EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
BECOMING AN ASTROPHOTOGRAPHER
Astrophotography is an activity that consists of taking photographs of celestial bodies, such as stars, planets, comets, star clusters and galaxies, or events such as eclipses, transits, among others. Astrophotographers can only work under a clear night sky and they are often freelancers who sell their photos and videos to specialized magazines and other media. So, if your students like to study technical subjects on optics, digital sensors, imaging processing software and they pay attention to the details and have an artistic eye for photographic composition, this career might be the option for them!
SKILLS
Find out about the key skills to become an Astrophotographer.
Strategic Planning
Taking the perfect astrophoto demands detailed planning to reach the ideal spot at the right moment. To do that, a professional in this field has to take into account data of various fields of knowledge.
Software Management
When the photo is taken, the job is not over. The professional needs to edit the photographs. This is done with specialized software, which allows them to improve the quality of the product.
Data Analysis
To be well-informed, the astrophotographer needs to analyze the movement of celestial bodies, the time of transit needed, the equipment they need to carry, and of course, some safety implications that arise when travelling in isolated areas alone.
Creativity
Apart from focusing on scientifically valuable phenomena, the astrophotographer also needs to raise awareness. This is doable by creating touching material that illustrates the astounding glory of our universe.
Curiosity
The deep understanding of the sky that is needed for this profession can only obtain if one is truly moved by the mysteries of our universe. The mentality of the astrophotographer is structured around forming questions and observing the stars.
Motivation
Following such a lonely profession, demands high levels of motivation and engagement to the job. But surely, sharing the beauty and the science of astronomical objects with the world must be an incredible source of notation.
Curious to
know more?
Meet Fausto Barbosa
Fausto Barbosa is a freelance astrophotographer and Adjunct Professor at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS).
CC BY 4.0: all the materials and content presented on this STEM Job profile have been provided by Space Awareness, a project funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 Programme under grant agreement nº 63865.
