There is something truly magical about photographing the Milky Way.
A blend of careful planning, technical skill and a little luck with the weather, it is an adventure that tests patience and persistence.
Recently, over 20 passionate photographers from YL Camera and Sony set off on a three-day, two-night Milky Way photography trip to Mersing, Johor – an outing that proved both challenging and rewarding.
While meticulous planning can be done months in advance, capturing the Milky Way ultimately depends on one unpredictable factor: the weather.
No matter how well-prepared one may be, clear skies are essential – and never guaranteed.
Several apps, such as Clear Outside and Windy, help predict cloud cover and atmospheric conditions, but until you are physically at the location, there is always an element of uncertainty.
For the YL Camera and Sony group, the first morning was a complete washout due to thick cloud cover and rain. Spirits were dampened, but hope for clearer skies remained.
On the second morning, the Milky Way was set to rise at 4am, but heavy clouds only cleared at 5.30am – just before the onset of the blue hour at 6.30am.
It was a frustrating yet exhilarating moment, as the window of opportunity to capture the galaxy shrank to just 30 minutes.
However, within that short timeframe, many photographers managed to take at least 20 frames, with their cameras set at ISO 2500-3200 and an exposure time of 25 seconds.
One of the best parts of a Milky Way trip is the camaraderie.
While many participants had prior experience in astrophotography, there was always something new to learn – especially from the younger photographers, who are more adept at using advanced editing software.
Photography thrives on shared knowledge, and these type of outings offer the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas, tips, and techniques.
Being out in the open, under a vast night sky, surrounded by like-minded enthusiasts, creates a unique sense of adventure.
The trip was not just about capturing stunning images but also about forming new friendships, exploring different shooting techniques and refining the nuances of post-processing.
The Milky Way, our home galaxy, is a breathtaking collection of stars, dust and gas that appears as a luminous band stretching across the night sky.
Photographing it requires a dark location free from light pollution, a stable tripod, a camera with manual settings and perfect timing – ideally during the new moon phase when the skies are at their darkest.
The key settings for capturing the Milky Way include a wide-open aperture of f/2.8 or lower to allow maximum light, a shutter speed of 20 to 25 seconds to capture enough detail without star trailing and an ISO of 2500-3200 to balance brightness and noise. And, of course, dialling the Kelvin (white balance) to 3200K is crucial.
But capturing the Milky Way is only half the journey – post-processing plays a vital role in bringing out the details.
While Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom are widely used, other software such as Sequator and StarNet help stack images and reduce noise, resulting in a more detailed and vibrant final image.
Additionally, apps like Stellarium and PhotoPills assist in planning and tracking the Milky Way’s movement across the night sky.
The journey to Mersing from Kuala Lumpur takes around five hours by road, ending with a drive to Endau, a small coastal town known for its fishing industry.
Exploring Endau provided the group with a brief respite before the night’s photography session.
With its charming rural roads, fresh seafood, and scenic coastline, Endau offered a glimpse into Malaysia’s quieter, slower-paced side – an unexpected yet delightful part of the trip.
Beyond the night sky, the group also had the chance to capture the beauty of sunrise and sunset.
Despite persistent cloud cover, sunrise photography turned out to be a hidden gem. The dramatic clouds added depth and mood to the images, creating an artistic atmosphere.
One particularly striking scene featured an abandoned fishing vessel stranded on one of Endau’s beaches, making for a captivating, storytelling composition.
The interplay of soft light and moody clouds created an unforgettable moment that highlighted nature’s beauty, even in less-than-ideal conditions.
The Milky Way trip was more than just a photography expedition – it was an adventure filled with challenges, learning opportunities and unforgettable moments.
While unpredictable weather tested everyone’s patience, the experience of witnessing and capturing the grandeur of our galaxy, even for just a fleeting moment, made it all worthwhile.
Often, the journey is just as important as the destination.
