An Interview with the Famous YouTuber AstroBackyard
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Temps de lecture 4 min
Following AstroBackyard's recent review of the DWARF 3 telescope, we had the opportunity to sit down with Trevor Jones (known to us as AstroBackyard) for a broader conversation about his astrophotography journey and insights. For brevity, throughout this interview, DWARFLAB will be referred to as DL and AstroBackyard as AB.
DWARF 3 review photo by AstroBackyard
"You need to be very patient and expect many small things to go wrong when you are starting out. Focus on the small victories of getting things to work and progressing further. "
DL: When did you get into astrophotography? What inspired you to start your journey in astrophotography, and how did that encourage you into a content creator?
AB: I got into astrophotography in 2010. At the time, I was working a 9-5 desk job and was looking for an escape. I wanted a new hobby that involved spending time outdoors.
I was inspired by the amateur astrophotography images I saw online, and was curious to see if I could produce something similar.
I started a simple blog website (which eventually became astrobackyard.com ) to document my progress, and share the images I took. I started a YouTube channel in 2015 with hopes of getting more people to discover my blog.
DL: Can you share a memorable moment or breakthrough in your astrophotography career that really stood out to you?
AB: My biggest leap occurred when I purchased a refractor telescope. It was an 80mm triplet APO refractor, and I could finally capture the types of images I wanted with my DSLR camera.
I learned how to polar align an equatorial mount, and autoguide the telescope for longer exposures. This was a fun time, as I photographed some of the most incredible deep-sky objects for the first time.
DL: What’s your favorite celestial object to photograph, and why does it hold a special place for you?
AB: My favorite object to photograph is the Andromeda Galaxy. It holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of an emotional time in my life when I lost my father.
I made a video about photographing Andromeda when he was in the hospital, and it was the last image he got to see me capture.
I have since captured it many times, with this being my latest attempt:
Andromeda Galaxy by AstroBackyard
DL: For beginners looking to get into astrophotography, what’s the one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you started?
"To expect everything to work perfectly right away with unrealistic expectations is a recipe for giving up the hobby entirely."
AB: Thankfully, I had the right mindset going into astrophotography. However, I see many others struggling.
You need to be very patient and expect many small things to go wrong when you are starting out. Focus on the small victories of getting things to work and progressing further.
To expect everything to work perfectly right away with unrealistic expectations is a recipe for giving up the hobby entirely.
Meet Trevor - the founder of AstroBackyard
DL: Smart telescopes are evolving fast, what do you think of this trend? Do you have some expectations for them?
AB: Smart telescopes have exceeded my expectations in every way. I am thoroughly impressed with the images they can capture, and the potential for even better results via processing.
I personally love the smart telescope trend, because I can now present a much more attractive option for beginners that would like to get their feet wet in astrophotography.
They have proven to be a great option for astronomy outreach events. More people get to see the wonders of space in a memorable way.
DL: What effects do you think that smart telescopes bring on astrophotography, or even astronomy? What feature of smart telescope do you think matters most to astronomers?
AB: Smart telescopes have largely removed the barrier to entry into the astrophotography world. They allow anyone to enjoy capturing a deep-sky object, which was reserved for an exclusive group of people.
I think a comfortable, reliable user experience is the most important feature of a smart telescope. Being able to set it up quickly and explore the objects in the night sky easily is an incredible experience.
DL: What do you think of DWARF 3? What feature do you like most?
"I was pleasantly surprised with the user interface on the mobile app and how quickly I was able to get up and running."
DL: The Dwarf 3 was my first time using a DwarfLab product, and I had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised with the user interface on the mobile app and how quickly I was able to get up and running.
My favorite feature is the EQ mode, which allowed me to take even longer exposures on the Dwarf 3. As an astrophotographer, I appreciate having more options for capturing deep-sky projects with improved tracking.
DWARF 3 with the solar filter (Photo by AstroBackyard)
DL: What’s next for AstroBackyard? Do you have any exciting projects or goals you’re working on?
AB: I am excited to see the evolution of astrophotography. The landscape has changed substantially over the last 5 years, and I am proud to say AstroBackyard as a company has pivoted to keep up and stay relevant.
We have kept a pulse on the hobby by speaking to people at public outreach events, astronomy club meetings, and visiting some of the best astronomy destinations on Earth.
By putting in the work, we can continue creating the most helpful, relevant astrophotography content possible.
