Imaging Books

Some of these publications may be out of print. Others can be very hard to find. But don't let that daunt you. Several are available from the Centre's library, as are additional books on observing. You can also try your local Municipal, University and School reference libraries. Should you wish to acquire any of them, try the Planetarium, Exclusive Books or order directly from the publishers. See Willman-Bell, Sky Publishing, Kalmbach, Astronomy or Sky & telescope for details. The Internet is a useful hunting ground.

The older publications are still quite valid for the amateur, insofar as they will highlight fundamental principles that are perfectly valid irrespective of the medium in which you choose to work. Of course, progress in technology is being made at an ever-accelerating rate, rendering some information obsolete in an alarmingly short space of time.

Introductory

The following are fine introductory texts. They present sound advice and proven techniques in sufficient depth, without being overwhelming. Any one of these would by itself provide sufficient information to enable you to get started, though each has its peculiarities of emphasis and opinion. If at all possible, compare them all and then choose the one that somehow appeals or makes the most sense to you. Once you have worked through that, move on to the next most appealing.

Astronomical Photography at the Telescope Rackham, Thomas		Skyshooting – Photography for Amateur Astronomers Mayall, R & M
Third Edition 1972 Faber & Faber ISBN 0-571-04822-6		Revised Edition 1968 Dover ISBN 0-486-21854-6
Ageing, but comprehensive and well worth reading, if you find it. Many of the principles are equally valid for digital photography. You will get an excellent grounding here.		As for Rackham. It is encouraging to see what can be accomplished with basic equipment.

Astrophotography Arnold, H J P
Revised Edition 2002 Philip’s ISBN 0-540-08312-7
New i.e. available, up to date and comprehensive. An excellent introduction. Includes video and digital photography.

Intermediate

For those wanting more, the following publications will expand and round out your knowledge. Rather than having a heavily theoretical bias, they are full of practical ideas and the wisdom of experience. Apart from these, the various magazines devoted to popular astronomy usually carry articles of particular interest to the imager. Browsing the back issues can be highly rewarding, though you are likely to get more relevant information from recent publications.

Astrophotography- featuring fx system Gordon, Barry		Astrophotography II- featuring Techniques of European Amateurs Martinez, Patrick
Second Edition 1985 Willmann-Bell ISBN 0943396-07-7		First Edition 1987 Willmann-Bell ISBN 0943396-13-1
This is the book you need to get spot on exposure values for a variety of subjects, including difficult ones. (It would help to have worked through one of the introductory books first, though.) It is bound to save you film.		Refreshingly analytical, packing a wealth of information and experience in a slim volume, with many examples.

Introduction to Astronomical Image Processing Berry, Richard
First Edition 1991 Willmann-Bell ISBN 0-943396-32-8
Things have moved on, and maybe the Internet would be a more accessible source of this kind of info, but this book presents the basics of image processing in a logical sequence built on sound experience.

Advanced

CCD Astronomy Buil, Christian		The CCD Camera Cookbook Berry, R & Veikko Kanto & John Munger
First Edition 1991 Willmann-Bell ISBN 0-943396-29-8		First Edition 1994 Willmann-Bell ISBN 0-943396-41-7
If you are contemplating building a camera (and there are several designs available), you need to read this book first. It will enable you to make informed choices and give a clear understanding of what’s important and what would constitute reasonable expectation.		The most famous DIY CCD camera around (though not the best!) This book gives a “recipe” guide to building a camera that is likely to work when you are finished.

A Manual of Advanced Celestial Photography Wallis, Brad & W Provin		Wide-Field Astrophotography Reeves, Robert
First Edition 1988 Cambridge University Press ISBN 0-521-25553-8		Second Printing 2001 Willmann-Bell ISBN 0-943396-64-6
This one’s for the terminally analytical and darkroom junkies: serious stuff, but even the mildly curious would benefit greatly.		While anyone interested in Wide-field astrophotography would benefit from this book, the serious among you will get the most out of this book, because it goes way beyond the basics.

Observing and Photographing the Solar System Dobbins, Parker & Capen
Reprint 1992 Willmann-Bell ISBN 0-943396-17-4
While the focus of this book appears narrow, the subject is covered in a wide ranging but detailed yet accessible manner. (Note the “Observing” in the title – even sketching is covered.) Digital photography may be revolutionizing solar system photography, but read this book!