Please comment on M42

[leon]

Hi To You All,

Recently I have been asking questions about processing, and Histograms and the like, and I think I may be heeding your suggestions.

Therefore I would ask you to have a look at this image and give me your opinions, and offer any suggestions that may assist me in getting this right.

The image is of M42, and was taken a few weeks ago, but because my processing skills were pretty ordinary I decided not to post it, and realise that it is a little burnt out.

Since some of you explained what to look for and try, i followed your suggestions and came up with this, please comment.

The image consists of 6 expo's @ 3.00 mins each through the Tak 106 and 5D, on the G11, and guided with Philips Toucam.

Thank You, please be harsh if necessary, I wont be offended :lol:

Leon :thumbsup:

[acropolite]

I like that image Leon, it's not as "in your face" as most M42's. I particularly like the inky blackness around M42, I'd like to see it higher res. :thumbsup:

[Hagar]

Great shot Leon. The black is black and the colour is not too bright. It has that real milky appearance where the colours blend.Your stars are pin point and sharp. Remember with astro photography beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Almost all images have had some processing or another so who is to say one is better than another. It is realy an indication of your perception of the image and the only person you have to please is yourself.

Great shot
Cheers
Doug

[leon]

Phil, thank you, and if I knew how to send a higher res image i would, Sorry.
And Doug, thank you also, yes, I expect your right in what you are saying in regard to the way the image appears to different people.

I do quite like it, and expect that when M42 gets a little higher for me, and a bit more to the West, I may be able to lose some of the light pollution i have to put up with.

When i took this i was imaging across the City glow.

Leon :thumbsup:

[mill]

Very nice image Leon, getting better and better :)
One question? What is that bleuish dot right center?

[leon]

Mill, I think that may be just something on the sensor, or even the front element of the scope, i did see that.

leon

[jase]

I feel you've done a fine job there Leon. Colours aren't over powering and you've shown good contrast control. Well done.

[leon]

Jase, a comment like that from you, lets me know that I'm heading in the right direction, Thank You.

Leon

[Alchemy]

its pretty good leon. the 3 mins has cought the faint detail without blowing out too much in the middle.

10-15 years ago this would have been state of the art and a prized picture, we take for granted the high quality that we can produce these days.

look forward to more.

[Ric]

A fine image Leon, I think this has to be one of your best so far.
You have captured some fantastic detail.

Cheers

[Scorpius]

A nice image Leon, sometimes one's first or early photos come out much better than expected because you are not swayed by the complexities of achieving something perfect in the first place. I recall some of my first shots. I was proud of the hazy out of focus pictures. But it is the first step on the ladder which can only go up. Well done and hope you will achieve similar and even better shots in the future. Obtaining an appraisal is the best way to go and we have many members who have a great deal to offer in advice and help, even to the point of touching up your shots for you.

Cheers

[Scorpius]

Its an Interplanetary Blue Dot Store, closed for stocktaking , hence no lights :rofl:

[EzyStyles]

Hi Leon, the colours are spot on. For 3 minute exposure, i think that is pretty much the maximum you can stretch. If you take 10 x 10 sec shots and use layer masked technique, you can get the core right now to even more details. :thumbsup: overall, a fine image.

[iceman]

Very nice Leon, definitely one to be proud of. I'd be very happy with that!

[leon]

Thank You to everyone for your suggestions and kind comments, I am learning in small steps and each step seems to be in the right direction.

Leon

[Tamtarn]

Leon your learning steps are are doing you proud.

Your images are getting better all the time, nice contrast and colours in this image.

Well done. :thumbsup:

[leon]

Thanks Barb/Dave, I feel that I'm slowly getting there, and very happy with the results to date.

Eric, what you mentioned about Layer masking would probably be the way to go, but I still have to master that one, all in good time, I reckon.

leon

[Garyh]

Leon, you have done a great job at processing this :thumbsup:
background not to dark or clipped and the colors are very pleasing and image looks very sharp and detailed!
How you processed this image, must be on the right track!!
cheers Gary

[EzyStyles]

It is a technique and with layered masking, really depends on what settings. Play around with it until you are satisfied with the mask then flatten the mask :thumbsup:

[RB]

Leon that's a wonderful job you've done processing this one.
Histogram looks good and so do the colours.

Getting better and better. Keep up the great work.

If I was to suggest anything it would be to do a test shot first and frame the whole object more centrally before doing the proper run.

Goodonya mate.

:thumbsup:

[leon]

Thanks Andrew, yep, a lot of people do suggest a more central framing, and i will certainly give it a go, but i tend to like the object a little off center, that's just me i suppose, thank you for your comments

Leon :thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Very Very nice image leon.

I can't advise you regarding processing as you know where I sit on the astrophotographer food chain!!

Love it mate - beaut!!!!
Doug

ps...what's the new avatar?

[xelasnave]

Great capture Leon but not enough purple:lol::lol::lol:
You can be very proud not bad at all.
alex:):):)

[leon]

Thanks Alex, your not having a dig at the purple car are you.. :whistle: :lol:

and Doug, that is a sunset pic from the last Vic South Star Party, quite like that one actually, here is a full version

Leon :thumbsup:

[tornado33]

I cannot fault it. Sky neutral colour , and not too black or light, and the nebula well coloured but not over stretched or anything. Would be hard to improve upon.
Scott

[leon]

Thanks Scott, it is true there is only so much you can do to an image, and I like it too. ;)

Leon :thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Just opened up the pic in PS - a beautifully unclipped histogram, well done leon.
Doug:thumbsup: