Processing of Moon photos

[Mick (Michael)]

I use to think that processing digital images was to much bother, until I revisited some of my older Moon photos. Using only free programs I tried enhancing some of them, it's always hard to get a Moon photo as you see it at the EP, well for me it is, anyway this is a photo before and after.

[Mick (Michael)]

And here's the same photo using Photoshop Album 2.0 Starter and Neat Image to enhance.

[beren]

Thats a great image Mick , before and after , wish i could get some good results i find the moon pretty hard to focus right with the LPI.

[gbeal]

Wow Mick, a significant change.
I usually shoot multiples and stack them with Registax, although when I used an afocal camera I just shot the one. Great work.
Gary

[Saturn%5 (Graeme)]

That is an Amazing difference.

[iceman (Mike)]

Excellent work Mick, post-processing is a must for lunar images. It can really bring out some fine detail.

I'd suggest being careful with NeatImage though, it's easy to overdo it and in the end it removes fine details and can make the picture look too smooth and artificial.

Here's my quick processing attempt of your original.. I didn't run it through NeatImage at all, just some filters and contrast adjustments in Photoshop CS.

It's slightly different than yours but in the end it's up to personal preference and personal taste.

[Mick (Michael)]

Very nice Ice and thanks everyone, Gee I'll have to start saving for some good image processing software. Anybody use or seen Imagesplus http://www.mlunsold.com/. The camera settings for that photo were 1/35sec f/5.1 auto sensitivity. Imagine having a telescope trained on the Moon and seeing Tycho being formed with your own eyes.

[beren]

Mick your processed shot comes up really well outside the right quarter where the brightness hides some detail a little , Ices work brings the impact debris marking nicely . i really like the smooth lunar surface in the lower left hand corner reminds me of the views i get from the eyepiece and the detail along the shadow ....top stuff

[Mick (Michael)]

Yes me to, it's amazing how crisp and clear the Moon is in the EP.

[beren]

The last time i checked the moon was a couple of weeks ago during dusk, not to bright and the detail stunning had me racing for the LPI.

[Dave47tuc (David)]

Nice work Mick,
Geez that is a big diffrence

Best

[rumples riot]

Very nice gentleman, have to admit though I think the one that Ice processed is much better, you can see the rays of the crater really well. Still better than my shots

Paul