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[RCC] Any improvement ideas for my Markarian's Chain?

Request for feedback
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Christian Koll avatar
Christian Koll avatar
Hi,

I still have some difficulties processing/presentinhg this image and I'm wondering if you you see any improvement possibilities for my Markarian's Chain picture:
https://www.astrobin.com/full/66e0wq/0/



How about the image framing?
Stars too small or OK? I didn't want to make the stars too prominent, so they don't distract from the main object (the vast amount of galaxies).
Background level too bright or too dark?

Since this is a widefield image (550mm FL) there are limits to resolution, of course.

Appreciate your help and suggestions!

CS
Chris
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Andrew Malc avatar
Andrew Malc avatar

Hi Christian. Nice image and great gallery. I think it could be interesting to see framing like this:📷 Mch.JPGMch.JPGThis screen is taken from NINA Framing tool for your camera and 550mm FL

Andrew Malc avatar
Andrew Malc avatar

Also stars looks little bit unnatural, too small i think.

📷 Gal_unn.jpgGal_unn.jpgThis part of the image attracts attention.

bigCatAstro avatar
bigCatAstro avatar

To my eye, your image looks great and I would just leave it be. The stars look fine and the processing of the chain looks good too.

The only thing I would have done is a final small S-curve for contrast and to just slightly lower the black point, but that’s just a matter of personal taste.

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andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
Too smooth, more stars.
Quinn Groessl avatar
Quinn Groessl avatar

Andrew Malc · Oct 9, 2025, 01:03 PM

Also stars looks little bit unnatural, too small i think.

📷 Gal_unn.jpgGal_unn.jpgThis part of the image attracts attention.

I agree with this. This caught my eye as not looking quite right for some reason.

Georg N. Nyman avatar
Georg N. Nyman avatar

My personal opinion - the stars are fine, they are different in size and brightness and are not focusing the attention of the viewer primarily to stars. The depth of the image is already good, I would - if possible - add one or two more nights to get even more depth into the galaxies and to make the existing tiny galaxies visible. The framing - some want a clear N-S framing, which would be not very beneficial in that case, so I would leave it as it is.
This target is not as easy as it seems to be because you find not only tiny galaxies but also large ones with a very bright core and some with colored details - to get all well is not easy.
So overall, a well done image, which would benefit from more photons.

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Die Launische Diva avatar
Die Launische Diva avatar

Andrew Malc · Oct 9, 2025, 01:03 PM

Also stars looks little bit unnatural, too small i think.

📷 Gal_unn.jpgGal_unn.jpgThis part of the image attracts attention.

Ditto. It's the first thing that needs some care. Framing is fine, with the minor annoyance of a galaxy that's too close to the right edge of the image. You could try pulling more color from the galaxies, but that's a matter of personal taste; I also know from experience that it's hard to do with this subject at this scale.

bigCatAstro avatar
bigCatAstro avatar

Georg N. Nyman · Oct 9, 2025, 05:02 PM

My personal opinion - the stars are fine, they are different in size and brightness and are not focusing the attention of the viewer primarily to stars. The depth of the image is already good, I would - if possible - add one or two more nights to get even more depth into the galaxies and to make the existing tiny galaxies visible. The framing - some want a clear N-S framing, which would be not very beneficial in that case, so I would leave it as it is.
This target is not as easy as it seems to be because you find not only tiny galaxies but also large ones with a very bright core and some with colored details - to get all well is not easy.
So overall, a well done image, which would benefit from more photons.

Excellent points, I would also agree that more time could improve this image.

Christian Koll avatar
Christian Koll avatar
Gentlemen,

you have some excellent points here - I highly appreciate your feedback! Thanks very much for taking the time to evaluate and comment!
I will work on those things and see how it goes.

The weired stars around M87 came from inserting back that galaxy into a starless image, because StarXterminator ate away some of the galaxy's halo.
However, there are better ways to fix that without the uneven look. I figured out it is generally better to not remove the stars in galaxy images and I will try this with this picture.

I believe the possibility of getting an unbiased feedback through Astrobin can not be appreciated and praised enough!
Again - thanks very much!

CS
Chris
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