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

[hssutton]

Chris I get the impression that the majority if not all participants of the competition live in the Northern Hemisphere, and even if you do not celebrate Christmas it still happens wherever you live.
I've spent many a Christmas in Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist countries. They are not Christian's, but they still have a jolly good time.

Maybe you should take a trip to such as the UAE although Muslims you will find the shopping malls are decorated with Christmas trimmings.

Check out this link for Dubai http://www.emirates247.com/eb247/new...12-05-1.228985

fabulous place to visit at Christmas time. I'll be there Boxing day albeit very late evening.

Maybe you should spread your wings a little further than Tenneriffe.

One place I've never been to is China, doubt I'll ever manage it now, but again have a read.

http://chineseculture.about.com/od/c...d-In-China.htm

However the suggestions where meant as a joke due to the very poor turnout for a difficult subject such as Astro-Photography.


Harry

[JonnyM]

I know what you're saying Harry and maybe the initial thought of the theme put some off as did the cloud cover, or maybe not, perhaps it's just a natural lull. However, is it as off putting as some other techniques that you haven't tried before? I hadn't done water drop photography but relished the thought and it led me to buying a flash and getting imaginative with that. A little research and some attempts at the technique surely is all it takes as has been illustrated here quite ably by some?

Thanks for setting up the poll wavemachine.

Is it permissible to enter one of mine as I set the theme or not?

[Jediboy]

Whilst I found the theme challenging, I did enjoy trying. I wish I had more time and opportunities to try this as I feel that it can yield some great results. Sadly I didnt get great results. My best effort didn't fall within the definition of astro photography so couldn't be entered. And I've just realised I entered the wrong one!!

I can't help but feel that the theme put some people off, which is a shame as I enjoyed it and I'm sure others would have too. That said, I did nearly freeze on a few occasions!

Let's hope more enter next month, although with Christmas being such a busy time it may not happen next month.

[hssutton]

JonnyM.

Same as Jediboy I enjoyed the theme and yes I learned a lot especially regarding light pollution.
Actually I quite a few years ago I decided to take an interest in this subject.
I have all the equipment motorized telescope and adapters to fit my Canon cameras. The downside for me was being up at all hours of the night freezing to death, so my interest quickly subsided.
I did actually unpack the telescope and decided to give it a go photographing the Leonids. So set the telescope up and spent two fruitless nights 23-24 Nov this year, all to no avail.

Perfect night to see the Leonids and living on the East Coast it seemed to be the perfect opportunity. So while I waited patiently with the camera/telescope pointed Eastwards I missed a perfect starlit night opportunity for the comp, and guess what I never saw one meteor.

Think I will sell the telescope I'm sure someone locally will buy it.

Harry

[DigiDiva]

Haha. I have been other placed than Tenerife lol....

[kerbside]

Think it is either something that you like or hate as a genre.
For me it's a load of dots in the sky ( when you can see them) and TBH was going to put a load of pinholes in a black bit of card with a light behind it, same result.
It is just one arm of photography like macro or mono and think it was too specific a subject for most.
My opinion, sorry.

[LaPistola]

I agree with Kerbside. I did keep an eye on the sky a few nights but other than your standard dots shot or close up of the moon I saw nothing that made me think its photo worthy. I really struggled to come up with anything that wasn't going to be similar to other entries.

It is a technique so not a bad theme.

[Jediboy]

Originally Posted by kerbside

Think it is either something that you like or hate as a genre.
For me it's a load of dots in the sky ( when you can see them) and TBH was going to put a load of pinholes in a black bit of card with a light behind it, same result.
It is just one arm of photography like macro or mono and think it was too specific a subject for most.
My opinion, sorry.

Interesting take on the magnificence of the night sky. 'A load of dots in the sky'

I've never heard that before. And I think you're missing something quite spectacular Jeff. Which is a real shame, and I think pinholes in black card just isn't the same.

I agree its a difficult and specific subject, and with the kit most people have I would argue that it's almost impossible to create true astrophotogragrahy photos, but I enjoyed going out and trying. I wasn't that happy with my efforts so I will keep trying, when the weather allows me.

My opinion, sorry.

[JonnyM]

I agree with jediboy it is a spectacular sight and very rewarding when you photograph it. I don't agree about it being almost impossible to photograph with basic dslr kit this has already been disproved, it can be achieved and quite successfully too, this is fact not opinion. There were certain phenomena in November but if it doesn't interest you then not a lot can be done.

Without justifying this theme too much I thought the initial premise was to try a photography technique the majority haven't tried before, perhaps I'm incorrect. If you've done a particular technique countless times before sure it can be boring and you probably wouldn't enter, but I for one get a bit of a buzz from attempting something new. Different strokes and all that. I think we all agree on the weather and that's out of our control.

Moreover, I was under the impression that images that showed elements of the earth such as trees and houses were permitted, okay it's not strictly true astro-photography but so what?

At the end of the night I think it interested a minority who found it to be challenging and weren't put off by the initial reaction of "you need specialist equipment". I look forward to the new theme, a challenge I hope the winner receives with great gusto

[kerbside]

Sorry guys, I will answer this although I am not getting into a debate on it.

Yes It floats some people's boat, obviously not mine.

Something quite spectacular, if you can see the stars then yes I agree.

Don't think that the subject is difficult, I've got the gear to do it but to be honest it's just not for me, unless you go telescope then you will end up with dots, hence the winning pic so far is the moon, the other 2 entries are basically the same.

Sorry to be negative on a topic, first time in 2years on here.