SLAS 2012 Astro Photo Challenge Guidelines and rules

Purpose and Goals • Encourage Members to experiment with Astro and

Night Sky Photography

• Use gear you already own

• Generate Enthusiasm for observing and getting out under the stars and night sky

• Look at familiar things in a different way

• Have a long term project

General Guidelines • Challenge runs through the 2012 Observing Season

• Images must be taken in 2012.

• Each Member may submit up to 2 images per category

• Images may be submitted at any time

• Last Call: All images due by the October 2012 General Meeting

• You must be a SLAS Member at the October General meeting to submit

• Post processing OK, must represent reality, no adding additional objects

• Photographers retain rights to images but allow SLAS to show, post and print, final images will be credited after judging

• Winners will be announced at the November 2012 general Meeting

• 5 Groups for submissions to keep it fair

Groups/Categories • Group 1 Cell Phones and Point and Shoots – NON-

Telescope

• Group 2 Cell Phones and Point and Shoots – Telescope

• Group 3 SLR/DSLR, High Zoom Cameras – NON-Telescope

• Group 4 SLR/DSLR, High Zoom Cameras – Telescope

• Group 5 CCD, SLR/DSLR, High Zoom Cameras, Cell, Point N Shoot – Everything Goes

Group 1, Non-Telescope

Cell Phones and Point and Shoots • Images of night sky, night sky objects or sky phenomena

• Not just a Sunset Photo, no lightning shots

• Tripod OK, no tracking

• Non removable lens

• Camera/Phone must fit in your pocket

• NO Image Stacking permitted, single shot

• Other post processing OK

• Examples: Large Vista shots: Milky Way, Constellations, Star Trails, Lunar, Meteor Showers, Auroras, etc.

Group 2, Telescope Cell Phones and Point and Shoots

• Use of telescopes and tracking mounts OK

• Eye-piece projection, attaching to mount for longer exposure, higher magnification, etc.

• Non removable lens

• Camera/Phone must fit in your pocket

• NO Image Stacking permitted, single shot

• Other post processing OK

• Examples: Deep Sky Objects, Planets, High/Low power Lunar/Solar, EP Projection, etc.

Group 3, Single shot, Non-Telescope

SLR/DSLR, High Zoom Cameras

• Images of night sky, night sky objects or sky phenomena

• Not just a Sunset Photo, no lightning shots

• Tripod OK, no tracking

• Interchangeable or fixed lens, film or digital

• NO Image Stacking permitted, single shot

• Other post processing OK

• Examples: Large Vista shots: Milky Way, Constellations, Star Trails, Lunar, Meteor Showers, etc.

Group 4, Single Shot, Telescope SLR/DSLR, High Zoom Cameras

• Use of telescopes and tracking mounts OK

• Eye-piece projection, attaching to mount for longer exposure, higher magnification, etc. all OK

• Interchangeable or fixed lens, film or digital

• No Image Stacking permitted, single shot

• Other post processing OK

• Examples: Deep Sky Objects, Planets, high power lunar/solar

Group 5, Unlimited Deep Sky CCD, SLR/DSLR, High Zoom Cameras, Cell, Point N Shoot

• All types of Cameras OK

• Stacking and Advanced Post Processing techniques OK

• Tracking, Telescopes, Computer assist, guiding, etc., OK

• Multiple nights OK

• Top Category for Astro-Photos

• Examples: Deep Sky objects, Planets, Solar, Lunar, Star Field, etc.

Judging and Submission • 2 Photos per member per Group, 10 potential

• Naming convention: Group#-PhotographerName-Title.jpg

• JPG or prints accepted, 1400x1400 (jpg) or 4x6 or larger (print)

• Judging: 1 (low) to 5 (High) rating in 3 categories

– Technical Merit, how well is the image done, technically

– Aesthetic Merit, attractiveness of the photo

– Category Match, is the photo appropriate for the group and how well does it match the guidelines

• Submit to Robert Taylor at robtaylorslc@gmail.com

• Judges will only see Photo Title, not photographer name

• Images may be submitted at any time

• Final date of submission is the October 2012 General Meeting

Questions??? Instructions and guidelines will be posted on the Club Website

SLAS.US

Additional question can be directed to Robert Taylor

Additional links will be shared and posted

I will not be a judge