RCC - A Monoceros Widefield - Forums

Topic starter

Mar 13, 2023

Hello,

I completed a 2-year project in February this year, which was a 2-panel mosaik of the Monoceros region around the cone nebula.
This view spans over 5 degrees, but still offers a very detailed view (see smaller preview on bottom of posting).

Details and full resolution (9400x9400 pixels):
https://www.astrobin.com/qsok9k/

This photo unfortunately did not get very much views or likes compared to my other images, so I thought that maybe something was wrong with it?
I was intentionally subtle with the colors, maybe we are all used to shrill hues these days?

As for my processing workflow:
RGB-exposures with QHY600C, Ha-exposures with QHY600L, both on Esprit 100 (Bortle 3 sky)
Stacking and "DBE" with Astro Pixel Processor
SPCC and BXT in Pixinsight
Initial stretch in APP and removal of stars with SXT
Separate low intensity stretch for the stars only (unscreen stars in PI PixelMath)
Extraction of sythetic luminance in PS (LAB-mode) and adding of Ha-data
Contrast enhancement and sharpening of luminance layer in PS
Combining luminace with color in PS (again, LAB-mode), boost saturation to match luminance
Adding stars back in (PS, screen blend mode)
Composing the mosaik with stitching sofware

What do you think?
Any suggestions are highly appreciated, thanks!

CS
Chris

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Phil Creed

Mar 13, 2023

Christian,

There's nothing really wrong with your photo. Perhaps it needs a bit more color saturation. Not a HUGE increase, just a little. No need for "in-your-face" color hues.

…and, honestly, that's about it, IMO. It's well exposed and the noise isn't intrusive nor is so noise-reduced that it looks too "smooth" / "waxy". The stars looks tight, the nebular details are great and nothing looks over- or under-stretched, IMO.

Clear Skies,
Phil

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Die Launische Diva

Mar 13, 2023 · Edited: Mar 13, 2023

Christian, I also agree with Phil, some saturation will help. With regard to composition, I would prefer the image to be rotated by 90 degrees clockwise. And in the future, I would add more frames to the mosaic to do justice to IC 446/447, "the Snail" 🐌

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Dale Penkala

Mar 13, 2023 · Edited: Mar 13, 2023

Christian I think this is a wonderful image and if it were me the only adjustment would be a bit of color saturation. I think your stars look nice and tight with good color representation. I don’t have much mosaic experience (only a couple and I wasn’t very happy with them myself) but I do know you have to prep each panel and it looks like you did a great job on blending both panels.

FWIW, I’ve had a couple of images myself that I felt was better then the likes or views I got as well so it might just be an image that some may not find interesting/appealing to themselves personally so I try not to take it personally.

Dale

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James Sokolowski

Mar 13, 2023

C - Yes, the image is very well done….. did anyone mention increasing saturation a bit? And, I also get more likes on some of my lesser images and some of my nicer ones dont' get so much… trying hard to be a social media darling / influencer !!

Jim

Christian Koll

Topic starter

Mar 14, 2023

Thanks very much, everybody - I have now increased the saturation by 10% and reuploaded my picture.

Chris

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Brian Boyle

Mar 15, 2023

Hi Chris,
I think this is a great image, and you clearly put a great deal of work into it.

While getting recognition from your peers (via thumbs) is wonderful, I wouldn’t confuse thumb popularity with technical excellence or artistry.

I suspect we all have a few images that we know are much better than the thumbs, or lack of Top Pick nomination/recognition might suggest. ;-)

CS

Brian

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Dale Penkala

Mar 15, 2023

Brian Boyle:
Hi Chris,
I think this is a great image, and you clearly put a great deal of work into it.

While getting recognition from your peers (via thumbs) is wonderful, I wouldn’t confuse thumb popularity with technical excellence or artistry.

I suspect we all have a few images that we know are much better than the thumbs, or lack of Top Pick nomination/recognition might suggest. ;-)

CS

Brian

Agree 100% Brian!

KIJJA JEARWATTANAKANOK

Mar 16, 2023

I think this is a very high quality image, perhaps one of the best . Agree with Brian and Dale about the inconsistency of popularity and excellence image quality.

Cheers,
Kijja