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Agenda
Total Duration: 4 hours
- Introduction (15 minutes)
- Welcome and workshop overview
- Brief introduction to astrophotography
- Objectives of the workshop
- Basics of Astrophotography (30 minutes)
- What is astrophotography?
- Types of astrophotography (wide-field, deep-sky, planetary, etc.)
- Essential gear and equipment:
- Cameras (DSLR, mirrorless, dedicated astro cameras)
- Lenses and telescopes
- Tripods and mounts
- Tracking mounts and star trackers
- Importance of planning and location scouting
- Camera Settings and Techniques (45 minutes)
- Understanding exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, ISO)
- Focusing techniques for night sky photography
- Composition tips for astrophotography
- Using manual mode and bulb mode
- Light pollution and its impact
- Practical Session 1: Equipment Setup and Calibration (45 minutes)
- Setting up the camera and tripod
- Aligning the tracking mount
- Calibrating the focus
- Polar alignment techniques
- Break (15 minutes)
- Capturing the Night Sky (45 minutes)
- Planning your shot (using apps and tools like Stellarium, SkySafari)
- Identifying key celestial objects and constellations
- Techniques for shooting Milky Way, star trails, and constellations
- Using remote triggers and intervalometers for long exposures
- Practical Session 2: Hands-On Shooting (60 minutes)
- Participants practice shooting under guidance
- Tips and tricks for optimizing shots in real-time
- Troubleshooting common issues
- Post-Processing Techniques (45 minutes)
- Introduction to astrophotography software (Lightroom, Photoshop, DeepSkyStacker)
- Basic editing workflow for astrophotography
- Stacking images for noise reduction and detail enhancement
- Adjusting levels, curves, and color balance
- Q&A and Closing Remarks (15 minutes)
- Open floor for questions and answers
- Recap of key points
- Sharing additional resources and learning materials
- Feedback collection and closing remarks
Materials Needed
- Cameras (DSLR, mirrorless, or dedicated astro cameras)
- Wide-angle lenses or telescopes
- Tripods and star trackers
- Remote triggers or intervalometers
- Laptop with editing software (Lightroom, Photoshop, DeepSkyStacker, etc.)
- Projector and screen for presentations
- Printed handouts or digital copies of key points and resources
Additional Tips
- Ensure participants have the necessary gear and inform them in advance.
- Choose a location with minimal light pollution for practical sessions.
- Provide clear instructions and guidance during hands-on sessions.
- Encourage participants to ask questions and engage in discussions.
This workshop outline is designed to give participants a comprehensive introduction to astrophotography, combining both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
