Re: [APML] NGC 7331

["Paul Howell" <paul@howell-ltd.com>]

I am a lurker here, so most of you don't know me. I lurk
because most of my astrophotography is CCD based. When I
first started doing imaging, I discovered the APML and silly
me, thought that the "Astrophotography Mailing List"
pertained to me. Boy was I wrong. I was flummoxed then, and
I am flummoxed now.

As far as I can tell, it goes something like this:

1. Film images has 'soul', CCD images do not.
2. People who shoot film are somehow inherently more in
touch with their inner esthetic.
3. CCD folks are nouveau rich impostors.
4. CCD is the 'dark side'
5. We've been doing this for a long time, what would you
know.
6. CCD is so expensive, only geeky rich guys can afford it.
7. CCD is so complicated, only geeky rich guys can do it.

I have been a professional photographer for a long time. I
have shot film, I have shot digitally. Nowadays, we shoot
virtually everything digitally. I can tell you firsthand,
the 'soul' in my photography was never in my film, and it
isn't in my CCD cameras. It's in me. This whining about CCD
is ludicrous.

As far as the cost and complication, well it is expensive
and more complicated than film. Get over it. So are AP
scopes, Paramounts etc. Many, many folks cannot afford such
high end equipment. Most members of my astronomy club fall
into this category. Maybe they should form a list called the
"Discussion of Astrophotography Done On Inexpensive OTAs".

As far as the esthetic thing goes, I think that's where I
get the most riled up. Sure, some CCD'ers are hacks, so are
some film shooters. There is however some wonderful
photography out there done by some very talented CCD
shooters. They are not hacks.

I wish the APML wasn't closed to my photography. I think I
have something I could share. So I post to the SBIG list.
But I must tell you, I would prefer to post (and discuss) on
a list that is dedicated to all forms of astrophotography,
regardless of camera make, method, film or CCD. The APML has
that potential.

The APML will slowly lose relevance if it does not embrace
new imagers, and new imaging technology. Tony said as much
and I agree. Only Nixon could go to China, and only Tony can
lay down that roadmap.

-P


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