Click here to see the complete photograph: Shadows & Light, Mexico by Wendy Meagher
At our May meeting, we welcomed Mary McIntyre from Tackley. Her objective was to share her passion for astrophotography, (photographing the skies).
Her topic for the evening focused on capturing Star Trails. This is achieved by taking long exposures (up to 30 seconds) of the sky repeated many times (up to 600) and then “stitched” together using software to produce a generally circular picture of the stars’ progress through the sky. Most of her images are captured in this way using a standard digital SLR camera with a remote shutter lead to automatically take repeat images. This needs a good level of dedication as some of her shoots last for 3 or 4 hours. She explained the need for a low level of light pollution but found Tackley to be acceptable, the main irritations – bearing in mind the long exposure time – being car headlights, commercial aircraft and pets setting off neighbours’ security lights. She explained how to include last based objects in the foreground to enhance the star trails. She also showed some useful accessories she had devised to keep herself and the camera free from condensation. Many of those present indicated they would be spending more time outside on cold clear nights trying to replicate the images shown by Mary.
Mary’s website is www.tackleyvillage.co.uk/astronomy.html
On Wednesday, 7th June, Yin Wong will be giving a presentation entitled, ‘Yunnan, China: A travel presentation’, at 7.30pm in the Apricot Room of the Cartwright Hotel, Aynho OX17 3BE,and on Wednesday 21st June, there will be an outdoor photo-shoot led by member Simon Lutter. More details nearer the date on www.addphoto.co.uk.
John Prentice