[APML] Skill [was: Foveon Chip]

[Matt BenDaniel <matt@starmatt.com>]

Chris,

I think anyone who claims they "can't create beautiful astrophotos
without big $" is making excuses for lack of motivation and talent.  

There are quite a number of astrophotographers on the APML who do
excellent work on limited budgets (and with hard work and skill). 
Wonderfully beautiful wide field astro pix can be made for cheap:
unguided piggyback, with a barn door, and on a tripod.  The guys with
$30K CCD systems can't do that.  And there's quite a few rich guys who
blow big $ on equipment and generate only mediocre pix.

The skills needed for astrophotography have been continually changing. 
When gas-hypering became popular that was a new skill.  Running an
autoguider requires skill, and scanning, digital image processing, and
yes, even CCD image capture and calibration all require skills.  And the
internet has accelerated the pace of everything.  Excelling at any
endeavor always requires learning new skills.

So clicking a mouse is too easy to be bothered with?  Why have so few
astrophotographers mastered Picture Window or Photoshop LE?  What does
that have to do with money?

If anyone feels their imagery is outgunned by big $, they need to stop
feeling sorry for themselves and start focusing on doing the best they
can with the equipment they can afford (or borrow).  Learn new skills. 
Work hard.  With talent and a bit of luck, you create beautiful art.

Matt

Chris & Jennifer Cook wrote:
> 
> Steven -
> 
> I agree.  While I am happy for the folks who can fork over the $30,000 for
> top rate imaging equipment(if I had it, I would too),  astrophotography is
> rapidly becoming a hobby of haves and have nots.  It is also a hobby where
> actual photographic talent is becoming less and less important.  Back in the
> old days, you actually had to have a talent in the darkroom to produce a
> gallery quality print.  You know, dodging and burning a image with your own
> hands..... not clicking a mouse or reading a image processing article on the
> web...........
> Today there is very little talent involved.  Spend $30K, buy a computer,
> load the necessary software, read some articles out on the web and bingo,
> you can produce observatory quality images from your backyard.  There is no
> talent here folks!
> BTW, don't bother with the flames............ <g>
> 
> Chris
> 
> ==================
> Chris Cook
> Astronomical Photography
> www.abmedia.com/astro
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stephen pitt <lthuedk@pe.net>
> To: astro-photo@seds.org <astro-photo@seds.org>
> Date: Monday, February 11, 2002 8:16 PM
> Subject: Re: [APML] Foveon Chip
> 
> >This technology would eliminate the filter wheel nonsense and make CCD
> >affordable through competition with the company that has a stranglehold on
> chip
> >prices.  Lets face it, there's a large number of gifted APML emulsioneers
> who
> >could take CCD imaging much farther than it has been taken if the interest
> >wasn't so exclusive.  It is frustrating to be in a holding pattern,
> watching
> >only the affluent at play with equipment of outrageous cost-only to be told
> we
> >can have it all from the suburbs.  Duh.
> >
> >We need a shot of competition in this "hobby," otherwise, it aint.  Stephen
> >Pitt
> >
> >Chris & Jennifer Cook wrote:
> >
> >> This looks to be a real turning point in digital imaging.  I'm hoping the
> >> big camera manufacturers start using the chips.  I wonder if Foveon has a
> 5
> >> mega-pixel chip planned.  I only saw that it went up to 3 mega-pixel.
> >>
> >> As far as applying it to deep sky imaging, I wonder if a chip like this
> >> would work given is has good QE and blue sensitivity....... thoughts from
> >> the CCD experts?
> >>
> >> Chris
> >>
> >> ==================
> >> Chris Cook
> >> Astronomical Photography
> >> www.abmedia.com/astro
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: stephen pitt <lthuedk@pe.net>
> >> To: astro-photo@seds.org <astro-photo@seds.org>
> >> Date: Monday, February 11, 2002 11:25 AM
> >> Subject: [APML] Foveon Chip
> >>
> >> >Current CCD chip architecture appears primative compared to this:
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >http://www.dpreview.com/news/0202/02021101foveonx3.asp
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >Kodak's market supression is about to take a hit-unless of course, they
> >> >buy out Foveon.  sp
> >> >
> >> >
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> >
> >
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-- 
Matt BenDaniel
http://starmatt.com

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