The Complete Guide to Landscape Astrophotography: Understanding, Planning, Creating, and Processing Nightscape Images

I was really looking forward to receiving this book, but when it arrived it had been damaged during packaging, and since this is a relatively expensive book, I didn't want to keep a bent up copy, so requested to return it to Amazon for a replacement.While I was packaging it back up to return it, I started leafing through the pages; there is a lot of great information in this book; unfortunately the printing quality is so poor and faint that it makes it difficult to read, and the photos are such poor resolution that you can't really see what they're showing.I ended up getting the Kindle version instead of another printed copy, and it's much easier to read the text, (even though I would still prefer to have a printed copy).So much information, such a great reference; too bad such poor printing quality...

There is so much useful information packed into this book: instructions, examples, tips. Mr. Shaw invites you to come along with him to stunning photos, in a way that makes it all accessible to all. And the photos are simply breathtaking!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The information is comprehensive and well-organized, with helpful illustrations and gorgeous photos.

outstanding book, once you start reading will be hard to put it down.

I was disappointed in the book. Given its size and cost I figured it would cover in great detail the processing of images in Photoshop. All it says are some general phrases like "blend in Photoshop". I covers planning very well and perhaps it should be titled Planning Landscape Astrophotography. What I need is what to do with multiple exposures of both the stars and the foreground and how to bring them together.

Dr. Michael C. Shaw asked to include one of my images in his expansive book (see page 399). The book is chock full of eye popping images from some of the best Landscape Astrophotographers I know or have ever heard of. But that's not the best part! Mike covers nearly all the topics I've covered over years and years in workshops, my blog and classes and he does so VERY well.The book has copious illustrations and the writing is enthusiastic, and comprehensive. It seems to be impossible to cover EVERYTHING on the subject but Dr. Shaw has just about done that. Here some examples that you'll find in the book:- Curious what that green (or red) glow in the sky is in your photo (and you know it's not the aurora borealis) see page 59.- Want to know why after midnight and before dawn is the best time to catch a meteor shower? (illustration 7.4, page 98)- Want to determine what exposure(s) will capture the Milky Way? (page 177)- Would you like help planning to capture a great image? (Chapter 16, pp 236-256)- Want to know about tools and apps for planning shots - Chapter 17.- Need to clean your lens or sensor? (pp 300-305)...And much more.Certainly you'll also find information about Timelapses, Star trails, Milky Way seasonality, the moon, light painting, color, human visual perception, camera optics and even how to compose and adjust your images.The list of important, fun, and useful topics is long. While covering these topics, Dr. Shaw maintains a scholarly and scientific view but with a light touch so you are not likely to become lost in terminology. Even though I've been doing Landscape Astrophotograpy quite a long time, there are definitely some gems that I picked up. For example page 138 has an illuminating chart comparing light from different sources.A nitpick is that near the center of the book - chapter 15 (pp 209-236) - there are no page numbers so references in the index make those items harder to find... but the book DOES have an index! It's surprising how few books do that these days. The index turns a great book into a great REFERENCE book.IN SUMMARYI find the book eminently useful, fascinating, illuminating and well thought out.DISCLOSUREI received a free copy because of the inclusion of one of my photographs, but I was NOT asked to write a review - I did so because I am impressed. This is a GREAT book.WHO AM I?I was the Royal Observatory, Greenwich's Astronomy Photographer of the Year in 2010, and runner up in 2012. My images have appeared in national and international publications and I have taught hundreds of classes to thousands of students.

If you're looking to pick up a great book covering every aspect of astrophotography, this book is THE one-stop shop for beginners and veterans alike.My first impression when I got this book in the mail was the sheer size. Upon paging quickly through the book, I was quite impressed to see the wide array of subject matter Mike covers. As someone who has been shooting landscape astrophotos, I was very impressed to see the depth of the subjects Mike takes you through.While large, the book isn't overbearing. It's very easy to read and Mike does a wonderful job keeping you engaged with the very expansive subjects that encompass astrophotography. Mike does a brilliant job covering the basics and explaining the various equipment, lenses, locations, applications, and software that uses and recommends. Once the basics are covered, he takes you into more challenging shots and subject matter. He covers moon photography, star trails, photographing the aurora, the Milky Way and so much more.I literally could not put this book down and have since tabulated mine. I'm actually in the second round of reading my copy and hope to have it read through a second time as the Milky Way core season approaches.If there's every one book to read, and your looking to get into landscape astrophotography, this is it. If you ever have any questions about the book or the subject matter, Mike is wonderful to talk with!

Outstanding book for the amateur, serious hobbyist and astrophotographer who wants to create arresting nightscape images. It was hard to put down. You can find books about photography and you can find books about astronomy, but you can't find books about astrophotography... until now. Eminently useful book that helps you really understand the science behind night sky landscape and lowlight nature imaging. You'll understand the best moon phases throughout the month for specific nightscapes and learn about the motion of different celestial bodies to determine the best months of the year and the best times of night to shoot. For me, an amateur, it provides the knowledge and tools to more successfully plan and execute a night shoot. Next on my radar is Mike's Creative Nightscapes & Time-Lapses.

I think this covers just about everything you would need to know. Excellent book. Nothing more to say really...

Twas a gift, he loved it.

The printing of the material/ pages/ images are blurry and lack of contrast.After reading a few pages my eyes felt tired. But I like the comprehensive contents.