About
My name is Jonathan Rista (Jon for short). I’m a resident of the beautiful state of Colorado, in the heart United States. This state is a great place to be a photographer, full of mountains, wetlands, and plenty of animal life. For someone such as myself, a student and photographer of nature, its a wonderful place to live. I would say that photography, particularly bird photography, is my true passion in life. If I had the option, I would spend my days doing nothing but. As life would have it, other obligations come first.
Bombus ternarius, commonly known as the Orange-belted Bumblebee or Tricoloured Bumble Bee. Dozens of these were swarming the flowers at the top of Waterton Canyon.
By trade, I’m a Software Engineer. I design and implement complex computer systems that move information around, process it, analyze it, archive it, report on it, and present it. My current day job is for Pearson Education in North America, developing massively parallel process workflows that migrate educational information around various educational tools and platforms. Its interesting work, and largely satisfying, among all the politics and stress. I’m able to put my creative mind to fairly creative use, designing innovative new ways to solve complex problems, handle ever-increasing volumes of data received or sent at an unprecedented and accelerating rate. I’ve had the opportunity at Pearson to develop new solutions to designing resilient, self-healing software capable of growing at a rate consistent with the endless rate of growth of the data we handle. Still…its not my passion.
I started photography only a few years ago, in the Spring of 2009. I’d long wanted to purchase a DSLR camera. I’d drooled over them many a time at the local Best Buy store. I used to have this quirk about always being able to “justify” an expensive purchase, which kept me from actually dropping cash on one for at least a couple years. I picked up a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi (450D) with 18-55mm kit lens. That was probably the best purchase I’ve ever made. Prior to owning a DSLR camera, my sole, all-consuming…even obsessive…interest was programming. I’d been programming since the age of eight. I’d been taking apart computers, rebuilding them, reprogramming them, playing with obscure operating systems, Linux, Windows, even an Apple II and a couple of ancient Macs. I pretty much had a one-track life…programming. I’m a phenomenal programmer. Some might call me an outlier when it comes to software engineering, as I’ve had over 100,000 hours of practice with software development and architecture, in a variety of languages and on a variety of platforms. (I’m not sure I fully buy the premise of the book Outliers, but I do believe one thing: Dedicated, intentful practice most definitely makes perfect!!)
Nothing special, just some brilliant green wild grass grain catching a ray of sunlight near sunset.
I did nothing but program…it was my life. Until I purchased a Canon 450D. Suffice to say…I don’t have nearly as stringent rules about “justifying” my purchases any more. As a matter of fact, if I really want something, I get it…and there is little limit I’ll put on cost. Why hold yourself back? Why limit yourself? As I get older, I realize I have a fair number of regrets when looking back, and realizing I did only one thing with my youth and early adult hood. I don’t intend to get stuck doing and knowing only one thing my entire life. Time to remove limits and allow myself to explore other aspects of life and creativity. I think my venture into photography opened my mind, and allowed me to see a world beyond bits, algorithms, virtual objects, etc. I’ve always had a moderately creative mind…a trait I believe has greatly benefited my chosen profession. I was never really able to express that creativity in a way that truly satisfied me. Until I put some optical glass between the world and myself.
Over the last three years, I believe I’ve found the next obsession of my life…the next thing to spend 10,000…or even 100,000…hours on. The next thing to learn in its totality…to completely master. I think I’ll enjoy this journey much more than my last. With programming, you have nearly limitless options to create, to fabricate new things in virtual reality that operate on bits of information from actual reality. With photography, you have a truly limitless world full of endless occurrences, exhibited in landscapes, wildlife, birds, even the night sky, to compose, expose, and present to the world. I hope this blog provides a useful outlet for this journey, and for my creativity.
Pediocactus simpsonii, more commonly known as Mountain Ball cacti. I came across a small cluster of these, almost in exact power of two proportions relative to each other, while hiking a trail in Castlewood Canyon State Park, Colorado. I really love the light in this photo.
Nature Photography 
Hi. I’ve been using your noise reduction techniques for quite a while. Last week I noticed you’d finally added to the 3rd page of your noise reduction tutorial. I waqs enjoying the read, then ….. not finished! Haha you’ve certainly got me hooked. Hoping you can finish this article up soon.
Hi Jon, just enjoyed your article on the diffraction myth! Would you happen to know whether someone has successfully applied deconvolution to recover sharpness in images made with a pinhole? Or, where one might look for something like that? Yes, I know this is a bit of a fringe thing, asking just in case 🙂
Glad you liked the article. Regarding using deconvolution. I don’t know specifically if anyone has deconvolved a pinhole image…I have to imagine so. Deconvolution is something that can only be pushed so far, though, so while I’m absolutely certain you can improve the detail of a pinhole photo, don’t expect deconvolution to be some kind of magical cure for diffraction blurring. 😉 It can help, but apply it with proper measure.
Jon, I just wanted to thank you for your outstanding tutorial on Linear Fit. What a difference it makes! As someone who is new to PI, it has been an adventure trying to figure out how to use the amazing assortment of sophisticated tools on my DSLR images. Thanks to your work here, and your contributions over at DPR, I’ve really learned a lot (although I have so far to go still…). Your willingness to share your knowledge and expertise is really wonderful. I hope I have a chance to give back at some point. Best,
Wayne
Hi Wayne, and thank you! 🙂 Linear fit is a small and simple tool, yet probably one of the more powerful fundamentals in PixInsight (and more than that, just in astro image processing in general.) It was originally pointed out to me by David Ault (originally in the context of processing narrow band images, although I’ve found it applies rather generally), another wonderfully skilled astrophotographer and PixInsight user. I’ve really just been trying to codify the knowledge somewhere. 😉
Hi Jon, stumbled across your blog today by chance, great images, great blog, will be back soon. Just wanted to reach out and say ‘Hi!’
Hi Julie! Thank you for the note. You have some wonderful photos in your own blog. Your succulent in particular was pretty amazing! What a processing job!
Wow, thanks Jon, and thanks for stopping by
Hi Jon,
I found you by chance looking through canon rumors. I got hooked to reading your posts and seeing your images. I’ve strayed from doing much photography for fun the last few years, it’s all been for business (commercial stock, weddings). Seeing your work and enthusiasm motivates me to get back to doing more “fun” stuff. In the near future I plan to rent the Canon 600mm and an extender or two, to shoot the moon. I may also get out my trusty old Canon 65mm MP-E 1x-5x macro. All that to say, you do great work, and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and work.
Thanks, Adam. I’m glad I inspired you to get back into some photography that is more fun and entertaining and less “work.” I spent so much of my life entirely absorbed in “work” that I regret it, and feel I missed out on so many things.
I’m also glad you found my ramblings on CR useful. That’s a very…steadfast, community, dead set in their ways and loyalties to a degree that is surprising. I don’t spend as much time there these days, but at least my older posts are still providing value.
I look forward to seeing some of your moon and macro shots. The 600mm f/4 is a truly amazing lens, it’ll blow your mind how good. 😉 If you do rent it for moon photography, I highly recommend getting the 2x TC III as well. If you really want to get the maximum out of it, and have a full frame camera, you might even try a Kenko 1.4x TC, stacked with the 2x, for a total of 1680mm. That will totally fill an APS-C frame (and with a larger gibbous or full moon, APS-C is a bit too small), and it will nicely fill up most of a full frame FoV.
Thanks for your reply, Jon. I am indeed renting the Canon 2x TC (not sure if II or III). I thought about also trying to pair a 1.4 TC, but I have read that the magnification gain is offset by the loss in image quality. What do you think? Any reason why you suggest the Kenko in particular, would the canon 1.4 work just as well? Thanks again!
Adam
You cannot stack the 2x and 1.4x Canon TCs. If you want to get 1680mm magnification, then the Canon 2x and Kenko 1.4x are the only way, due to the way the Kenko is designed. If you want just a 1.4x TC, then Canon’s is the best, but it won’t stack.
For imaging stellar objects, atmospheric turbulence is going to reduce resolution more than anything. You can use lucky imaging and a tool like Registax or AutoStakkert!2 with video recording to integrate the best 50-100 frames out of say a 2000 frame video, and maximize the resolution potential (possibly even getting beyond the diffraction limit of a 600mm lens with stacked TCs.)
Many thanks. I’m going all out! I ordered the Kenko 1.4 to pair with the canon for a total of 1680mm. I will also do research on the techniques and software you mentioned. I have three nights with the lens for the price of one, so I’ll have some opportunity to experiment.
Could you confirm if I am on the right track? My simple understanding about “lucky imaging” is:
1.) Capture video images for a minute or two using a desktop software (like Astro Photography Tool, demo version should suffice) at 5x live view. At 1680mm on the 5d mark ii, this will be a portion of the moon. My calculations show that if I have 50% overlap, it will be about 4-5 crops horizontally and 7-8 crops vertically, which multiplied means to cover the entire moon for a mosaic with overlap I’ll need about 28-40 crops.
2.) Convert the video files to AVI (if they are not already). The 5x live view files will be 1120 x 752
3.) Run each video through Registrax to create the optimized image for that section.
4.) Merge in Photoshop, apply adjustments.
Lucky imaging boils down to gathering lots of individual frames, and choosing the best few that were captured when atmospheric turbulence “cleared”. In the case of imaging stars, you can resolve perfectly diffraction limited stars in the few short moments when high altitude turbulence in the atmosphere, in that one small angle of view, settles, allowing a clear view of the star. Big scientific observatories, for example, will combine lucky imaging with adaptive or active optics and laser-guiding to capture ultra high resolution stars that exhibit perfect diffraction limited characteristics (i.e. you can actually see the full airy pattern, without any distortion by the atmosphere).
You basically have it, however it’s actually easier than you think. I use BackyardEOS to capture my image sequences with my Canon DSLRs. It actually has a planetary imaging mode, which will allow you to use live view to take video sequences at 5x or even 10x zoom (with stacked TCs, I don’t recommend going over 5x). BYEOS will handle generating the video for you. I use AutoStakkert!2 instead of Registax, as it does a better job at the integration part. Just open your video sequence, configure, analyze and add registration points, then integrate (I usually use the 1.5x drizzle option.) The final result will then need to be deconvolved, and at the moment, for things like planets and the moon, Registax 6 has the best deconvolution tools. You can then open in photoshop to tweak and tune to taste.
I am hopeful this is the last question I’ll have before I do the shoot this weekend. I don’t have any tracking, it will just be camera on the tripod. I would think that shooting with a crop sensor at 1680mm at 5x for lucky imaging will be quite difficult, the moon constantly drifting out of frame. Am I missing something? It would seem then that perhaps the lucky imaging approach won’t work without tracking, at least at this focal length.
Well, tracking is kind of implied at that focal length. If you do not have tracking, your going to have a tough time, for sure. You need a mount that can track in lunar time, which is different than tracking in sidereal time. The Orion Sirius mount should work when used with EQMOD…one of the cheapest options available…but it’s still around $800 or so.
Hey Jon I just stumbled up on your beautiful blog. Your work is really stunning. looking forward to drop by regularly. Nice to meet you.
Thank you, and nice to meet you as well. 🙂 I hope to share some more work soon, so stay tuned!
Sure buddy. 🙂
Hello Jonathan,
I just stumbled on your blog here, and feels really great to find it.
What a great collection of diverse images you have here, just mind boggling.
Let me follow your photographic adventures …
Have a great time 🙂
Thank you, Sreejith. I’m glad you like my work. Hope to be posting more here soon.
Just found your site and really like it. Looking forward to go through the articles. BTW, thanks for all tips on CR forum.
climber 😉
Thanks! Hope you find the articles useful!
http://janthinaimages.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/a-personal-thank-you-to-the-very-inspiring-bloggers-in-my-life/
Jon, you are one of the inspiring bloggers in my life so the link above holds the Very Inspiriting Blogger Award if you would like to have it. I have been truly inspired by the quality of your images themselves, your enthusiasm for photography, and for the very kind and helpful technical details you share so willingly!! Thanks so much!!
Hey John, hadn’t heard in a while, thought I’d drop in and say hello … how are thinsg with you ?
Your blog looking awesome, some really stunning photos here:)
Cheers
Don Charisma dotorg & dotcom
Hi Don,
Thank you very much for dropping by. Things are going. Not easy right now, hence my abscence. I have a bunch of photos I need to put up, so maybe I’ll do that in the coming few days. Sorry for not being around, but I am still here.
Thank you for your kind comments, and asking how I was! 🙂
Hey Jon, I do remember the people I chat to, although can take me a while sometimes…sorry to hear things not so easy right now, hope you can find resolution that you want. Life often throw curved balls at me, and sometimes I don’t feel like getting back up again. Usually something resolves and things improve.
I like creating visual stuff so good to have friends that are in similar areas of expertise. My camera was stolen a while back, so do my best with iphone and ipad, love stitching panoramas together !
Obviously do what you need to do, no pressure, and chat when you can.
Sincerely
Don Charisma
Hi Don,
Thank you for the replies. I appreciate them.
I think I’ve been riding one of life’s curve balls for a while now, and it finally hit a wall a few months back. As you said, getting back up is tough, especially when you think getting up means living a very different kind of life. I hope it will be a much better life than I had, though…so I’m working at it. 😉
Sorry, very much so, to hear your camera was stolen. Such a bummer. It’s too bad so many people these days decide to take from others rather than build up for themselves. I hope a new camera finds it’s way to you soon! 🙂 The iPhone ain’t too bad as an interrim camera, though. I have found myself using my Lumia 920 more often for some photos and video…its just a more handy tool sometimes.
I liked your most recent blog. I want to read it in more detail, check out your data. I’ve always wanted to know when the best day(s) were to post so I could get the best exposure. Your knowledge should prove very useful! 😀 Look forward to seeing more from you.
Well, don’t feel like you are pressuring me. I’ve wanted to post something for a while…just never got around to it. I have plenty to post though, so I’m going to soon.
Thanks! Till next time…
Hey Jon, I’ve had some significant losses, recently the markets took a big chunk of my savings. I was devastated, but my friend rallied around and it seems like noting now (back in July). I wouldn’t pry, so just do your best. It’s amazing what help friends and others will give support wise, I think because everyone had similar kinds of kick-in-the-teeth difficulties. A change of life can be a great thing, try and look for the positives:) My ex-wife splitting did me a real big favour in the long run, but didn’t feel like that at the time:)
I will probably buy a new camera, I like the pro/semi-pro digital SLR, but don’t like to carry heavy camera. So maybe a hybrid or a good quality pocket camera, wider angle built in sometimes I like to photo interiors. My Canons and my Nikon gave pretty nice pictures. Anyway, it’s 300-400£ that I don’t need to spend, opportunity will arise when I’m ready.
I just keep on putting my writing and ethos out there, hope that I can be success at what I’m enjoy, but I’m happy doing it, so no big deal either way:)
TC
Don Charisma
Your work is absolutely delicious~
Thanks! 🙂
I wandered through your blog a little this evening, and it your photography is really nice. Looks like you and I started the DSLR habit in the same year and with the same gateway drug (Canon 450D). For me, it has been quite the journey, and the first non-career related hobby I’ve had in a lot of years. I will return to spend more time viewing your work!
Thank you for becoming a subscriber. Now I’ll stroll through your work.
Thank you, Sally! Really love the concept of your blog…lens and pens. Great idea, and great blogs!
Hi Jon, thanks for stopping by my blog (Backyard Biology). I see we share a love of photographing birds, and I look forward to seeing more of your work– once you’ve got the camera and lens back in action.
Thanks, Sue! We do indeed share that love. 🙂 I really can’t wait to get my camera back together and get back outside to photograph the migration. I was just a newb in 2012. I have some skill this year, and I really hope to start creating some bird art this year.
I really appreciate the explanatory blogs you post. Very interesting about the difference in body weight and why herons and egrets hold their necks in, rather than out. You wouldn’t suspect their bodies were that much lighter just by looking at them.
Thanks for the follow Jon. I enjoyed your pictures, esp the “green grass” one above- beautiful! We are not close to any large body of water, so I don’t get to see many waterbirds. I look forward to seeing more of yours.
Thanks, Jo Ann. It’s amazing how simple a thing as grass can be beautiful. That is one of my favorite close-up/macro photos, too! 🙂 I’m glad you like my work. I have plenty more photography to come, all from the last year. I hope to continue producing more bird, wildlife, and landscape photography throughout the coming year, too!
Jon, so sorry to hear about your sleep issues. I know this will sound inane for someone with very serious issues but are you shutting off your electronics 2 hours before trying to sleep? You know they alert the brain for up to 2 hours after use, right? I’m sure it’s not a fix for you but every little bit helps right? Hope the robins leave you alone for a while! Good luck, your photography is beautiful.
Thanks you, both about the blog and my photography. 🙂
I do try to get electronics off before I get to bed. Sometimes it is not possible, depending on when work decides to interfere with my home life. I’ve found struggles either way, though… If I don’t do anything that “activates” my brain before going to bed, then it just wanders aimlessly but constantly…all night. If I use a *bright* computer screen before going to bed, that usually keeps me up as well. I have learned, though, that watching some boring movie or TV show I’ve already seen, on a very dim screen, helps me get my mind to a place where I’m ready to fall asleep. I usually watch something until I’m tired, then I shut it off. If I fall asleep, it usually takes about an hour after that. Screen has to be VERY dim though, and the sound very low. Most of the time I don’t even look at it or really pay attention…just let it be “background noise”, which I think is the key factor. I can’t sleep with a fan on, and various white noise apps for my phone have not worked (although light thunder with a light rain sound gets me really close) but having something going in the background that does not have my full, direct attention seems to help condition my mind for sleep.
I don’t know how long that will work, but so long as it does, it’s what I do. It doesn’t always work, and when the robins actually start their thing, it won’t matter at all. Even if I manage to get to sleep, I’ll be up by 3:15am anyway, every single day, for three solid months. I have at most one month left before that happens this year, although very likely less than that (I heard the first robin in the evening three days ago, so they are early this year.) I am not really sure if I’ll survive another year of five, six, eight weeks without a single minute of sleep…really messes with the mind…
One last idea. I use an app on my iPhone called “simply being”. It works either with or without background noise. It’s a woman’s voice, very soft, basically talking you to sleep. It really helps me when nothing else does. Might be worth a try and would drown out the robins. On them, you could try a motion-activated water spray. Altho the sprayer noise might keep you awake, after a while thy would find somewhere else to chirp. Maybe? Good luck, I feel your pain.
Thank you for the idea. I’ll search for the app. I use a Lumia 920, a Windows Phone 8 device, and that app may not be on the Windows app store, but new apps are added every day, so hopefully it will show up eventually. There are not as many white noise or similar apps on the Windows Phone store as there are on the iPhone store yet. I remember there being a couple of good ones on iPhone that I hope will come to my Lumia soon.
I would try the water spray trick with the robins, however I could only do that on my own house. There are thousands that roost in my area, and the loud ones that wake me up tend to hang out on one particular house across the street. Every year a the bully of the bunch seems to mark out his territory in a five to six house long area, with this one house at the center. Several others, maybe females, roost in all the trees all over the neighborhood, and other males stake out territories on other rooftops. At 3am, the clear song of a robin is deafening. No one ever believes me when I tell them American Robins are LOUD birds…if you ever have the opportunity to hear one, you’ll quickly know what I mean. It wouldn’t really matter if I sprayed them away from my house…700, 800, 1000 of them in the square mile area around my neighborhood create an insane racket by 4am, when all of them are up and at it.
At one point in time I had a supersonic/sonic bird repelling device. It worked…I remember a couple of doves flew into range, freaked out, and did an about face. It seemed to have no effect on testosterone-pumped, squabbling, squawking robins, though…go figure. I just consider robins to be a vile plague that I may someday be able to repel via the sheer will of my seething hate…I guess only time will tell. 😛