OK I don't get it, or do I?

Astrophysics cl in college we saw videos all about different galaxies, light years away, their planets, their pure elements & compounts, also the existance of life!! I'm kidding about the existance of life:) I wanted to know how many galaxies exist in the Milky Way and many told me it's not clear yet, we don't exactly know. If, as you say, ain't clear how many in our galaxy then how are scientists able to produce photos of galaxies so far away, including their planets, from the Milky Way? If they can see that far why can't they see in our Galaxy to determine the number of solar systems?