Introduction to Astrophotography Feb 15 at 7 pm EST

Start your journey in astrophotography here!

Join renowned astrophotographer, Gary Palmer, for this introductory course that will help guide you through the beginner steps of astrophotography. He will walk you through the type of equipment you will need and how to properly set it up, as well as how to start capturing, processing and publishing your own images of the night sky.

Course Outline:

1. Equipment Selection

• • Carefully choose your astrophotography equipment, including the telescope, camera, mount, and accessories.

2. Equipment Setup

• • Set up your equipment in a suitable location with minimal light pollution.
  • Ensure your mount is properly polar aligned for accurate tracking.

3. Explaining Image Capture and Types of Frames

1. • Understand the various types of frames: Subframes, Flats, Darks, Bias, and Dark Flats.
   • Subframes: Light frames capturing your target.
   • Flats: Images of an evenly lit field to correct for optical imperfections.
   • Darks: Images with the same exposure settings as your light frames but with the lens or telescope covered to capture noise.
   • Bias: Extremely short exposures to measure electronic noise.
   • Dark Flats: Combination of darks and flats.

4. Taking Different Image Frames

1. • Capture light frames by exposing your target.
   • Acquire flats by imaging a uniformly illuminated surface.
   • Record darks with the lens or telescope covered.
   • Obtain bias frames with short, quick exposures.

5. Workflow Development

1. • Plan your imaging session, considering the objects you want to photograph, their position in the sky, and exposure times.
   • Create a schedule to capture multiple subframes for stacking.
   • Organize your data into folders for easy access and post-processing.

6. Basic Image Processing Using Free Programs

1. • Using programs like DeepSkyStacker (DSS) and ASI Studio for aligning and stacking your frames.
   • Introduction to more advanced programs, such as PixInsight for enhancing your astrophotos.

7. Final Touch-Ups

1. • Apply advanced image processing techniques to enhance details, reduce noise, and correct color balance.
   • Fine-tune the image to bring out the best in your astrophotography.

8. Publishing

1. • Share your astrophotography on social media, astronomy forums, or personal websites.
   • Provide information about the equipment, exposure settings, and processing techniques used.

9. Considerations for Different Platforms

• • Tailor your astrophotography for specific platforms.
  • For social media, optimize your images for mobile viewing.
  • When submitting to astronomy forums, follow their posting guidelines.
  • If showcasing in exhibitions, print and frame your images professionally.

Standard ticket option:

• Access to the live Zoom
• Q&A with Gary Palmer throughout the course
• Processing workflow document and image data for practice
• Recording of the course

Premium ticket option:

• Access to the live Zoom
• Q&A with Gary Palmer throughout the course
• Processing workflow document and image data for practice
• Recording of the course
• 1 hour of 1:1 instruction with Gary Palmer after the course (date and time to be arranged directly with Gary Palmer)
• Early bird notice for future courses

Limited to 20 participants.

All workshops sales are final. No refunds are provided for missed workshops and registrants are not put into future workshops if one is missed. Recording of the workshop is still provided to all that registered.