M63 - 13/03/2007

I like the idea of adding the spikes alright, but perhaps they could have been created slightly better. Some are slightly off-centre from the star.
Does having the spikes on the stars in the raw images make it any more difficult to process the images, as opposed to adding them in later on the final image?

Are the spikes added in during processing or do you physically have a + across the aperture? I'd assumed until now that spikes from people with SCT's etc. were actual diffraction spikes by adding crosshairs to the optics.

Makes an interesting debate that one. You're right, sometimes a black and white image holds more sway over its colour counterpart.

Seanie,

Also a neat trick is to use the reverse white on black ... check out my image of the Serpentine Ridge by moving your mouse over the image and going back and forth between the default images and the mouseover image: www.perseus.gr/Astro-Lunar-L100-L033.htm ....

Someone said something about the spikes too - too many images with spiked stars and the laws of artictic license will soon become taken advantage of. I would not prefer to see too many starry images with spikes, as it is something that just does not happen in real life.

When using the pair of strings which I implement, just the really bright stars have the spikes appear. This trick provides a nice balance by itself.

I like the idea of adding the spikes alright, but perhaps they could have been created slightly better. Some are slightly off-centre from the star.
Does having the spikes on the stars in the raw images make it any more difficult to process the images, as opposed to adding them in later on the final image?

Are the spikes added in during processing or do you physically have a + across the aperture? I'd assumed until now that spikes from people with SCT's etc. were actual diffraction spikes by adding crosshairs to the optics.

Al,

They can be added after the fact using the BRUSH tool in Photoshop. All of mine involve the pair of strings in the form of an "X" in front of the dewshield.

Good discussion going on here - important that we have a frank discussion.
The spikes in this case were added after the fact, so to speak, just to see what it would look like more than anything else. Thought it might generate a bit of debate alright! I'll be posting a non-spiked version later this evening - no alcohol added!
Obviously, if someone were to draw a star on an image, it would be a little daft. Spikes on the other hand, are totally artificial. They are either added by using a physical tool (strings/spider) or by a software tool (brush in Photoshop). Whether one is any more "legitimate" than the other is for each person to decide. However, I do take your point Dave and would be inclined to agree. I was more curious as to what the result would look like more so than anything else.
In terms of a similar image, would you not need to factor in the focal ratio also? Would be very interesting to compare the results alright though.

Have fun,

Someone...help me here...
''adding the spikes later''
?

:oops:

Someone...help me here...
''adding the spikes later''
?

:oops:

using a tool in photoshop to create a similar effect.