Horsehead and Flame 1st run

[AdamJL]

My first ever take on the Horsehead and Flame.

Alnitak is a total pain to manage, I had to try and exposure-blend two different stretches, but that left a halo I can't figure out how to remove. I'll keep working on it

2600MC + Esprit 120 + 1x flattener. Taken up near Lithgow over 2 nights.
Processed in Pixinsight and finished in Photoshop (layer blends)

edit: Bigger version here (https://adamlawler.smugmug.com/Astrophotography/Deep-Sky-Objects/i-7vQ7GNx/A) , which is the edit in my post below.

thanks for looking. Any help in processing bright stars is most appreciated!

[CoolhandJo]

You nailed it! the colours sharpness and detail. Well done

[AdamJL]

thanks very much, Paul! Wasn't an easy edit so I'm glad you like it.

[AdamJL]

Second version here. Managed to use a StarTools version (which really was excellent at not blowing out the stars) and combined it with the original. Also kept in some nebulosity in NGC 2023 and IC 435. I'll be changing the original Smugmug link to point to this newer edit.

[Anth10]

Adam,
This version has really improved an already nice capture. Colour is well balanced and the processing is really well done.
Beautiful.
Anthony

[Startrek]

Adam,
Excellent image with so much depth
Nicely re processed too
Cheers
Martin

[multiweb]

Top shot Adam. Really good. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[AdamJL]

Thanks very much, Anthony. Pleased you liked the edit as well!



Thanks Martin. Editing was a challenge, but managed to combine the best of StarTools and the best of PI with this one!

[AdamJL]

Cheers buddy :)
Hope you're back home safe now?

[gregbradley]

That surprised me. So sharp and detailed, it looks like it was taken with a large aperture scope. Super shot for a first time imaging it. The halo around Alnitak does not draw your attention and given observatory class instruments often have there halos you're in good company. I personally would not worry about it. I did develop a processing procedure in Photoshop to remove halos. It works some of the time and other times not. Your one is a bit tricky as its not out in dark spaces of the image but rather right over part of the object itself.

You could try using the burn and dodge tools to get that brighter part of the halo darkened slightly. That would be the most you could do. Or you could try some judicious use of the healing brush.

One minor point, the red colour of the Ha curtain seems,to my eye, to have a bit too much yellow in it. Trying reducing the yellow in reds using the select colour tool in Photoshop.

Greg.

[Andy01]

Very smooth, almost painterly version of this timeless classic :thumbsup:

[AdamJL]

Thanks very much, Greg for the tips. You're spot on, I can see that yellow in the curtain as well. Thanks for pointing it out. I've attached a version where I think this is fixed?
The halo.. well it's probably tricky because I haven't blended the exposures too well. I'll keep working on it!



Ah thanks, Andy :) I'm really pleased you feel it's "painterly" as I find myself going towards that style more often these days; whether or not others like that sort of a thing, it's been intentional, so I'm glad it's coming across. The image can lose contrast, but I just love exposing that nebulosity sometimes.

[strongmanmike]

It's a really good classic HH image Adam, with authentic colouring and plenty of details. I agree with the almost misty but detailed, painterly quality too, very nice indeed, very well done :thumbsup:

Mike

[gregbradley]

That looks good Adam.

Another little point. That lovely blue cavelike structure to the left and below the HH shows a tinge of pinkish Ha in a few traces with a large aperture scope image.

The data may be there in the red channel that you enhance with the burn tool in the red channel if its visible.

Great detail and this must be the best first of the HH I've seen from anyone.

I like the painterly look as well.

Greg.

[AdamJL]

Thanks very much for your comment, Mike. Very kind :)



Thank you, Greg. I was working on another image today so didn't get a chance to come back to this, but I've had a look at it now.

That's interesting. I had a look in PS and can't see any red there. Maybe it was swamped by the blue on the OSC sensor. Drat. I have a mono camera coming so when I shoot this again I'll see what can be picked up with the Ha filter.

Thanks for the heads up, it'll be something I'll definitely keep an eye out for!

[pkinchington]

Great Blend - Great rendition. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[AdamJL]

Thanks, Peter!

[vlazg]

I keep coming back to look at this, excellent rendition :thumbsup:

[Nikolas]

The blend is excellent I love the dust channels in the blue areas

[AdamJL]

Ah thanks very much, George! Glad you like it



Cheers, Nik. StarTools was good at bringing out that detail. It's funny how each bit of software is really good at certain things; blending the best of all of them helps a lot

[Stephane]

Such a beautiful image Adam. Great job :thumbsup:

[AdamJL]

thanks, Stéphane :)