"“Every year, this collection reminds us that photographing the Milky Way is not only about technique or planning. It is about curiosity, patience, and the desire to experience the night sky in places where it still feels wild,” says Dan Zafra, editor of Capture the Atlas and curator of the annual contest."
"“Many of these skies are becoming increasingly rare, and we hope these images inspire people not only to admire them, but also to value and protect them.”"
"Organized by Capture the Atlas, the 2026 Milky Way Photographer of the Year saw a record number of submissions, with more than 6,500 entries representing a wide range of landscapes and perspectives around the world. Just 25 were selected as the top images, representing 12 different regions from the Canary Islands to New Zealand to Argentina."
The 2026 Milky Way Photographer of the Year received more than 6,500 submissions organized by Capture the Atlas. Twenty-five images were selected as top works, representing 12 regions worldwide, from the Canary Islands to New Zealand and Argentina. The collection emphasizes that photographing the Milky Way depends on more than technique or planning. It centers on curiosity, patience, and the desire to experience the night sky in places that still feel wild. Many of these skies are becoming increasingly rare, and the images aim to inspire admiration while encouraging people to value and protect them.
Read at Colossal
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]