Designer Nightscapes

Learn how to design the perfect nightscape image, months before your shooting session, using PlanIt Pro and PhotoPills on your smartphone or tablet along with an old-school planisphere. Image design examples will include the Milky Way, star trails, moonrises/sets, panoramas, meteor showers, solar/lunar eclipse sequences, deep-sky astrophotography and more.

You’ll learn how to use PlanIt’s Virtual Viewfinder to simulate the exact image you’ll capture, right down to how the local terrain will appear in your composition. You’ll see how to select the best focal length lens, where to place your tripod and the precise moment to press your shutter release button. You’ll also see how to apply Planit’s Sun/Moon Finder to determine when to capture the sun or moon (any phase) in the composition of your choice. Finally, you’ll see how to implement Planit’s exhaustive database of deep sky objects, including the entire Messier catalog, to design your trophy deepscape image. And know you’re in good hands—Mike is the co-creator of the video tutorials embedded in the Planit Pro app!

He’ll also apply PhotoPills to establish the perfect depth-of-field parameters for your shot, including when and how to apply the (dreaded!) hyperfocal distance. You’ll also see how to refine your composition once you’re on-location with PhotoPills’ incredible Augmented Reality capabilities.

Finally, you’ll learn how to use a good old-fashioned paper/cardboard planisphere to mine a wealth of helpful information about the visibility and position of your favorite constellations and deep sky objects during the year. This presentation will include a link to a free DIY planisphere you can download, assemble and use—and share with your family and friends!

Never again will you be frustrated by not knowing what to expect at night. Instead, you’ll be at the right place, at the right time, with the right gear to get your image right—the first time!