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Jason Clay Photography

Jason Clay Photography

@jasonclay.bsky.social

520 followers 600 following 110 posts

Photographer 📸 Astrophotographer 🔭 General Creative 🎨 from Atlanta, Georgia area 🍑 [country in distress flag emoji missing]

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Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Sep 20

Lobster Claw Nebula (SH2-157) and Bubble Nebula at the bottom edge (NGC 7635) in the SHO "Hubble" color palette. Details, gear, and stats in ALT text. 🔭 🧪
#science #astronomy #astrophotography #nebula #lobsterclawnebula #BubbleNebula #nebulaphotography #PlanetaryNebula #lobster #cosmos #Sharpless

As I am now into my second year of astrophotography, I am re-imaging objects in the Cygnus-Cepheus-Cassiopeia constellation corridor with techniques I have improved upon. The area is chock-full of targets. So full, in fact, that I ran out of time last year to image this one before it passed out of view for the winter. Lobster Claw Nebula is a new one for me and I'm glad I finally got to it.

This is an exciting target because most astro targets have a rounded, bulbous look, but the Lobster Claw has two arcs that converge to a definitive angled point, lending to its namesake. Even in sub-exposures, it's possible to make out a shape that resembles the business end of a lobster.

The Lobster Claw Nebula is a planetary nebula 11,000 light years away and is primarily composed of Hydrogen. Stewart Sharpless discovered it in 1959.

As a complete surprise, I also captured the Bubble Nebula, located near the bottom of the image. I didn't realize the two nebulae were so close to one another and will compose this differently in future imaging sessions.

𝗚𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴
Scope: Skywatcher Esprit 100ED APO with Starizona .65 reducer
Mount: ZWO AM5
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM
Acquisition: ZWO ASIAir Plus, EAF, and EFW
Processing: Siril, Lightroom, and PhotoShop
SII: 180s x 22
Ha: 180s x 14
OIII: 180s x 30
Total integration time: 3.3 hours

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Sep 14

The Elephant Trunk Nebula is 2,400 LY away in the constellation Cepheus. More details in the alt text.

🔭 SkyWatcher Esprit 100 APO refractor
📷 ASI2600MM Pro

#astrophotography #science #elephanttrunknebula #nebula #nebulaphotography #widefield #widefieldastrophotography #hubble #hubblepalette

The Elephant Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) is located in the constellation Cepheus, near the North Celestial Pole. It's 2,400 light years away and is an emission nebula composed of ionized gases such as Hydrogen, Oxygen, and gaseous Sulfur. It's also known as a star forming region with a multitude of protostars.

Visible at the bottom left are dark nebulae, which are enormous clouds of dust that are only visible because they obscure even more distant stars.

The photons I collected with my telescope and astro camera in early September 2025 were emitted 2,400 years ago, and then traveled the vast distance until they landed on my camera's sensor.

This image is presented in the SHO "Hubble" color palette.

#astrophotography #elephanttrunknebula #nebula #nebulaphotography #widefieldastrophotography #widefield #hubble #hubblepalette

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Aug 23

A Blue Dasher dragonfly. #dragonfly #dragonflyphotography #photography #dragonfliesofbluesky #bluedasher #anthropod #antropods #anthropodphotography #insect #insects #insectphotography Details in alt text.

Photo of the back of a Blue Dasher dragonfly showing it's full wingspan and all the tiny facets in its delicate wings.

Photo of the front of a Blue Dasher dragonfly showing it's full wingspan and all the tiny facets in its delicate wings. The wings show some wear and tear with sections missing. The dragonfly's characteristic white face and blue-green eyes are visible.

Closeup of the back of a Blue Dasher dragonfly showing the joints where the wings connect to the back of the thorax. The wings are dimly backlit showing the outlines of the individual cells of the thin membrane and the patterns they create.

Closeup of the face of a Blue Dasher dragonfly showing the characteristic face and blue-green eyes in detail.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Aug 15

Sounds like what I'm about to do, but in a Gungan dialect.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Aug 14

Atlanta is known for its amazing BBQ. This glowing neon sign beckons to an amazing meal (as if the smell wasn't enough on its own). Stats and details in alt text #bbq #atlantabbq #atlbbq #neon #neonphotography #neonsign #neonsignphotography #architechturephotography #photography #photosofbluesky

A neon sign in the window of an Atlanta barbecue restaurant that reads "ATL BBQ." The window is capped by a black and white striped canopy. The glowing sign illuminates the window sill and the sidewalk in front of it. An illustration of a hand with a pointed finger is stenciled on the wall with the words, Parking Deck" under it.

The BBQ restaurant is Atlanta's famous Sweet Auburn BBQ in the Poncey-Highlands neighborhood.

Canon 5D Mk IV
Canon 24-70mm lens at 70mm
ISO 1250, f/2.8, 1/160 sec.
Prism FX - Lucid Dream filter

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Aug 14

Delta planes on the tarmac and in the air. #delta #deltaairlines #airliner #airplanephotography #flight #airport #airportphotography #puffyclouds

A Delta airliner is parked at the terminal of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Another plane in the distance is high above the ground, tilted up at a steep angle at it takes off to destinations unknown.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Aug 14

Details of a fallen backyard mushroom. The porous underside and strange pattern on the purple stalk seem alien. #mushroom #mushroomphotography #mycology #mycologyphotography #photography #stalk #purple #purplestalk #mushroomsofbluesky #pores #porous #spores #sporepores #alien #alienpattern

A mushroom lays on its side revealing the underside of the cap and a vibrant purple stalk.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Aug 14

Neon on Leon. The Majestic Diner, serving hungry Atlantans since 1929. Its neon lights glow on Ponce de Leon Ave. More in alt text. #longexposure #longexposurephotography #neon #neonlights #neonglow #diner #dinerphotography #neonphotography #atlanta #atlantaphotography #atlantainfluenceseverything

Neon lights of a city diner glow on a rainy night. The lights are reflected in the shiny, wet street. The long exposure captured the red streak of a car's tail lights moving along the road.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Aug 14

Curls and gills. #mycology #mushroom #mushroomphotography #mushroomhunting #mushroomart #ᴍᴜsʜʀᴏᴏᴍᴀʀᴛ #mushroomsofbluesky

The edges of a mushroom undulate up and down is a progression of curls. The topside of the mushroom is an even brown, but the bits of the underside that curl upward show the pale, cream-color gills.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Aug 14

Tromping through an emerald forest. More detail in alt text. #green #Verdant #greenforest #forest #verdantforest #orientering #photography #forestphotography #trees #emerald #emeraldforest #treephotography

A photo of a wooded area where the ground is covered in a carpet of dried, brown leaves, and the trunks of trees extend upward to a glowing green canopy.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jul 30

The ticketing lobby at Reagan International Airport. #washingtondc #airport #airportphotography #patterns #architecture #architecturephotography #rhythmandrepetition #texture #perspective #onepointperspective #recede #receding #reflection #reflections

A long corridor at Reagan International airport with repeating architectural details.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jul 30

The U.S. Capitol Building in the spring. #washingtondc #uscapitol #capitolhill #architecture #architecturephotography #Federal #photography #washingtondcphotography

The U.S. Capitol Building in the springtime. The trees have fresh green leaves and pink blossoms.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jul 29

Happy, colorful art in a rural mountain town.

Colorful artwork resembling the sun.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jul 29

I took a trip to Washington DC recently and visited the Udvar-Hazy Center. I saw all kinds of air- and spacecraft and was taken with the graphics visible on most of them. This was from a test craft. #space #spacecraft #spaceship #photography #warning #warningsigns #rescue #instructions #1950s

A stainless steel test aircraft with rivets and warning signs.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jul 29

Sunflower petals #sunflower #sunflowerphotography #flowerphotography #flowerphoto #yellow

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jul 29

Magenta wildflowers. #magenta #wildflowers #flowers #flowerphotography #wildflowerphotography #macro #macrophoto #macrophotography #stamen

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jul 29

A Portobello mushroom up close and personal. #myclogy #mushroom #mushroomphotography #photography #macro #macrophotography

Image of a Portobello mushroom.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jul 29

The George Washington Bridge with a tilt shift effect applied to make it look like a miniature. #georgewashingtonbridge #gwb #newyork #newyorkcity #nyc #nycphotography #newyorkphotography #bridgephotography #photography #tiltshift

The Georgie Washington Bridge as viewed from high above in an airplane, but the firground and background are out of focus, which gives the impression it's much smaller than it really is.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jul 21

Whoa!

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jul 14

Thank you!!!!

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jun 29

Backyard birds putting on a show #birds #bird #birdphotography #birdsofbluesky #birb #birbs #birbsofbluesky #avian #avianphotography #backyard #backyardbirds #birdfeeder #wing #wings #sunset #sunsetbirds #aviary #finch #housefinch #talons

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jun 29

Heat lightning in Apalachicola, FL. #heatlightning #photography #photo #lightningphotography #lightningphoto #Florida #naturephotography #longexposure #longexposurephotography

A nighttime image of a building in Apalachicola, Florida with heat lightning striking in the background. In the foreground, long streaks of a car's headlights reflect on the asphalt.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jun 9

Daaaaaaaaang. Nice.

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jun 9

The deeper I have gotten into astrophotography, the more I have keenly felt that. And thank YOU!

Jason Clay Photography @jasonclay.bsky.social · Jun 9

If you squint hard, you can see Guinan.