Learn Astrophotography
If you are looking to learn astrophotography and the process of capturing deep-sky objects with your DSLR and telescope, you may find the information below of value. By watching my techniques from the backyard, you will understand how to go about capturing images yourself.
No matter what your current skill level is in astrophotography, you can always pick up a few pointers by watching a fellow astrophotographer’s workflow. Actions speak louder than words. If you have seen the deep-sky images in my photo gallery, then you know what to expect by using my capturing and processing methods.
Deep Sky Astrophotography is a Lifelong Journey. Enjoy every step of the way.
The AstroBackyard blog has been running for 2 years now, so I decided to assemble some of the most useful information in one place. The archived articles below act as a beginner’s guide to learn astrophotography. I have grouped each blog post by topic, to help you get started.
The Veil Nebula captured from my backyard (August 2018)
Before diving into the articles and tutorials below, make sure you have a look at the astrophotography equipment I use for DSLR deep-sky imaging, including the telescope and camera I use.
The resources and tutorials sections contain a wealth of information to help you along the way. You can also learn a lot by watching the videos on my YouTube channel: AstroBackyard.
Learn Astrophotography: Topics
For Beginners Only!
7 Astrophotography Tips (You Can Try Tonight)
This post contains helpful tips and camera settings for those shooting without a telescope and tracking mount. Many of the same rules of long exposure night photography apply across all areas of astrophotography. Some of the topics covered are white balance, how to focus on stars, and choosing the best ISO setting on your camera.
My camera and telescope set up in the backyard
Recommended Targets
The Andromeda Galaxy with a DSLR Camera
The Cave Nebula in Cepheus – May 2019
The Elephant’s Trunk Nebula in Duo-Narrowband – September 2018
The Lagoon Nebula with a DSLR and Telescope – July 2017
The Crescent Nebula in H-Alpha (DSLR) – June 2017
Markarian’s Chain of Galaxies – April 2017
The Leo Triplet – Springtime Trio of Galaxies – March 2017
The Ultimate Target for your DSLR and Telescope – December 2016
The Best Winter Deep-Sky Objects – November 2016
Photogenic Group of Galaxies – March 2016
The Andromeda Galaxy captured with a DSLR Camera and small telescope.
Image Processing Tutorials
Selective Color Boosting (Photoshop Tutorial) – May 2020
Topaz Labs DeNoise Review – March 2020
Use StarNet++ to Quickly Remove Stars from Your Image – January 2020
Andromeda Galaxy Image Processing Tutorial – August 2019
Use the Select and Mask Tool in Adobe Photoshop CC – April 2019
Create an HDR Image of the Orion Nebula – January 2019
How to Remove Gradients in Photoshop – April 2017
Deep Sky Image Processing in Photoshop – Mar. 2017
The Horsehead Nebula in HaRGB – Dec. 2016
Tutorial – Manual Stacking in Photoshop – Nov 2016
Introduction to H-Alpha Astrophotography – June 2016
Forgotten Light Frames – Processing Old Data – June 2016
The Importance of Screen Calibration – April 2016
Selective Processing in Photoshop for More Detail – April 2016
Deep Sky Stacker and Photoshop Tutorial – Feb. 2016
The Dumbbell Nebula
Camera Equipment
Optolong L-eXtreme Filter Review – August 2020
Starlight Xpress CCD Cameras (Mono CCD) – November 2019
Canon EOS Ra Astrophotography Camera Review – January 2020
Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Pro Review – October 2019
ZWO ASIair WiFi Camera Control Device – November 2018
ZWO ASI294MC Pro Color Camera Review – August 2018
New Canon Clip In Astrophotography Filter – June 2017
How a DSLR Ha Filter can Improve Your Astrophotos – Oct. 2016
Astrophotography with a Canon Rebel DSLR – July 2016
Altair Astro GPCAM2 AR0130 Mono CCD for Autoguiding – February 2017
Camera Mount Review: The iOptron SkyGuider Pro – July 2017
Astronomik 12nm Ha Filter – October 2017
iOptron SkyTracker Pro Camera Mount – October 2017
Recommended Light Pollution Filters – November 2017
The Milky Way
Telescope Equipment
Celestron StarSense AutoAlign Review – May 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro SynScan Review – May 2019
The Celestron 8-inch RASA F2 (Review) – March 2019
QHY PoleMaster Electronic Polar Scope Review – March 2019
Choosing a Telescope Mount for Astrophotography – October 2018
Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 ED Super APO Triplet Unboxing (video) – August 2018
Explore Scientific ED140 – First Impressions – June 2018
Meade 70mm Quadruplet ED APO Astrograph Review
iOptron CEM60 Astrophotography Mount – First Look – Oct. 2017
William Optics Z61 APO Review – Sept. 2017
The Best Beginner Astrophotography Telescope – Mar. 2017
My New Astrophotography Telescope – May 2016
Aligning My Newtonian – Reflector Collimation Tips – Mar. 2016
How to Use a Bahtinov Focus Mask – Feb. 2017
My Complete Deep-Sky Imaging Setup – Jan. 2016
The Trifid Nebula
Backyard Imaging Tips
Summer in the AstroBackyard – Aug. 2016
Astrophotography in the City – April 2016
Can you image deep-sky objects during a full moon? – Jan. 2017
5 Tips for Better PHD2 Guiding – Feb. 2017
How to take Flat Frames for Astrophotography – Oct. 2017
Deep Sky Astrophotography Walkthrough (Step-by-Step) – July 2018
How to Take Dark Frames for Astrophotography – Dec 2018
How to Attach Your Camera to a Telescope – April 2019
What’s the Difference Between Tracking and Guiding? – June 2019
How to Take Bias Frames for Astrophotography – Nov. 2019
How to Focus Your Camera for Astrophotography – Nov. 2019
Celestial Events
How to Photograph a Meteor Shower (Perseids) – Aug. 2016
Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower – July 2016
Landscape Astrophotography 5 Visible Planets – Feb. 2016
Traveling with your Astrophotography Gear
Photographing the Carina Nebula from Costa Rica – March 2019
The Best Portable Astrophotography Setup – Oct 2017
Finding Darker Skies – Camping Under the Stars – Sept. 2016
Solar System Photography
How to Photograph the Planets (with any camera) – April 2019
Photographing the 2016 Harvest Moon – Sept. 2016
Moon Photography Tips – Christmas Eve Moon – Dec. 2015
Camera Lens Astrophotography (Wide-Field)
The Rokinon 135mm F/2 was built for astrophotography – Aug. 2019
Using a Canon EF 24-105mm Lens for Astrophotography – Jan. 2019
Deep Sky Astrophotography with a 300mm Camera Lens – Dec. 2018
Real Results with a Budget Astrophotography Lens – Feb. 2018
The Perseus Double Cluster with a 300mm Lens – Feb. 2016
All of the information contained on this page was discovered from real-life experiences in the backyard! Astrophotography is a learning process that never ends. The exciting part is, the more you learn, the better your photos become.
My dream is to one day build a backyard observatory in a dark sky location. Perhaps that dream will become a reality by utilizing the same passion and work ethic involved in building AstroBackyard.com.
Clear Skies. – Trevor