David Malin Awards 2020

[Slawomir (Suavi)]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

The wash-up after the Malin's is always interesting. I was amazed to get a gong for albeit a higher than your average resolution a monochrome lunar image, but from the hand full of entries I submitted, while I thought the framing and res wasn't too shabby, it was my "least required effort" entry to be sure.

But as for the competition, it's David Malin's call and if you don't like his take on AP, then don't enter. There have been some well known imagers who take cheap shots and deride both the judge and the format, but I'd say it's simply a case of good old Aussie tall poppy syndrome with a bowl of sour grapes.

I've had some success at CWAS from what I believe is revealing the unaltered beauty of nature, hidden in the night sky, rather than turning everything into Las Vegas neon lights. With over 50 HM/HC's, the innovation prize, over a dozen category wins and the "big one" a couple of times I suspect that ethos is also what David likes to see.

But you might want to consider the following if you enter next year: is the colour accurate? Do extensive research by examining a professional observatory images and glean what colour H-alpha should be, (and h-beta, and OIII etc.) If you make something that really should be red look purple it will be culled pretty quickly.

Is the relative brightness correct? Sure, use Photoshop curves the enhance the values, but breaking from reality will again not be looked upon kindly.

Is the subject matter engaging? i.e. would you cross the room for a closer look? If it is REALLY engaging you will be forgiven technical faults (poor tracking, noise, focus, clipping etc.) If it is a well known "showcase" object what are you revealing that has not been shown before? Extreme depth or extremely high resolution or showing subtle colour variations that have REAL physical processes behind them is challenging, but often brings a fresh perspective to 'oft imaged objects.

Push the envelope of your field size...spaning tens of degrees or just a few arc minutes, provided you can maintain high resolution can give breathtaking results.
Troy's winning wide field images and dare I say my own M42 ( not M42 again!) is testimony to that.

There is an ocean full of FL 1200mm deep-sky images out there....and yes Virginia...the mostly look the same.

Tracking, focus, exposure, noise and processing artefacts all need to be under control or absent. This is a national competition. Get the basics right! To quote Yoda: "Do or do not...there is no try". Stars are eggy or out of focus (crucifixion on the left) or they are not (freedom on the right).

Lastly, calibrate you monitor with a Spyder Pro or similar, almost every year David comments "If only this had been calibrated properly.."
Just my 2cents worth.

Thank you Peter for your honest opinion and advice - very useful hints for the many of us who are still learning the basics. Astro is just one of my hobbies though, and I am just having fun with it, usually after a full on day. I did submit my imperfect images more with a purpose of supporting the community, not expecting accolades. One day perhaps, I will become an Astro Jedi. Until then, astro is just fun pass-time after work, weather permitting of course

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by Slawomir

Thank you Peter for your honest opinion and advice - very useful hints for the many of us who are still learning the basics. Astro is just one of my hobbies though, and I am just having fun with it, usually after a full on day. I did submit my imperfect images more with a purpose of supporting the community, not expecting accolades. One day perhaps, I will become an Astro Jedi. Until then, astro is just fun pass-time after work, weather permitting of course

Don't sell yourself short, I think the imaging-force is strong with you Suavi!

Indeed..I do AP because it gives me enjoyment. It's like panning for gold for me, you point a camera/scope at some patch of sky, and are occasionally rewarded with a handsome nugget.

If your sole purpose is seeking kudos, then you'll likely end up bitter and disappointed .

[Slawomir (Suavi)]

Thank you Peter

[tim.anderson (Tim Anderson)]

Originally Posted by andyc

I chose not to enter - David has rather rigid ideas as to what he likes for the Solar System (nearly always colourful Moon or Sun shots, that's of course his choice!); but rather more concerning for me is the awards' association with the anti-science News Corp. I'll think about whether to enter in subsequent years; perhaps if I were unlucky enough to get the News Corp award, I'd give it to a climate charity or something...


Edit - just seen the winning Solar System images for 2020, and yes, it's Moon all the way!

Just for clarity, News Corporation is not a sponsor of the David Malin Awards. Jeff Darmanin, a News Corp. Picture Editor, judged the "Photo Editor's Choice" section of the awards. He does so in a private capacity.

[Sunfish (Ray)]

I very much enjoyed seeing the David Malin awards as prints at Parkes last year. Always exciting to see a large print on a wall of such great quality work. Perhaps one of the big Canberra galleries or the science centre will host an exhibition one day.

Maybe next year a retrospective with the science centre picking up the printing and display costs. Congratulations to the winners and the commended and all who took the effort to submit.