Inside The Heart Nebula Reprocessed

Carl heres a dilemma for you I like the colour in the second one and the contrast in the first one.

Before you ask the reason I've not been looking for NEO is because I'm weighting on some new gear for the 14" OTA so don't go telling the MPC

When you get up and running just target the NEO's so that you get listed in the MPEC's which should keep Don's Grennan and Mc Donald off your case;)

phoenix wrote:

Carl heres a dilemma for you I like the colour in the second one and the contrast in the first one

I feel the same way about the image. I'm just trying to figure out a balance between the two images with my limited processing experience. The stars look way more natural in the second image but I prefer detail in the first image. Who said it was going to be ease.

Carl.

Some really nice fine detail in there Carl. You must be quite pleased with that image.

Michael.

carlobeirnes wrote:

phoenix wrote:

Carl heres a dilemma for you I like the colour in the second one and the contrast in the first one

I feel the same way about the image. I'm just trying to figure out a balance between the two images with my limited processing experience. The stars look way more natural in the second image but I prefer detail in the first image. Who said it was going to be ease.

Carl.

As a suggestion, why don't you take the image you like the nebula in and remove the stars with one of those star-remove tools in PS. Then, you can tweak the contrast as you like and merge it back in to the image where the stars look nice - best of both.

Ah...the endless fun of processing!!

Michael.

P.S. It might be an interesting idea for us to run astrophotography workshops sometime so that we can share our practical skills in a hands-on environment and learn from each.

carlobeirnes wrote:

Ps Mr Dave McDonald,

Before you ask the reason I've not been looking for NEO is because I'm weighting on some new gear for the 14" OTA so don't go telling the MPC:whistle::whistle: :grouphug:

Carl.

Yeh, whatever :dry:

OK - onto the *real* business.

Your first image is really contrasty - I suspect that you've over-processed it. Notice the mad halos on the brighter stars. However, there's a really nice contrast between the "dark" and red nebulosity - it really shows up some of those "bok globule" type structures.

The second image has a lovely (and much better) smoothness about it. I also think (looking at my monitor) that the star colours come out better - you can differentiate them much easier.

So, how's about pushing the levels on the second image or altering the contrast to get a happy medium between the two?

By the way, as usual for you, its a nice frame, tight focus and you seem to have lost the egginess that plagued your previous images. Both are great images and I suspect that marrying the two or tweaking the second will give you a peachy result. As it is, I think the second image is definately magazine material. With a tad more processing, it could make an annual calender - or, dare I say it, even an APOD :ohmy:

If you'd got your finger out, you might even have beaten Michael in the competition

By the way, I'm not sure if you feel this way, but I see that you've really come on in leaps and bounds with this astrophotography lark. Its great that you share it all with the crew here and I'm sure it inspires many folks here. You're definately one of the folks that is at the top of the pack.

And finally, I'd echo Michael's comments about two things - not being a processing person, I *do* appreciate that it must take you folks a huge amount of time and effort to learn the tricks and an hours work may in fact only result in a barely perceptible improvement. But I know its worth it. So hats off for the hard work, effort, and sleepness nights. Secondly, perhpas we *are* due another astrophotography workshop - and I personally believe we have the expertise here to carry it. No need to look beyond Ireland for expertise - but no harm in bringing a big name or two over....

What do folks think?

Cheers
Dave

P.S. No, I won't tell Gareth you're sat on your backside messing about with ponsey pretty pictures... :kiss:

Secondly, perhpas we *are* due another astrophotography workshop - and I personally believe we have the expertise here to carry it. No need to look beyond Ireland for expertise - but no harm in bringing a big name or two over....

What do folks think?

As you know Dave, I spent considerable time last year trying to get two well known astrophotographers over here for a one day course but they could just never fully commit to a date despite I organising a venue, food, flights etc. At this stage, in the interests of it actually happening and reducing the need to depend on too many other factors outside our control, I would suggest that we keep it local. Besides, we have got some great people here on the IFAS website with some great varied experience in all areas of astrophotography so we should be able to develop a full day's programme.

Michael.