Capture the Atlas has just revealed its seventh annual Milky Way Photographer of the Year winners. From over 5,000 entries, editor-in-chief Dan Zafra chose 25 mesmerizing photographs from 15 different countries, including the US, Chile, Argentina, Australia, Oman, and Jordan.
The Milky Way, a colossal spiral galaxy spanning 50,000 light years and containing over a billion stars, dust, and gas, was the focal point for these winning entries. The Sun, situated 25,000 light years from the galaxy’s center, is just a tiny piece of this vast cosmic puzzle.
Lorenzo Ranieri captured a breathtaking panorama in the Atacama Desert, Chile. Using a Sony 35mm lens for the sky and a Sony 14mm lens for the foreground, Ranieri’s detailed image was the result of multiple exposure and noise reduction techniques. He shared, ‘Spending the night there was admittedly a bit nerve-wracking, but the opportunity to photograph such beauty made it worthwhile. The Milky Way’s arch, in all its splendor, rises above the pristine landscape, creating a truly mesmerizing scene.’
Meanwhile, Benjamin Barakat’s ‘Mother Juniper’ showcases the Milky Way above a juniper tree in Jebel Shams, Oman. Barakat’s use of a Sony A7 IV and a Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 lens resulted in a captivating shot. ‘I found myself beneath the juniper’s boughs, gazing up at the cosmic dance above, capturing its essence in the stillness of the night,’ he described.
In Dordogne, France, Julien Looten took the stunning ‘Atmospheric Fireworks,’ featuring a chateau under the Milky Way. This image required 40 separate shots in a 180-degree panorama using a modified Canon 6D Astrodon and a Sigma 28mm f/1.4 lens. Looten recounted, ‘Last winter, I ventured to the foot of a medieval castle in France to capture the Milky Way’s ‘winter’ arc. Alongside the stunning celestial vault, an exceptional airglow illuminated the sky, resembling multicolored clouds. This natural phenomenon occurs due to a chemical reaction in the upper atmosphere, emitting a faint light known as chemiluminescence.’
Kerry-Ann Lecky Hepburn’s ‘The Celestial Symphony Above a High Desert Lagoon’ was also taken in the Atacama Desert, Chile. Using a modified Canon R6 and a Sigma 15mm f/2.8 fisheye lens, she captured this ethereal scene in a single 25-second exposure. ‘One night, we embarked on an eerie 40-minute trek in the dark along a salt trail to photograph the Milky Way and one of several lagoons in the high elevations of the Atacama Desert. At 15,000 feet, it was easy to get out of breath while walking across this rugged terrain with camera gear. Originally planned for daylight hours, we postponed the hike due to fierce winds. During the day, the lagoons typically appear bright blue with the sun shining high in the sky. To replicate this effect at night, we used a flashlight to cast a beam across the tranquil waters during a long exposure, resulting in a surreal and mesmerizing scene,’ she explained.
These captivating images, showcasing the beauty and scale of the Milky Way galaxy, highlight the incredible talent of photographers from around the world. Their dedication to capturing the cosmos offers viewers a chance to see the night sky in all its splendor.
