Getting Started: Long Exposure Astrophotography

I just finished my first reading of Getting Started: Long Exposure Photography. Finally, a book that makes some sense of the maze that is astrophotography. Thank you Allen! I suspect there will be 2 or 3 more readings before I really get it but this book is pointing me in the right direction. The up side is that I now have a clear direction to move ahead, the down side is that I now have a very long shopping list of software and equipment that I need to get where I want to be. In spite of the long list, I at least have a good idea of what is required. I am a professional photographer and have been conducting photography workshops for about 10 years so I assumed that getting into astrophotography would be pretty smooth. Bad assumption! The tools, software, and techniques are very different from the routines that I use. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in getting into astrophotography. It is a practical and down to earth overview of the tools and techniques required to be successful in getting started. I think the idea behind this book is to help a beginner get started and if that is the goal the book is a great success. I am not overwhelmed by the information in the book but have a long list of new ideas to try, a clear set of steps to take to get to the next level, and a good reference to go to when I run into a problem. It is still a long road ahead to learn all the new software, the telescope, mount, and guider routines, the camera techniques, and the post processing routines but before reading this book I was at a standstill, unsure of what to do next. Now...all I need are some clear skies instead of all this rain!!

This is an excellent book. Allan’s writing style is down-to earth, a bit humorous, yet he explains the topic extremely well. In some cases, he uses simple analogies to illustrate the point, other times he can be extremely detailed explaining the physics behind the topic. I am new to Astrophotography, but I wanted a deep dive into the subject. I wanted to know about the equipment needed, the techniques, as well as the science behind the subject of astronomy and Astrophotography. This book was perfect for my needs. The book covers the types of scopes best suited for various celestial objects, such as planets, galaxies, Messier objects, types of cameras that may be used and related equipment needed. Telescope alignment tools and methods are covered. The book includes discussion of softwares used to align, shoot, and process images. It covers in detail how to shoot darks, lights, bias frames needed, and the concept of “stacking” multiple images for processing images better than you can see through the scope. Exposure variations and methods of shooting multiple shots are discussed. The book is a wealth of information on long exposure astrophotography and I highly recommend it for those with interests similar to mine as described above. I had previously purchased and read Allan’s related book “Getting Started - Budget Astrophotography” that explains some of the same concepts, but more generic to all types of astrophotography, not just long exposure shots. Some of the material (such as how to shoot dark, light and bias frames for stacking) is covered in both books. I would recommend reading it first to get solid detail on astrophotography in general. I think that helped me fully understand the long exposure aspects better.

I used this book to go from ZERO to Astrophotographer. I have purchased some other books on the subject, as well, but this remains my favorite go-to problem solver. I guess one of my favorite things about the book, (and it is a theme that runs through several of Mr. Hall's other books, (I think I now own everything he's published on the subject of astronomy)), is that he solves problems with techniques that do not all involve spending large sums of money... he can lead the aspiring astrophotographer into the hobby without putting them into the poor house. (Mind you, there's no way to do any of this stuff for free, however.) He helps one spend their money where it does the most good. I consider the book indispensable, and I continue to get more good information out of it as I learn more. If I had to choose among the books that I have on the subject, this one would be my choice, hands down. (But, to be clear, I am greatly relieved that I am not forced to make that choice.) I bought this book before I purchased any astronomy gear. I believe that reading it and largely, if not completely, following Mr. Hall's advice, helped me build up an inventory of astrophotography gear that I use regularly, and helped me avoid spending money on things that I don't need, or that I would later want to replace with something "better" meaning that I'd have spent money twice on one thing. The book is a great investment. KWL

Fine for beginers and advanced people.

Aborda vários aspectos da astrofotografia, no entanto se atem muito a dar tutoriais de softwares, o que é uma perda de tempo, dada a atualização constante dos mesmos e não ser o local apropriado para tal. Auxilia o iniciante na escolha dos equipamentos a serem primeiramente utilizados.

This book is one of the lower priced books on astrophotography. Usually Astrophotography books are expensive, especially on for the DSLR Cameras. The book on the whole goes in great lengths to provide a comprehensive guide for newbies to Astrophotography, which in fact has steep learning curve. Allan Hall also provides an in depth guide to stacking towards the end of the book. Overall a good buy.

Ce livre est vraiment super (en anglais!) Il y a une description plutôt détaillée de toutes les étapes du choix du matériel à l’acquisition autoguidée. Une étoile de mois pour le noir et blanc : on voit mal les photos, mais le prix est adapte donc je la remets l’étoile.

Sehr viele Details aus der Praxis und tolle Tipps zu Astro-Software! Hat großen Spaß gemacht es zu lesen und man merkt, daß der Autor weiß, wovon er spricht!