What's the attraction to astrophotography?

[ZeroID (Brent)]

I'll go with the DIY aspect and the challenge of doing it 'my' way. I'm also a photog from way, way back and it's a technical extension to that. But I enjoy the workshop time immensely. Building a piece of equipment or solution that achieves what seems impossible by mere mortals. using materials and skills that make you think and learn.

Yep, that and standing around outside in the freezing bloody cold ....

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

Well I am getting old and not very good looking. I am useless at any sort of sport. And just looking at stars does nothing to impress my peers. Taking nice deep space pictures gets plenty of attention, with wows and that's fantastic comments. Tell people you are into astronomy and you get all sorts of odd reactions ( I love the star signs!) So what a way to feed my lack of self Esteem.... with impressing people with my pictures... Astrophotography.. The Art Of Funding Results LoL

Oh and I can't spell very well...


Na not really!.. It's just a real challenge and very rewarding... And the wife recons I'm not that bad looking, but she calls me Sheldon ???


Mardy

Can't think of a better reason

[RobF (Rob)]

Because I'm a nerd...

Astrophotography allows "multiple-personality-nerding" by combining my love of:

- computers and fiddling with/writing software
- astronomy (as someone else said - heck, that stuff really IS up there )
- electronics (there's always some new toy you need to buy or make )
- photography (never appealed until I bought a DSLR for AP though, so I've got the cart before the horse compared to many)
- excuse to get out and stay up all hours from time to time and chat and perve on astro-porn with like minded astro-nerds

Did I mention I'm a nerd?


Actually, processing does get pretty addictive - the thrill of "developing" what you yourself captured "in the field"....

[spacezebra (Petra)]

I agree - Im a nerd!

I like the challenge of learning something new. More power, more aperture, more cables, more software, more frustration...... etc.

Cheers Petra d.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Best hobby in the World!
You can have things as simple or as complex as you like.
And Astro folk are the best company you'll find anywhere.

[RickS (Rick)]

What's the attraction to astrophotography?

At times I wonder, like tonight when I dragged my mount, scope and electronics out, set it all up, and got one 30 minute Ha exposure (of the 6 or 8 I had hoped to capture) before the clouds rolled in... but if it's clear at 7pm tomorrow night I'll be out there again

For me, the attraction is the satisfaction of doing something really difficult and trying to improve and learn something new with each new image. I also enjoy the problem solving aspect and, of course, all the cool optical, mechanical, electronic and sotware toys

Cheers,
Rick.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I am going to have to educate you folks!

There isn't JUST 'visual' or 'Astrophotography'.
There is both combined.

I am talking about VideoAstronomy.
If you are doing Visual, just take out the Eyepiece and pop in your AstroVideo camera and see the object on your laptop monitor, a TV or project a 10m high image of it on the side of a building, all 'Live'.

If you want pretty pics, save the images.

There are so many advantages in Video Astronomy, but I can't understand why Australians are so slow to embrace it like the rest of the world has.

Alex touched on one great aspect of Video AStronomy in his mentioning of kids in Wheelchairs being able to see objects.
Now also think of those with poor eyesight, light pollution, an interest in Outreach, public displays and open nights, (no more greasy eyepieces from ladies make-up), sharing it 'Live' on the internet, yadda yadda yadda etc.

After 21 years of visual, then 6 years of Astrophotography, the last 18 months with VideoAstronomy have been the most rewarding and fun!

But it's just another option for you, or anyone else.
Just don't think of only Visual or AP as 'all there is' to choose from

and you can start up in AstroVideo for about $200

[cybereye (Mario)]

Astrophotography allows me to see what I can not see... does this make sense?

Cheers,
Mario

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Very well said Ken.

I do find it sad & frustrating to hear folks say "I'm photo" or "I'm visual" at the complete exclusion, existance or ENCOURAGEMENT of the other. I guess I've been guilty of that too. It really is DUMB to be so disdainful of others. Heck, most of the world has never looked through a scope, and we b**** about the next bloke!

I enjoy ASTRONOMY, my strength is in sketching, & my sisters and brothers take AMAZING pictures. That's my new slant.

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

I've never seen the distinction between visual and imaging, two sides of the same coin. I love looking through an eyepiece and tracking down faint objects, but I am keen to give imaging a try as I know there are thousands/millions/billions of objects that I will never get see so that is way to get them. Imaging or video is simply another way of enhancing our own eyesight and isn't that what a scope does anyway.
My 2 cents!

Malcolm

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

I like pointing a bit of glass at a bit of dark sky then 10 minutes later it's all red, orange and blue...Astro Alchemy