1st Edition
The Complete Guide to Landscape Astrophotography Understanding, Planning, Creating, and Processing Nightscape Images
The Complete Guide to Landscape Astrophotography is the ultimate manual for anyone looking to create spectacular landscape astrophotography images. By explaining the science of landscape astrophotography in clear and straightforward language, it provides insights into phenomena such as the appearance or absence of the Milky Way, the moon, and constellations. This unique approach, which combines the underlying scientific principles of astronomy with those of photography, will help deepen your understanding and give you the tools you need to fulfil your artistic vision.
Key features include:
• Distinguished Guest Gallery of images from renowned nightscape photographers such as Babak Tafreshi, Bryan Peterson, Alan Dyer, Brenda Tharp, Royce Bair, Wally Pacholka, and David Kingham
• The twenty-five best landscape astrophotography subjects and how to photograph them
• Astronomy 101 - build your knowledge of night sky objects and their motion: the Milky Way, moon, Aurora Borealis/Australis, constellations, meteors and comets
• Information on state-of-the-art planning software and apps designed to enable you to capture and enhance your landscape astrophotography
• Field guide for creating a detailed plan for your night shoot
• Description of the best moon phases for specific types of nightscape images, and the best months and times of night to see the Milky Way
• How-to guide for creating stunning time-lapse videos of the night sky, including Holy Grail transitions from pre-sunset to complete darkness
• Four detailed case studies on creating landscape astrophotography images of the Milky Way, full moon, star trails, and constellations
Front Matter
Dedication
Foreword (Babak Tafreshi)
Preface
Acknowledgements
Section I.
What Is Landscape Astrophotography and Why Now?
Chapter 1 Introduction and Goals of Book
Section II.
Understanding Astronomy & Atmospheric Science for Nightscape Images
Chapter 2 The Night Sky & Its Movement
Chapter 3 Sunrises/Sunsets
Chapter 4 Aurora Borealis / Australis
Chapter 5 The Moon
Chapter 6 Solar System
Chapter 7 Meteors, Meteor Showers, Comets, Fireballs and Bolides
Chapter 8 Milky Way
Chapter 9 Weather and Atmospheric Science
Section III.
Understanding Photography for Landscape Astrophotography Images
Chapter 10 Light & the Human Eye
Chapter 11 Camera and Lens Systems
Chapter 12 Exposure
Chapter 13 Light Painting and Light Drawing
Chapter 14 Video, Time-Lapses and Motion-Production
Section IV.
Planning Landscape Astrophotography Images
Chapter 15 The 25 Best Landscape Astrophotography Targets (& How to Photograph Them)
Chapter 16 Developing Your Astrophotography Session Plan
Chapter 17 Essential Software and Apps
Chapter 18 Essential Hardware and Equipment
Section V.
Creating Landscape Astrophotography Images
Chapter 19 The Astrophotography Clinic
Chapter 20 Obstacles and Common Unexpected Problems
Section VI.
Processing Landscape Astrophotography Images
Chapter 21 Image Management and Processing Foundations
Chapter 22 Creative Nightscapes: Multiple Image Processing
Section VII.
Detailed Case Studies
Chapter 23 From Concept to Curating - Four Detailed Case Studies
Section VIII.
Guest Gallery
Chapter 24 Distinguished Guest Gallery
Section IX.
Conclusions
Chapter 25 Where Do We Go From Here
Appendices
I Equipment Checklist
II Figure Summary and World Map
III Annual Night Sky Planner
IV Homemade Planisphere
V The Altitude of Polaris
VI How Far Away is the Horizon
VII Contributor Websites
Index
Biography
Mike Shaw is a renowned professional photographer who leads night and nature photography workshops around the world. He holds a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara, an M.S. in Ceramic Engineering from the Ohio State University, and a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. Shaw is a former physics and astronomy professor who has taught thousands of students. He also conducts educational photography workshops for the community, including astronomy and astrophotography outreach seminars for the U.S. National Park Service.
