From Stargazing to Shooting the Milky Way: How a Dreamland Workshop Sparked a New Obsession

You never forget your first night sleeping under the stars; especially when those stars become your creative muse.

For Sally Underwood, decades of outdoor adventure laid the foundation. From countless nights spent cowboy camping in the Grand Canyon to backpacking near Canyonlands with a sleeping bag and curiosity, the constellations were familiar companions. But it wasn’t until a Dreamland astrophotography workshop at White Pocket that those constellations became the subject of her lens, and the start of a new passion.

“I literally had never used anything but an iPhone before that trip,” Sally says.  “But I had laid the foundation for wanting to see more than my human eyes could see, and I was amazed by photos of the night sky taken with “real” cameras.”

What began as a spontaneous leap into night photography has since led Sally from Arizona to the Canary Islands. She’s now the one posting stunning Milky Way shots online, and encouraging others to take the leap.

Below, we caught up with Sally to learn more about her journey into astrophotography, the role Dreamland played in launching it, and what advice she has for beginners.

Q&A With Astrophotographer (and Former Beginner!) Sally Underwood

Q: You’ve spent a lifetime in the outdoors, but photography is a more recent passion. What inspired you to finally pick up a camera—and what drew you to the night sky?

Sally: The majority of time I spent in the Grand Canyon, I never used any kind of shelter unless the rare rain was eminent, so I spent nights literally “under the stars”. The constellations became like old friends, and I could estimate what time it was by how they had moved. I think that familiarity laid the foundation for wanting to see more than my human eyes could see, and I was amazed by photos of the night sky taken with “real” cameras.

Q: What was your experience like joining Dreamland’s White Pocket workshop with Cody York, especially with such little prior experience?

Sally: I had been to White Pocket before (the first time on a Dreamland tour), and it’s called me back ever since. Cody was a patient instructor whose top priority (after safety, of course) was to meet you at your level of experience and make sure you came away from the workshop with good images. The Dreamland team provided great support in very challenging conditions (windy as heck and unusually cold) and even brought us sleeping bags out at the shooting location in the middle of the night to keep us from freezing.

The post production sessions, including instructional videos, were key too, since editing is so crucial for night photography. Cody and his assistant, Bob Duncan, have continued to offer support and answer questions, even after the workshop was finished.

Q: You’ve shot the night sky in some amazing places since. What locations stand out the most?

Sally: The Grand Canyon was such a huge part of my life for so many years, it has to be one of my favorites. It’s challenging though, since the south rim faces the wrong direction, and there aren’t too many places on the north rim that are both accessible and have something in the mid foreground that would give the photo depth. Another  favorite location for me is one I discovered near Canyonlands, where I backpacked camera gear out there and spent the night. The entire southwest is a treasure trove of dark skies and beautiful landscapes, and although I love to use astrophotography as an excuse to travel afar, it is where my heart is.

📷 Below: A few of Sally’s favorite shots from the Southwest—Grand Canyon, Lees Ferry, and her go-to Utah campsite.

Q: What’s been the most surprising part of learning astrophotography?

Sally: What has surprised me most is how much time needs to be spent editing photos..sitting in front of a computer challenges my patience and attention span, but is absolutely essential for the final image. I think spending so much time outdoors has given me a good sense of how the night sky is influenced by time of year, moon phases, and the earth’s rotation. All of that comes into play when seeking a good composition. I’m also just comfortable wandering around in the backcountry in the dark!

Q: What would you say to someone who’s outdoorsy but intimidated by the technical side of night photography?

Sally: I would tell them to take one of your workshops! Barring that, watch a bunch of Youtube videos, searching “Milky Way photography for beginners”. Use a tripod and (if possible) a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a wide lens, although these days you can apparently get pretty good “gateway drug” photos with an iphone. Find a really dark sky location using websites that map light pollution. Go to a location in the daytime with an app like Photopills to see in augmented reality where the Milky Way will be when you plan to be there at any given night. Then just “shoot”!  As I told my husband when he was skeptical about me taking the first workshop with virtually no experience…with many situations in the outdoors (climbing? white water rafting? high altitude trekking?), being a true novice could get you hurt or even killed. This new endeavor might be confusing, frustrating or even embarrassing, but isn’t likely to do bodily harm!   Embrace the wonderful process of being out there, looking up at the beautiful night sky.

Ready to Find Your Own Night Sky Moment?

Sally’s journey started with a sleeping bag, an open mind, and a sky full of stars. If you’re curious about trying night photography. whether you’re a total beginner or want to hone your skills, we’d love to have you on one of our White Pocket Astrophotography Workshops.

You’ll get expert guidance, support in the field, and the kind of desert stargazing experience you can’t find anywhere else in the world.