Madera Canyon Milky Way Photography –
Thursday 10/16/2025
Trip Cost: Free but you must register to attend.
October is a great time to photograph the Milky Way in Arizona. The sun sets around 6 PM and the weather is generally warm. You can start taking photos about 2 hours after sunset, so there are multiple opportunities starting at 8 PM and you don’t need to be out late into the night. On the 16th of October, the moon is 15% illuminated but does not rise until 3 AM on the following morning. In these conditions, skies are very dark in Madera Canyon and the Milky Way will pop!
This is an outdoor event. Please dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes. You will need a camera with manual settings and a sturdy tripod. A wide-angle lens with large aperture (at least 4.0) is helpful. Our field trip leader Cliff DeJong will send out suggested settings and other tips by email a few days before this event. You can try and use a cell phone but results will not be very good.
We will meet and photograph in the Proctor parking lot at the entrance to Madera Canyon. Be there by 7:30 PM to get setup. You may want to come a little earlier to get the foreground lit up at dusk, but please do not come after 8 PM, since your headlights will disrupt photos.
Cliff DeJong will be the trip leader. For questions, call Cliff at 720-340-9194 or email at CliffDeJong@gmail.com. He will send out more information to registered participants via email a few days before the event. There will also be a session at the club to show editing tips.
Because of space limitations at the parking lot, there is a limit of 12 photographers. If there is enough interest, there may be another session on October 20. Please register no later than October 12.
GVR requires that every person participating in the club’s field trips must sign a waiver absolving GVR of any liability. You will be required to sign waiver at the Photography Club before the trip.
If you need to cancel, please contact the field Trip Co-chair Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the waitlist to take your place. On the morning of the trip, please call Cliff and Lynn as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.
NOTICE:
All participants need to be responsible for an assessment of their mobility and health issues relating to field trips. Some trips may not be appropriate, but you must make that determination. However, the trip leader may deny participation in a specific field trip to anyone deemed not suitably prepared or able to walk with the group.
The club strives to provide several field trips specifically designed for members with physical limitations.
In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club, GVR, and have signed a GVR Waiver of Liability.
The GVR Photography Club is located in the Recreation Village of Santa Rita Springs.