We've had so few clear nights in the last few weeks and now the moon is rising but I've managed to sneek in a quick session before the moon ruins it all.
387 frames @ 22sec
Iso 1600
Skywatcher 102
Canon 5d
I think i need to learn a bit more about extracting that data. Any suggestions are welcom.e I've watched some YouTube videos and read some things but they all seem to be a bit different and very few I've found explain what you're actually doing. I've heard " I create a gentle s curve " so many times and only just worked out that that is to increase contrast.... I think....
I know there is more dedicated software than I'm using ( DSS and PS ) but surely the way these programs work is by doing things for you. Great for the end result but not great for an inquisitive mind.
Try an extreme stretch that blows out the core and merge that with an image not stretched much..play with the combination in laying...not exa tly the right way but I have used such an approach...or in the dark areas run the dodge tool around..
Alex
Ok, so here's a first one. When you say give it a stretch, what exactly does that mean ? What am I actually doing to the image ? I'm assuming that means increasing the length of the data area in the histogram ? And how do I go about this in PS ? Most of the processing I've done is trial and a lot of error.
In answer to your question about guiding, it's actually something I'm working out if I can do with my mount. At the moment I'm on the 4SE Alt-Az mount on a wedge. I'm well aware this is a terrible mount to be playing this game on but it's what I've got and so im making the most of it I do like a challenge
What are you using to process your images? If you don't have any software at present I could recommend startools. It's reasonably priced and very effective - although idiosyncratic. I started on it then moved to pixinsight. There are others which some can suggest. Or even fitswork (free) - you can do some basic 'stretching'. Stretching moves your image from linear-to nonlinear - brings out the intensity region of interest. But with that you need to do noise reduction etc which is what dedicated AP software will give you
What are you using to process your images? If you don't have any software at present I could recommend startools. It's reasonably priced and very effective - although idiosyncratic. I started on it then moved to pixinsight. There are others which some can suggest. Or even fitswork (free) - you can do some basic 'stretching'. Stretching moves your image from linear-to nonlinear - brings out the intensity region of interest. But with that you need to do noise reduction etc which is what dedicated AP software will give you
I'm using DSS to stack then Photoshop CC '18 to process. A fellow iceinspacer Karlsberg has told me about startools. I downloaded the demo to give it a go and it kept freezing so I parked that idea but the more I hear about it, the more I think it's time to make that small investment and try it.
Star tools can make your stars round.
Anyways given you are not using an eq mount I think your results are amazing.
You can use the dodge tool too lightwn behind the horses head ...again not proper but it brings it out.
Alex
The freezing is that your RAM is at max load, it will continue after a little bit. It'll happen in when opening such a large image and binning, it does get quicker after that.
Star tools can make your stars round.
Anyways given you are not using an eq mount I think your results are amazing.
You can use the dodge tool too lightwn behind the horses head ...again not proper but it brings it out.
Alex
Thank you Alex. I really appreciate what you've said and your input and also to Chris who has taken the time to give me suggestions. The next few days are cloudy and even if they weren't they are full of moon. The pair of you have inspired me to get the lappy out and concentrate on my processing techniques. Thank you guys
The freezing is that your RAM is at max load, it will continue after a little bit. It'll happen in when opening such a large image and binning, it does get quicker after that.
Thank you Karl. I think it's time I stepped to star tools properly lol
When you say give it a stretch, what exactly does that mean ?
Hi Ryan,
I'm no expert at this but import your image into Photoshop or similar and use curves and levels to adjust your image. Those tools 'stretch' the image, extract/bring out the data. I'm sure there are many ways to do it, but that's a starting point for me. Make small steps at a time with each adjustment. Experiment though and there should be a few tips on the web related to that.
The result is nice, but 387x22 seconds ?
You can better take longer exposure times, e.g. 1, 2 or even 4 minutes per frame. That requires far less subs and even less total integration time.
E.g. 60x1 minute suffices.
The result is nice, but 387x22 seconds ?
You can better take longer exposure times, e.g. 1, 2 or even 4 minutes per frame. That requires far less subs and even less total integration time.
E.g. 60x1 minute suffices.
1,2 or 4 mins on a Celestron 4SE Alt-Az mount ? I'd be posting my photos in the star trails forum.
A mid-tone stretch in levels with Photoshop with help with star blowout. But it also tends to leave a few gradients which need to be smoothed with something like gradient xterminator.
Last edited by cometcatcher; 22-11-2018 at 11:35 PM.
I read about gradient exterminator in a site last night after the other guys had inspired me to delve deeper. It was on Astrobackyard. By the sound of it, a few Astro plug ins are available for PS so it's a toss up between getting plug ins for what I have or going dictated Astro software. Any thoughts ?
