Night Sky Photography Through the Lens of a Local Astrophotographer

Interested in astrophotography? Local photographer Wendy Islas shares her tips and favorite locations for capturing the night sky around Marana, including how to photograph the Milky Way.

CreditWendy Islas

Why Marana

Dark Sky Locations

Plan Your Shoot

Camera Setting Tips

When to Photograph the Milky Way

Wendy's Perspective

Dark Sky Communities

Advance Your Astrophotography

Meet Wendy Islas, a local astrophotographer who has spent countless evenings chasing the Milky Way across Southern Arizona's darkest skies. Wendy was also the first-place winner and people’s choice winner for the Ironwood Sticker and photo competition. As someone who regularly photographs Marana's internationally recognized night skies, Wendy shares her favorite tips, techniques, and locations to help you capture stunning images of the cosmos.

Why Marana is a Dream Destination for Astrophotography

With minimal light pollution and skies filled with brilliant stars, Marana is one of Southern Arizona's premier destinations for night sky photography. The Marana portion of Saguaro National Park West is recognized as an International Dark Sky Place, while Ironwood Forest National Monument is working toward its own dark sky designation. Combined with wide-open desert landscapes and exceptionally dark skies, Marana offers ideal conditions for capturing the Milky Way during peak season. Throughout the year, astrophotographers travel from across the region to photograph dazzling star fields, dramatic desert silhouettes, and one of nature's most spectacular nighttime displays.

CreditWendy L Islas

Finding the Darkest Skies

When choosing a location for astrophotography, darker skies almost always produce the best results. Marana is home to several excellent stargazing destinations, including Saguaro National Park West, Ironwood Forest National Monument, Sanctuary Cove, and the Tortolita Mountains. Once you've selected a location, check its Bortle Scale rating before heading out. The Bortle Scale measures the brightness of the night sky and the effects of light pollution, using a scale from 1 to 9. A rating of 1 represents the darkest skies with virtually no light pollution, while 9 indicates heavily light-polluted urban areas. The lower the Bortle rating, the better your chances of capturing brilliant stars and the Milky Way at its finest.

Planning Your Shoot

Once you've selected a location, visit it during daylight hours to become familiar with the terrain, identify potential compositions, and locate any obstacles before returning after dark. Scouting ahead not only helps you plan your shots but also makes navigating the area at night much safer.

Before heading out, check the weather forecast for cloud cover, wind, or monsoon activity that could affect visibility or create unsafe conditions. A little preparation can go a long way in ensuring a safe and successful night of astrophotography.

CreditWendy L Islas

Camera Settings for Photographing the Milky Way

Capturing the Milky Way starts with the right equipment and camera settings. While today's smartphones are capable of photographing the night sky, a DSLR or mirrorless camera paired with a wide-angle lens will produce the best results. Prime lenses in the 14mm, 16mm, or 20mm range are excellent choices, while zoom lenses such as a 14–24mm or 17–28mm offer added flexibility for different compositions. A lens with a wide aperture of f/2.8 or wider allows more light to reach the camera sensor, making it ideal for low-light photography.

A sturdy tripod is essential for keeping the camera steady during long exposures, and a headlamp with a red-light mode makes it easier to adjust your equipment without affecting your night vision.

Set your camera to Manual (M) mode and use the widest aperture available on your lens, such as f/2.8. Start with a shutter speed between 10 and 30 seconds and experiment based on your focal length and camera. Set your ISO between 3200 and 6400, adjusting as needed to balance brightness and image noise. Shooting in RAW format preserves the most image data, giving you greater flexibility when editing.

To reduce camera shake, use your camera's self-timer, a remote shutter release, or an intervalometer. Finally, don't forget to pack extra batteries and memory cards—long exposures and cool nighttime temperatures can drain batteries more quickly than expected.

When to Photograph the Milky Way

The Milky Way is visible in the Northern Hemisphere from February through early November each year, shifting westward across the sky as the season progresses. Early in the season, the galactic core doesn't appear until later at night, while toward the end of the season it's visible earlier in the evening, shortly after sunset. So, if you're a night owl, the beginning of Milky Way season is for you!

Planning ahead can make all the difference when photographing the Milky Way. Apps such as PhotoPills, The Photographer's Ephemeris, and PlanIt help photographers determine when and where the Milky Way will appear. Milky Way calendars are also available to show the best times each month to photograph the galactic core around the moon's cycle, with one of the most popular created by Capture the Atlas.

Clear skies are essential for Milky Way photography. Apps like Clear Sky, Dark Sky, and other weather tools can help you monitor cloud cover before heading out. While crystal-clear skies provide the best view of the stars, a little cloud cover can sometimes add drama and mood to your composition.

CreditWendy L Islas

Under Marana’s Stars: A Photographer’s Perspective

For local astrophotographer Wendy Islas, photographing the Milky Way is about more than capturing a beautiful image—it’s about experiencing the wonder of the night sky. After years of spending evenings under the stars, Wendy shares what first inspired her journey, the unforgettable moments she has experienced in the field, and why Marana’s dark skies continue to draw her back.

I have always been mesmerized by the Milky Way. Ever since I started seeing photos of it on social media, all I could think was: How can I capture it for myself? After witnessing the stars dazzling above while standing in the desert, a beautiful canyon, or on the edge of an Arizona lake, I knew I wanted to capture this magic on camera too.

Observing the Milky Way and the night sky is an amazing experience. It is not uncommon to look up and see a “shooting star” or a meteor fly by. You may even witness a fireball, and in rare instances, a comet or even the aurora borealis. In 2024, the Atlas Comet was visible, and in 2025, the Lemmon Comet and the Swan Comet were visible across the dark sky. In the desert, it is common to pause and listen to the call of coyotes as they pass by. You may encounter insects, scorpions, and even snakes as they move across the ground below. And sometimes, you might hear the rustling of brush nearby that makes the hairs on your arm stand on end—only to discover it is a cow or a javelina.

There are many places to capture the Milky Way in Southern Arizona. In recent years, I have visited the Marana area and Ironwood Forest National Monument, including the magnificent Shiva saguaro cactus. Another incredible location is Ragged Top and the Silver Bell Mountains. During October 2024, I witnessed Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS (C/2023 A3) just after a beautiful sunset, with the Milky Way towering above Ragged Top It was a scene I will never forget.

I have spent many hours in the field practicing since those early days in my pursuit of capturing the Milky Way. I am still on my photography journey and continue searching for new techniques and strategies to help me grow, like stacking, star tracking and star trails. I have enjoyed many nights under the stars, sharing the sights and sounds with family, friends, and, on occasion, my faithful dog Frida. The Milky Way continues to be awe-inspiring!

Credit@kelvinaz_photo

Understanding Dark Sky Communities

Dark Sky Communities are places around the world recognized for their commitment to protecting the night sky and reducing the impacts of light pollution. These communities are certified by DarkSky International after meeting strict criteria focused on responsible outdoor lighting, conservation efforts, and preserving the visibility of stars for future generations.

By limiting unnecessary artificial light, Dark Sky Communities help protect the natural nighttime environment while creating incredible opportunities for stargazing, astrophotography, and connecting with the night sky. Visitors can explore light pollution levels in different areas using resources such as Light Pollution Map to find locations with darker skies and better viewing conditions.

Credit@kelvinaz_photo (Kelvin Garcia)

Taking Your Astrophotography to the Next Level

Astrophotography is a journey of learning, experimenting, and connecting with others who share a passion for the night sky. When I first began photographing the Milky Way, I started reaching out to photographers on social media and asking questions about how to improve my images.

I attended a presentation from local professional astrophotographer Sean Parker and later participated in his workshops, which I highly recommend for anyone looking to expand their skills. I also spent time studying YouTube photographers and Milky Way photography tutorials, joined local night photography groups, and connected with other photographers who offered mentorship and friendship along the way.

Beyond learning new techniques, I spend countless hours outside with my camera, practicing and exploring the night sky. Through that process, astrophotography became more than just a hobby—it became a passion. And you just might find yourself hooked too!