Patience, Pixels, and the Universe: Finding My Place in the Stars

Note:
This post is from our DWARF 3 user Jade Warner.

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Like many beginners, I didn’t begin with a high-end observatory or a professional setup. At first, I started out with a basic entry-level telescope, just pointing it at the Moon and bright stars to see what I could capture. The results were modest, but they lit the spark that made me want to go further.

From there, my journey grew in Cornwall, where the skies are often dramatic, sometimes cloudy, but always inspiring. Eventually, I upgraded to the Dwarf Lab 3 smart telescope, which opened up a whole new world of possibilities. At first, my images were shaky, noisy, and a little underwhelming — but each attempt taught me something new.

I quickly discovered that astrophotography is as much about patience as it is about equipment. Stacking hundreds of frames, adjusting gain, finding the right exposure times — it’s a dance between technology and persistence. Some nights I’d spend hours under the stars, only to come home with a single usable frame. Other nights, magic happened.

The first timeI photographed the Soul Nebula, I felt something click. Suddenly, it wasn’t just a hobby — it was a way of connecting to the universe on a deeply personal level. I’ve since turned my lens toward the Veil Nebula, Bode’s Galaxy (M81), and even a few passing comets. Each capture feels like a little victory, a frozen piece of time pulled from the cosmos.

One of the turning points in my journey came when I photographed the Pacman Nebula. That image was picked up and featured in national and regional media, including BBC Cornwall, The Times, Daily Express, Metro, Yahoo News UK, and Talker News.

It was surreal to see something I created under the quiet Cornish skies being celebrated far beyond my own circle.That moment showed me the power of astrophotography — not just to connect me with the universe, but to connect others with it too

Along the way, I’ve been blown away by the support from the Dwarf Lab community itself. When I shared my Pacman Nebula and other captures, I received incredible feedback — including praise directl from Dwarf Lab’s official channels.

To be recognised in that way by the very creators of the tool that made my images possible was an unforgettable moment — proof that passion, persistence, and the right gear can take you further than you ever thought possible.

I’m still very much a learner, experimenting with edits, discovering new targets, and exploring the incredible community of astrophotographers.

My dreamin astrophotography is to inspire the next generation by showing that exploring the universe is accessible, exciting, and fun. Through my own images and live demonstrations, I want to spark curiosity in children and beginners, giving them the same sense of wonder that drew me in. Central to this journey is my partnership with Dwarf Lab — their groundbreaking telescopes have completely opened the door for me and so many others. I want to heavily promote Dwarf Lab as the company that makes astronomy possible for everyone, not just professionals, and champion their role in classrooms, communities, and homes around the world. At the same time, I aim to grow as a photographer and storyteller, developing my own style under Jade Photography while sharing my work across mainstream media and online platforms. By donating my Dwarf 3 to my daughter’s school, supporting beginner-friendly technology, and using my platform to highlight Dwarf Lab’s innovation, my ultimate goal is to leave a legacy where astronomy feels open and inspiring to all — especially the next generation who will carry it forward.

Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the universe belongs to all of us. And if I can inspire even one child to look up, to wonder, and to start their own journey among the stars, then everything I’ve done will have been worth it.