Photoshop

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

Which tools and features of Photoshop are most used by the AP guys?
Histograms, Curves, layers, masking etc.

PS is designed for professional photographers with many features which would probably never be used in AP.
What couldn't you live without????

[glend (Glen)]

I think i am using most of the useful AP features, many if which are shown in Photoshop AP tutorials by guys like Ken Crawford. Clipped layers are useful for colorising mono camera RGB and Narrowband files, and each layer can be manipulated individually by adding curve, level, contrast and other controls clipped to that layer. . It seems a bit complicated but once you have used it awhile it is pretty quick to build the layers. Problem is the file size on the base layer can quickly get massive if you want to save all the layers. Best approach is to pre-stretch your input files before you start the layering. Individual colour control is also nice, allowing you say to dial back magenta in some stars. Adding luminance is easy with slider opacity control and ability to switch back and forth between various light preferences, like soft light, etc. I find a large calibrated monitor a useful tool to support Photoshop. I am definitely still learning. Btw you dont have to spend a lot of money to buy Photoshop, just enroll for Photoshop CC and pay $10 a month, leave when you want.

[HarryD (Greg)]

PhotoKit sharpener is very good for non astro stuff and does a good job with astro images as well. It is another purchase, but worth it.
I am having a play with Annie's Astro Actions at present. Well worth the $A20 dollars or so.
I agree with the comment regarding a good monitor, or 2 as I have. A must for any image manipulation.

Greg

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Layers and Masking, Levels, Curves, surface blur for most actions. But depends on the image.

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

I'm trying to come to terms with the cost/ benefit of PS.
IMHO it's a professional photographers software which has some/ few features which are useful to the amateur astrophotographer....

[PRejto (Peter)]

Ken,

I'm not sure I agree with you about Photoshop. Sure, there are many features that one might never use for astro photos. However, personally, I could not imagine getting along without it. There are some truly amazing features that give incredible flexibility to image processing. I highly recommend both of Adam Block's tutorials. They are eye openers. In my view the only true competitor is Pixinsight. I guess it offers even more than Photoshop though I have found it hard going. I'm sure that is my own fault as it is hard not to become overwhelmed by the depth and at times strangeness of the program. I try and then I go back to PS because I know how to get the result I want (most of the time).

Peter

[Andy01 (Andy)]

I do my AP processing with Startools, Photoshop and Nik filters, which are free from Google as a PS plug in.
So many great free tools there in Nik, and unlike Pixinsight, I get PS. (No disrespect to others who use Pixinsight).
Each to their own, I recently presented a talk on AP processing with PS to the ASV members - seemed to be popular too - might load it up here soon if there's interest

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

Peter/ Andy, et al,
Has anyone compared the features of the latest PaintShop Pro to PS?