|
Hi Peter!
Yes, Photoshop is not needed for Astro Image processing.
I handle the whole process from calibration, register,
stacking, Background neutralization, Gradient removal,
Color Calibration, LRGB Combine in linear mode in PixInsight,
than Stretch the masked Image, increase contrast, Stretch the
Saturation and also do the final tweaks including
automatic Annotation from the different vizier catalogues
with PixInsight. PS has not a single function for astrophoptography
and if it cannot Import 32 Bit files you already loose
important data in converting from 32 Bit-fits to 16 Bit TiFF.
You should remove any software which does not Support
32-point Floating Point from you Image processing process
because 16-Bit Format kills your faint Details in your
stacked Images.
I think the most steap learning curve is in Photoshop
if you want to use it properly. Most People only use
curves and Histogramm Stretch in PS - those who produce
excellent Images with photoshop have many years experience
with PS.
The big issue with PS is also that you are supported
to paint your Image in the way you think it should look like.
With dedicated programs like PI you process the data
and dont overpaint...
I have seen many top imagers using the paint functions
in PS.
Gerald
|