6 minute read
Beyond the Quarry: Labors of Love
Reaching for the Stars
by PJ Roup, 33˚, Editor, Active for Pennsylvania
When Tim was a boy, he got a cryptic call from his grandmother telling him to come and get his money. He had no idea what that meant, but at her insistence, he paid her a visit. The money she was talking about was his inheritance. She had figured out that she had all she needed for the rest of her life. “If I give it to you now,” she told him, “I will get to see what you do with it and enjoy it with you.”
Tim Herald, 32°, Tyler of the Valley of Fort Wayne used the windfall to purchase his first camera, a professional-grade Canon F1, and put the rest in the bank. “Being that it was a professional camera, there were very few automatic settings,” he said. “That forced me to learn how to actually use the camera and learn photography more than just taking pictures.” It was never more than a hobby for several years, but once his children became active in sports, he got his rig out of mothballs and began shooting again. Other sports families became interested in his photos, so he began selling them at the events. Tim’s photography business TeamColors, LLC was born.
In the summer of 2020, Tim attended a Milky Way photography session he set up for the local photography meet-up group he co-founded. He figured it might the best way to learn the nuances of dark sky photography. That night, another member of the group pointed out that the comet NEOWISE was currently visible. Tim turned his camera 180° and found NEOWISE in the eyepiece. “I was hooked,” he admitted. For those who might want to get into the game, his first astrophotography kit was a Meade 70mm Quadruplet APO 350mm f5 telescope used for wide-angle photography, a SkyWatcher Star Adventurer mount, and a Sony a6300 mirrorless camera which was converted to full-spectrum. It was a nice setup, but Tim reminded me, “You can take photos of many beautiful things like the Milky Way with just a standard camera lens and tripod.”
Like all hobbyists, Tim soon realized he needed some upgrades. He currently shoots with a Celestron 9.25" EdgeHD SchmidtCassegrain 2350mm f10 Optical Tube on Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Equatorial Mount and a ZWO 2600 color dedicated Astro camera. There are also several attachments added to enhance light gathering, all controlled by a single-board computer and an iPad.
Brother Tim Herald prepares for a night of stargazing.
“A typical night of astrophotography begins with my wife telling me, ‘It looks like a good Astro night,’ and off I go,” Tim says. “I set things up about an hour before dark so everything is ready.” Tim uses a computerized mount that he aligns to the North Star. Once aligned, the computer then tracks the object so that it stays in view throughout the evening.
“Imaging requires multiple shots known as subs. The more subs you have the better. I usually try for a minimum of 25 images hoping to have 16 that are usable,” Tim explained. Once he has the images, he uses software to stack the images, remove the digital “noise,” and enhance the colors. “Processing a single image can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple of hours depending on how critical you get with it.”
The Comet NEOWISE in 2020
Tim Herald
Just as Tim was hitting his stride as an astrophotographer, he became ill. He was hospitalized with Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (right side heart failure) caused by pulmonary embolism (blood clots in his lungs). “The Brothers of the Valley [of Fort Wayne] were incredibly supportive of me. I got calls and visits. It was really something. Even when I got out, they were constantly asking how I was doing,” Tim said.
The Pillars of Creation (part of the Eagle Nebula) captured during the summer of 2022.
Tim Herald
As a way of avoiding answering health questions all the time, Brother Tim started showing pictures of the deep sky objects he had photographed— nebulas, galaxies, and planets. “Showing my images opened up a very relaxing world of conversation— everything from talking about the evening, to the gear, to how beautiful the images were. There seemed to be almost a disbelief that these celestial bodies were out there. With so much enthusiasm, I decided to start posting them on the Valley’s Facebook page. I hope to hold a Valley stargazing event in the future.”
Though his preferred subjects are heavenly bodies, Tim still looks for the opportunity to capture unique images here on Earth as well. “Typically, I hear about interesting phenomenon after they happen, so the opportunity is lost. This year I got lucky though,” Tim said. He heard about Chicagohenge, an event that happens twice a year when the sunset perfectly aligns with the streets of Chicago, the night before it was to occur. “The morning of the event, I told my wife I was heading to Chicago to take a couple of pictures. She could tell I was excited, so she just said, ‘Be safe,’ and off I went. It was amazing. For the shot I got, it was more than worth the drive.” Tim’s passion can be felt when you hear him talk. “I have always said how much I love God’s paintbrush— things like sunsets and clouds. Most of us have no idea there are things so beautiful just above our heads when the sun goes down.”
The Rosette Nebula
Tim Herald
Tim knows he’s a lucky man. “When I look up and see no clouds, I get excited because I know there’s going be an evening where I get to sit under the stars and look at beautiful targets. At the end of the session, I take a deep breath and appreciate all the blessings I have. Then I get excited thinking of what tomorrow will bring when I process the new image and upload it for all my Brothers to see.”
Chicagohenge
Tim Herald
