The night sky is teeming with spectacular sights just waiting to be imaged, but where do you begin? The Complete Guide to Astrophotography has the answer. Inside you'll find a course like no other - all the techniques and tutorials you need to progress from simple smartphone imaging to fully autoguided deep-sky shots, plus in-depth processing advice.
Welcome
ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY
NIGHTSCAPES
EQUIPMENT • Essential kit for shooting pin-sharp astrophotos
WHICH DSLR LENS?
TECH TALK: • Camera settings explained
WHICH SETTINGS SHOULD YOU USE?
TECHNIQUE • Master your camera’s settings to capture the stars
STEP BY STEP: • Set up your DSLR for astrophotography
PRO POINTER: • How to focus for pin-sharp results
MASTERCLASS 1 • Compose a view of a constellation and capture it
STEP BY STEP: • Four steps to your first constellation image
PRO POINTER: • Consider your composition
MASTERCLASS 2 • How to image star trails and the motion of the night sky
MORE INSPIRING TWILIGHT TARGETS
PRO POINTER • Montages can reveal planetary progress
STEP BY STEP • Image star trails in four simple steps
MASTERCLASS 3 • Make the most of the many annual meteor showers
STEP BY STEP • How to catch the best images of meteors
THE MOON
EQUIPMENT • The kit you’ll need to start snapping the Moon
TECH TALK • Essential accessories
TECHNIQUE • These tips and tricks will help you get the perfect shot
TECH TALK: • Why video still trumps imaging
PLANNING TOOLS • The best firee apps and software for lunar imaging
PRO POINTER: • Six top first-time targets
MASTERCLASS 1 • Afocal imaging with a smartphone
STEP BY STEP: • Use your smartphone to shoot the Moon
MASTERCLASS 2 • The crescent Moon and earthshine
STEP BY STEP: • Shooting and processing to capture a crescent Moon
MASTERCLASS 3 • Blend multiple exposures into a lunar mosaic
STEP BY STEP: • Processing your panes using AviStack
THE PLANETS
EQUIPMENT • All the gear you need to photograph the planets
TECH TALK: • Why use filters?
CAMERA CHOICE
PRO POINTER: • Seeing and planetary imaging
TECHNIQUE • Master these methods to capture the planets
PRO POINTER: • How to prepare for a night of planetary imaging
TECH TALK: • Keeping your target in the frame
ELONGATIONS & OPPOSITIONS: • Key dates for the future
MASTERCLASS 1 • Capturing Mars with a colour camera
THE OTHER INNER PLANETS
STEP BY STEP: • Refine your image with RegiStax
MASTERCLASS 2 • Create a colour image of Jupiter with a mono camera
THE OTHER OUTER PLANETS
STEP BY STEP: • Merge your R, G and B images into a full-colour shot
THE SUN
EQUIPMENT • From filters to scopes – all you need to capture the Sun
TECH TALK: • How dedicated solar telescopes work
STEP BY STEP: • Make a white-light filter
CAMERA CHOICE
TECHNIQUE • Tips and tricks for successful solar imaging
TECH TALK: • Which mount?
PRO POINTER: • Three popular wavelengths to view the Sun
MASTERCLASS 1 • See sunspots with projections and white-light filters
TECH TALK: • Finding focus
SEEING AND THE SUN
STEP BY STEP: • Imaging the Sun in white light
MASTERCLASS 2 • Hydrogen-alpha imaging with a Coronado PST
TECH TALK • Adjusting your camera settings
STEP BY STEP • Refine and sharpen your images
THE DEEP...
