Reprocessed NGC 4038/4039

[marc4darkskies]

So, I'm modifying my processing workflow (in Photoshop) to account for my new processing toys; StarXterminator and NoiseXterminator! Apologies in advance for boring you with another repro.

I always knew there was more depth in my 2016 data but couldn't reveal it effectively because of noise. My new toys removed the noise limitation and improved my ability to work on the galaxy (sans stars), and stars (sans galaxy). For this image I reprocessed my Lum and RGB masters, then combined them (all in Photoshop). The result is more faint extents and more faint stars. I was able to improve some of the colours in the body of the galaxy too, but they're mostly the same.

Below is the old version (Left) and new version(Right).

Links to larger versions here:

Full res: https://pbase.com/gailmarc/image/163198418/original
Full res Flickr (can zoom in): https://www.flickr.com/photos/marc4darkskies/27360232180/in/dateposted-public/

(I always recommend Firefox for viewing images with embedded colour profiles)

[Maurice]

That looks great Marcus.
Certainly shows more of the outliers to this galaxy pair.

I must have a go at using those plugins; they are bound to help from my polluted skies.

Cheers
Maurice

[LKD]

Great shot

[gregbradley]

Best image I have seen of this object. A really large improvement.

Thanks for the info.

Greg.

[Dave882]

Great improvement these new tools really are effective- but I’m sure having some pretty damn good data helped too!! Well done!

[alpal]

Hi Marcus,
what an amazing improvement.
Those new tools: StarXterminator and NoiseXterminator
have worked very well indeed.


cheers
Allan

[marc4darkskies]

Cheers Maurice. Give them a go. I can't recommend them highly enough.



Thanks Luke!



Thanks very much Greg!



Cheers Dave. Yes, good data always helps, that's true. But noise is ever present and removing it opens to door to pulling out more detail, as does operating on subject and stars separately.



Thanks Allan! If you haven't been able to tell, I'm pretty excited by them! :lol: Can't wait to get some new data to play with!

[Addos]

fantastic shot. nice details, great colours. a beautiful target and your capture shows it off :)

[marc4darkskies]

Cheers Adam!

[alpal]

Hi Marcus,
it's always fun to play with new programs.
I have found this web page that is a very clever method to reduce noise:
http://www.bf-astro.com/backgndrepair.htm


Also - you can split RGB channels in Photoshop and work
on the channel that is giving the most noise -
which could be any of the RGB channels or all of them.
It works by adding noise!


Also - here is a video review on your program:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqsUUYSKelg



cheers
Allan

[marc4darkskies]

I already use a method similar (I think) to this to flatten my uneven background. I have coarse, medium and fine versions (PS actions). I don't use it to control noise because noise is often in the background and midtones.



Thanks Allan! I'll add it to my two other review videos! :D

[Peter Ward]

Russ Croman's tools have been a key ingredient to my workflow
for a time now, hence I have to fully support your advocating of his plug-ins

...but I have noticed the noise exterminator can mask fine shadow detail.

Nice re-pro just the same :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks Peter.

Hmmm ... I haven't noticed any destruction of fine shadow detail (with the correct slider settings).

[Peter Ward]

I can be ham-fisted at times...so fair 'nuff :lol:

[Benjamin]

Amazing image and quite an improvement. Also a convert to the RC tools which seem to work well and make life a whole lot simpler, although I’m still experimenting with the slider settings.

[PeterSEllis]

A lovely image Marcus. Many thanks for the information about Noise Exterminator, I have played with Topaz AI Noise Reduction but was not very happy with what it did to Stars at times. As the video you gave a link to says, it might not me quite as sharp as Topaz, but the Stars aren't damage when using Noise Exterminator, I can live with that. The other big bonus with Noise Exterminator is that it can be intergated into Pixinsight, a big bonus for me. :D

Cheers
Peter

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks Ben! Definitely worth experimenting to discover its limitations.


Cheers Peter! I've never used topaz but heard it can damage stars. I also haven't noticed any issues with sharpness using NoiseXterminator. But I'll watch out for it. Typically I apply a mask when reducing noise so only shadows are denoised.

[Bassnut]

yes, quite an improvement, allowed the arms especially to stretch right out !.

[marc4darkskies]

Yes indeed! Thanks Fred!

[multiweb]

Really nice repro Marcus. Awesome colors and details. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[marc4darkskies]

Thanks Marc!

[Ryderscope]

Wow, amazing what one can do with old data and new processing tools :thumbsup:

[marc4darkskies]

Thank you Rodney! It's no exaggeration to say the new tools are a game changer for me.

[matlud]

Great image Marcus, always interesting revisiting old data, impressive difference with the streams and faint halo 👍👍

[marc4darkskies]

Cheers Mathew!