first eta carina images

[lookus]

this is my first attempt at eta carina. have only taken a few astro photos and i gave eta carina a go over 2 nights over the weekend.

total subs = 4 hrs (@5 min subs)
10 dark frames ( do i need more here?)
10 flat frames and dark flats( do i need more?)
do i need to do bias frames?

-450d @800 iso with a light pollution filter
-taken with an ed-80 on an eqmod controlled neq6
-guided with a 8" mak @ 1500mm focal length with phd and eqmod pulse guide adjustments
-stacked in DSS
-processed in photoshop

please give comments and opinions and any tips on how to improve the image.

thanks.

[CoolhandJo]

nice for first shot. All I can add is that the contrast seems a bit harsh. Nice framing and colours.

[jjjnettie]

That's a lot of imaging hours there. Well done.

[multiweb]

Great data but you went way to hard on the sharpening during processing. You need to tone down the contrast a tad too. Other than that you 99% there. :thumbsup:

[telecasterguru]

You have done very well. Lots of data well captured.

Frank

[Hagar]

Nice image but maybe a little hard on the sharpening accross the entire image. Sharpening is OK in some places but try to make it selective and not the whole image.

[spearo]

Agree with all comments
nice shot
good capture
slightly less aggressive curve in treatment or less contract/sharpening will give it a nice smooth effect
cheers
frank

[Bolts_Tweed]

Gday Luke

How come you are getting sky up the road and i'm not - smile

Mate any chance of posting a unprocessed image (just stacked with levels adjusted) to see where you came from with it. Better yet i'll PM you maybe send me a tiff.

The guys are right - you have the capture completely sorted out (data looks good) and focus is good too so you're more than half way there. A bit harsh in the sharpening and curves as stated but if you can send a unprocessed image I may be able to help a bit more

Mark

ps cloudy at Leyburn last weekend so you made the right decision staying home