Andromeda Galaxy 2010

The Great Andromeda GalaxyIf you have followed previous blog posts you know that I have been working on this image for some time.  I apologize that I did not provide more intermediate updates, but here is the final image as it will be printed on my Epson 7800.  You may want to reference earlier posts about making a print of Andromeda beginning on September 15.  You can see the initial RAW image at initial capture and compare to the finished image.  As Ansel said, "you don't take a photograph, you MAKE a photograph."

It is always a pleasure to revisit familiar astronomical objects and the Great Andromeda Galaxy is certainly one of the finest.  This past August we had the opportunity to capture the galaxy from the fabulous dark skies of The Mountain Institute on Spruce Knob in West Virginia during the Almost Heaven Star Party.  The galaxy is a marvel to behold as one of our local neighborhood galaxies that stretches over 220,000 light years across.  It is the farthest deep sky object that can be seen with the unaided eye and is located at a distance of over 2,000,000 light years away.  The galaxy is easily seen from the dark skies of Spruce Knob with the unaided eye.  The diffuse glow of the galaxy is caused by billions of stars shining throughout the galaxy's disk.  Andromeda is classified as a spiral type of galaxy.  For more information and to view the image in the black portfolio screen (the best view) please click here.    

Autumn's Brilliance

Autumn's BrillianceDriving to The Mountain Institute on Spruce Knob I was captured by this view.  It takes a very special scene to get me to stop and work it photographically, but this was the most intense autumn scene I have ever witnessed.  The crystal clear transparency was giving way to a blazing late evening sun which was providing the unbelievable back lighting on the leaves and surrounding forest.  I only hope I have depicted the scene half as well as the scene looked in reality.  It was the most intense display of light and color I have ever come across.  The print is titled "Autumn's Brilliance" and is the October Print of the Month.  I hope you enjoy the image and the print.  Please be sure to click on the image and then click on the thumbnail for a larger presentation in a portfolio black screen viewing mode for greatest viewing effect.  

Chantilly, VA show and "hello" again

Hello blog!  My deepest apologies for neglecting you, but it has been an extremely busy time.  Capturing new images, working on new images, preparing for shows, working shows...it has been non-stop.  But today I am back in the office working on new images and I am very excited about what is to come.  For those who haven't visited my prints in person, I wanted to post to the blog a photo of my most recent show in Virginia.  I can't say it any better than Paul did on his visit to my booth...

"Jeff, it was great meeting you at the show. Your images look so much better printed than in a web browser! Best of luck this weekend and the rest of your shows".  

Thanks so much Paul and it was great meeting you as well.  That is one of the things I love about art shows is meeting others who have a love for our great natural world and the beauty that we are blessed with each and every day.  

So I need to get back to work on some new images and I will update the blog as soon as one is ready for public presentation!  Take care and stay in touch.  

Creating a Print: Part 2

M31 RAW converted and ready for stacking

Several corrections are made in Adobe Light Room 3.0 (LR) with the image.  First the image is rotated to a more pleasing angle of view.  This is the presentation angle in which I originally envisioned the galaxy before capture.  One of the most important things we do in LR is attempt to get the color balance as accurate as possible.  It is important that all sharpening be turned "off" in LR.  Sharpening can cause distortion and artifacts in the stars.  I then apply an appropriate amount of noise reduction.  This is where LR 3.0 really stands out.  The new luminance and color noise reduction controls are outstanding for astrophotography.  It is important to not over-smooth as we want normal luminance noise to be reduced by subsequent stacking of photos.  Now that I have my RAW file ready for conversion, I simply apply the same corrections to the other RAW files and prepare them for stacking.  

Creating a Print: Part 1

Unprocessed RAW image of the Andromeda GalaxyI just saw something another artist posted on their Twitter that I thought was interesting.  Sheep Incognito posted an early rendition of a painting the artist is working on for Christmas.  I thought this would be most interesting and instructional for me to do as well with one of my most recent astrophotos.  So today we begin by posting a RAW image that has simply been converted to jpg.  This is "what the camera sees."  We have begun some discussions on whether or not the camera is the teller of "truth," but we will not get into that discussion for now.  I obviously believe the camera is a big fat liar!  So we will monitor the development of this print as it evolves.  As Ansel Adams once said, "you do not take a picture, but you MAKE a picture."  So we will watch as the Andromeda Galaxy becomes a picture worth hanging on your wall over the next few weeks.  I hope you enjoy the process and off we go....