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It is appropriate that Tony Hallas should be among the first to receive this new SBIG award. Tony was one of the first people in the world, if not the first, to use an SBIG ST-4 autoguider and has remained a top imager and contributor ever since. Tony's astro-imaging experience started over 25 years ago when he discovered amateur astronomy by accident. A pale yellow "star" turned out to be Saturn and he could see the rings! Once hooked, he endured manual guiding of film shots that became the envy of the amateur world. When the ST-4 was introduced by SBIG in 1989, Tony was one of the first to get this marvel, but he remained a staunch "film guy" using the ST-4 for many years to guide his incredible film astrophotos.
As CCD imaging took off in the years after the ST-4 made its debut, the best early results were often judged by how well they compared to a Hallas film shot of the same object. Tony's astrophotos were often considered the gold standard against which other images were compared. Finally, though, Tony shifted into CCD imaging first with an ST-6 and then with an ST-10 and finally with the STL-11000M camera. Since those early days, Tony has participated in, and mastered, three eras of astro-imaging: Film only, Film plus computer enhancement, and the CCD era.
"I was inspired by David Malin (along with everyone else) and I had the good fortune to have Kim Zussman and Martin Germano in my club ... they helped me get started."
His first telescope was a Meade 8" SCT. Working his way through a variety of systems over the years, including a Meade 10" SCT, a Celestron C-14, a 10" custom Newtonian, a 14.5" Newtonian, a 16" Newtonian, a 5" f/6 A-P refractor, a 6" f/7.7 Astro-Physics refractor, a 7" f/7 Astrophysics refractor, and a 14.5" f/8 custom cassegrain, Tony currently uses a 14.5" f/8 RCOSCC and just recently, a TeleVue 4" f/5.4 refractor and a Stellervue 6"f/8 refractor.
Although he is well known as an astrophotographer, his real profession is custom photographic printing. Tony's experience includes a Professional Bachelor of Arts Degree in Photography, apprenticeship for years in one of the leading custom photo labs in the US, and successfully founding and running his own custom photo lab in Ventura, California. The Hallas' photo lab was the largest in Ventura County, with clients like Amgen and Patagonia among many others. Tony's wife, Daphne, also spent many years working in photo labs and has a gift for the computer medium. She is responsible for claiming many years ago the domain name astrophoto.com.
Tony has combined all this experience from film to digital to become one of the best astrophotographers in the world today. He popularized the mechanical "stacking" techniques and continues to "push the envelope" in the CCD medium. His images are recognized by their depth, artistic composition and vibrant color. His images have been selected several times as NASA's astrophoto of the day. Last year, 2006, Tony was a featured speaker at the Northeast Astronomy Forum, The Winter Star Party, The Riverside Telescope Maker's Conference, The Orange County AstroImage Conference, and the Advanced Imaging Conference in San Jose, California. In 2001 he received the prestigious Clyde Tombaugh award for technical innovation in astronomy at Riverside Telescope Maker's Conference. As a "terrestrial" photographer entering a contest sponsored by the City of Miami, Florida, Tony took First and Second Prizes, Exhibitor's Choice, and Best of Show. His images have been published in numerous media: National Geographic, The Smithsonian Magazine, US News & World Report, Newsweek, Geo Magazine, as well as being featured in the LA Times, both Disneyland's, several book covers and countless images in astronomy magazines including cover photographs. His work also appears in many advertisements as he is represented by major art agencies.
"Not too long ago everything photographic was film, chemistry, and paper. About six years ago I abandoned the enlargers and chemicals and became 100% digital. All the experience and knowledge is reflected today in the quality of our output. The tools have changed, but our mission hasn't ... to give you the best image from your data. My favorite telescope is a 14.5" f/8 RCOSCC (classical cassegrain) but I shoot with a variety of focal lengths through the use of various refractors and camera lenses. My favorite CCD camera is the SBIG STL-11000 combined with the accessory guiding head. I use MaxIm 4 to control the camera and the mount which is an A/P 1200 GTO. To compliment my photography I enlarge my images and sell them in a variety of sizes, from note cards to 40 X 70 inches depending on the resolution of the image. The STL-11000 was a great step forward towards files that would support considerable enlargement. I am flattered to be considered for this award."
Throughout the years, Tony has always been available with help and advice. He spoke at the first Imaging Conference in 1996 sponsored by SBIG and Software Bisque. It was interesting then 10 years later in 2006 to think of all that has happened in CCD imaging as he was behind the podium at the Advanced Imaging Conference sponsored by SBIG, Software Bisque and RC Optical. We are proud to present the Award for Excellence in Astronomical Imaging to Tony and to welcome him to our Hall of Fame.
Tony and Daphne continue to run a photographic printing and scanning service business catering to astrophotographers. Below is a small sampling of some of Tony's images. To see the details of these images and more of Tony's work, please visit his web site at http://www.astrophoto.com
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