Famous Astrophotographers behind the lens

Famous astrophotographers have shown that astrophotography is an art that captures the wonders of our beautiful universe. To do this, one needs patience, skill, and the right equipment—not to mention plenty of creative talent! In this article, we’ll focus on several outstanding astrophotographers, including Adam Block, Cuiv the Lazy Geek on YouTube, and Alyn Wallace. Please note that these are some of my favourites, in no particular order.

If others hadn’t inspired me, I wouldn’t be pursuing astrophotography today. So, I am listing in this post some of the current astrophotographers who have motivated and inspired me, and I will also mention some of the famous astrophotographers from the past who have become big names because of their many achievements in the field of astronomy.

First, let’s start with three well-known astrophotographers from the present who have inspired me on my journey.

Adam Block

His remarkable work has garnered global recognition, with his images frequently selected for the Astronomy Picture of the Day by NASA. A master of capturing the night sky, Adam Block’s journey in astrophotography continues to inspire those peering into the cosmos, hoping to grasp something beyond human understanding.

His many achievements include the following:

Receiving the Hubble Award in 2012.
This image titled “Celestial Impasto” was voted the best astrophotography image of 2013.
He has had more than 70 images featured on NASA’s APOD page.
He is a regular writer for the Astronomy magazine.

Adam Block’s Background:

He has been fascinated with the stars and with astronomy since his childhood.
Adam graduated with a B.S. in physics from the University of Arizona.
He pioneered the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter’s public programme (see below).
Adam Block is a Tucson-based astrophotographer who’s been photographing the night sky since 2001.

Mount Lemmon SkyCenter’s public programme offers people a chance to get involved in astronomy and astrophysics, and also astrophotography through hands-on activities. Participants can use telescopes to view deep sky objects, join workshops and talks, and take part in guided tours of the night sky with knowledgeable guides. This initiative aims to educate and provide engaging experiences in astronomy for all ages and backgrounds. Adam Block has been a huge part of this important project.

I recently contacted Adam and asked him the following questions:

In your opinion, why is astrophotography important?

This is what Adam told me:

Astrophotography is a means to capture and appreciate the world around us. As is often said, all of our concerns here on Earth are certainly important to us… but as part of the greater realms of things, everything that we are, is a very very small part of a very large Universe. Looking to the sky enables us face the great expanses of space and time that we were born into and get to experience briefly. Astrophotography leans into this sentiment and allows us to deeply admire the sublime beauty of everything else.
What are the most important skills an astrophotographer needs?
Problem solving is a big part of this hobby and unfortunately there are no shortcuts. Buying the most expensive equipment does not necessarily mean problems are minimized (it just means there are different kinds of problems).
An astrophotographer needs to learn how cameras work, how data is calibrated and how the numbers in the data are treated to achieve a compelling image that can be shared or enjoyed. Above all it takes a combination of practice, patience, and perseverance to find a measure of success in astrophotography.
Adam Block, 2024.

Adam Block’s Contributions to Astrophotography:

He is teaching others about the wonders of the universe.
He is a go-to expert and educator in astrophotography.
Adam Block guides countless individuals across the world to discover more about the Cosmos.
His involvement with the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter’s public programme has raised awareness of astronomy.

Adam Block’s Notable Works:

His stunning images of deep space objects such as nebulas and galaxies have made him an acclaimed astrophotographer with many admirers.
Master of night photography
Inspires those peering into the cosmos, seeking to grasp the mysteries beyond human understanding

His stunning images of deep sky objects such as nebulas and galaxies have been featured in National Geographic and Astronomy Magazine, making him an acclaimed astrophotographer with many admirers.

Check out this link to Adam Block’s gallery of astrophotography images¹, including nebulae, galaxies, star clusters, and objects in the Solar System.

When photographing these celestial bodies with a 32-inch telescope, Adam often produces images that are truly out-of-this-world, with vibrant colours and intricate details that breathe life into the universe.

Adam Block has also created some excellent astrophotography resources, in particular tutorials on photo editing, which I found very helpful. Here is a link to some of his Pixinsight tutorials².

Here is one of his images that I really like:

Cuiv the Lazy Geek

Cuiv the Lazy Geek is a well-known astrophotography YouTuber from France who creates educational and entertaining videos. His passion lies in teaching viewers how to capture stunning images of the night sky with a DSLR camera and telescope, showcasing planets, nebulas, and galaxies. Cuiv’s videos make great resources for anyone interested in astrophotography as he simplifies the process so anyone can understand it.

There are a couple of reasons why I have included Cuiv here (real name Yannick Dutertre). The first is that I love his youtube videos. He is a real geek but knows how to explain complex information and I have gained so much from watching some of his videos in the past. The second reason is that I have been able to communicate with him by email and he has always been very approachable and very helpful.

If you need to find out about NINA, he is a great source of information on that amongst many other topics including the length of exposures and imaging in a city environment far from a dark sky and with high light pollution levels as he lives in Tokyo.

So if you haven’t watched any of his videos, I suggest you do.

Alyn Wallace

Background

Alyn Wallace is a Welsh photographer and YouTuber who has been capturing the night sky for over a decade. Unfortunately, he has now passed away at a very young age. RIP Alyn!

Alyn Wallace’s Contributions to Astrophotography:

He’s famous for his stunning images of the Milky Way and for captivating time-lapse videos. He is also a master of landscape astrophotography.

Alyn often travels to remote locations to capture night sky images, sharing his expertise with others through informative yet entertaining videos that aim to empower viewers to capture the breathtaking beauty of the cosmos. Check out his YouTube channel here.

One of his most important contributions to astrophotography is the way he educates others via YouTube and through the publications he has made. He is one of many modern astrophotographers who have raised awareness of this as both a scientific and creative pastime.

His attention to detail has inspired many would-be photographers to grab a camera and shoot the Milky Way or celestial objects such as the moon, planets, comets, and more against a natural backdrop. The combination of the night sky and landscape photography is totally magical!

I really enjoyed his videos, especially when I was new to astrophotography, but his images are absolutely sublime and very inspiring! He’s also a fellow Brit who spends a great deal of time in Turkey, just like I do!

To see some of the many Milky Way shots and other work that has made Alyn famous, check out the gallery on his website here³. Here’s one I’ve chosen one of my favourites:

A great shot by Alyn Williams of a Milky Way arch

Damian Peach

Damian Peach is a British astrophotographer known for his high-resolution images of planets, particularly Jupiter and Saturn⁴.

His passion for space photography has brought us breathtaking glimpses of distant planets. With a keen focus on Jupiter and Saturn, Damian has masterfully captured the essence of these celestial objects, propelling him into the limelight as one of the world’s leading figures in astrophotography.

Damian’s contributions extend far beyond his incredible portfolio. His devotion to the craft and his commitment to share his passion with the world are what truly set him apart. He has made educating budding photographers a vital part of his mission, often conducting workshops, webinars, and online tutorials to help them navigate the intriguing world of astrophotography.

Damian Peach’s Background:

He discovered his first telescope at the age of 11
Instantly captivated by the cosmos
He devoted time and energy to understanding and capturing celestial bodies
He started his adventure with simple gear, gradually upgrading to high-end equipment

Contributions to the Field:

Revolutionary deep-sky astrophotography
He has inspired would-be astrophotographers
His images have featured in international exhibitions
He has won many awards, including the Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer from the British Astronomical Association

Damian Peach’s Notable Works:

Stunning DSLR astrophotography
Educating budding astronomy photographers
He conducts workshops, webinars, and online tutorials in astrophotography

Check out some of Damian Peach’s best work⁵ here.

Other famous astrophotographers include:

Jerry Lodriguss is a former sports photographer who now specialises in astrophotography, particularly images of deep-sky objects.
Russell Croman is an engineer by profession and an astrophotographer by passion, known for his wide-field images of the night sky.

Goran Strand

Achievements:

In Sweden he was awarded the best astrophotographer of the year in 2013 and 2016
His photos have been published in many magazines and books and also online. Some of the publications include National Geographic, Discovery Channel and Space.com. His images have also featured on NASA’s APOD.
He’s contributed material to many films and videos including for Coldplay and MSNBC.
Several of his photos of the Northern Lights have appeared on stamps produced for Postnord in 2016.
He has worked as a Nikon Creator working on the development of mirrorless cameras.
He has published two books: 1. Nights in Jämtland (2012) – about night sky photography. 2. Light Year – A Year of Light: about astrophotography and atmospheric phenomena.

His main contrinutions to astrophotography include:

Unique methods of capturing the Aurora Borealis and creating stunning images.
He has educated the general public through workshops and many events such as talks about wider astronomy and photography.
He has worked closely with Nikon to contribute to cameras more capable of taking high quality images of the night sky.

5 Famous Historical Astrophotographers

Edwin Hubble (1889–1953) was an American astronomer famous for his discoveries in extragalactic astronomy. He was the first person to prove that galaxies exist outside our galaxy and that the universe is expanding.

It is surprising to learn that in the last 50–100 years, we have moved from the belief that the Milky Way was the only galaxy that existed to the knowledge that our galaxy is just one of the billions out there in the universe! It’s thanks to Edwin Hubble and many other famous astrophotographers and astronomers that we now know this to be true.

Before Hubble’s discoveries, most scientists believed the universe was stationary, but he showed how other galaxies and objects in space are moving away from us.

Clyde Tombaugh (1906–1997): an American astronomer who discovered Pluto in 1930 and made significant contributions to the search for a ninth planet and the discovery of several asteroids. He also discovered new clusters of stars and some galaxies. His contribution to astronomy is, therefore, quite important.

Annie Jump Cannon (1863–1941): She was an American astronomer who developed the Harvard Classification Scheme, a system for classifying stars based on their spectral characteristics. She was the first woman to receive an honorary degree from Oxford University.

George Ellery Hale (1868-1938): American astronomer who played an integral role in developing astrophotography. He founded both Yerkes Observatory and Mount Wilson Observatory, both essential institutions in furthering our comprehension of the universe.

Caroline Herschel (1750–1848) was a German-born British astronomer who made significant advances in observational astronomy. She discovered several comets and became the first woman to receive a salary for her work as an astronomer.

Major Contributions by Other Famous Astrophotographers

David Malin (born 1941):

Pioneer in space photography techniques, including colour enhancement.
Influential in popularising astrophotography through stunning images.

Alan Dyer (born 1953):

Expert in time-lapse astrophotography, capturing the motion of celestial objects against the night sky.
Advocate for astrophotography as a tool for public engagement and scientific communication.

Robert Gendler (born 1957):

Expert in deep-sky astrophotography and image processing.
Known for producing detailed and captivating images of galaxies and nebulae.

Sara Wager (born 1966):

She is notable for her contributions to planetary astrophotography, capturing detailed images of planets and moons.
Mentor many aspiring planetary astrophotographers through workshops and online resources.

Chris Cook (born 1968):

Leader in solar astrophotography, capturing intricate details of the sun’s surface.
Contributor to scientific research on solar phenomena through imaging.

Rogelio Bernal Andreo (born 1969):

Master of wide-field astrophotography, capturing stunning landscapes with celestial objects.
Innovator in blending artistry with scientific accuracy in astrophotography.

Babak Tafreshi (Born: 1978):

Renowned for his work in nightscape astrophotography, blending celestial objects with terrestrial landscapes.
Founder of The World at Night (TWAN), promoting awareness of light pollution and dark sky preservation.

So what does it take to become an astrophotographer?

Has reading about famous astrophotographers inspired you? Are you thinking of starting astrophotography? Or are you wondering if you’ve got what it takes to succeed in this field.

What kind of astrophotography are you interested in? I love deep sky photography, (capturing nebulae, galaxies and star clusters from deep space), but you might prefer something else. The first step to becoming an astrophotographer is to decide what astronomical objects you want to photograph.

I have imaged many galaxies, for example, the Sombrero Galaxy and the Andromeda Galaxy. Deep sky astrophotography needs patience because it take many hours of long exposures to create your image. Depending on your equipment and experience you may have to reject some of your images and also it will be necessary to get out under the stars when the sky is clear. In some places this is not as easy to find as others and may mean you are taking images over days or weeks to get enough data for a quality image.

Astro landscape is another type of photography which combines celestial objects such as a comet, the Milky Way or solar system objects with an interesting landscape. This is a very creative form of digital art and can result in an awesome photo! Common backdrops include mountains, deserts, forests and seascapes. An eye for composition is essential in an astro landscape image.

You will also need dedication and patience to become an astrophotographer because capturing the beauty of celestial events such as a solar eclipse might require you to travel to certain locations and to photograph an event that last a few minutes. You certainly need to be well prepared and make the most of your limited time as these events happen rarely.

In my experience doing astrophotography throughout the year for several years now, I know what it takes to become an astrophotographer. Not everybody has the inclination, skillset, or capability to succeed in this field of astronomy. At first, I didn’t know if I had the required skills and character, but now I’m sure I do.

First, you’ll need to be interested in learning about the universe and the objects in the night sky. You’ll need to be scientific in your approach yet creative and imaginative to manage aspects like image processing or composing photographs that will catch the eye. You’ll need to understand basic mathematics to cope with the many technical aspects of photography and astrophotography settings. in order to compose amazing shots you’ll need a deep sense of wonder about the cosmos and the objects you are shooting.

You’ll definitely need problem-solving and experimental skills. This is very much a practical hobby based on theory. You’ll need dedication and be up to the challenge to constantly improve.

You’ll need an artistic eye, or your images will be dull and boring. You’ll need to bring your data to life in glorious colours that inspire others.

I think we need a sense of awe and wonder in our imaginations to contemplate the deeper questions and meaning of what we do as astrophotographers.

Motivation is key for an astrophotographer because you require patience and a lot of time and effort to produce each image, often the result of waiting for good conditions and staying up all night to photograph details you can’t see hundreds and hundreds of times over. After this, you’ll need to learn how to bring your data to life using software on your computer.

Please note that there are so many great photographers that I could have included on this page, if any are missing please let me know which ones should be added in the comments section.

I’d like to end this by thanking all you astrophotographers out there and those of you who read this and aspire to become one. Good luck! Go for it!

References

ADAM BLOCK – Nebulae. FINE ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY. https://www.adamblockphotos.com/nebulae.html
O’Donnell, D. (2021). Adam Block – PixInsight Tutorials. Bintel. https://www.bintel.com.au/adam-block-pixinsight-tutorials/
Alyn Wallace Photography. (n.d.)La Palma, Spain . Alyn Wallace Photography. https://alynwallacephotography.com/gallery
Courses in Astrophotography. (n.d.). https://www.damianpeach.com/saturn.htm
Courses in Astrophotography. (n.d.). https://www.damianpeach.com/best.htm