Multi-Scale Processing - M31

[Martin Pugh]

Hi all
I have been experimenting with this procedure for a while which as you know is a technique whereby you seperate out the large scale detail from the small scale detail, treat it, then recombine in pixel math.

I thought M31 would be a good example to start on.

Here is the original SBIG STL image, which includes 6 hrs of Ha.

and here is the reworked image (3Mb).

Let me know what you think.

cheers
Martin

[h0ughy (David)]

its certainly bringing out the level of detail in the galaxy - maybe with the illusion of being more colourful? its certainly reduced the "glow" of the first shot

[multiweb (Marc)]

Looks a bit more saturated and colourful but I find the original more detailed.

[gregbradley]

I like it. That's a nice improvement

Greg.

[DavidTrap (David)]

I like the effect, but I have no idea what you mean by large scale vs small scale detail?

DT

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

Looks a bit more saturated and colourful but I find the original more detailed.

Exactly. Dunno Martin, nice try though...............

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

Got to be honest Martin - blinking them I don't see an improvement. I think the original has the edge in fact. The new one is a little too saturated IMO. I don't mind the increased contrast in the new version but you could get that from some gentle unsharp masking.

Cheers, Marcus

[Octane (Humayun)]

I much prefer the reprocess. Nothing wrong with a bit of saturation! It's art, afterall. : )

The only thing that needs addressing, in my opinion, is the core. Something in the middle of both versions would be ideal, I feel.

H

[Ross G]

Hi,

What is the advantage in shooting M31 in Ha?

Thanks

Ross

[Octane (Humayun)]

To pick up the pink bits.

H

[Ken Crawford (KenC)]

Looks Great Martin,

I have played with wavelets before in PI - but end up simulating the same thing in Photoshop with masks made from High Pass Filters and selection processes.

I have always felt the sharpening or enhancing should be done selectively for the final process.

Well done, there is very nice improvement.

[Tom Davis (Tom)]

I like them both, Martin!

Tom

[Ross G]

Hi Martin,

I am amazed at the detail in the "disk" and the colourful, pin point stars in both versions.
I do, however, prefer the richer, deeper colours of the reworked version.

Ross.

[Martin Pugh]

Thanks for all that great feedback. As you can see, there is no right or wrong way to process an image!

I blinked the images many times myself and thought that the multiscale processing had made a significant improvement. Indeed Ken, you can get pretty much the same result in PS.

I took the newly processed luminance to create the added detail and contrast, but the heavier colour came about by my reapplication of the new LRGB image in soft light blend mode - that added the saturation.

The technique in PI is not straightforward at all, unless you are well practiced in it of course....took me bloody ages.

large scale v small scale - the former would equate to the spiral arms and the core of the galaxy...the latter would relate to the HII regions, dust lanes and stasr.

cheers
Martin