Lagoon and Trifid with more star colour

[gregbradley]

277546After some trial and error I found the lack of star colour from my original
image of this was due to using high gain narrowband mode on the camera instead of lower gain broadband mode. Also I took longer exposures (300 seconds instead of 120) and there was no moon damaging the colour.

So now the stars have colour. Not as much though as if I used a CCD camera but perhaps its more accurate being mostly pastel colours like David Malin says star colours are.

Also I did a version with a synthetic luminance which is a combination of LRGB and another with HaRGB (both had the same effect).Basically it boosted the background brightness and did not affect the nebula areas except around the Trifid. So a worthwhile experiment.

Which version do you prefer?

https://pbase.com/gregbradley/image/171784413/large regular size file

https://pbase.com/gregbradley/image/171784413/original large sized file

Alternate version with synthetic luminance:

https://pbase.com/gregbradley/image/171784416/large regular sized file

https://pbase.com/gregbradley/image/171784416/original large sized file

I prefer the standard version as the synthetic luminance highlights the stars a bit too much. With nebula images you usually want the stars to recede in order to highlight the nebula.

Greg.

[Andy01]

Much nicer star colours now Greg, and my vote is for version #1 :thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

Thanks Andy. Yes the first version is my preference also.

Greg.

[alpal]

Nice now Greg,
better star colors and much more blue nebulosity around the Trifid.
I like the first version on this page.

One tiny improvement could be a blurred layer mask used on the
bright center of the Lagoon
to give it more contrast but that's artistic license.


cheers
Allan

[JA]

Very Nice Greg - Definetly number 1.:thumbsup:
The image pops more /better contrast and darker black lanes with richer overall colour

Best
JA

[astronobob]

Details are very sharp & an eye-opening Image, excellent view colour, ballance & framing :cool2:

[Peter Ward]

The Benz with Connolly leather in the beige or black....decisions, decisions? :)

Both very classy renditions.

I'll be the contrarian and say number 2

[gregbradley]

A local contrast enhancement layer?



Thanks JA, that was the one I preferred for those reasons.



Thanks Bob.



Hehe, so long as the cup holders are sturdy.

Greg.

[topheart]

Both....

:rofl:

Cheers,
Tim

[strongmanmike]

Very nice Greg :thumbsup: Both lovely, I think picking a favourite will depend very much on the viewing environment and monitor used by the judge :)

Mike

[gregbradley]

Thanks Tim. Yes I think its a technique that will suit some images more than others.




Cheers 1450 Mike.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

:lol:...I like that, has a ring to it...hmmm?..or there's the imperial version, 4757 Mike :question: :lol:

[The_bluester]

I actually like version 2 due to it bringing out more of the faintest whispy nebulosity and dusty stuff, down around the "Toes" in particular.

[Startrek]

Greg,
Both lovely images
My preference is no 2 though
Well done !!
Martin

[RobF]

Nice that both of them bring out the haze of blue around the lagoon (and the "foot"). I like the colours of the star clouds in #1 in particular.

p.s. If you really can't decide, there's always PixelMath in PI to just take the average :D

[gregbradley]

Thanks Paul. That whispy nebulosity is quite nice. Delicate as well.



Thanks Martin. I think its the best Lagoon/Trifid I've done so far.



Yes there is that - thanks Rob.

Greg.

[Geoff45]

The detail is amazing. Those little dark globules in the Lagoon really stand out well.

Nicely done.
Geoff

[gregbradley]

Thanks Geoff. I am happy with this AP scope and QHY camera combo.

Greg.

[IanP]

Version #1 for me ...
:hi:

[gregbradley]

Thanks Ian,

Greg.