NGC6188 now in colour repro posted

[gregbradley]

Last night the cloud band moving over NSW and Victoria moved past sooner than expected so it was clear from about 12am onwards.

So I took another 4 hours of NGC6188 to complete the image.

I already had 2 hours of Ha (4 x 15mins).

Planewave CDK17, FLI Proline 16803, PME, Astrodon Gen 11 filters and MMOAG with ST402.

http://upload.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/135285400/original large
http://upload.pbase.com/gregbradley/image/135285400/large regular

If I get some clear weather I think I'll continue this and do a 2 panel mosaic.

Greg.

[Octane]

Greg,

Needs more contrast. You need to bring the band/ribbon out. At the moment, it's just melting into the background nebulosity.

H

[strongmanmike]

:doh: I just posted a repro of this area :rolleyes: :lol:

This looks great Greg, I think it is one of your best from recent efforts. I know what Humi is saying (worth a repro just to see) but I still like the way the wall details are subtle, the image scale is imense, the colour lovely and the stars look beautiful, great result.

Mike

[renormalised]

Nice piccie, Greg, although I agree with H. The dragons just don't have any punch because the contrast doesn't seem to do it.

I think this neb looks much better in NB.

[Stevec35]

Nicely done Greg. I do agree that more contrast would help to give it more crunch though.

Cheers

Steve

[Hagar]

Nicely done Greg. Looks like a mamoth task with this many colours/layers. The image does seem to have lost a little depth in my opinion anyway.
Still very nice.

[atalas]

Nice Greg...do I see a rotation alignment or reflection problem to the stars further out?

[oosh]

Cracking work Greg. I'm not an imager, but if you find it faded a touch of contrast as per the other guys suggestions may help the colour pop a little more :)

[Ross G]

Hi Greg,

I really like the photo.

Nice detail and smooth tones...looks real.


Thanks.

Ross.

[gregbradley]

I've done some more work on the contrast. Perhaps this new version is better.



Thanks Steve.



I think NB does suit it better but I should be able to get it nice regardless.



Thanks Mike. A repro is now posted - same link.



Fair enough.



There was a minor problem. I can go back and do a proper alignment in CCDstack with the Ha which was cropped rather than the transform function in PS which is not as accurate.



Done.



Thanks Ross.

Thanks for the replies and hopefully this newer version has enhanced the contrast more.
I'd like to get it right as I am considering a mosaic but it wouldn't be worth it if the first panel
isn't right.

Perhaps I should do it in NB.

Greg.

[multiweb]

Great shot Greg. :thumbsup: I think the original is fine. People are not used to see that much luminosity in the center and I think that's why they think the contrast is wrong but fact is that this area is very bright in widefield shots and that's very obvious, so you're on the money IMHO. You've got 17" of aperture. It let's in a lot more light that's why.

[Octane]

Marc,

That may be so, but, it just looks bland if there's no subject that is selectively processed to stand out from the background. This object needs it. Just my opinion.

H

[multiweb]

I see. Matter of taste then. Mike's processed the ridge real hard with selective sharpening so that it sticks really out but doesn't look natural IMO. I kind of prefer when it's more subtle like this rendition.

I think the same argument would come with M42 core or M8, NGC2070. It can look natural or overdone. Fine line but so many interpretations and preferences.

[Stevec35]

I think it looks very nice now Greg. In fact I think it's one of your best CDK17 shots yet.

Cheers

Steve

[Octane]

Oh, I don't mean sharpening. Just some subtle curves to make the ribbon stand out. The oversharpened look is what gives the unnatural look. :)

H

[gregbradley]

Thanks Marc. I'll probably redo part of this as there was an alignment issue with the Ha. I should have aligned it in CCDstack as it was cropped and no longer matched the LRGB. I don't mind punching up the contrat to highlight that ridge.

I am imaging the 2nd panel of the mosaic right now so it'll be worth getting it just right as mosaics are a bit of an investment in time.



That's great I've started imaging the 2nd panel so that is encouraging.

Greg.