[xelasnave]

Hi Paul

I think you are making wonderful progress.

Clearly you are able to manage the software..that is the first part...the results may go up and down but I believe it is only by pushing the boundaries that you can learn...my stuff is at the cartoon stage..I know that..but at least my efforts gives me greater skills pushing an image...maybe not perf ct but better for me..that is the only thing that is important. I may not be the best but do the best I can do...

And really that is what it is about...my stuff comes from very short exposures unguided etc but hopefully in time the skills of pushing the software will help when I improve on a variety of projects ....from guiding to camera control...better processing control..addition of darks and flats and darks for the flats etc...and fare I day etc.
I like both images..perhaps the second (first post) mostly cause I know that you have tried so hard. Natural??? What is that? It's a rendition only and the best image can never show an agreed upon reality...even Hubble pre define colour..no problems to redefine colour in my book...it's what I see in an image that is important...not anything else.
Finally..the final image..in my view..is an expression of how you have done it... colour is in my view a place to play it anyway you want..given the width of the EMS surely anything goes...look at the "no star" approach that seems to be favoured...I can't respect critism of anything from folk who can eliminate stars and ignore the artistic element...you have done well that's all you need to focus upon.
Alex