Astrophotography for Newbies

[dan_bgblue]

The images posted here are nothing short of beautiful. There is a lack of discussion of tips, techniques, equipment, etc. I hope the mods do not mind if I ask for recommendations of websites that provide reading for someone trying to learn the hobby.

Mods if you do mind, then please delete my thread as I will not be upset at all.

Any recommendations for online sites for a newbie who is trying to learn?

Thanks

Dan

[katodog]

Cloudy Nights. Best astronomy forum there is. Period. Sign up is free, and there's a bajillion very friendly and knowledgeable people there. Including myself (in the bajillion, not the knowledgeable)

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/index.php?Cat=0

[R Hardman]

Here are a few quick ones.

http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/dslr/EOS300Dastro.html

http://www.ayton.id.au/gary/Science/Astronomy/Ast_Photography_Adv.htm

http://www.starrywonders.com/tutorialpage1.html

[FarmerDave8N]

Hopefully an admin could move it to the Astronomy and Celestial talk forum, which is where the discussions are, and make it sticky. :)

+1 for CloudyNights, particularly the Beginning Imaging forum.

Jerry Lodriguss' Astrophotography Techniques (http://www.astropix.com/HTML/I_ASTROP/TOC_AP.HTM). His book on CD A Guide to Astrophotography with Digital SLR Cameras (http://www.astropix.com/GADC/GADC.HTM) is very good.

[Nighthound]

Welcome Dan. Kato's suggestion is a great one. There are many knowledgeable people there willing to help out. There are also many folks here that would be glad to answer any questions, including myself. There's a lot to cover in this hobby including all you mentioned and much more. If you could specify your interests(deep sky, planetary/Lunar or all of the above) as well as a possible budget and camera you might use for getting started, we can begin to make suggestions best suited for your needs.

The link below will take you to the section designated for the subjects you mentioned. There may be some things in the listing there that you could browse through and might find useful. And by all means ask as many questions as you like, we're here to help and I hope you'll find this a valuable place to visit as you get started in the hobby:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=126

[dan_bgblue]

Not only am I new to the digital side of astrophotography, I am new enough at this forum to have completely missed the talk forums. Thanks for all the replies and help. It looks like I have plenty of reading to do right here at POTN.

Thanks again

Dan

[txduggan]

Another vote for the Cloudy Nights forums and Jerry Lodriguss.

Jerry also hangs out in the Yahoo group that I used to moderate:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/digital_astro/

Tom D

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

Hey, I'm always up for a free plug for my own site. Free plug for a free site...feel free to visit anytime! Everything you need to know from a bloke who started from scratch. I hope it helps mate!

http://www.asignobservatory.com/astrophotography_guide.aspx

Baz.

[PJ]

This is exactly the kind of Thread I was hoping would pop up.

[Adrena1in]

+1 for CloudyNights, particularly the Beginning Imaging forum.

+2, I joined there and have learned loads.

[renderwerks]

Cloudy Nights is an excellent resource. I spend quite a bit of time there when I can.

I'm fairly new to this and thought I'd share some links from my favorites that I've gathered in the past several months:


AstronomyBoy (http://www.astronomyboy.com/)

Astrophotography Techniques (http://www.astropix.com/HTML/I_ASTROP/TOC_AP.HTM)

Covington's DSLR Astrophotography (http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/dslr/EOS300Dastro.html)

Naturescapes.net-Long Exposure Astrophotography (http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/index.php/category-technical/44-technical/145-long-exposure-astrophotography)

ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WITH THE ETX AND DS (http://www.weasner.com/etx/astrophotography/toc.html)

Afocal Astrophotography (http://www.spacealberta.com/photo/afocal.htm)

Shurs Astrophotography (http://www.schursastrophotography.com/)

Lots of great info, quite a bit to go through... Don't eat the whole thing all at once! ;)