SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- At first glance, the challenge of astrophotography may appear daunting. But spectacular results are not only possible; they are easy to learn with the step-by-step approach of Digital Astrophotography: A Guide to Capturing the Cosmos. Amateurs today can produce images that only 20 years ago a large professional observatory would have been proud of -- and this book shows you how.

Learn how to:

• Set up your camera for optimal results

• Focus your camera for razor-sharp images

• Take beautiful night shots with a simple compact digital camera, a tripod, and a telescope

• Use a DSLR camera to shoot the Sun, Moon, stars, and more

• Get brilliant images of planets with a webcam

• Capture remote galaxies with a CCD camera just like a pro

Also learn to:

• Shoot RAW format images and improve them with calibration frames

• Take short exposures of faint deep-sky objects and combine them into a longer exposure

• Perform brightness, contrast, and color correction

• Make corrections for vignetting & uneven field illumination

• Process your images for stunning results

Equipment requirements for astrophotography range from a simple camera and tripod to a multi-thousand dollar computer-controlled telescope equipped with a CCD auto-guider and separate guide-scope. Seip helps you sort out which cameras are best for the various celestial subjects, what to look for when buying a camera, and what accessories you really need.

As the author says, "The rewards of this fascinating hobby grant you unforgettable hours under the night sky.... It is exciting!"

In his foreword, nationally renowned astronomer and artist, Robert Gendler tells us, "I can't think of anyone better [than Stefan Seip] to bring the new technologies of astrophotography to those who are eager to learn them."

About the Author

Currently living in Stuttgart, Germany, Stefan Seip works as a professional fine art photographer, an IT consultant, and a science writer. His enthusiasm for the activities and objects of the cosmos dates back to his early adolescence. Driven by his innate desire to capture beauty in images, it was only natural to combine his two loves astronomy and photography.

It was decades later that Stefan started to grasp what he had gotten himself into. Although, he still enjoys visual astronomy, astrophotography has gained the upper hand, requiring his full commitment. He said that, "Had I foreseen the amount of time, perseverance, technology, know-how, and (in the end) money would be necessary in order to produce first-class images, I would have had second thoughts about it only to pursue the same path again!"

Astrophotography grants Stefan many unforgettable hours under the night sky while allowing him to produce aesthetically rewarding and lasting results. His love for this challenging craft is evident in his many spectacular images.

To learn more about Stefan Seip, and to see his stunning astrophotos and fine art images, visit his website at www.photomeeting.de.

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Digital Astrophotography: A Guide to Capturing the Cosmos is available via the Imaging Resource Amazon affiliate program at a 34 percent discount.