[Octane (Humayun)]

Mike,

Thanks, Mike.

I know what you mean about the spikes looking like they've been induced. I will be careful in future to mask my curves so they don't highlight the spikes that much. And, yep, finally, followed your advice and used cotton.

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Lovely work Humi, the extra exposure time has paid off with a velvet smooth look but not plastic...those star spikes do look like software induced ones though..? Cotton you say huh?

Mike

Marc,

Cheers, matey. All other images I had seen of this object had the cores of the cluster in the middle. I intentially cropped the image in this fashion because those beautiful outer stars really do add a dynamic to the field.

Originally Posted by multiweb

That's a beauty Humayun. The framing and processing are tops. Lovely star colors. Love the spikes. You have to have diffraction spikes. No doubt about that.

Steven,

I'm pleased it meets your approval.

Originally Posted by sjastro

I'm not usually a fan of open clusters but this one stands out Humayun.

Regards

Steven

Adam,

Cheers, buddy. It looks really pretty through a scope, too. The cluster really sticks out naked eye, too. Can't miss it.

Originally Posted by lacad01

Beautiful work Humayun. So clear. Can't wait to get some decent skies so I can have a peak at this cluster

Ric,

Cheers, and, I agree.

Originally Posted by Ric

Very nice Humayun, I like everything about it.

Poor old clusters tend to be forgotten at times but they do produce such classic images.

Cheers

Steve,

Thanks! Long exposures for me mean velvet smooth and inky-black backgrounds devoid of noise.

Originally Posted by bluescope

Looks very nice to me Humayun ... makes me want to attach my 5D Mark II to the FLT110 when I get back home and on my feet again ... keep it up ... and I see nothing wrong with long exposures on clusters ... they are beautiful objects

Greg,

Thanks, mate.

Originally Posted by gregbradley

A lovely capture. Very aesthetic.

Greg.

Thanks, everyone!

Regards,
Humayun