Eagle Neubla

[E_ri_k]

Hey everyone, it's ben a while since I have posted anything. This was a bit of a project I started about 6 weeks ago, in between the 2 weeks straight of rain we had:lol:

Looking back at my first attempt at this target, I think its a pretty good improvement:D

I'm really happy with the amount of detail in the Pillars, although when I added some noise reduction, they softened out a bit.

There are some funny reflections to the left of the Pillars, around a couple of stars, and not sure where they have come from?

I'm pretty happy with the guiding too. Had some bad nights with wind, backlash etc, and some dodgy subs must have slipped into the stack. Some of the stars look a bit eggy, but I don't recon it's too noticeable.

I know it's a pretty popular target, but I hope you like it!

Total of 11 hours (44x15 minute subs)

Higher res version: http://www.astrobin.com/full/48656/?mod=none
Erik

[multiweb]

Terrific shot Erik. Really cool actually. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[RickS]

Well done, Erik!

[Larryp]

Nice one Erik

[Shiraz]

top quality image Erik - smooth and detailed. OSC's are doing very well lately. Regards ray

[jase]

The difference is chalk and cheese, Erik. Gigantic improvement, no doubt about it <two thumbs up>. The latest version is snap focus sharp with really impressive details. Watch out for the clipping of highlights. Looking forward to seeing more from you. Well done.

[E_ri_k]

Thanks Marc :)

Thank you Rick, I appreciate it.

Thanks Laurie

Cheers Ray, yeah the QHY is working really well at the moment. I'd love to have a better go at monochrome imaging one day though, and doing some HA work, but that will have to wait....

Thanks Jase, I'm glad you like it :) Do you think I over clipped the highlights? I recon there is more to be brought out, but I was worried that I'd wash the background out too much.

Thanks for the feedback guys:)

[jase]

Hi Erik, I suspect you're right that there is more info in the data to extract. The common goal is to present an image with as much dynamic range as possible which is often easier said than done. Your image shows great display of dynamic range but I feel the highlights (predominately stars) could be managed differently. I think I mentioned this in another post but when working with the additive RGB palette, white can't be coloured i.e. once you've hit 255 counts in all channels you can't add any more RGB values to it. By monitoring the highlights via a histogram as the data is stretch, you can keep a close eye if clipping is occurring. I believe you'll find if you back off the star intensity, not only will their stellar profiles be tighter/smaller but you get considerable colour saturation back in them for a more aesthetic result. If you're stretching the data manually using curves in photoshop or a similar processing tool, give DDP a try instead. I put together info on this a few years ago, but the principles remain the same. You can access the document here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=666789&postcount=40). Seriously the data you've got to work with is great, so I strongly believe its worth the effort to see if you can improve on the result. You'll likely also find with tighter/smaller stellar profiles that the extended object nebulosity will be enhanced too perhaps addressing your statement that there is more to bring out. In my opinion, stars can make or break an image. I often forget about them focusing my attention on the extended object and realise the image needs to be reworked again. I guess that's the fun of processing and knowing what the data is capable of. Hope this helps.

[E_ri_k]

Thanks Jase. I understand what you are saying. That may be the next step to take in regards to processing? Something I have never considered before. Thanks for the idea and feedback:)

Erik

[Ross G]

Hi Erik,

Great looking photo.

Beautiful colour and detail.


Ross.

[E_ri_k]

Thanks Ross:) Yeah, I'm really happy with the amount of detail I got into it.

Erik

[Lee]

Fantastic.... definitely the best Eagle I've seen for ages....

[prokyon]

Very nice, great colors and details! :thumbsup:

[petershah]

love the colour in this rendition, great shot

[E_ri_k]

Thanks Lee, that's a great compliment:)

Thanks:)

Thanks Peter, I backed off on the reds when working with it, and upped the blues a little. To me it looked better that way:) Glad you liked it.

Erik