Artistic Photography-Photographers

The photograph business is one of the most interesting of all businesses, and one of the businesses that has undergone one of the most enormous changes in recent years.

With the falling prices and increasing sophistication of digital cameras, digital photography is rapidly making inroads into the world of the professional photographer.

==Incorporate Plans For Digital Photography==

This means that any successful photography business plan will need to incorporate plans for digital photography.

Even if you do not plan to go digital right this moment, it is important that the photography business plan include plans for future growth and expansion, and this will most likely involve at least some digital photography.

==Include Detailed Financial Information==

It is also important, of course, that any business plan for a photograph business include detailed financial information, such as the funds needed to buy equipment, advertise the business effectively and rent or buy office space.

==Capital Investment You Will Need May Vary ==

The capital investment you will need will vary according to what type of photography business you plan to open.

For instance, a photography business that focuses on bringing customers in and photographing them on site will of course need more office space than will be needed by a photographer to travels to sporting events, schools, workplaces and sporting events.

It is important that the photography business plan you prepare reflect these differences.

==Lay Out Exactly How Your Business Will Succeed==

It is also important that your photography business plan lay out in detail exactly how your photography business will succeed, and what sets it apart from the rest.

That is because your business plan is your foray into the outside world, and it is likely to be the very first document any potential investors will want to see.

==The Lender Will Want To See Your Plan==

Whenever you need financing for your photography business, whether it is startup funding or money for ongoing expenses and expansion, the lending institution and investors will want to see your business plan, and evaluate it carefully, before deciding to loan you money.

It is important that your photography business plan include your plans for future growth as well as information on your current financial health.

Shaunta Pleasant is a professional web writer and editor on business plan topics. Visit my site to learn more about writing a business plan at http://www.business-plan-made-easy.com/photography-business-plan.html

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

Child Photography is one of the most exciting opportunities to capture expressions, attitudes and individual uniqueness. The secret of child photography is to understand children and what children do, how they act and behave. Children are fun and exciting to work. They give us the most amazing looks and expressions naturally. All the photographer has to do is to allow the child to be, understand and capture the moments at the appropriate time and in the most appropriate light an settings. An experienced photographer will understand child photography. Children are very popular to photograph, they can often be challenging subjects. It s important that the photographer allows children to be children and have fun, remain uninhibited, playful and natural after all, it s all about capturing your children s nature and uniqueness. Their successful approach is to let children be, so that their true essence can be captured with minimal direction and posing. Child Photography should be spontaneous and relaxed allowing for natural composition to evolve. To create the best results the child photographer should take many images so that the best moments are captured.

It s very important that your photographer provides a relaxed environment where your children are encouraged to relax and be themselves. This way, the photographer can capture the very best of them. Shooting candidly and spontaneously is part of the experience that you and your children will enjoy. This promotes confidence and individual expression.

Another thing to keep an eye out for when it comes to choosing a child photographer is to see what kind of equipment are they using. Is it the latest technology? You want to make sure the photographer is using high quality digital equipment, which ensures high definition images. Also make sure the photographer is fully trained to ensure a high quality of excellence in imagery. A good photography studio will provide an environment that is fresh, clean and welcoming. Also ambience and refreshments are always a nice touch.

Making your children feel comfortable and relaxed is the most important element and is important in creating timeless imagery. Ideally, your photographer should focus all their attention on your experience so that they can create the right mood and atmosphere that promotes outstanding photography.

Child Photography requires special props and clothing. Many photographers encourage individual family members to be dressed in the most appropriate clothing that represents their individuality and uniqueness. Their clothes tell us a lot about them. So it is important to dress them in a way that is matched and meaningful. Remember these images will be with you and your children for a long time so it is important to dress accordingly as some clothes can date.

Sometimes the minimalist approach offers the greatest opportunity for uniqueness. Props are kept to a minimum.

An expert in Child Photography will endeavour to capture any unique features of your children. From smiles, attitudes, expressions, emotions, laughter and togetherness and anything that is characteristic of your children is included.

Posing, placing and positioning for Child Photography is very important as is image design and style. Some photographers are well trained to allow this type of posing to occur naturally and capture these important attributes in a spontaneous and uninhibited way. It s important to take many images when it comes to Child Photography so that they can create and design some wonderful pieces of timeless art for your pleasure and enjoyment.

It s good also to find photographers who are experts at framing and composing images. You want their choices of settings and backgrounds to benefit and highlight your children s personality and uniqueness. Many have a range of studio backgrounds, but some often prefer working with simple backgrounds such as basic white or black. When photographing outdoors it is important not to make the backgrounds distract from the main focus, your children, but use the background to enhance your characteristics and individuality. Sometimes they use scenic character buildings, parks or seascapes to add to the composition.

Lighting is essential when it comes to child photography. The correct lighting can emphasis features and brings out the best in your children. Studio lighting is totally controllable so as to highlight or neutralize areas as required to ensure superb creative imagery.

Spontaneity, mood and feelings is what child photography is all about. Your photographer should create the mood and bring out the feelings that will become timeless memories forever. They should also encourage spontaneity at all times and make the photos unique, by capturing that special moment. This is the essence of Child Photography.

It is also essential that the photographer s professionalism is guaranteed. A professional will understand how important it is to maintain their client s confidentiality and privacy. They should also know how much your images mean and value them, you and all their clients very highly. Security and privacy is should be guaranteed.

Ideally, while the images are being created the portrait photographer is visualizing the effect of the photography in colour, monotone or sepia tone. The images taken can also undergo digital enhancements and retouching to make sure that every detail is as perfect as you would like it. Blemishes or slight imperfections can be removed so as to enhance the end result.

Many photographers offer an extensive range of album presentations and framing to enhance your Child photography. The end result will then be tailor made and presented in beautiful albums and frames. The packaging and presentation of your images is designed to enhance the expression of the timeless moments created, guaranteeing value and longevity.

It is important to remember your children and their personal journey in a way that can be treasured forever. Sibling relationships are also captured and become powerful and very valuable as we age. Images are timeless, powerful and beautiful.

Vittorio Natoli is the owner of Viva! Life Photography located in Fremantle, Western Australia. Award-winning Perth photographer and businessman, Mr Natoli has spent the past four years refining the systems that have made Viva Life Photography one of the most successful portrait and child photography studios in Australia. Visit Viva’s website http://www.vivaphotography.com for more information on Vittorio, Viva! photography franchise opportunities or Child Photography

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

Photography helps us capture memories; it allows us to unleash our creativity. Even the most mundane subject can become beautiful from the right angle. If this is what photography does for us, what makes the difference between a pro and an amateur?

For the most part the difference can be summed up in one word: composition. Composition is the way in which a shot is made as well as the subject of the photograph. Composition almost wholly determines the popularity and influence of a photograph.

A great photograph is a work of art; it evokes an emotion from the viewer. The way you portray a scene, the composition, is the way a viewer will experience the scene.

To create a beautiful work of art in a photograph, it helps to have a plan, some emotion, or impact that you want the picture to have. This will affect the way you shoot the scene as well as the way viewers will eventually experience it. Share your emotions with your viewers through your photograph.

Professional photographers successfully draw on feelings and memories that are common to everyone. Scenes representing childhood, lost innocence, or connection with nature grab the attention of viewers, reminding them of their own experiences. Using unique scenes to pull on common emotions allows a photographer to attract a wide variety of people who respond powerfully to the photographs.

For a truly wonderful photograph, you must also consider the way the parts interrelate with the whole that you are trying to create. Proximity to the foreground often determines what is considered the most important part of the photograph.

In addition, the angle from which the photograph is taken can greatly influence the viewer’s understanding and emotional reaction. A normal, everyday item shot from a new angle can totally readjust a viewer’s paradigm. Also, combining different textures enhances the overall effect and interest of a photograph.

True photography is not a point-and-shoot kind of thing. Thought and care must be taken with each photograph, and the viewer’s perspective is often the most important consideration.

Photography is like poetry; both the subject and the form determine the effect on viewers. As you search to take the great photographs of your life, remember that your job is to make viewers think, to help them see something from a new perspective.

As a studio photographer, Margaret Byrkit has made a study of topics related to photography. She is contributing writer of articles for FYN Photography a premier resource on-line for information on photography. Find additional articles by Margaret at For Camera and FD Electronics

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

When your wedding is over, what will you have? Of course, you will have each other and some great memories, but how will you preserve those memories, not only for yourself, but also for future generations? The easy answer is with pictures of your wedding, but the truth is that it s not really that simple. When preserving such a special and unique day, you can t trust just anyone. To make sure that your special day is captured in the best way, make sure to choose a professional wedding photographer that meets a few simple qualifications.

One of the first things to consider is to make sure that you feel at ease with the photographer - If you are not, it will show in the pictures. When you talk to potential wedding photographers make sure that you feel comfortable with them. Is it someone that you can spend all day with? Is the photographer someone that will blend naturally with your guests? Look at the photographer s other photos. If the photographer can t make people feel relaxed it will be obvious in the pictures.

Another very important thing to look for in a quality wedding photographer is how organized and efficient they are. A good wedding photographer will have everything organized from the beginning. If a wedding photographer doesn t provide you with a checklist of desired photos it should send up a red flag. A simple questionnaire about what you want will give the photographer an idea what you are looking for and ensure the best pictures possible.

Before you book your wedding with a photography company, find out who will be taking your pictures. There are many large photography firms that snap out weddings in an assembly line fashion. With these large companies, you don t always know what or who you are getting. You should be able to work directly with the person that will be taking your wedding photos and not with a manager or sales person. If you don t know who is going to be taking your pictures, you won t know if you have the needed rapport with your photographer and it will show in the end.

Every couple is different and that means that every wedding is different. Of course, there are many must have shots that all couples want, but there are often unique requests. With family structures evolving and old divisions breaking down, the wants and needs are changing too. If you have interesting and distinctive wedding photography needs you will need a wedding photographer that is flexible and adaptable. Make sure to talk to potential photographers and see how they respond to odd request. This will help you decide if they have the talent and creativity to get the look your want.

The best wedding photography is going to take some time. Standing and posing for shots isn t always the most enjoyable thing to do when there is food and fun waiting, but if you want the best photos from your wedding you should allow at least 30 minutes for after ceremony pictures and up to an hour for pre-ceremony photos. It takes time to arrange the groups and ensure that everything is in place. Make sure that you and all of your party are on time for the pictures. If people are late it will only rush the photographer and compromise the quality of the final product. After the event, allow the photographer time to print the photos. You don t want rushed prints.

The last and one of the most important things to keep in mind is how the photographer approaches wedding photography. Is he/she just taking pictures? Or creating art? Is your photographer passionate about photography or simply just doing a job? There are literally thousands of wedding photographers that can take your pictures and do a good job. They can output posed pictures as easily as someone in an office creates a spreadsheet. To these generic photographers it is just a job. If you want something special you need to find an artist that loves photography and will combine skill, talent, and heart to capture your special day.

About the Author :

Rhonda Thompson is a professional wedding photographer in Georgia specializing in wedding, family, & pet photography. Visit Rhonda Thompson s website at http://www.RhondaThompson.com Source: www.isnare.com

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

Weddings are known for being romantic and memorable. If you are planning to get married, it is likely that you would want your wedding to be that way. If so, there are a number of things that you should first consider. To forever cherish memories, pictures are used. That is why it is important to consider hiring a professional wedding photographer for your Palm Springs wedding.

When it comes to professional wedding photography, many couples wonder why they need to have it. The truth is that you do not need to have professional pictures of your wedding. However, even though it is optional, most couples make the decision to hire a professional and in the end almost all are satisfied with their decision.

If you are unsure as to whether or not you want to hire a professional wedding photographer, you are urged to examine the benefits of doing so. By closely examining the benefits of using a professional Palm Springs wedding photographer, you can easily decide whether or not it is the right decision for you and your partner.

When examining the benefits of a professional Palm Springs wedding photographer, you will likely be pleased with what they can offer you. Professional wedding photographers are not just any person with a camera. They are trained professionals, often with professional equipment. While you may not think about it, the camera used to take your wedding pictures may be more important than you know. Professional cameras, often expensive ones, tend to produce better results.

In addition to the type of equipment used, most professional photographers know what shots are the best. A friend or relative may not necessarily be aware of what pictures are important to you. Often times, without even mentioning anything, a professional photographer will know what you want. Many couples are pleased not only with the quality of the photographs, but the pictures that were taken.

To many couples, the cost of a wedding photographer seems high; however, it is important to examine what that cost includes. Many professional photographers charge a fee that includes a wide variety of different features and services. Instead of having to pay for your own film and photo developments, many photographers include them in their fees. Having to pay only one fee for your wedding photographs is nice, on a number of different levels.

While not all photographers guarantee their work, you may be able to find at least one Palm Springs wedding photographer who is willing to. This often guarantees that you will get the results that you were promised or looking for. Also, there are some professional photographers that will let you view sample prints of your photographs and then allow you to choose the ones that you want. This may end up preventing you from having to pay for pictures that you do not approve of.

As you can see, there are a number of different benefits to using the services of a professional wedding photographer. If you are interested in using a professional Palm Spring wedding photographer, you are urged to start searching well in advance. Many times, especially during certain months, it is hard to find a professional photographer with an opening.

Eric Patterson is a writer for Consultants Galore where you can find an expert Palm Springs wedding photographer and other relevant resources.

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

If you want to start your own photography business, it is a good idea to check what competitors you have in your area or the competition in your style or subject of photography. Have you ever noticed that people s photography skills shine when they take photo s of things they really love and are interested in? A clever way to go about building for yourself a photography business is to start by taking photographs of things you really love, and create your own niche market and perspective in that area, that way you will stand out in the crowd.

All good artists, whatever format they use, project through their art, things that interest them, things that have impacted on them in some way, and they aim to share that same feeling with others viewing their work. It is the differences in art styles, the attention to different details that makes one artist appeal to you more than others. It is these differences that created fame for the artists Monet and Picasso, who painted as they themselves viewed the world, and not as someone else views it.

The most interesting photographs are those that reveal to the onlooker something that they have not seen, felt or heard of before. People are interested in learning how others see the world and that can be achieved through photography. An experienced and talented photographer is able to communicate the feelings that certain landscapes, architecture and events conjure up inside of them through their photos. Many famous photographers have gained popularity from photographs they originally thought wouldn t be that interesting to other people, and have ended up with a photography business from enjoying their hobby rather than from something they had planned. It is both the unusual and the common, that makes an interesting subject for photography, and it is up to the artist to place a particular perspective, or make a statement on that subject through their work.

Many great artists, who are or have been famous, were not born famous; they achieved their position through hard work, by following their inspiration, through perseverance and expressing their passion. People who want to break into the photography business must believe in themselves and their work, they have to think of themselves as an artist, and although they might not be as well known as other artists it does not mean that their work or their talent is of any less worth, it simply means that they are not well known yet.

There are many helpful websites that give tips on photography, and how to start your own photography business. There are even websites that give you ideas on how to sell your photos on different products to people or businesses around the world. If you want to start your own photography business, it is a good idea to begin by researching online on how other people just like you managed to create their business, what they have learnt from their mistakes, and their tips and advice for beginners. Placing your photography on a website will also give you a much greater advantage in being recognised either as an artist or as a business compared to other options that are available.

Passion is contagious, if you are passionate about certain people, music, animals, or foods in life, capture this with your camera, try and express your feelings through your photos, doing this is bound to stir up an interest in and draw people to your work. Maintaining your passion for photography must be sustained throughout your business endeavours because passion is visible, and your work will reflect your attitude. It is wise to seek the help from business coaches, or by following set business plans when you are starting out in a photography business, as this will enable you to concentrate on maintaining your passion and artistic flair for photography throughout the initial challenges

This article has been supplied courtesy of Roy Barker. Roy often writes and works closely with Profitable Photography Business. If the previous link is inactive, you can paste this one into your browser - profitable-photography.com This site is dedicated to coaching you in starting your own photography business but places a strong emphasis on profitability issues & guidelines. You can also gain many photography resources (some free) from Photography or if this link is inactive, you can copy and paste this link into your browser - profitable-photography.com/resources.php If you seek further guides, articles and news, you can go to Photography Tips or if this link is inactive, you can paste this address in your browser photography-business-tips.com Why not bookmark these links!

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

In the field of photography, one of the most delicate areas is the specialization of figure photography. There are many reasons why this specialty is so delicate and we’ll be covering some of the major points in this article. If you’re thinking of getting into figure photography as a photographer, you may want to read this. It may save you a lot of headaches later on.

The first and probably biggest, problem with getting into figure photography is finding a model. It isn’t that there aren’t enough beautiful women around. It’s that there aren’t a lot of legitimate models who are comfortable doing this type of work. Because of all the terrible things you hear everyday related to this area of photography, women are hesitant of getting into it for the fear of running into one of those sleazy photographers you hear so much about. So finding willing models is not an easy task.

Another problem is, even though there are a lot of beautiful women in the world, there is a particular body type that is needed for classic figure photography if you’re going to submit your work to legit publications. Most models are actually too thin for classic figure photography, which needs a woman who is a little more endowed and a little heavier than your normal fashion model. Also, a figure model must be very flexible, as many of the classic figure poses require a model to get into positions that aren’t all that easy. Just check out the works of photographers like Peter Bosh and Peter Gowland, two of the pioneers of the art.

Then, if you do happen to find a suitable candidate for figure modeling, you have to make sure that the photography sessions are strictly professional. There is too much danger of accusations of sexual harassment in these cases. This is where the really delicate part comes in. The photographer must simply go about his business but at the same time make the model feel comfortable at all times. This is not an easy line to walk.

As with all types of photography that involves taking photos of people, you will need to get your model to sign a release. This is a standard form that basically says that all the photos taken of the model are the property of the photographer and that he can sell or distribute them as he sees fit. Also, because of the nature of the work, in the release the model also has to sign that she is of legal age. In most states this would be 18.

After you have finished the session, if there are no more to come, pay your model promptly. Be professional about everything. Make the experience one that she won’t mind doing again. This will help you in the future as you will be able to use her as a reference if she was pleased with your work.

When trying to get your work published it is best to start with smaller companies. The field of figure photography is very competitive. Your best shot is with a smaller company. As you get more experience and a reputation, you will be able to shoot for the bigger fish.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Photography

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

Compared to most art forms, photography is a relative newcomer. Having been around for less than 200 years its place in the art world is still being established. Interestingly, there have been many arguments against photography being considered art, one of which is that the camera is a machine . However, one must ask if a camera is any more a machine than a musician s instrument, a sculptor s chisel or a painter s brush?

Another argument is that because of the nature of photography, endless prints can be made from the one negative. While true, it is for this reason that many photographers will produce their work as limited editions just as screen-printers, etchers and wood-block artists will. Some photographers have even been known to destroy their negatives after they have completed printing the edition. However, the ability to produce numerous prints is usually considered part of photography s uniqueness.

Historically, many photographers themselves once considered photography a lesser art form. Called Pictorialists these photographers produced work using soft focus, and often, poor quality, lenses hoping their work would look like Imressionist paintings. Although the Pictorialists won a small battle in having photography recognised and given wall space, they certainly didn t help win the war of photography being recognised purely on its own artistic merits.

There is a great quote that states: There is no art, only artists. Very true words, as there are many great artists who use photography as their chosen medium. It would be very hard for people to argue that the landscape and nature work of Ansel Adams; the natural world, nudes and still life s of Edward Weston; the abstract forms and textures of Brett Weston and the compositions of Paul Strand are not art.

Because of the passion and extremely high quality work produced by these and other American photography pioneers, the American public and those within art circles could no longer deny that photography was a valuable and expressive art form. Oddly, Europe never seemed to have any trouble accepting photography as art. The work of Henri Cartier-Bressen, Brassai, Latrigue and others has always been held in the highest esteem.

The modern-day ease of photography has also led to a lot of very poor photographic work being passed off as art. Automated cameras have also lent considerable weight to the argument that it s the camera doing the work, not the so-called artist. It is little wonder that many gallery owners are reluctant to give wall space to photographs. It must be remembered that the camera doesn t make a good photographer any more than a piano makes a good pianist or a brush makes a good painter. An artist is an artist no matter what the medium.

Where Photography Becomes Art

What constitutes a fine art photograph would be quality: quality in composition, quality in the negative and quality in the print. Edward Weston once said that, composition is the best way of seeing. Like other mediums, how the image is composed is of vital importance regarding how the print will be viewed. The photographer then needs to be able to put onto film what he or she is seeing and visualising for the final print. Lens choice, film choice, aperture and shutter speed relationships, what to exposure for and which filters to use (especially for black and white film) all play a vital part in what the final print will look like. Finally, the photographer needs to bring that feeling and expression out in the fine print using a very demanding darkroom technique.

How a Fine Art Photographer Prints

Ansel Adams was fond of saying that the negative is like a musician s score and the print is like their performance. Good photographers will know how to do both very well: photograph to produce good negatives and then make an expressive print that conveys what they saw and felt at the time of exposure.

A photographer will go through a few stages before arriving at the fine print. This begins with making a proof print of the negative and evaluating it to determine how best to properly print from it. The photographer then moves through a series of work prints as he or she fine-tunes the print exposure, cropping and contrast. More often than not, certain areas of a print will require more or less exposure than other areas. Giving more exposure to specific parts of the print, burning , will darken those areas. Holding back exposure on specific areas or dodging will lighten them. When the photographer believes that the print is as expressive as possible, they will make a fine print using their (often) extensive notes regarding dodging, burning and contrast.

Most fine art black and white photographers will use fibre-based paper for their fine prints. Fibre-based paper tends to have the edge over its cheaper cousin resin-coated paper. Fibre-based paper also has more archival permanence, however, modern resin-coated papers claim to be the same. Fibre-based paper is harder to print on successfully, however, generally looks better, is preferred or demanded by museums and galleries and is also somewhat demanded by photographic tradition. Good photographers will have no qualms about this and would feel as though they were cheating if they produced their work on resin-coated paper.

There are myriad other variables in fine art photography that include: choice of film developer, choice of paper brand, choice of paper developer and whether to tone the print. All affect the look of the final print and it is the experience of the photographer to know how best to pull all these together to produce a print worthy of being called art .

Matthew Smeal is a fine art black and white photographer and journalist based in Sydney, Australia. His work can be viewed on his website at http://www.matthewsmeal.com

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

Are there many options available to you if you’re considering a career in photography? You bet, now more than ever in the digital information age, freelance and full time career options are endless. Wedding photography is a great place to start your Photography career. A good wedding photographer can earn $200-$1000 per wedding, photographing as a sub contractor, or $1000-$10,000 as the studio owner. Sports and team photography is another option, where photographing little league teams and dance schools can bring in thousands of dollars a day, depending on the size of the league. You can also photograph candid sports on speculation, selling individual prints from$5-$50 each.

There are always opportunities to photograph families and children at the department store studios. This is a great place to train and learn sales and marketing, so that you may open your own business in the future. If you don’t want to be behind the camera there are also many opportunities available to you. Photographic artists who retouch and edit photography are in great demand as are graphic artists who specialize in certain graphic and photographic software. Almost any special interest group, or hobbyist, or someone planning an event is in need of quality photography.

I have photographed everything you can imagine and have been well compensated over the years and you can too. Most of the time the work is interesting and fun and people appreciate what you do for them. I have mentioned a small fraction of what you can do to earn a living in photography and photography related fields. If this is of interest to you and you want to learn more, then there are multiple resources available to you on the internet detailing all you need to know for the various career options in photography. Get started now in the photography profession, which is a chance to be your own boss in a profession where people appreciate what you do for them.

Ed Mercer http://www.photographywizards.com

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

Web cams have changed amateur astrophotography profoundly. You can now have a CCD for a fraction of the cost. Web cams can take awesome planetary and lunar astrophotos right out of the box. You can use the capture software that comes with the cam for capturing your shots and then use freeware to process the results. Can’t get much cheaper than that. Of course for better results it is you should use specialized software, but that is available on the cheap as well.

And if you are a do-it-yourselfer, web cams can also be adapted to take long exposure astrophotos, pretty cool right? Plus there are ready to go, web cam based planetary imagers now available from Celestron, Meade and, Orion. Meade and Orion also have imagers for long exposure, deep-sky imaging. All these include software. They are however more expensive.

If you already have a web cam great, you only need some software which can be downloaded for free, and an adaptor to connect the web cam to your telescope. If you don’t own one the following cams have proven to be good for astrophotography and good deals can be found on eBay for example.

-ToUcam Pro by Philips PCVC740K or PCVC840K ToUcam PRO II. I have both of these. I am leaving the new one as a dedicated planetary imager and adapting the PCV740K for long exposure astrophotography.

-Vesta pro also by Philips. I haven’t personally used this web cam but others have with great success. It can also be adapted for long exposures.

-Quickcam pro by Logitech. I used to have one of these, but I prefer the ToUcam. It does a good job though and can also be modified for long exposures.

-There are other web cams which are good for astrophotography but these three are the only ones I have experience with.

Now for the adaptor to connect the web cam to your telescope. I use a Mogg adaptor, made by, surprise Mr. Steve Mogg. More information and purchasing can be found at: http://webcaddy.com.au/astro/adapter.htm For either ToUcam you will want the UWAT-F, for the Vesta Pro the UWAS-F, and for the Quickcam Pro the UWAL-F. He has adaptors for other astrophotography web cams as well.

Next you will need some software to make this all work. Good news it won’t cost you a single penny. First you will need some capture software. K3CCDTools version 1 is absolutely free. It works very well to capture astrophotos with web cams. I use version 3 which costs $45.00 because I use some of the other features it offers but you won’t need that for basic planetary work (yet). You can download it at: http://www.pk3.org/Astro/index.htm?k3ccdtools_download.htm.

To get really nice detail in your shots you will need to combine(stack) multiple images. A really nice piece of software is called RegiStax. It is also freeware. You can download a copy at: http://registax.astronomy.net/html/download.html.

The next article in this series will be on setting up your web cam and software, capturing your first image during daylight, then getting your first astrophoto (the moon).

Carl Gilbertson has been involved in amatuer astronomy for over 30 years and astrophotography for over twenty-five years. Learn more at his site: Web Cam Astrophotography

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]