IllustratorsLeak
Nico Carver

Nico Carver

patreon


Nico Carver posts

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #51 Recording

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #51 Recording

This is the recording for Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #51 that took place yesterday on Sunday, October 5th, 2025.

We now have a place on Discord to continue with these Sunday Chat discussions. Check out the #sunday_chat_discussion channel if you are on the Nebula Photos Discord. As usual, Todd Tucker created a PDF Overview which is now attached. Thank you Todd!

The next Sunday Chat ...

View Post

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #51, Oct. 5th, 18:00 UTC

The next Nebula Photos Sunday Chat will take place, Sunday, October 5th at 2pm EDT (11am PDT, 7pm UK time, 18:00 UTC) on Zoom (link below). 

Agenda:

-Introductions for anyone new to the Sunday Chats
-Open Q&A and discussion

I like to start with questions from beginners or those new to the Sunday chats, but don't worry there is us...

View Post

Join me for an astrophotography adventure in Chile - May 13-18, 2026

Hello everyone,

I wanted to give an update on my 2026 in-person workshops.

The January workshops in Joshua Tree, California in collaboration with Capture the Atlas have sold out. I'll let you know if there are any cancellations.

Edit: The Chile trip has now filled as well. Thank you for the interest. I'm sure there will be other opportunities like this in the futu...

View Post

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #50 Recording

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #50 Recording

This is the recording for Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #50 that took place last week on Sunday, September 14th, 2025. I am also attaching the chat log and a presentation slide deck provided by Suzanne Beers about imaging in Chile (slide 4 has info about the airline-approved gel battery that we discussed).

We now have a place on Discord to continue with these Sunday Chat discussions. Check o...

View Post

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #50, Sept. 14th, 18:00 UTC

The next Nebula Photos Sunday Chat will take place, Sunday, September 14th at 2pm EDT (11am PDT, 7pm UK time, 18:00 UTC) on Zoom (link below). 

Agenda:

-Introductions for anyone new to the Sunday Chats
-Open Q&A and discussion

I like to start with questions from beginners or those new to the Sunday chats, but don't worry there is...

View Post

Night Sky Highlights, Aug.-Nov. 2025 (Patreon Bonus Video, August 2025)

Night Sky Highlights, Aug.-Nov. 2025 (Patreon Bonus Video, August 2025)

For the August 2025 Patreon bonus video, I cover some of the highlights of the night sky over the next few months for both hemispheres. The main focus is deep sky imaging, but I also check out the planets and a couple comets.

If you prefer to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/V5lgxdrYm60

Resources:

View Post

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #49 Recording

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #49 Recording

This is the recording for Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #49 that took place yesterday on Sunday, August 3rd, 2025. I am also attaching the chat log which has some side discussions and links.

We now have a place on Discord to continue with these Sunday Chat discussions. Check out the #sunday_chat_discussion channel if you are on the Nebula Photos Discord. Edit: As usual, Todd Tucker crea...

View Post

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #49, August 3rd, 18:00 UTC

The next Nebula Photos Sunday Chat will take place, Sunday, August 3rd at 2pm EDT (11am PDT, 7pm UK time, 18:00 UTC) on Zoom (link below). 

Agenda:

-Introductions for anyone new to the Sunday Chats
-Open Q&A and discussion

I like to start with questions from beginners or those new to the Sunday chats, but don't worry there is usu...

View Post

Multi-night PixInsight Nebula Tutorial (Patreon Bonus Video, July 2025)

Multi-night PixInsight Nebula Tutorial (Patreon Bonus Video, July 2025)

For the July 2025 Patreon bonus video, I am processing the Blue Horsehead data taken with my stock Canon DSLR using PixInsight, and a number of added scripts (links below). One thing I cover in this tutorial is how to use the 'grouping keywords' feature of PI's WBPP script to handle multiple nights of data automatically with just a couple clicks! The key to that is just having your folders and ...

View Post

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat Recording #48

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat Recording #48

This is the recording for Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #48 that took place earlier today on Sunday, July 6th, 2025. I am also attaching the chat log which has some side discussions and links.

We now have a place on Discord to continue with these Sunday Chat discussions. Check out the #sunday_chat_discussion channel if you are on the Nebula Photos Discord. Edit: As usual, Todd Tucker cr...

View Post

Vote on: Patreon Bonus Video Topics

I plan to start offering a bonus video exclusive to Patreon members every month starting soon. While I have lots of ideas, I'd like your input on what kinds of videos you would value. If you have a moment, please fill out this quick poll. Multiple choices are allowed, but please pick only what you are most interested in. Feel free to offer more suggestions in the comments!
T...

View Post

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #48, July 6th, 18:00 UTC

The next Nebula Photos Sunday Chat will take place, Sunday, July 6th at 2pm EDT (11am PDT, 7pm UK time, 18:00 UTC) on Zoom (link below). 

Agenda:

-Introductions for anyone new to the Sunday Chats
-Open Q&A and discussion

I like to start with questions from beginners or those new to the Sunday chats, but don't worry there is usual...

View Post

Live Stream Tonight on YouTube (9:30pm ET, 6:30pm PT, 0130 UTC)

Live Stream Tonight on YouTube (9:30pm ET, 6:30pm PT, 0130 UTC)

I will be live streaming starting at 9:30pm ET tonight (June 14, 2025). The live stream will show up here once I start: https://www.youtube.com/@NebulaPhotos/streams and will also be available for replay there after it has ended.

In the first hour or so, I'll be reviewing astrophotos sent to my PO Box, ...

View Post

Nebula Photo Sunday Chat #47 Recording

Nebula Photo Sunday Chat #47 Recording

This is the recording for Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #47 that took place yesterday on Sunday, June 1st.

We now have a place on Discord to continue with these Sunday Chat discussions and provide relevant links. Check out the #sunday_chat_discussion channel if you are on the Nebula Photos Discord. Edit: As usual, Todd Tucker created a PDF Overview which is now attached. Thank you Todd...

View Post

Tomorrow: Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #47, June 1, 18:00 UTC

The next Nebula Photos Sunday Chat will take place Tomorrow, Sunday, June 1st at 2pm EDT (11am PDT, 7pm UK time, 18:00 UTC) on Zoom (link below). 

Agenda:

-Introductions for anyone new to the Sunday Chats
-Open Q&A and discussion

I like to start with questions from beginners or those new to the Sunday chats, but don't worry there...

View Post

2026 In-Person Workshops: Joshua Tree and Atacama

2026 In-Person Workshops: Joshua Tree and Atacama

I am excited to announce that I've been asked to teach at three in-person deep sky astrophotography workshops in 2026. Early access begins today!

The Workshops
January 2026 (two sessions): Joshua Tree, California with Capture the Atlas
and
May 2026: 2025-05-06 18:47:57 +0000 UTC View Post

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #46 Recording

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #46 Recording

This is the recording for Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #46 that took place yesterday on Sunday, May 4th.

We now have a place on Discord to continue with these Sunday Chat discussions and provide relevant links. Check out the #sunday_chat_discussion channel if you are on the Nebula Photos Discord. Edit: As usual, Todd Tucker created a PDF Overview which is now attached. Thank you Todd!...

View Post

🌀The Whirlpool Galaxy from Paper Birch Observatory

🌀The Whirlpool Galaxy from Paper Birch Observatory

Thank you for all who came to the 'galaxy tour' livestream the other week. There were some technical difficulties, but I'm sure I'll work those out as I go live more often. During the stream, I was able to do quick live stacks of several different Messier galaxies. Someone asked which was my fav...

View Post

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #46, May 4, 18:00 UTC

The next Nebula Photos Sunday Chat will take place this Sunday, May 4th at 2pm EDT (11am PDT, 7pm UK time, 18:00 UTC) on Zoom (link below). 

Agenda:

-Introductions for anyone new to the Sunday Chats
-Open Q&A and discussion

I like to start with questions from beginners or those new to the Sunday chats, but don't worry there is usually plenty...

View Post

Live Stream Tonight on YouTube (8pm ET, 5pm PT, 0:00 UTC)

Live Stream Tonight on YouTube (8pm ET, 5pm PT, 0:00 UTC)

Weather forecast looks great, so I will be live-streaming from the Paper Birch Observatory starting at 8pm Eastern tonight. The live stream will show up here once I start: https://www.youtube.com/@NebulaPhotos/streams and will also be available for replay there after it has ended.

In the first hour, I'l...

View Post

Galaxy Season is here, testing new gear

Galaxy Season is here, testing new gear

Hello all,

In past years, I've often skipped out on galaxy season since imaging galaxies isn't really my thing. But completing the Messier Marathon last month has given me a bit more appreciation for imaging galaxies, and I've resolved to shoot some of the major Messier galaxies that I haven't before. So here is my first shot at it. This is the Leo Triplet. The two galaxies on the left o...

View Post

Recording of Sunday Chat #45

Recording of Sunday Chat #45

Yesterday, we had a great Sunday Chat. The recording is attached to this message. Next Sunday Chat will take place on May 4th. I'll send out a reminder closer to the date.

Edit: PDF Summary of the Sunday Chat by Todd Tucker attached. Thanks Todd!

Cheers, Nico

View Post

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #45, April 13, 18:00 UTC

The next Nebula Photos Sunday Chat will take place this Sunday, April 13th at 2pm EDT (11am PDT, 7pm UK time, 18:00 UTC) on Zoom (link below). 

Agenda:

-Introductions for anyone new to the Sunday Chats
-Open Q&A and discussion

I like to start with questions from beginners or those new to the Sunday chats, but don't worry there is usually ple...

View Post

Reminder of Events at NEAF and NEAIC

Reminder of Events at NEAF and NEAIC

Hello all,

Just wanted to post this reminder that if you will be attending NEAF that I will be there starting tomorrow afternoon, and will be hosting a Patreon Meetup on Sunday at 3pm. The details of my schedule are below. Looking forward to it!

Saturday, April 5th  
No official events for me, but I'll be arriving at NEAF in the early afternoon and wi...

View Post

NEAF & NEAIC 2025

NEAF & NEAIC 2025

I will be at NEAF and NEAIC again this year, and will be leading a number of events. Here's the full rundown:

Saturday, April 5th  
No official events for me, but I'll be arriving at NEAF in the early afternoon and...

View Post

Going LIVE on YouTube tonight at 7:30pm EDT

Going LIVE on YouTube tonight at 7:30pm EDT

In one hour, I'm going to try a livestream on YouTube. I say 'try' because this stream will be a lot more ambitious than my first one eight months ago, so fingers crossed everything goes okay. I'm going to attempt two cameras + mic, open mail and critique prints live, and show capturing deep sky objects from both my backyard observatory and my remote telescope in Texas.

I believe the stre...

View Post

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #44 Recording

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #44 Recording

This is the recording for Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #44 that took place yesterday on Sunday, March 9th.

We now have a place on Discord to continue with these Sunday Chat discussions and provide relevant links. Check out the #sunday_chat_discussion channel if you are on the Nebula Photos Discord. Edit: Todd Tucker has created a PDF overview of the Sunday Chat with timestam...

View Post

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #44, March 9, 18:00 UTC

The next Nebula Photos Sunday Chat will take place this Sunday, March 9th at 2pm EDT (11am PDT, 6pm UK time, 18:00 UTC) on Zoom (link below). 

Agenda:

-Introductions for anyone new to the Sunday Chats
-Open Q&A and discussion

I like to start with questions from beginners or those new to the Sunday chats, but don't worry there is usually plen...

View Post

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #43 Recording

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #43 Recording

This is the recording for Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #43 that took place yesterday on Sunday, February 2nd. As always, thank you for coming and for sharing your questions and knowledge!

We now have a place on Discord to continue with these Sunday Chat discussions and provide relevant links. Check out the #sunday_chat_discussion channel if you are on the Nebula Photos Discord. Edit: View Post

Nebula Photos Sunday Chat #43, Feb. 2, 19:00 UTC

The next Nebula Photos Sunday Chat will take place this Sunday, February 2nd at 2pm ET (11am PT, 7pm UK time, 19:00 UTC) on Zoom (link below). 

Agenda:

-Announcement: NEAIC/NEAF 2025
-Introductions for anyone new to the Sunday Chats
-Open Q&A and discussion

I like to start with questions from beginners or those new to the Sunday chats, but do...

View Post