How to Photograph the Milky Way: Complete Planning Guide for 2026

A Professional Astrophotography Guide by Photo Tours Peru

Astrophotography is one of the most rewarding—and challenging—genres of photography. Capturing the Milky Way galaxy requires far more than a camera and tripod. It demands precise planning, technical knowledge, ideal locations, and perfect timing.

In this professional guide, Photo Tours Peru shares the most accurate and detailed information for photographing the Milky Way in 2026, designed for landscape photographers, nightscape photographers, and astrophotography tour participants.

This article is based on real field experience from Atacama Desert, Salar de Uyuni, the Peruvian Andes, and remote high-altitude locations in South America—some of the best Milky Way photography destinations on Earth.

What Is the Milky Way in Photography?

The Milky Way is the galactic core of our galaxy, visible as a dense band of stars, dust, and nebulae. For photographers, the most dramatic and photogenic part is the Milky Way Core (Galactic Center), which contains bright star clouds and dark dust lanes.

To photograph it successfully, you must plan for:

• Darkness

• Clear skies

• Correct season and time

• Low light pollution

• Precise camera settings

Milky Way Photography Season (2026)

The Milky Way core follows the same seasonal pattern every year, making 2026 predictable for planning.

Best Milky Way Visibility by Hemisphere

• Southern Hemisphere (Peru, Chile, Bolivia):
  March to November – BEST visibility worldwide

• Peak months:April, May, June, July, August,September,October,November

This is why destinations like:

• Atacama Desert astrophotography tours

• Uyuni salt flats Milky Way photography

• Peruvian Andes night photography tours

are considered world-class for Milky Way photography.

Milky Way Planning: Step-by-Step (Professional Workflow)

1. Moon Phase Planning (Critical)

The moon is the biggest enemy of Milky Way photography.

Best conditions:

• New Moon

• ± 3 days around New Moon

• Moon below the horizon during shooting time

Professional photographers always plan:

• Moonrise & moonset times

• Percentage of illumination

• Direction of moonlight

This is why guided astrophotography tours in Peru, Chile, and Bolivia are timed around new moon windows.

2. Milky Way Position & Orientation

The Milky Way core changes position throughout the night and year:

• Early season (March–April): Core rises vertically

• Mid-season (May–July): Perfect arches and diagonals

• Late season (August–October): Core sets shortly after sunset

Understanding orientation allows photographers to:

• Frame arches over landscapes

• Align the core with mountains, salt flats, or volcanoes

• Create panoramas and star arches

Professional Milky Way planning apps are essential for this step.

3. Location Selection (Light Pollution Matters)

For professional results, you must shoot in:

• Bortle Class 1–2 skies

• High altitude locations

• Dry climates

Top Milky Way photography locations used by Photo Tours Peru include:

• Atacama Desert (Chile)

• Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia)

• High Andes of Peru

• Remote altiplano landscapes

These regions offer:

• Over 300 clear nights per year

• Extremely low humidity

• Minimal atmospheric distortion

Camera Gear for Milky Way Photography

Camera

• Full-frame camera preferred

• Excellent high-ISO performance

• Manual control required

Lenses

• Wide-angle: 14mm–24mm

• Fast aperture: f/1.4 – f/2.8

• Minimal coma distortion

Essential Accessories

• Sturdy tripod

• Headlamp with red light

• Intervalometer or remote shutter

• Extra batteries (cold drains power fast)

Recommended Milky Way Camera Settings (Starting Point)

These settings vary by location, altitude, and lens—but this is a professional baseline:

• Aperture: f/1.8 – f/2.8

• ISO: 3200 – 6400

• Shutter Speed: 10–20 seconds

• White Balance: 3800K – 4200K

• Focus: Manual (focused on stars)

Advanced photographers often use:

• Panorama stitching

• Image stacking

• Foreground blending

• Time blending

All techniques taught during Photo Tours Peru astrophotography tours.

Composition: Turning Stars into Art

A strong Milky Way image is not about stars alone.

Professional composition includes:

• Foreground interest (mountains, salt flats, lagoons)

• Leading lines

• Reflections (Uyuni wet season)

• Scale and depth

• Storytelling landscapes

This is why location scouting and local knowledge are essential—and a major advantage of guided photography tours.

Weather & Atmospheric Conditions

Perfect Milky Way photography requires:

• Clear skies (0–10% cloud cover)

• Low wind

• Dry air

• Stable atmosphere

Desert and high-altitude environments like:

• Atacama Desert

• Bolivian Altiplano

• Peruvian Andes

offer the cleanest skies in the world.

Why Photograph the Milky Way with Photo Tours Peru?

At Photo Tours Peru, Milky Way photography is not an add-on—it’s the core experience.

Our tours provide:

• Carefully planned new moon departures

• Access to remote locations

• High-altitude, low-light-pollution sites

• Professional astrophotography guidance

• Landscape + night photography combined

Popular tours include:

• Atacama & Uyuni Astrophotography Tour

• Peru Night Photography Tours

• High Andes Milky Way Expeditions

Final Thoughts: Milky Way Photography in 2026

Milky Way photography is a combination of:
Science + Planning + Creativity + Location

With the right preparation—and the right destination—2026 is an exceptional year to photograph the galaxy, especially in South America.

Whether you are an experienced astrophotographer or advancing your night photography skills, professional planning and expert guidance make the difference between a good image and a world-class photograph.

Plan Your Milky Way Photography Tour

Explore our professional astrophotography expeditions at:
👉 Photo Tours Peru