A Guide to Astrophotography with Digital SLR Cameras [CD-ROM]

Jerry Lodriguss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 21, 2009

This book on CD-ROM is a practical guide to astrophotography with digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. It explains how digital cameras work and everything you need to know about how to take astrophotos with them. It also tells you how to process the images after you have shot them, with step-by-step directions that will produce beautiful results. With this book you will discover how easy it is to shoot the Sun, Moon, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and other celestial objects. Use your DSLR camera to shoot through your telescope. Determine the correct exposure and ISO to use for your astrophotos. Focus your camera for razor-sharp images. Take short exposures of deep-sky objects and combine them into a longer exposure. Shoot raw format images and improve them with support frames for calibration. Perform brightness, contrast and color correction. Correct uneven illumination and vignetting. More than 100 Minutes of video tutorials with step-by-step instructions for complete image procesing and enhancement of both JPEG and Raw images are included on the CD-ROM. The original image files used in the tutorials are also included for you to practice with. Low-noise DSLR cameras have opened up an exciting new world of digital astrophotography. These cameras are capable of taking remarkably beautiful images of celestial objects. With this book you can become a master at astrophotography with a DSLR camera!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jerry Lodriguss is a professional photographer and expert in astrophotography and digital image processing who has been taking astrophotos for more than 30 years. His articles on Photoshop, digital processing and astrophotography have been published in Sky and Telescope, and Astronomy magazines. His astronomical photography has appeared in books and magazines all over the world. He is the author of two previous books: "Photoshop for Astrophotographers - A guide to Digital Correction and Enhancement Techniques for Astrophotos" and "Catching the Light - A Beginners Guide to the Wonders of the Cosmos."

Product Details

• CD-ROM: 350 pages
• Publisher: Astropix LLC (March 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972973753
• ISBN-13: 978-0972973755
• Product Dimensions: 4.9 x 4.7 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #244,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Astrophotography information, January 15, 2007

By 

Ronald A. Zincone "ronaldzinconephotography" (Richmond, RI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Guide to Astrophotography with Digital SLR Cameras (CD-ROM)

This CD by Jerry Lodriguss on astrophotography with a Digital SLR camera is the best written and informative product I have had the pleasure to own and learn from. I have more than 20 books on this subject in my collection and this is by far the best. I highly recommend it to all who are or may be interested in "astrophotography."

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners; Average for Intermediate, March 25, 2008

By 

J. Armstrong (OKC, OK USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Guide to Astrophotography with Digital SLR Cameras (CD-ROM)

For a beginning astrophotographer or one with the interest, this book excels. It covers every aspect from A to Z including required equipment and software to optional equipment and software. I feel that 70-75% of this book is geared towards beginners.

Intermediates like myself will find that the majority of the topics covered up to the processing chapters to be unnecessary. We already have the equipment and have been taking images. We are wanting to take our images from average to great. I did find the processing chapters useful. I have already incorporated the Photoshop tools into my processing. However, the information relating to Photoshop is limited and leaves me feeling like there is much more that Photoshop can offer.

I gave it 4 stars as the book itself, format and information is great. Most important is to try and determine if you are a beginner or intermediate astrophotographer.

Jeff

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The web pages are a teaser, the CD is movie..., December 30, 2009

By 

James Sand "The Observer" (Southold, NY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A Guide to Astrophotography with Digital SLR Cameras (CD-ROM)

I looked at the web pages and compared them to the CD. The web pages are informative, but the CD includes video and practice files. It's like comparing the free version of photoshop to the full version. You can get started with the free version, but as you progress, it will only take you so far. That is when you need the full version. The CD includes pages from the web site, but adds more written pages covering more advanced techniques. In addition, video and practice files help to hone your skills before you wreck a few of your hard earned astrophotos.
I probably would not strongly recommend this book if you are employed in the virtual media field, or are a professional free lance digital photographer, as you are most likely quite adept with photoshop and beyond. However, if you are an old school film astrophotographer (like myself), finally making the switch to digital, a novice/intermediate digital person, or a newbe, you will find this book quite useful. If you are an advanced digital astrophotographer, you might be able to compare Jerry's technique to your own, especially for the low price.
If you are just getting started, believe it or not, digital astrophotography is far easier to master than film work. This CD is a great place to start!