A question of taste

phoenix wrote:

Think I already know where Anto lies on this one

Kieran,

As you suggest, you certainly know where I stand. However, I apologize in advance for the stupid question: why not add a pair of strings at the front of your dew shield so that (1) you can nail focus at any point in time and (2) have real and genuine spikes which will blend perfectly with your image?

As noted, the artificial spikes are too sharp in relation to the image itself and you are technically adding "signal" to your image which was not originally captured. In my case and with the pair of strings, I simply bias how the camera records my bright stars which leaves me "innocent" in relation to the artificial addition of "signal".

Case in point: www.perseus.gr/Astro-DSO-Nebulae-Dark-B175.htm ... it is not complete since my AstroDon's created all kinds of reflections which killed my LRGB version and I have since sold/ditched the AstroDon's. I am looking to purchase Baader's LRGB filter set.

Anthony.

I hate these artificial spikes.
As Anto says...
just put some fishing line or whatever on your scope
and there you go.
Aside from that...
the image is 100% original.
I've always said...
I don't care what someone does to an image
in photoshop be it sharpening, levels etc etc..
but 'ADDING' something that was never there is akin to
just picking up a paint brush and making an artists impression...

look,
it's all down to what you want to achieve.
I've also no problems with 'composites' or whatever
(like this months photo comp winner)
as long as you say what you have done and you don't
ever pretend different then it's cool and the gang.

We all know Damien P and others 'paint in' black
areas between Saturn and the rings and even add
fake ice caps on Mars...
nobody would dare give him jip over that..
so...
to answer your Q.
I prefer image A
but Joe P would in my opinion find image B
more aesthetically pleasing.