Operating Philosophy and Principles
January 25, 2026
Operating Philosophy & Principles
I think it might be good to formally state the key Philosophies and Principles that drive the site:
1 This is a personal, non-commercial project
I’m not selling anything. If I ever add something to offset hosting costs, it will be for sustainability—not profit.
2 Stay humble; keep learning
I’m learning like everyone else. I share what I do, what works for me, and what I’m still figuring out.
3 Be transparent
I aim to document decisions, tradeoffs, and methods clearly—especially where results are subjective.
4 Share the wins and the misses
Not every project turns out perfectly. The problems and mistakes are often the most valuable part.
5 Tell the story behind each project
What it is, where it is, why it matters, why I chose it, what else is nearby, and where to learn more.
6 Share the processing done in each project — in detail!
Share not just in vague terms, but step-by-step: capture plan, calibration approach, processing steps, interim images, masks, and parameter-level notes.
7 Encourage interpretation
Different processing choices can produce different (and valid) results from the same data. I want my work to help others think through their own approach.
8 A philosophy that fits
I think this philosophy is a comfortable one for me — and it has served me well.
Not everyone will agree with my approach, processing decisions, or even the final look for the image I ended up with. And that's OK. In fact — that’s to be expected!
One of the very cool things about astrophotography is that 10 astrophotographers can start with the same data set and end up with 10 very different final images that all look great in their unique way!
Some of these differences are in how the image was processed. Some are due to the inner eye that each astrophotographer develops as they grow — it drives their interpretation of the data and how they like their images to look.
My goal: Even if you do not agree with how I did a project, I hope that by sharing the details of my effort, I might stimulate your thinking on how you might do something different in the future. Or — if you are just beginning — perhaps my examples will help you to make progress on your journey.