Chris Cook

Hi, I’m Chris! My lifelong love of photography began at just 13 years old, when my parents got me a 60mm refractor. I rigged up a 35mm Nikon film camera to it so I could photograph the moon. Once I got the film and prints back, I was hooked.

Throughout the years, I spent many hours at my dad’s professional photography studio and darkroom, where I learned about lighting, f/stops, exposure, and composition. Once I had the basics down, I continued to gain knowledge through books and trial and error out in the field. In 1986, I captured a photo of Halley’s Comet. It was an incredibly inspiring moment that turned photography into a lifelong passion for me.

Over the years, I’ve mastered different types of astrophotography, including deep sky (prime focus & telephoto), comets, planetary, solar, lunar, and nightscapes. I think one characteristic that makes me unique is that I started my astrophotography journey before computerized GOTO mounts. I had to familiarize myself with the sky by star hopping and reading a paper star atlas. These days, I can visually locate celestial objects and targets, no computer needed!

For the past 25 years, I’ve had my own photography studio, and in 2013, I began offering astrophotography workshops on Cape Cod. One of the biggest joys I’ve had in being a photography instructor is seeing a participant’s face light up with a big smile when they see the full glory of the Milky Way on their camera’s LCD.

I understand that some students will ask for help straightaway, while others may be hesitant to ask questions. That’s why I enjoy 1-on-1 instruction and explaining not just astrophoto techniques, but also the science behind them. Several of my students have gone on to sell their own nightscape prints at photography shows. That is very rewarding.

Besides Cape Cod, I’m very familiar with the American Southwest, including Death Valley, Bryce Canyon, Joshua Tree, the Grand Canyon, and the Mojave Desert. I’m best known for my nightscapes and deep sky imaging. When I’m not shooting astro, I enjoy skiing, hiking, and backpacking. I’m excited for my next adventure as part of the Capture the Atlas team!