of the perfect shot brings him immense joy.

However, getting the perfect shot isn't always guaranteed. To capture the Milky Way, conditions need to align perfectly. There must be a New Moon and clear skies, limiting the window to about 10 days a month. Additionally, clouds can further narrow these opportunities.

Astrophotography in extreme conditions requires meticulous planning and a deep love for nature. The challenges are numerous, from the physical demands of the climb to the precise conditions needed for capturing stunning celestial events. Yet, the reward of witnessing and photographing these breathtaking scenes makes every effort worthwhile.

That's how Giulio manages to capture breathtaking Milky Way images. The key to the perfect photo lies in a passion for pristine nature, thorough preparation, and having the right gear to seize that long-awaited moment.

Giulio finds joy in both the silent, awe-inspiring moments of shooting and the creative editing process, aiming to enhance and personalize each image. That's why he can be an amazing inspiration for you.

6.Adam Woodworth

Adam Woodworth is a master in landscape astrophotography, focusing on the night sky and coastal scenes, especially in Maine.

As an astrophotographer, he specializes in capturing the night sky over scenic landscapes, primarily in Maine, New Hampshire, and Canada, with some shoots in Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona.

His journey began with a fascination for the stars and the Milky Way. Over the past few years one of his many areas of focus has been landscape astrophotography, specifically imagery that captures perfect alignments of the galactic center of our Milky Way Galaxy over beautiful and iconic locations.

Adam captures stunning images by meticulously planning his shoots, considering factors like Moon phases, tides, and weather. His approach combines technical precision with artistic vision, capturing the night sky's awe-inspiring beauty.

At the same time, he often highlights the technical challenges of night photography, such as managing noise and weather conditions. That's why he blends multiple exposures for clear, noise-free images.

He enjoys teaching and has a book out titled 'Night Sky Photography: From First Principles to Professional Results'. You should also have a look at the Masterclass he shared with us about how to create stunning Milky Way panoramas.

All in all, he finds joy in the process, from the adventure of travel to meeting locals and enjoying their cuisine.

7.Javier Martínez

Javier Martínez is a photographer specializing in architecture, landscape (both urban and nature), timelapses, and astrophotography.

He started taking photos in 2012 and quickly fell in love with night photography because it allowed him to enjoy his other passions: the mountains and the night. In addition to this, he could see things that were impossible to see with the naked eye. This is one of the reasons he believes astrophotography is so addictive and fascinating.

Nowadays he lives in Madrid, Spain, but as a child, he was fortunate to live in the Canary Islands, and the landscapes there left a lasting impression on him (and his photography) that persists to this day.

One of his greatest inspirations is nature and the mountains. Searching for new locations, angles, and perspectives is one of his great passions and motivates him to produce new or different photos from the typical “postcards” that we all like to have.

Planning is very important to him because it allows him to ensure and achieve better results in his photographs. He's not just talking about location and angles, but also weather conditions and exact positions of the Milky Way, stars, and other astronomical events. He believes that ensuring a good percentage of successful outings in these cases, where you have to drive and walk many kilometers, helps maintain motivation and enthusiasm... and this is achieved through planning.

His style is quite recognizable – he pays a lot of attention to the composition and post-processing of his photographs to achieve the final results that he likes.

He doesn't like overcooked photos, but he also doesn't like a photo just as it comes out of the camera – he wants it to be his.

Post-processing is an essential part of photography, just like planning and execution on the ground. These are three stages that (fortunately) he enjoys equally. He doesn't like to invent things, but he believes there should be creative and artistic freedom so that everyone can create the photograph they want and have in mind.

8.Jess Santos

Jess Santos has always been interested in photography but didn't dive into it until 2019. In fact, she went to college for graphic design, not having any idea what graphic design was, she just made this her degree because it had two photography classes in the curriculum and they didn't offer a photography degree at the time.

She fell in love with landscape photography during a trip to Death Valley and taught herself the craft through practice and online resources.

Her motivation lies in the adventure and the experience, and her work involves capturing stunning night skies and landscapes, often employing techniques like blue hour blending and stacking.

Does she want to capture something beautiful? Yes. But it's far more important to her to take a breath and enjoy the scenery she's in. She frequently gets to locations hours early so she can find composition and then just sit and enjoy the moment. And she also revisits locations multiple times to capture the perfect shot.

For Jess, planning is essential.

That's because she loves blending images. Unlike shooting a single frame, you have to be able to imagine what this shot will become and then capture all the elements needed to put it together. With a single frame, you can physically see the result; however, with a blend you will have to start with a plan.

She usually walks around the location, uses PhotoPills to check where the Milky Way will rise and set, and how she can have it intertwine with the foreground to tell a story. She takes as long as necessary – the best Milky Way images are those that convey some sort of message, whether it be about the experience or about the location.

So as you can see she's always striving to elevate her compositions. In every photo she takes the composition has to be on point for her to even edit it. She's been really working hard at challenging herself in this way.

She usually shoots at high ISOs so she can see more of the light, detail, and color in the Milky Way core as well as to have much shorter shutter speeds (so no star trailing) while still capturing all that detail.

Later on, she stacks these images to remove almost all of the noise that the high ISO introduces. She also likes to combine the stacked images with a blue hour shot, and this gives a more even light to the foreground.

9.Isabella Tabacchi

Isabella Tabacchi is an Italian landscape photographer renowned for her captivating and evocative nature images.

Her journey into photography began in her youth with a RICOH camera, though her artistic pursuits initially involved painting. Despite studying Pharmacy, her passion for photography grew, and she eventually chose to follow this creative path full-time in 2017.

Influenced by artists like Caravaggio, Isabella's work is characterized by strong contrasts, intricate compositions, and a deep emotional connection to the natural world. Her photographs often convey a sense of mystery and wonder, capturing the beauty and grandeur of landscapes in a way that resonates deeply with viewers.

She started shooting during the day, but after she learnt to live in the night and shoot landscapes in the darkness, she started to love nightlife more than a day. Nowadays, she feels drawn to the night and its dark landscapes and has becoming an extraordinary Milky Way photographer.

Her work continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world, making her a prominent figure in the field of landscape and night photography.

Isabella's dedication to her craft is evident in the way she meticulously plans her shoots, often traveling to remote and challenging locations to capture the perfect shot. Her portfolio includes breathtaking images of mountains, forests, and other natural landscapes, each telling a unique story and reflecting her profound love for nature.

She is not only a photographer but also an educator, conducting workshops and creating online courses to share her knowledge and techniques with aspiring photographers.

In this sense, we had the chance to have Isabella with us in our YouTube channel, sharing a Masterclass on 'How to focus stack for tack sharp landscape photos.

Isabella's career is marked by numerous achievements and recognitions. Her work has been featured in prestigious publications like National Geographic, and she has won several awards for her stunning landscape photography.

10.Royce Bair

Royce Bair is a professional photographer and educator based out of Utah.

He has been a professional illustrative photographer since 1973, and an international lecturer on photography since 1982. His work has appeared in National Geographic, The Smithsonian, and on the covers of numerous books. As a photographer, writer, and entrepreneur, he has built and sold five photo-related businesses.

He's one the early innovators of a style of night photography some call “nightscapes” or astro-landscapes. Royce believes the foreground is just as important as the starry night sky, and may need additional natural or artificial light enhancement for better recognition and aesthetic appreciation.

So he uses environmentally sound techniques to light paint the earth's foreground features with light against an otherwise unseen brilliance of starlight in the Milky Way galaxy.

Most of Royce's nighttime photos were taken in western U.S. national parks at the height of the tourist season. Fortunately, at night, most of these areas are deserted. He chose these national parks, currently just Grand Teton, Bryce Canyon, and Arches, for two reasons.

One is because their land features are very recognizable, even at night. He only adds subtle light painting if it increases that recognition or it enhances their features. The other is because they are far away from big cities, where light pollution competes with the stars.

The images speak for themselves, but the techniques are not as immediately obvious.

All of his starry NightScapes are done in one shot. And he includes light painting when he thinks it helps in the recognition of the landscape. All light painting is done during the single time exposure. His exposures are always under 30 seconds in order to keep the stars as points of light and not blurred (i.e. star trails).

His lectures and books teach various ways to accomplish this. And if you're interested in the subject, you should have a close look at the Masterclass on low level lighting techniques for Milky Way Photography that he shared with us.

11.Carlos González

Carlos González is a self-taught photographer from the north of Spain, specifically from Asturias.

His passion for photography began many years ago and has been honed through experience gained in photography forums, by a process of trial and error.

Carlos specializes in mountain landscape photography and night photography. His love for nature and the solitude of the peaks allows him to enjoy breathtaking skies and capture images that reflect the serenity and grandeur of nature. His work focuses on the authentic and moving representation of natural landscapes.

Carlos's inspiration comes from his connection with nature. Each photographic outing is a new experience that refreshes his mind and ignites his creativity. The mountains and nature, in general, offer him an inexhaustible source of ideas and unique perspectives.

For Carlos, planning is fundamental in his photographic process. This meticulous approach allows him to be prepared to capture the best possible image in any situation.

Apart from planning, composition is the most crucial part of a photograph. A good composition can tell a story and capture the viewer's attention, while a poor composition cannot be saved by post-processing. Carlos believes that photography should captivate you and leave a lasting impression, regardless of how spectacular the sky or any other individual element may be.

Carlos does not base his photography on post-processing, although he acknowledges its importance. His goal is to get the best possible image directly from the camera, using tools like Camera Raw, Photoshop, and the Nik Collection filters to make basic adjustments and then perfect the image in Photoshop. Each photograph is unique and requires a personalized approach; there's no magic formula that works for all.

Carlos is undoubtedly a master of landscape photography and a specialist in capturing the Milky Way, whose work will surely inspire you.

12.Mark Gee

Astrophotographer Mark Gee has been captivated by the mysteries of the night sky since he was a kid.

He did study photography in school, but his night photography skills? Totally self-taught. That's why he finds his journey so amazing – he's learned so much about himself, his craft, and the stars above.

Mark often spends hours alone under the stars, seeking out the darkest and most remote spots he can find, aiming for places with minimal light pollution.

Living in New Zealand, which boasts some of the darkest skies on the planet, he's pretty lucky.

However, Milky Way photography can be a bit frustrating because there are so many hurdles to jump over to get that perfect shot.

It requires planning and a bit of luck. If the weather doesn't cooperate and he can't get the shot he envisioned, it might be another year before he gets another chance when all the conditions align just right.

All in all, Mark's work is a true inspiration.

13.Mauro Cirigliano

Mauro Cirigliano was born in Naples, a beautiful city in southern Italy.

From a young age, he was fascinated by photography. He still fondly remembers playing around with vintage cameras. Over the years, he turned his childhood hobby into a serious passion, investing in better equipment and teaching himself how to take amazing photos.

Today, Mauro has made photography his career, and he loves teaching others the art of capturing both day and night landscapes through his workshops and photo tours all over Italy and Europe.

Even though his headquarters are technically in Naples, Mauro isn't tied to one place. He travels around a lot, sharing his knowledge and skills with aspiring photographers everywhere.

When it comes to his photography style, Mauro says it's all about being in tune with nature. He finds endless inspiration in the natural world, constantly searching for unique compositions that make even familiar places look new and exciting. This connection to nature is something he emphasizes in his courses, encouraging his students to see the beauty around them and capture it in fresh ways.

Nature isn't just his subject – it's his muse. Being in natural settings fills him with awe and reflection about our planet's beauty. Mauro feels a strong urge to capture these moments, to preserve nature's splendor in his photos and share it with others. He hopes his work reminds people of the beauty they might overlook and helps them rediscover their love for nature.

Interestingly, while Mauro loves the spontaneity of the moment, he also understands the value of planning. He uses tools like PhotoPills to help plan his shots and ensure they are fresh and captivating.

Mauro's photography workflow is straightforward. He prefers taking single shots or double exposures to enhance quality, especially when using an astro tracker. He avoids techniques like time blending because he values capturing the real moment of the scene.

His post-processing process is simple, using Lightroom and Photoshop primarily for managing light, shadows, and colors. Post-processing, for him, is a way to enhance the natural beauty of the scene without overdoing it.

14.Nicholas Roemmelt

Nicholas Roemmelt is a talented photographer and dentist based in Tyrol, Austria. Living amidst the stunning Alps, he shares his life with his wife and their two dogs.

His passion for photography ignited in 2003 when he received a digital compact camera for his 30th birthday. This gift transformed him into a self-taught photographer, leading to a part-time career in adventure landscape photography.

Nicholas describes his style as "impressionistic landscape adventure photography". His inspiration comes from nature itself and the many talented photographers who influence his work. Inspiration often strikes during his outdoor activities, whether climbing, hiking, or simply admiring nature.

For Nicholas, being in the mountains is about becoming one with nature, focusing solely on the present moment. His camera allows him to capture and share the delicate beauty of these adventures. He has a particular love for alpine landscapes, especially under starlit skies or the mesmerizing northern lights.

Planning is crucial to Nicholas' photography.

As a part-time professional with limited time, thorough preparation is essential. He uses PhotoPills to plan his shoots meticulously, allowing him to visualize and organize everything weeks in advance. This extensive pre-planning gives him a clear vision of what he can achieve and allows for precise execution.

The only element he can't control is the weather, which he humorously admits still requires some prayer.

Nicholas' photographic workflow is both rigorous and passionate. It starts with scouting locations, followed by detailed planning, traveling, hiking, and sometimes cursing the unpredictable weather. If conditions aren't perfect, he returns multiple times until he gets the shot he envisions. Finding the right foreground and capturing the perfect moment is key.

Back home, Nicholas doesn't rely solely on the camera's output. He processes his images to reflect the emotions he felt on location, aiming to tell a story and convey the profound experience of being in nature.

However, he maintains authenticity in his work, avoiding artificial enhancements or AI manipulations. Instead, he often takes multiple shots on location to capture the full dynamic range and depth required to produce stunning, true-to-life images.

Nicholas' dedication to his craft and his deep connection to nature shine through in every photograph, making his work a true reflection of his passion and meticulous artistry.

15.Stefano Pellegrini

Stefano Pellegrini is an Italian designer based in Milan. While it's not a great place for astrophotography, due to massive light pollution, he's not scared to drive 5 hours to get to the Dolomites. It's one of the places where he likes to shoot the most, especially in winter with the snow.

Art and creativity are already part of his work, but he also likes to find them in his passion: photography. He likes to hike and to travel and discover new places, but always with the aim of taking pictures.

He started very recently in photography, but he has already had several positive feedbacks. The main one is the recognition of the APOD by NASA for his photo of the Geminids meteor shower in December 17th, 2020, and another two (one in January 2023 and the other in December 2023) for his northern lights in Iceland.

Stefano is both an astrophotographer and a landscaper.

His aim is to translate what the eyes see and often the camera can't, to reproduce reality in all its art. He tries to get high impact images thanks to strong compositions for both the foreground and the sky.

So he spends a lot of time scouting locations, sometimes including long mountain hikings in search of the perfect spot. He always composes his frame with a real sky over the subject, specifically looking for shots where the Milky Way plays an important role in the scene.

He tries to be creative and likes to play in his images, shooting himself and light painting the landscape if necessary, always with the idea to tell a story.

In most of his photos almost 70% is planning. He usually plans the shot with PhotoPills at home, and then, on location, he uses the Augmented Reality (AR) views to check the alignment of the foreground with the night sky.

So he always goes to a location with a clear idea of what he wants to shoot. Then, at the location he just has to find the framing and create what he already planned.

Even though Stefano is not a professional photographer, he has a specific workflow.

First of all, he loves planning the final picture before shooting, something essential if you want to make complex pictures.

Then, once on location, he usually takes multiple shots of a single subject to blend them later on in post-processing and get one final image with more information.

Additionally, he almost always does vertoramas (vertical panoramas). For each section of the panorama he captures several shots, both to have less noise, both to have information, like light painting or to photograph himself. So he usually has his camera on the tripod, captures thousands of shots without moving it, then moves it to the next section of the panorama and starts all over again... It's a lot of work for just one final enormous image.

As for post-processing, Stefano tries to not be too excessive while preserving his style: he likes crystal clear images, so he does a lot of exposure stacking to have lots of details in the shadows. At the same time, he tries to have warm colors in his light paintings, and cold skies, a great balance.

16.Why not discover more great Milky Way photographers?

I've just shared my picks for the top Milky Way photographers to inspire you in 2024.

Check out their work to spark your own creative ideas.

But there's an even cooler inspiration tool you can use. It's a virtual gallery packed with photos that other PhotoPillers have dreamed up, planned, and captured from around the world.

You'll find hundreds of Milky Way shots there. Isn't that awesome?

You can explore them on our Instagram account (give us a follow!) and in the PhotoPills app (My Stuff Menu > Awards).

And guess what? There's more...

If you've got an amazing Milky Way shot you'd like to share, you can submit your own photos and inspire fellow PhotoPillers.

All the details are in the PhotoPills Awards section on our website.

17.Want to become a Milky Way photographer?

Why not give it a shot yourself?

Seriously, why not come up with a cool idea for a Milky Way photo, plan it out with PhotoPills, and then capture it?

I bet you can come up with some amazing ideas!

And remember, the secret to becoming the best Milky Way photographer is simple: practice, practice, and more practice.

So, let's get started!

First, check out what I think are the best Milky Way pictures of 2023. They're packed with inspiration.

Next, use PhotoPills to plan your next Milky Way shots. It's the best app out there for Milky Way photography!

Finally, go out there and capture your Milky Way photo.

Time to chase the Milky Way! ;)

Antoni Cladera is a landscape photographer with commitment to the environment. Artist of the Spanish Confederation of Photography and member of the Spanish Association of Nature Photographers (AEFONA). He's part of the PhotoPills Team.

Special thanks to Sandra Vallaure, a great photographer and friend, for her tremendous help in making this article possible.

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