19.) Alan Friedman — Genevieve Kerr

Alan Friedman is an American Astronomy photographer. His photographs comprise a solar diary of our local star. Most of the images are taken in his backyard in Buffalo, NY. He uses a small telescope and narrow band filters to capture details in high resolution and record movements in the solar atmosphere that change over hours or even minutes. Aesthetic decisions are made to each portrait with respect to accuracy and to ensure the power of the image.

The precise detail in every photo is incredible. Friedman’s ability to capture sunspots and solar flares is truly impressive. The nature of his work is quite fascinating as well. Each image is a portrait of our sun at a specific point in time. What stands out is how no two portraits are exactly alike. The spots and flares are a little different each day. One could consider this to be representative of the constant motion our solar system is in. No mass is ever truly stagnant. Friedman skillfully uses technology to document those subtle changes in our local star, to create a beautiful depiction of its life. Our eyes alone cannot pick up the intricate details of something so bright and so far away, but Friedman’s photos allow us to view this astronomical mass up-close and personal, which is something truly amazing.