ABSTRACT
The modern ability to combine multiple images into a single, final image in the digital darkroom opens up nearly limitless possibilities in landscape astrophotography. This chapter helps us to learn about techniques that range from the nearly routine to those that require hours of work to prepare. It discusses noise reduction and dynamic range expansion, techniques used to enhance the basic quality of images. The chapter explores how image shortcomings arising from inherent limitations in aperture, shutter speed, and ISO can be remedied by blending two or more images. It demonstrates how stunning images can be created that combine sunrises and sunsets with the glittering stars of midnight through the blending of several images. The chapter also explores the worlds of star trail and meteor shower images, and specialized techniques to capture and combine images into a final composite. It explains the methods for combining tracked, long-exposures of the night sky with untracked foreground images.
