NGC1977 and NGC2070

[browndog]

Recently purchased the Qguider from Gama Electronics - what a fantastic easy to use guide camera. So much better than the webcam that I was using. So many more stars to choose - so much easier.

These are some recent images that I have taken and recently processed. Any comments, tips or suggestions greatly appreciated.

NGC2070 (Tarantula Nebula) details:
This was taken last year - but reprocessed this week :)
8" SCT @ f6.3
Taken with Canon 350d "EzyStyles mod"
20 x 180 sec @ ISO800 taken from suburban backyard
darks, flats and off-set taken
guided with Qguider

NGC1977 (Running Man nebula) details:
8" SCT @ f6.3
Taken with Canon 350d "EzyStyles mod"
15 x 300 sec @ ISO800 taken from suburban backyard
darks, flats and off-set taken
guided with Qguider

[Octane]

Ian,

Nice work.

You might want to have another go at the Tarantula. The central portion looks like it's washed out, it's been desaturated and a slight colour cast has been applied, over the top of it. Otherwise, great effort on a none too easy target.

Regards,
Humayun

[multiweb]

I like your "surfing man". He does look like he's going down the tube :)
Got to agree with the tarantula. Something fishy's going on around the core processing (shadow/highlights?) but other than that it's a real nice shot. Very sharp focus and top guiding. :thumbsup:

[Garyh]

Very nicely done Ian!
Nice tight stars and great color. The Tarantula is very nice indeed. Very easy to burn the core out and you have managed that pretty well too (maybe a bit more masking there)?.
cheers Gary

[browndog]

Thank you Humayun, Mac and Gary for your comments - greatly appreciated:thumbsup:.
Another perspective on an image does make it easier to see where room from improvement can be made. I think that the core has been "burnt out" through stretching - as I didn't use any layer masks on the core to apply any additional colour. I am still learning to this so feedback is always appreciated.

[AlexN]

they look very nice to me... starts are very very tight, and beautifully round! How is your 8" SCT mounted? on equatorial forks or GEM?

I like the closer crop of the running man.. looks very nice indeed...

The tarantula shot is good, the little tweaks that have been mentioned should make it a GREAT shot! :)

Well done.
Alex.

[spearo]

well done
I especially like the center of the Tarantula, very nicely detailled
cheers
frank