What makes a good astrophotograph ? - Forums

Topic starter

Dec 30, 2024

Astrophotography can be so complex that you can feel overwhelmed by so many factors at play.

When I was a total beginner, I would have loved to come across a summary chart of the key success factors behind a good image.
So here is my intent at it: https://www.astrobin.com/jwi5v3/

I would love for all of you to make many comments & suggestions, so that I keep enriching this chart for all future beginners to come!

CS!

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ScottF

Frequent contributor

Dec 30, 2024

For the most part I'd agree, although I think there is another category where many of your attributes need to be adjusted. And that is when imaging extremely difficult objects. With those, just recording any signal is a miracle, let alone satisfying all your criteria. Most of these would be very small or faint objects that push the limit of what is possible for the backyard imager. There are imagers here who photograph very small galaxies for example, and while they don't have the punch of more mainstream objects, it is remarkable they got them at all. One aspect I see here, which I find extremely difficult to achieve in my skies is a three dimensional effect. The degree of the 3D effect really sets some images apart.

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Tony Gondola

Frequent contributor

Dec 30, 2024

I think you have pretty well nailed it. The only changes I would make would be adding seeing to FHWM and Fine detail. I also question the need for working remotely. Dark skies help for certain types of shots but you can certainly create wonderful images without it.

Tony Carro

Dec 30, 2024

It’s nice to be able to image one target all night long but I frequently make a list of a couple of targets at night. One that is coming down in the evening and one that comes up later in the evening. Planning the time each target will take as well as the fine details of framing as you brought up. Excellent post!

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