Introduction to Landscape Astrophotography in So Ill: Part 1, Section 6 of 6

 Homework

As a reminder, these assignments are to ensure that you get the most out of the in-person workshop and that other students' experiences are not diminished because we are having to help you with basics that were covered in the homework. Further, we know how to work our cameras but that does not mean that we know how to work your camera.  Please submit them by May 6th to allow me time to review them and address any concerns.

HW 1: Packing checklist

Create a packing checklist for the night.  Go back through our "Gear" and "Planning" sections and make a list of all of the equipment that you will bring for a successful night afield in Part 2.  Consider not only photography gear, but other outdoor gear like clothing, snacks, etc.  We will be out there for a while.  

HW 2: Camera settings quiz (and camera vetting)

It is important that you know how to use your camera and the settings that we will be using.  It will be dark and we will discourage the use of headlamps while others are shooting.  Also, there are lots of camera models out there and the chance that we instructors are familiar with your camera and accessing its settings is slim.  This HW assignment helps assure that you aren't counting on us to teach you how to use your camera and will allow you to spend more time shooting and less time pushing buttons.

You don't need to provide essays for these questions.  You just need to provide a brief answer.  For example, to turn my camera to manual mode, I'd write "top dial to M".

Identify the following on your camera: Make, Model, Full-frame or crop sensor, lens focal length.

For your camera, briefly explain how to increase ISO, set to manual mode, set to manual focus, change shutter speed, change aperture, set shutter delay timer or use a release, set manual white balance 

Where is the infinity focus point for the lens you'll use?

Does your camera/lens have stabilization? If so, how do you turn it off?

We mentioned a few methods for selecting shutter speed. Which method do you plan to start with? What is the corresponding shutter speed for the method you have chosen?

Do you have a tripod and a way to attach your camera/phone to the tripod?

HW 3: Personal checklist for shooting

Make a step-by-step checklist for yourself to use while setting up and executing the shot in the field. This is incredibly helpful in preventing boneheaded mistakes that we all make but that are especially easy to make early on when you are overwhelmed.  It's miserable to get home and realize that you missed a setting and ruined your shots. 

When making this list, be thorough and consider how you'll set up your camera ahead of time to be ready for preview/test shots and then how you'll set it up to take the keeper shots.  The "Basic settings" and "Execution" sections from Part 1 of this course will be especially useful here.

HW 4: Q&A

Send any questions that you have after completing the online readings and the homework.  I will compile the questions and reply to the group. 

Instructions for turning in Homework

Please send your completed homework assignments by May 6th to allow me plenty of time to look over them and address any concerns before the field session. You must complete the homework to participate in the field session.  They can be submitted to johnoconnellphotography@gmail.com with the subject line "Astrophotography workshop homework".

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