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[RCC] SHO IC805

SHO Narrowband Request for feedback IC1805 IC Objects
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SemiPro avatar
SemiPro avatar
Hey all,


I am a newly minted narrowband processor. Now I accept that I am using a pretty amazing dataset from the fellas at Telescope Live so I am effectively on easy mode right now. 



SHO IC1805

You will see two versions here. The original, and a "softer" version with a lighter stretch. I can't really decide which one is better or ideal. I am curious as to what I can do to make a good mono image. What are people looking for? I know that can be subjective but I am genuinely curious. I am also open to any constructive criticism, as well as as any flaws that people might see in this image. (I am aware of the blue artifact at the top of the heart, for example.)

Thanks,
SemiPro
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David Nozadze avatar
David Nozadze avatar
Hi!

Both images are very nicely done. But, DSOs, as well as everything else in space, is multidimensional. I think (at least to my eyes, through my monitor), that the "original/final" versions, which is more contrasty, shows the 3D structure of the object better than the other one. Therefore, I like that one most.
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SemiPro avatar
SemiPro avatar
David Nozadze:
Hi!

Both images are very nicely done. But, DSOs, as well as everything else in space, is multidimensional. I think (at least to my eyes, through my monitor), that the "original/final" versions, which is more contrasty, shows the 3D structure of the object better than the other one. Therefore, I like that one most.

Yeah I can see that. I think your pictures manage to do that well. Any tips on how you get to that point?
David Nozadze avatar
David Nozadze avatar
Yeah I can see that. I think your pictures manage to do that well. Any tips on how you get to that point?



I am a beginner myself, so hardly can give any useful advise yet

But, I do watch a lot of processing video tutorials. Adam Block is the greatest expert in terms of image capture, as well as processing. He is very detailed and comprehensive and very technical. If you have enough time, you shoudl definitely tap into his knowledge. 

If you want to get started a bit faster, then look for "Entering into Space" channel on the youtube. Steven has a great talent for explaining difficult things easily for the beginners. I learned a lot from him.
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SemiPro avatar
SemiPro avatar
I'll look them up!
seanhagerty avatar
seanhagerty avatar
I have no idea how to tell you to improve that.  The detail is awesome.  I did notice all the stars seemed orange or red.

Great job
SemiPro avatar
SemiPro avatar
I have no idea how to tell you to improve that.  The detail is awesome.  I did notice all the stars seemed orange or red.

Great job

Thanks! I believe the star colour is due to the narrowband filters, although I would welcome any correction on that as well as how to improve.
Very nicely done, I think I did the same dataset. A lot can be done with it.


Yeah its the same. Telescope Live is keeping me sane during these smokey days. It has also hooked me on narrowband. There is no escaping it now! This might be subjective to a lot of people but I would say that yours has the better colours. I think because I am usually working with less integration time from the inner city I am afraid to crank up the contrast or saturation and I have carried over that habit into this image. I'd welcome any suggestions on your part in that department.

Edit -  I took a leap of faith:
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SemiPro avatar
SemiPro avatar
I don't think it is only a matter of saturation. I used even less global contrast changes. You could try and go for more star reduction. Different sho combinations or a dynamic combination could bring out what you want. I always try to pick the most interesting features and try and highlight those a bit more then the rest, this has the benefit of creating a bit more depth also.

But as you already said, it is very subjective. Try and highlight what you want to and it will probably work out very good. Working less on the whole image and more on seperate parts with layers or selective masks could help.

I'll keep that in mind for the next one. If you have seen the Lagoon Nebula I did a month or so ago in the initial version I used three separate masks for each main feature. That is another one where I grappled with whether to go ham on the processing or go with a softer touch. I decided that the softer one would be the final version. Maybe something in between, or better masking because the stars got beat up pretty bad in the initial version.
Steve Cooper avatar
Steve Cooper avatar
Thanks! I believe the star colour is due to the narrowband filters, although I would welcome any correction on that as well as how to improve.

I think your rendition is very well done! My only real criticism is the star color. Yes, this is a result of the narrowband filters. I don't know what software that you use, but if you have Pixinsight,  you can make a star mask, then with the saturation slider in the Curves tool, select only the stars using the mask, and remove all color from the stars. I do this with all my NB images because I think white stars are better than discolored stars (especially magenta ones) Here is an example of the same object where I did this
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SemiPro avatar
SemiPro avatar
Steve Cooper:
Thanks! I believe the star colour is due to the narrowband filters, although I would welcome any correction on that as well as how to improve.

I think your rendition is very well done! My only real criticism is the star color. Yes, this is a result of the narrowband filters. I don't know what software that you use, but if you have Pixinsight,  you can make a star mask, then with the saturation slider in the Curves tool, select only the stars using the mask, and remove all color from the stars. I do this with all my NB images because I think white stars are better than discolored stars (especially magenta ones) Here is an example of the same object where I did this

Thank you sir, Yeah I do prefer your stars. So that is something to keep in mind for my next attempt.
Jerry Yesavage avatar
Jerry Yesavage avatar
Hi,

Did not plow my way through all the comments but a key issue is to destar the NB images, then denoise and stretch them, then put the stars back.... you can get stars from the pure RGB and use Photometric Calibration if you really want the correct colors. 

Saturate after stretching or you stretch the distored colors....

Lots tricks, but get rid of those stars and then stretch... you will not believe your eyes.

JY

Could not resist:



Above destarred, black clipped and the S curve applied, then saturated in below... we have SMOKE in California so I am pretty bored!



Stars back:
SemiPro avatar
SemiPro avatar
Hi,

Did not plow my way through all the comments but a key issue is to destar the NB images, then denoise and stretch them, then put the stars back.... you can get stars from the pure RGB and use Photometric Calibration if you really want the correct colors. 

Saturate after stretching or you stretch the distored colors....

Lots tricks, but get rid of those stars and then stretch... you will not believe your eyes.

JY

Could not resist:

[IMG]

Above destarred, black clipped and the S curve applied, then saturated in below... we have SMOKE in California so I am pretty bored!

[IMG]

Stars back:

[IMG]

Ah I see you too are in fire smoke purgatory. It's a swell time aint it? Thanks for the tips. I've tried to de-star before but I didn't like the artifacts that it created so I stopped doing it after awhile. Any tips on maybe making a cleaner separation? If I am being honest right now I just load up StarNet click go and hope for the best.