First Spider Attempt with the big one

[TrevorW]

This was taken last night between 8-11 pm no moon although LP South fairly evident

21 by 1 minute frames
18 by 5.5 minute frames for just over 2 hrs data

stacked DSS, processed in PixInsight and CS3

Canon 350d
GSO 8" RC

cropped

[bmitchell82]

the data is there but its red as red could be, even to the stars they are all red too.

[TrevorW]

Ok Brendan I pulled the curves back on the red channel

[bmitchell82]

there is alot more to do to it than just pulling back on the red channel, because its now looking like its purple. What screen are you processing on because it makes a MASSIVE difference to your end product. Im working on a Dell 19" Ultrasharp DVI thats been colour calibrated with a professional calibration tool called Spyder 3 Pro.

[TrevorW]

Just a LG Flatron 22" calibration just auto

[rogerg]

Agree with brendan - brilliant data there, you've got really nice smooth nebulosity and lots of it. And it's not burnt out in the core :thumbsup: But it is very red. I've played a little but not happy with my results so won't bother posting them.

Is your 350D modified? I can't remember sorry.

You've done better than I have with my 350D (un-modified) and 2070. That object's a no-go zone for me with the 350D, nothing good comes of photographing it! :lol:

[TrevorW]

Thanks Roger yes it's a modified 350d

red is very dominant

when stacking I use DSS do you align the RGB channels or leave as is when saving the TIFF file

[bmitchell82]

all that does is just gives you a little bit of a head start when you do start processing

I use a 40d that has no baadar filter installed, aka its fully open i do use the astronomik 2" screw in filter so essentially our cameras are about the same.

using the histograms in PS will help you neutralize the rest.

[trick]

I personally like no colour just as you see it with the naked eye.

How do you take images with no colour?

[bmitchell82]

well taking images without colour is a bit boaring but we are all intitled to our opinion, generally you would get a mono camera and take the images that way or in the case of a OSC use a program to compress the image to a gray scale.

[TrevorW]

This is uncropped version

adjusted levels without trying to touch curves too much

this can be frustrating as hard too determine what others see

also I don't know if it's me but even posting onto a different forum the image can appear different

[AlexN]

Trevor - if your images appear different on different forums, I would assume then that your monitor is automatically adjusting colour and or contrast on the fly based on what it is displaying. If this is the case, then you're going to have a VERY hard time producing an image that is pleasing to both you, and the rest of the population... My TV/Monitor used to do this until I found out how to turn it off... Since then I've had much more luck...

As has been said, I love the detail, the data itself looks very nice indeed... You just need to get your monitor under control...

Alex.

[multiweb]

Best repro in this thread IMO. Nice shot. :thumbsup:

[AlexN]

agreed.. most natural colour and good looking FOV.

[TrevorW]

Thanks for the feedback

I've notice as with art, critique is based on the eye of the beholder

and in our case what is seen on the viewers monitor

[Garyh]

Actually I find your original post by far the best Trevor. Color balance is a real personal choice.
Maybe in my eye`s a little red?
Have a look on the net at some of the best and go from there.
cheers Gary

[bluescope]

Regardless of monitor calibration and personal ideas of what looks best you have made a good effort here Trevor and you've come a long way with your imaging since your earlier postings. Keep it up mate !

:thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

Thanks Steve and Gary

[Garyh]

Hope you don`t mind but just had a quick play.
Adjusted levels black point/middle slider and some selected color balance. Noticed some black clipping there as well. Didn`t take much before I was happy with the colors. Your data looks very good even with only a jpg image. :thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

Thanks all for your responses colour is very subjective I've had such a gambit of responses regarding the colour it's really hard to know what will be pleasing too all.

Although getting something to balance my monitor so the colours appear more natural and consistant will be my next major purchase in the new year

[rogerg]

just enjoy taking the shots and making them the colour you want'm :) :thumbsup: can never please everyone else :)

[TrevorW]

Thanks Roger I've been overwhelmed by the number of responses too this image, first ever over 300 view's on CN, you may be right just do it as I see fit and let the viewee's be the judge

[Paul Haese]

Trevor, I want to comment on what I think is good about the image. Colour I think is best sorted by doing a auto colour in PS and see how that presents. If it ends up too green look around at other peoples examples, find one you like and then work towards that image colour.

That said, I think the focus is good, some selective sharpening via a mask will help sharpen some areas and keep the stars natural looking. Go to Ken Crawford's site and check out his tutorials on slective sharpening. This is a technique worth learning.

I think the detail is very good but you could have gone for 10 minute subs to increase the depth of detail. There is plenty of smooth nebulosity in your image so you are on the right track.

Overall I think the image is good but could do with some refining. Perhaps start from scratch and see how you go with the colour and sharpening.

The Tarantula I found is the toughest image I have worked on to date. It is hard to get everything right. Your guiding helps to make this image look good. Stars only have to look just slightly elongated on this target and then everything looks wrong. Keep at it, your images are improving all the time and in 1 year you have come a long way.

[TrevorW]

Thanks Paul I'll keep at it

[AlexN]

I would definitely agree with Paul, and go as far as to say I think this is the best image you have produced yet... keep at it!! :)