The continuing torture of the Trifid, aka does my bum look too pink in this?

[RickS]

First attempt at blending Ha into the M8/M20 region LRGB by mixing Red+Ha and Lum+Ha. I tried a few different amounts. This version added 30% Ha to Red and 75% to Luminance. I also tried a few versions with the PixInsight HaRGBCombination script but didn't like any of those.

I don't like the way that the fine blue reflection nebulosity has been attenuated but I'm hoping I can take care of that once I get the pink stuff looking OK. So, what do you reckon? Too lurid?

Bigger version here: http://rickstevenson.smugmug.com/Astro-Photography/2012-07/24276295_KctMFz#!i=1988496475&k=hsZz8P7&lb=1&s=O (http://rickstevenson.smugmug.com/Astro-Photography/2012-07/24276295_KctMFz#%21i=1988496475&k=hsZz8P7&lb=1&s=O)

Thanks,
Rick.

[gregbradley]

Personally I think its a bit too saturated but its wonderfully sharp and detailed and the stars look fantastic. Adding Ha to luminance will weaken blue reflection nebs.

I almost never add Ha to luminance as it tends to deteriorate the image and make colours go odd. I know some tutorials advise to do that.

Greg.

[DavidTrap]

Great detail Rick, but the colour would definitely be appreciated more by my 6 & 4yo girls!!

DT

[RickS]

Thanks, Greg. I'll have a go with just straight Luminance and see how that goes. I was hoping to capture some of the fine detail from the Ha and that's why I tried blending with the Lum as well.

David, yes, it is a bit strong :D I realised that the whole image was quite dark and have stretched it a bit more. I think the my-little-pony colour is tamed a little by this:

http://rickstevenson.smugmug.com/Astro-Photography/2012-07/24276295_KctMFz#!i=1988539736&k=ZRJZDnz&lb=1&s=O (http://rickstevenson.smugmug.com/Astro-Photography/2012-07/24276295_KctMFz#%21i=1988539736&k=ZRJZDnz&lb=1&s=O)

Cheers,
Rick.

[petershah]

a beautiful image rick

[pmrid]

Hey Rick, are you having a pink phase? What an image - the mono blew my socks off for scale and sharpness and this one for different reasons. It does have a rather feminine colouration - a little er intimate perhaps!
Peter

[RickS]

Thank you, Peter!



Thanks, Peter, err I think :lol: It's definitely not a modest, respectful treatment of the data.

I had a thought overnight... these images are the result of bumping up the red after colour calibration (with eXcalibrator). Next version I'm going to add the Ha to the red channel and do colour calibration afterwards. I'm hoping that will give me a natural colour rendition but with the Ha data still present and visible. I also had some ideas about how to restore the blue nebulosity with a bit of PixelMath. Hmmm...

[atalas]

Nice work Rick.

[multiweb]

Wasn't a fan of the mono luminosity but that colour blend I like very much. Top stuff. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Amazing field Rick

Only the bright areas of the Lagoon look like they could do with a bit of dynamic range fiddling, I liked the contrast of the first one..as for the pink...no probs by me :D

Mike

[Dennis]

Hi Rick

The full res version looks stunning. The colour, tones and overall impression tick all the boxes for me – excellent work! Don’t tell me that you captured this from Brisbane?:)

Cheers

Dennis

[RickS]

Thanks, Louie & Marc!



I'm not done fiddling yet. Thanks for the feedback and glad you like the pink, Mike ;)



Thanks very much, Dennis. Data was all captured at my dim sky site at St Lucia :lol: This was originally intended to be a first test of the STL11K camera on the FSQ. I'm surprised it has turned out as well as it has.

[adman]

Ah geez Pete - keep it clean! :lol: now you pointed that out, I'll never look at the lagoon in the same way

Nice image though Rick.

Adam

[pmrid]

At least it shows my memory still works.
Peter

[Ross G]

Still a great photo Rick.

The monochrome was amazing and I like your colour version.

The only way we are going to learn is by experimenting and yours look good.

Ross.

[RickS]

Thanks, Adam. I hope they don't let you and Peter near a Rorschach test :lol:



Thanks, Ross.

I think I've found my favourite treatment for now... I got a more pleasing look to the nebulosity by adding Ha to Red and then doing an eXcalibrator run to determine the "correct" proportions of R+Ha, G and B. Now that I think I'm happy with the colours I'll go reprocess and add all my usual tweaks along the way. Watch this space...