[RCC] Beginner Orion Nebula Feedback - Forums

Topic starter

Mar 25, 2021 · Edited: Mar 25, 2021

To preface: This is the first 'completed' image that I have gone through the entire process with calibration frames and processing. Just starting this hobby as of December 2020, I have done some minor experiments before with stacking 2 images and practicing stretching, but this is the first full blown attempt. I am very happy with it but I know different people have different eyes for detail. I am asking for some constructive criticism to maybe point out an aspect of processing that I may not know of or may have missed in my image (imperfections, areas to improve on, etc.).

The Orion Nebula

My process was: Took all light frames until the target fell below the horizon, took dark frames immediately after, took bias frames once back inside and just before stacking. Stacked in DeepSkyStacker with recommended settings. Imported to Photoshop. Color balanced through levels adjustments on RGB channels then multiple gentle curves and levels adjustments to bring the data forward. Adjust color saturation/vibrance and sharpen which added some noise. Used Astro Tools Action Set to make stars smaller and enhance DSO. Used Action Set again to reduce deep space noise & space noise. Finished up with some final touches in Camera RAW Filter for clarity, saturation/vibrance and minor noise removal.

Let me know if anything pops out to you or if you recommend any processing steps that I may have missed.

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Geoff

IOTD Staff

Jun 13, 2021

Two things I see immediately:
1. Trapezium region is totally blown out. Not sure if this is due to overexposure or if it happened in the processing.
2. Excessive denoising. Remember it is noise *reduction*, not noise removal. Do’t try to sell the idea that your images are pristine.
Geoff

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andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

Jun 13, 2021

No flats? No flats, not good…

dheilman

Jun 13, 2021 · Edited: Jun 13, 2021

Hi Jesse! I see that you posted this a few months ago but better late than never! First, congrats on your first completed image. Your colors are great and this is certainly much better than my first stab at it! M42 is a deceptive target - common, bright, easy pick for a first - but one of the more difficult bright objects to process. The core is incredibly bright and typically is dealt with by taking shorter exposures and processing these separately, then compositing back as an HDR —type process. Looks like your focus may be off a bit too. In general, I favor a post process routine where I push the image and then back blend with the original to keep myself from over processing. Very easy to do especially with bright targets. I try to avoid curves as much as possible as that will easily blow out your stars. You might try to play with high pass filter and some masked stretches. You can always layer these in with whatever opacity looks good. Lots of vids on how to do those well.
Best,
Destin

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