[ravnostic]

Cool ennui! Getting paid will be my next goal…

[ravnostic]

That’s a Baader filter. Essentially, a piece of mylar plastic with a fine quality coating of aluminum on both sides. Who’da thunk the sun could shine through aluminum? I guess people double up on mylar balloon material, but I wouldn’t trust my eyes to that. My camera sensor…yes. My eyes–no. And definitely not my telescope. Expensive bugger–have to put it in front of the scope, so it’s 11″ in diameter. The rest of it is choosing a temp of 10K, and hueing to the left, to give some warmer tones and better contrasts, and the luck of having one small moment of fine seeing and sharp focus. That’s not as easy as it sounds, I promise you.

[ravnostic]

Uh, duh–I think I do a lot of astrophotography, especially now that I have (most of) the equipment I need for it. But I like urban art, buildings in decay, up-close florals, and if I could get more people to sit for me, portraiture. I’m pot-pourri, always have been, but I’m focusing on the astrophotography lately, as it’s been my dream since I was a wee lad.

[ravnostic]

The smoke from the fire must be going another direction now; it’s pretty blue out there. I set the scope up to figure out how to work the video camera with it; epic fail. Damned FOV kills me every time.

Oh, well. Since I had the scope out, I took sun shots, and I think I got one that’s just sublime. Too big to post here, but I’ll link it. 1.7 Mb

http://fossilspringsaz.com/pics/2012/may/15/sun03.jpg

I think it’s my best capture of the sun, yet. Certainly lots of visual interest.

[ravnostic]

I like the feel of the first one, but in regards to safe farktography, there’s no reason you can’t darken the overall image yet keep the lighter tones, then desaturate some to approach the same effect. Just make the changes global, it’s no different than tweaking chemicals. You won’t get the same texture, but you get the tones.

[ravnostic]

This means that Rav and I are Farktographers of the year right?

Absolutely! And as last year’s winner, you need to let me know where to forward the tiara and sash (I’ll let you two decide who gets what). 😆

// Seriously, though, congrats to you both, and to U-Man for yet another combined win.

I get the tiara. 😉

Unexpected; last I’d checked U-Man was leading. I’d like to thank the Farkcademy, and all the little people–I mean, the passengers, and pilots, on the plane…

[ravnostic]

See U-Man? Your 1st place is why I didn’t use a ladybug. 😉

//I figured to slip away from my early lead because of that one. I love that shot. I’m just happy to have 1 that might make it into the top 10 by the contest end! Far better than I did my first Anniversary contest…

[ravnostic]

Yeah, Page is 4-5 hours from me (275miles); so I’m taking Saturday off from work. I’m staying at the Quality Inn, which you can google; I’ll use the view from the parking lot (I posted a picture on my public profile on G+ if you want to see the view). It’s not 100% perfect, but the view of the setting sun will be. I won’t get kicked off the property; and if I keep the horizon over the cheesy buildings to just show the elec. plant/dam, I should do okay. Weather thus far is looking promising (well, clear at least–I’d like some ‘light’ clouds, cumulus, but not TOO many–and not directly over the sun during totality–we’ll see what I get.

I’m also staying Monday to do the Antelope and Marble canyons (the latter may be deferred till Tuesday’s trip back home.)

[ravnostic]

Hey, it’s a job! Try to take a break at that moment.

[ravnostic]

I’ve already made plans.

Next Saturday I’ll drive up to Page, Az (near dead center to the eclipse), the hotel room, with small patio, faces north, but the parking lot has a clear view WNW in very close proximity to the dam and power-plant. I’ll set up there around 3am, for good polar guidance, and track all the day (there’s other stuff to look at while I wait). Anyone’s welcome to join me if it’s possible.

[ravnostic]

I need to put my scope back together first…. and I’m stuck in appalachian haze until September or October….. December would be just fine.

Do you really want to wait until Nov/Dec for that theme? (I don’t care, just trying to weigh options)

I’m not opposed to waiting; it IS a difficult theme just by virtue of people’s equipment. Just so you know I’m gung-ho about it! Saw Orionid’s solar shots on FB; nice ones!

[ravnostic]

The rest of you underlings, of course, would be outclassed…

//I keed. I’d be happy to help out on tips for astrophotography; I’m no Mr. Wizard, but I can give some good tips even with what limited experience I have.

[ravnostic]

hunches A true OMG. That’s a great shot. I’d hang that on my wall.

CISS There’s a point there.

just KatEcho? I would not by default win. chupa packs a wallop. orionid will bring game, no matter what shift he’s working. U-Man‘s certainly experienced the long-exposure night sky adventure, and shoosh is always good for night skies, esp. with aurora.

[ravnostic]

Can we schedule Astrofarktography? I’m so excited; the solar eclipse is just 10 days away, and sunspot 1476, a whopping 8x the diameter of the entire Earth, will be on the limb. I’m hoping, praying for a solar prominence during the eclipse (probably won’t happen, but it would make for an awesomesauce image if it did!

//But I think the eclipse in itself might be contest-worthy.

[ravnostic]

I just came to post the same comment, fluffybunny!

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