It’s taken me several years to get to this point, and honestly I’m still continuing to learn new techniques and improve my processing to this day. I’ve never actually added up how much all my equipment costs, because then I’d have to give an honest answer when my family asks. I did buy a lot of it on the used market, and I haven’t really upgraded anything since covid and astronomy gear prices shot up. Most of my images I take from my apartment balcony, which has horrific light pollution. A couple times a year I’ll head out to a dark site like the Deerlick Astronomy Village for a weekend. If there are any astonomy clubs in your town they’ll tell you what dark sites are best near you.
I’m not sure how much of a ‘guide’ I could be, but I can help give advice and constructive criticism if you need it! If you use discord there’s also a ton of beginner info and people able to help out in ours (link in the sidebar).
If there are any astonomy clubs in your town they’ll tell you what dark sites are best near you.
I sadly don’t, but you can check out this.
Gladly, I’m at the edge of a dark-yellow zone, next to a green one, meaning it’s pretty good. The difference, just 500 or 1000 meters away compared to the mid city, is actually super noticeable even with the naked eye.
Maybe consider checking out the map and look for less polluted areas, e.g. a forest or big field :)
It’s taken me several years to get to this point, and honestly I’m still continuing to learn new techniques and improve my processing to this day. I’ve never actually added up how much all my equipment costs, because then I’d have to give an honest answer when my family asks. I did buy a lot of it on the used market, and I haven’t really upgraded anything since covid and astronomy gear prices shot up. Most of my images I take from my apartment balcony, which has horrific light pollution. A couple times a year I’ll head out to a dark site like the Deerlick Astronomy Village for a weekend. If there are any astonomy clubs in your town they’ll tell you what dark sites are best near you.
I’m not sure how much of a ‘guide’ I could be, but I can help give advice and constructive criticism if you need it! If you use discord there’s also a ton of beginner info and people able to help out in ours (link in the sidebar).
I sadly don’t, but you can check out this. Gladly, I’m at the edge of a dark-yellow zone, next to a green one, meaning it’s pretty good. The difference, just 500 or 1000 meters away compared to the mid city, is actually super noticeable even with the naked eye. Maybe consider checking out the map and look for less polluted areas, e.g. a forest or big field :)