My first Astro Image - Critique and suggestions

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

11/04/2009 01:42:49 PM · #1

Hello

I always wanted to learn the Astrophotography but never started. Yesterday I took my first Astro Photo (a simple though) to begin my learning. I am very excited with this first photo and wanted to share with you all. :)

11/03/09

11/05/09 - @ 10.10 PM

11/07/09 - 11.05PM

Thanks
NaSa

Message edited by author 2009-11-08 00:58:58.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

11/04/2009 03:01:48 PM · #2

You did a good job. Much better than I did with my first attempt at shooting the moon. Congrats!

I think a bit more brightness and contrast might make your photo even better. But that's just an opinion. :)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 (Lumix DMC-G80)

11/04/2009 03:16:47 PM · #3

Thanks Mike for the compliments. i tried to increase the contrast but started seeing it unnatural so left it there.

NaSa

Originally posted by Mick:

alpharich

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60 mm

11/04/2009 04:13:05 PM · #4

great start!

i would suggest using the moon exposure calculator to get your exposures spot on, then when you are getting a few images spot on task a whole bunch of them and use stacking software to sort them out and make one image from them all, it's dead easy promise! Basically the atmosphere wobbles and take the software sorts that out.

Also best phase of the moon to get images is round the half moon, more dramatic and the light is less glarey.

11/04/2009 05:28:45 PM · #5

Thanks a lot for the advice and the links. I will surely try that. Yes, I will be trying to shoot the half moon with earth light. This is exciting!!! :)

Originally posted by nikonrich:

11/04/2009 07:34:33 PM · #6

I strongly recommend Astrophotography for the Amateur. It is a very good book. amazon.com link

11/04/2009 07:35:57 PM · #7

Two notes:

1) Never shoot a full moon. Its boring. :) Wait for a cresent, then you'll get some shadows and depth to the surface.

2) Don't trust your light meter, for the same reason you wouldn't trust it when shooting snow. Use the histogram as your guide.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

11/04/2009 07:39:18 PM · #8

Here is one I did:

Its not good, but it shows what I meant about shadows.

Its actually the first moon shot I ever took through a scope only days after I got my first dSLR. I haven't been out in a while, maybe again soon, to get a better shot.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

11/04/2009 07:55:09 PM · #9

A couple more useful links:

Complete Sun and Moon data for one day (US Naval Observatory)

An Astrophotography Primer (DPC Tutorial)

11/04/2009 10:22:02 PM · #10

Thanks a lot for all your comments and the links. They will be helpful for me to learn more. My plan is to shoot moon every night (wait for clear sky) and take all different shades of moon. Also try to capture earth light.

Thanks again
NaSa

Originally posted by PGerst:

Here is one I did:

Its not good, but it shows what I meant about shadows.

Its actually the first moon shot I ever took through a scope only days after I got my first dSLR. I haven't been out in a while, maybe again soon, to get a better shot.

11/04/2009 10:25:14 PM · #11

Thanks a lot. Will help a lot. Appreciate your help. Please revisit in couple of days to see some new shots and critique/suggest.

Thanks
NaSa

Originally posted by GeneralE:

A couple more useful links:

Complete Sun and Moon data for one day (US Naval Observatory)

An Astrophotography Primer (DPC Tutorial)

11/08/2009 01:00:59 AM · #12

Couple of long exposure shots (30 Seconds)

11/08/2009 08:25:40 AM · #13

Here is a tip for avoiding star trails, unless of course, you WANT them :)

To minimize the star trail, the exposure time (t) in seconds, should be no longer than

t = 1000 / (F cos d)

Where F is the focal length of the lens, in millimeters
d is the declination of the star

11/08/2009 11:31:32 AM · #14

Thanks a lot. That helps.

NaSa

Originally posted by PGerst:

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

11/08/2009 12:20:44 PM · #15

You can shoot the moon in the daytime too, and get a nice blue sky behind it. Another trick is to shoot right at moonset or moonrise to use the atmosphere as a sort of gradient filter.

11/08/2009 12:49:41 PM · #16

Not to mention watching sunrise/sunset ON the moon. Watch the shadows carefully, take a couple photos. The very edge of light/dark is the sunrise/sunset.

11/08/2009 02:13:35 PM · #17

Yes that will be intersting. I should have tried that this morning but i will try that sometime next week.
Thanks
NaSa

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

You can shoot the moon in the daytime too, and get a nice blue sky behind it. Another trick is to shoot right at moonset or moonrise to use the atmosphere as a sort of gradient filter.