Lessons from the Masters

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

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2. The Theory of Astronomical Imaging

   • Stan Moore

   Pages 1-28

3. High Dynamic Range Processing

   • Ken Crawford

   Pages 29-50

4. Intensifying Color

   • R. Jay GaBany

   Pages 51-71

5. Revealing Small-Scale Details

   • Ken Crawford

   Pages 73-95

6. Bringing Out Faint Large-Scale Structure

   • Rogelio Bernal Andreo

   Pages 97-113

7. Narrowband Imaging

   • Don S. Goldman

   Pages 115-130

8. Widefield Imaging: Selected Strategies for Processing Light-Contaminated Data

   • Stephen A. Cannistra

   Pages 131-147

9. Noise Reduction Techniques

   • Tony Hallas

   Pages 149-158

10. Deep Sky Imaging: Workflow 1

    • Adam Block

    Pages 159-191

11. Deep Sky Imaging: Workflow 2

    • Johannes Schedler

    Pages 193-216

12. Deep Sky Imaging: Workflow 3

    • Steve Mazlin

    Pages 217-232

13. High Resolution Lunar and Planetary Imaging

    • Damian Peach

    Pages 233-259

14. Secrets to Successful Earth and Sky Photography

    • Babak A. Tafreshi

    Pages 261-292

15. Imaging and Processing Images of the Solar Corona

    • Fred Espenak

    Pages 293-317

16. Catching Sunlight

    • Alan Friedman

    Pages 319-341

17. Aesthetics and Composition in Deep Sky Imaging

    • Robert Gendler

    Pages 343-361

18. Hybrid Images: A Strategy for Optimizing Impact in Astronomical Images

    • Robert Gendler

    Pages 363-376

19. Back Matter

    Pages 377-387

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There are currently thousands of amateur astronomers around the world engaged in astrophotography at a sophisticated level. Their ranks far outnumber professional astronomers doing the same and their contributions both technically and artistically are the dominant drivers of progress in the field today. This book is a unique collaboration of individuals world-renowned in their particular area and covers in detail each of the major sub-disciplines of astrophotography. This approach offers the reader the greatest opportunity to learn the most current information and the latest techniques directly from the foremost innovators in the field today.

“Lessons from the Masters” includes a brilliant body of recognized leaders in astronomical imaging, assembled by Robert Gendler, who delivers the most current, sophisticated and useful information on digital enhancement techniques in astrophotography available today. Each chapter focuses on a particular technique, but the book as a whole covers all types of astronomical image processing, including processing of events such as eclipses, using DSLRs, and deep-sky, planetary, widefield, and high resolution astronomical image processing. Recognized contributors include deep-sky experts such as Jay GaBany, Tony Hallas, and Ken Crawford, high-resolution planetary expert Damian Peach, and the founder of TWAN (The World at Night) Babak A. Tafreshi.

A large number of illustrations (150, 75 in color) present the challenges and accomplishments involved in the processing of astronomical images by enthusiasts.

• Advanced Astrophotography
• Astronomical Image Processing
• Astrophotography Lessons
• Color Amplification
• Imaging Stars and Planets
• Lunar Imaging Book
• Planetary Imaging Book
• Solar Imaging
• Theory of Astronomical Imaging
• Wide Field Constellating Imaging
• Wide Field Imaging Book

From the reviews:

“This book has evoked excitement all over the astrophotographic world. Edited by Robert Gendler and featuring articles by a team of the most celebrated amateur and semi-professional imagers, it provides tutorials in advanced astronomical image processing. … different imagers describe their workflows, giving a fascinating insight into how many contrasting ways there are to make great pictures. … This first edition is excellent … .” (Olly Penrice, Astronomy Now, March, 2014)

• Avon, USA

  Robert Gendler

Robert Gendler is an amateur astrophotographer whose astrophotography has earned him international acclaim. He was featured in the PBS documentary Seeing in the Dark by Timothy Ferris, who called Gendler "one of the greatest astrophotographers in all of history." Robert is known among fellow astrophotographers as a pioneer always exploring ways to push the available technology beyond its limits. He has published two books on astrophotography. The first, A Year in the Life of the Universe (Voyageur Press, 2006), was published in four languages (English, Spanish, Polish, and Greek). He is the author of astrophotography books including Capturing the Stars: Astrophotography by the Masters (Voyageur Press, 2009) and Treasures of the Southern Sky (Springer, 2012) highlights the work of the most accomplished astronomical imagers in the world. Gendler received the Hubble Prize for contributions to astrophotography at the Advanced Imaging Conference at San Jose, California in 2007. Robert lives in Avon, Connecticut with his wife and two children.  His work can be viewed at www.robgendlerastropics.com

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