My first shoot ever - Forums

Topic starter

Feb 29, 2020

Hi guys, this is my absolutely first deep sky photo.
I tried m42 because i read that it's a common simple shot to begin.
I ask you your opinion and advices; please be honest because i need (and want) to grow up.
Thank you all and clear skies to everybody.
Luca
M42 single shot
d610 camera unmodded
90" without guiding
az eq6 and refractor 130 primalucelab
photoshop

astropical

Perfect post

Mar 1, 2020

About one and a half years ago, the M42 was my first target, too, and hooked me up to astro-photography after seeing the first light frame (just like yours). M42 is great for novices but also tricky because of its bright core with the Trapezium. Try some 60 lights with 20 darks (plus a few with shorter exposure time), stack them and you will blow yourself out of your socks :-)

As for this your very first image, I would remove the red hue in the background which would make vignetting less prominent. The stars are round enough except for the right side which shows elongated stars (minor issues).

Well done!
Ciao
Robert

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Ron

Perfect post

Mar 1, 2020

I would also suggest learning to take flat frames. That will eliminate the vignette (the dark corners) and any dust donuts that may appear. I'm sure you know, but balance the colors so that the sky is black or dark blue, but be careful not to clip the low end otherwise the shot looks artificial.

CS,
Ron

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Mark Germani

Nov 10, 2020

Hi there - great shot! Orion was my first tracked astrophotography target as well, but with much less success (I'm still a beginner). Ironically, our total integration time is exactly the same (mine was 6 x 15" exposures) but I had bad polar alignment that night.

What ISO were you shooting at? Your noise is really low. Nice. Your stars are nice and round, and with noise that low, you could probably afford to bump up your exposure time and gather more light from the nebula.

I love the detail you've been able to pull out of the Orion nebula with your single exposure, and that you also managed to get some nebulosity out of the Running Man nebula above. I would second Robert's suggestion to remove the red hue in the background.

I can't wait to see your next attempt at this, with darks and flats!

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Chris Barnes

Dec 2, 2020

Very nice first attempt! Far better than mine. Keep up the good work!

Chris

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