Sun - more experiments

[peter_4059]

Got everything set up again today for some solar imaging practice. Started with the 400D and I think I've got the focus closer this time.

I then tried the Neximage to see if I could get some sunspot detail. It's been years since I've used Registax and will obviously need to spend a lot more time learning how to use it again but here's my initial attempt - no detail but at least I could centre the sunspot in the frame!

[Matt Wastell]

Looking great Peter!
Let's hope the weather is clear for the Venus transit!?

[peter_4059]

Thanks Matt - have you chosen a site for it yet? I don't think my East horizon is going to be adequate but will need to check it out over the coming weeks.

[Dennis]

Hi Peter

Much better, the focus seems spot on.

I took a copy of your JPG image and using Topaz Detail, (Topaz Labs) I applied the Micro Contrast Enhancement plug-in to reveal more of the granulation texture.

Cheers

Dennis

[peter_4059]

Thanks Dennis - that's quite an improvement. I'm off to the Topaz website.....

[Dennis]

Hi Peter

I find the Topaz Plug-ins very good and the 3 I use most are:

Topaz Detail (Micro Contrast Enhancement).
Topaz Adjust (Photo Pop or the HDR effects).
Topaz DeNoise.

I suspect that the results produced by these plug-ins could be replicated in Photoshop but I don’t really want to poke around in the depths of PS so I’m quite content to use the plug-ins.

I apply them as a separate Layer with a transparency set to between 25% to 30% and they always work better on good data.

Cheers

Dennis

[peter_4059]

Thanks Dennis. I downloaded a trial version and have had a quick play. Just wondering if you did multiple passes of the micro contrast filter or just one? Also did you make any adjustments to the sliders or just go with the default?

Here's my attempt!

Peter

[Dennis]

Hi Peter

I just used the MCE defaults with a single pass and the results you have posted look quite reasonable for this.

I didn’t keep the file but from memory, I also did an auto Levels adjust and blended that in at maybe 50%?

The final tweak was “Photo Pop” from the Topaz Adjust plug in as a new Layer, again blended in at between 25-30% (can’t recall the exact figures as I just drag the slider to taste!).

Photo Pop “lifts” the image in the form of a mild HDR effect.

Cheers

Dennis