Chat - Monthly Competition - November: 'Astro-Photography'

[DigiDiva]

Thanks for avatar comment. This was taken in 2009 so slightly out of date!

I though (stupidly lol......like it would show up without a telescope) you had managed to capture a satellite of some sort.

Wheres the new theme Sabrina..Im impatient lol

[JonnyM]

I initially thought the same thing but after a talk from an astronomer and astro-photographer a few weeks ago it put me straight. And you can take photographs of satellites with a basic dslr and kit lens, just not close-ups, although perhaps a tripod is a must. There's all sorts of things going on in the night sky and that's a scientific term that is.

[DigiDiva]

Im going to Tenerife on 17th this month. We are staying rather high up and away from the cities. Skies should be fantastic too. There's also a telespope place...erm......observatory, thats the word lol, and I might enquire about a visit.

[wavemachine]

Not to sure about this one, I thought the monthly comp was supposed to be more about mastering a photographic technique to me this is more of a subject matter.

I am not trying to be a party pooper btw just an observation

[kerbside]

Not to sure about this one, I thought the monthly comp was supposed to be more about mastering a photographic technique to me this is more of a subject matter.

I am not trying to be a party pooper btw just an observation

Dave, we have had a few like this in the past where subject matter outweighs the technique, if i go out with the camera at night i may give it a go but in the back garden, not a chance, too much light polution.

Got to do a light trail pic as well, what is it with wanting to go out at night with a camera?

[JonnyM]

That's a good point wavemachine, I'll have a think about it. In the meantime isn't the night sky the subject, you can use whatever techniques you like to capture it?

[DigiDiva]

OOOoooo bit of a debate going on with this one Johnny.

[Jimbojumbo]

As a total novice to this type of PP photography and digital photography in general I don't see why all the negatives it sounds like a good challenge to me. I don't expect to master it but if I can even take my skills (and others for that matter) up a level by practicing to try and meet this challenge then that's got to be a good thing for every one that has a go hasn't it?

Just sharing my newbie, novice thoughts... I have even gone out and bought a tripod and a few other bits today to try and improve my chances of success in this challenge.

[Sabrina_De_Winter]

I think this is a good challenge, but for me it is to late in the year. Sky's are clear in summer, now all we have are clouds.

[JonnyM]

DD an ideal opportunity in Tenerife for this theme. Sabrina, I realise cloud cover will be a problem but I don't think you'll be alone in this, do you really think it will be cloudy every night for 3 weeks? You can also do twilight photos and I'll post a shot which illustrates this soon, it's not night sky or star photography per se it's astro-photography so planets such as Venus, Jupiter or even Mercury can show up at twilight.

Anyway, I think we need clarification as Dave flagged up a good point. I'm sure Wikipedia states astro-photography as a technique (not that that's gospel!), maybe it's a type of photography or category.