Since this is a complete re-do of my first ever astoimage, I've attached below the before (left) and after crops to show what a few years of practise (and much more data) can do.
Cheers, Marcus
EDIT 3/2/11: =========
I thought it might be fun to find supernova SN 1987a in amongst all the nebulosity. Here's the result. A mere 900% enlargement!! A bit extreme of course, and forgive the resultant artefacts, but at least you can see the colour of the expanding shell! The field of view is a tiny 3.9 x 2.7 arcmins. BTW, I only did some curves processing - no sharpening at all.
Not quite a Hubble image (!) but, like I said, a bit of fun!
EDIT 11/2/11: =========
I've now done a 200% enlargement of the spider and did a bit of curves processing plus a little decon. It's a very interesting though rather chaotic place.
Excellent Marcus, extensive nebulosity and lots to see, rather dramatic too. Strong rather uniform pink-magenta but looks good I recon. Another example of why medium focal length rules ..and why 6" is really all you need to saitisfy
The improvement since 06 (?) is rather evident.
Mike
Ed. Many say that it is the equipment that counts (not being rude this time) but your comparison clearly shows what the same equipment can do in the hands of people with varying processing skills - in this case old Marcus and new Marcus .
Last edited by strongmanmike; 01-02-2011 at 12:12 PM.
You gotta be happy with that. There's a real sense of depth to that image.
Fabulous work.
H
Cheers H! Yes, the deeper you go the more "messy" it looks - but it's a huge neb so I guess you could expect that!
Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike
Excellent Marcus, extensive nebulosity and lots to see, rather dramatic too. Strong rather uniform pink-magenta but looks good I recon. Another example of why medium focal length rules ..and why 6" is really all you need to saitisfy
The improvement since 06 (?) is rather evident.
Mike
Ed. Many say that it is the equipment that counts (not being rude this time) but your comparison clearly shows what the same equipment can do in the hands of people with varying processing skills - in this case old Marcus and new Marcus .
Thanks Mike! I was trying for drama so I guess it worked! It is gratifying to see your skills develop.
Equipment DOES count! (?) I agree that without learning the skills, it won't yield good images though. IMO, good equipment will help you to develop your skills - that's why I bought Tak gear in '06
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Ward
I can always make a few trivial technical quibbles...eg Cindy Crawford has a mole....but a pretty picture none the less
Cheers Peter! As long as it's only a mole, that's OK. But please tell me if you see wart!
Quote:
Originally Posted by dugnsuz
Beautiful piece of work Marcus.
Doug
Thanks Doug!
Quote:
Originally Posted by h0ughy
almost brings one to tears;
the difference of a few years,
shining out for all to leer,
once Sidonioed, is never feared!!!
LOL its poetry in motion Marcus!
Thanks Shakespeare - appreciate that! (but don't give up your day job )
Quote:
Originally Posted by multiweb
Beautiful details. That is one very deep picture. The dynamic range is very well handled.
Thanks Marc. Yep, 30 min Ha subs will take you deep alright. I'll be honest though, this was pretty easy to process - only took me a day and a half!!
Very nice and colorful Marcus! I really like the depth you have captured...what a difference those processing skills can bring out...
Much different than the usual spider..I like it!
Wow, love the large version Marcus!
Once it loads, it takes on its name sake.... you feel like your caught in a huge web...
Love all the young globular and open clusters in this object and you've resolved them extremely well!!
Ok, now just remember I'm Mr Pastel oK... I feel it just could be a little over saturated for my taste... but then, that's just me
Great work Marcus, love this object and this is a real treat
That is beautiful. Did you add more data to the image or is it the same amount of data just with better processing skills. I wish I could do that.
Mark
Thanks Mark. No, the original data was not useable. This is a complete re-do with vastly more data and processing skills
Quote:
Originally Posted by Garyh
Very nice and colorful Marcus! I really like the depth you have captured...what a difference those processing skills can bring out...
Much different than the usual spider..I like it!
Thanks a lot Gary! It is different, but that's what I strive for - to make a uniquely beautiful image. Most other deep renditions are done in NB ... because some folks like garish psychadelic colours (?) (). I just like garish saturated colours!
Quote:
Originally Posted by spearo
Love the pre and post!
well done
frank
Cheers Frank!
Quote:
Originally Posted by richardo
Wow, love the large version Marcus!
Once it loads, it takes on its name sake.... you feel like your caught in a huge web...
Love all the young globular and open clusters in this object and you've resolved them extremely well!!
Ok, now just remember I'm Mr Pastel oK... I feel it just could be a little over saturated for my taste... but then, that's just me
Great work Marcus, love this object and this is a real treat
All the best
Rich
Thanks a lot Rich - glad you liked it! Call me Mr Saturation I guess - no probs at all! The less saturated version lacked drama and vibrance. Even Mr Sidonio is catching the saturation bug - check out his APOD winning Seagull! Anyway, the universe needs balance so let's just say that we balance each other out!
I'm late in chiming in but this is a terrific piece of work Marcus. I think you have the colour saturation just about right but then I like saturated images too.
I'm late in chiming in but this is a terrific piece of work Marcus. I think you have the colour saturation just about right but then I like saturated images too.
Cheers
Steve
Thanks Steve - I'm glad you liked it! Yes, any less saturation and it starts to look washed out IMO.
Wow, simply incredible. What telescope and camera did you use? Those shots are amazing. I thought any images taken off a camera through a telescope would be relatively blurry, and lacking detail. This is definitely not the case.
I think the impulse buyer in me... may... just.. want one.
Wow, simply incredible. What telescope and camera did you use? Those shots are amazing. I thought any images taken off a camera through a telescope would be relatively blurry, and lacking detail. This is definitely not the case.
I think the impulse buyer in me... may... just.. want one.
Thanks Samos. I take it you're just starting out in the hobby? You can see the equipment I use underneath the PBase image or in my signature.
Many people will undoubtedly give you the same advice when you're first starting out; take your time, do your research and set your goals before you go spending mega-bucks. That pair of binoculars is an excellent first step! Astro-photography requires passion and committment and if my image has contributed to yours in some small way, I'm chuffed!
Another sublime image, Marcus!
The whisps of nebulosity are superb, but my favourite in the large version are the tiny stars that look like rose gold sand sprinkled with platinum. A true treat!
but, like I said, a bit of fun!
..and why 6" is really all you need to saitisfy 
.
It is gratifying to see your skills develop.
