How to Capture Immensity. Photography at the San Pedro Mártir National Astronomical Observatory

When I first came to the observatory, photography was already part of my life, but its unique environment with its starry skies and great variety of flora and fauna, inspired me to learn more about it and capture the surrounding beauty. It was here where I discovered a way to portray the immensity of the universe in an instant, like the night when I captured with my camera in hand for the first time the Milky Way crossing the sky from side to side. Photography here is much more than a hobby for me: it is my way of saving special moments, of stopping and marveling at science and nature living together in perfect harmony.

Each photo that I take here reminds me how special this place is. The white domes of the telescopes rise imposingly against the blue sky, reflecting the changing light from sunrise to sunset in warm pink tones. 

Snowfall transforms the landscape into a white canvas where the blue of the sky highlights the snow’s purity, creating a scene of impressive contrast. Walking among the snow-covered trails, hearing the crunch under my boots, reminds me of the delicacy of nature and the strength of the telescopes that defy the cold to scrutinize the secrets of the universe. 

The flora and fauna around the observatory tell their own stories, from the thousands of pines that stand proudly against the icy wind, to the deer and coyotes that roam the grounds stealthily. The great variety of flowers that paint the landscape with their vibrant colors and the birds that soar through the sky with their song are witnesses to the eternal passage of the stars through the firmament. 

What I most enjoy photographing at the observatory are the night skies, where the Milky Way unfolds in all its majesty and the zodiacal light adds a subtle glow that transforms the landscape. The moonlight, intense and captivating, casts unexpected shadows on the ground, revealing a unique illumination I had never perceived before. Through the lens of my camera, I discover nuances, textures and colors that escape the naked eye, and every night I am amazed by the vastness and beauty of the universe unfolding above me. 

For me, photography at the observatory is a way to connect with my surroundings, to pause and appreciate the small details that often go unnoticed in the chaos of our everyday life. Each image is a testimony to the passage of time, from the old huts that saw the first steps of the observatory, to its constant evolution with the installation of new telescopes. Observing these changes fills me with pride and nostalgia; seeing how the observatory has grown and updated makes me feel like a part of this history in continuous construction. With my photographs I share with others the admiration I experience when I am here.

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