Austria's Mario Oberlaber Designs Spectacular Night Vistas (Study Review)
Mario Oberlaber, a renowned astrophotographer based in Austria, is well-known for his stunning astro/landscape images that have been featured in publications such as Amateur Astrophotography, Forbes, the Guardian, DIY Photography, PetaPixel, and Digital Camera World. If you're looking to improve your astrophotography skills, Oberlaber offers a variety of resources to help beginners and enthusiasts alike.
- Online Tutorials and YouTube Channels
Oberlaber recommends watching detailed step-by-step tutorials that cover gear setup, camera settings, and post-processing techniques. Channels that focus on practical demonstrations are especially helpful.
- Books on Astrophotography
For foundational knowledge, Oberlaber suggests getting information from recognised books that explain both the technical and artistic aspects of capturing the night sky.
- Workshops and Courses
Participating in hands-on workshops or online courses, sometimes offered by Mario himself, can provide structured guidance and personalised feedback.
- Astrophotography Software Guides
Learning to use software like PixInsight, Photoshop, or free tools such as DeepSkyStacker is essential. Oberlaber usually points out comprehensive tutorials or manuals for these programs.
- Community Forums and Groups
Engaging with astrophotography communities online helps in sharing experiences, troubleshooting issues, and staying updated with the latest techniques and gear.
To get the most accurate and up-to-date recommendations directly from Mario Oberlaber, it’s best to check his official website or his social media channels where he regularly posts resources and advice.
Oberlaber's Equipment
For his astrophotography work, Oberlaber uses a Nikon Z6 and an astro-modified Nikon D750 for cameras. His main lenses are a Sigma 20mm, a Sigma 50mm, and occasionally a Sigma 135mm. For deep sky widefield images, he exclusively uses APP. For stitching panoramas, he uses PTGui. He also uses NoiseXTerminator and StarXTerminator from RC Astro for AI tools.
For tracking, he uses a SkyWatcher Star Adventurer. For image stacking, he primarily uses Starry Landscape Stacker, but occasionally uses Astro Pixel Processor (APP) as well. For stretching and color calibration, he often uses PixInsight and then Photoshop.
Oberlaber's work is not limited to Austria, as his astrophotography has been featured in numerous publications around the world. For more information about Oberlaber and his work, be sure to check out his social media channels, where he regularly posts updates and resources.
- Inspeiring Case Studies Mario Oberlaber shares captivating case studies on his official website, showcasing his workflow and equipment choices for specific astrophotography projects.
- Mario's Equipment Choices For astrophotographers seeking guidance on gear, Oberlaber's equipment list provides insights into his preferred cameras (Nikon Z6, astro-modified Nikon D750), lenses (Sigma 20mm, Sigma 50mm, Sigma 135mm), and software tools (AP Auntiac, PTGui, NoiseXTerminator, StarXTerminator, Starry Landscape Stacker, PixInsight, Photoshop).
- Deep Sky Widefield Images When dealing with deep sky widefield images, Oberlaber recommends using APP (Astro Pixel Processor) for processing.
- Practical Stitching Solutions To create panoramas, Oberlaber suggests using PTGui software for effective stitching.
- Optimizing Stacking Process For efficient image stacking, Oberlaber recommends trying Starry Landscape Stacker, but notes that Astro Pixel Processor (APP) can also be a useful alternative.