Category Archives: Photography

Astronomy, astrophotography, Photography

Bode’s Galaxy and the Cigar: A Deep Dive into Ursa Major’s Cosmic Neighborhood

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Some targets earn their reputation. M81 and M82 — Bode’s Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy — are staples of the spring sky, the kind of pair that shows up in every beginner’s first light report and every veteran’s “I need to do this one properly” list. I finally got around to doing it properly.

A Galaxy Group in the Cosmic Neighborhood

What you’re looking at in this image isn’t just two famous galaxies. It’s a whole gravitational family, the M81 Group, a collection of around 40 galaxies bound together by mutual gravity, sitting roughly 12 million light-years from Earth. That sounds impossibly far, but in the grand scheme of the universe, it makes them close neighbors. Our own Milky Way belongs to a similar family called the Local Group, which includes Andromeda, the Triangulum Galaxy, and a few dozen smaller satellites. The M81 Group and our Local Group aren’t gravitationally bound to each other, but they’re near-neighbors in the same larger cosmic structure, the Virgo Supercluster. Think of them as two small towns in the same county.

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astrophotography, atlanta, Photography

My journey into deep space

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When you view my astrophotography on Facebook and Instagram, do you wonder how the heck I’m doing this? Well, more than a few of you have asked, so I thought I’d write a short bit of background on the process. If you’re interested in learning more, please reach out to me via my socials!

I dove headfirst into this hobby during the summer of 2017 when a total lunar eclipse cut across North Georgia. I picked up a used Celestron reflector telescope, one I’d lusted for as a preteen in all those gift catalogs. I finally owned one! And with that purchase, the descent began.

I’ve often said this is the hardest hobby I’ve ever had. It requires patience first and foremost, but also software, hardware, mechanical, weather, design, and more skills. But I’ve only recently found it rewarding. The tipping point was our new backyard. In our old place, there was simply no view of the sky unobstructed by trees unless I hauled my gear to Grant Park and hung out there into questionable hours of the night with my expensive gear. But our new place has a backyard garden with very clear views of much of the sky. And behind a secure gate, I can leave my gear up all night while I sleep.

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astrophotography, atlanta, Photography

How I got lost in space

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When you view my astrophotography on Facebook and Instagram, have you ever wondered how the heck I’m doing this? Well, more than a few of you have asked, so I thought I’d write a short bit of background on the process. If you’re interested in learning more, please reach out.

I dove headfirst into this hobby during the summer of 2017 when a total lunar eclipse cut across North Georgia. I picked up a used Celestron reflector telescope, one I’d lusted for as a preteen in all those gift catalogs. And almost 50 years later, and I finally owned one! And with that purchase, the descent into AAS (astronomy acquisition syndrome) began.

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cabbagetown, gpcp, grantpark, Photography

GPCP Fall Photos, 2010 Edition

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GPCP-CT-372.jpg

Another year, another installment of portraits of the children at the Grant Park Cooperative Preschool.

In a continuing trend, my frame count rose from 1600 in 2008 and 1800 in 2009 to over 2000 this year – and I think we managed to get everyone. Many thanks to my friend Joel Silverman (an amazing artist and reformed attorney) for lending his lighting gear, as well as to all the volunteers who kept things rolling. It was all wonderful until I threw out my back moving one of those massive planters at the Grant Park campus – hopefully the physical therapy will cure that issue soon. I hope you enjoy the fruits of our labor!

A few children were photographed outside of their class time slot or were given more time to regain their composure, so you may find photos of your tots in non-consecutive order. Leaf through the  galleries to be sure you’ve seen all there is to see!

Also, please note that  these images have only been briefly color corrected and retouched. Once you pick your images, I will review them again for color accuracy, cropping, etc, so don’t be deterred if you think your little one looks too light or dark, etc. And remember that these images will work great at any size

To order prints: please download this PDF file and complete per instructions there. Checks made out to GPCP can be dropped into the envelope in either campus office  marked “Fall Pictures Orders” by Friday, December 3rd. Remember, all proceeds benefit the GPCP, so order plenty for all your family, friends and loved ones!

Joey