Horse head Ha RGB Image VC200L + GSO RC10 added images
This is a blend of my previous Ha version of the Horse Head nebula and some old RGB data taken with QHY8Pro and Vixen VC200L.
Images were aligned using Registar.
This RGB data is not the best data and is the best I can do with it until the weather Gods give me a chance to Capture some good data to use in the blend.
I have included the original RGB data as the first image.
Ha image as image 2 and the blend as the last image.
The third and fourth and fifth image is another variation of the blended image.
since i have never done Ha before i cant comment on your blending - but the last shot is certainly a step in the right direction looks wise - impressed me!
More Ha data blended into your red filter data will bring things into control Doug. Tough to get right without destroying the stars. I think you're on the right path however once you get more data you note. Looking forward to seeing the end result.
I have just added another version of the blend which does reduce the salmon colouring quite a bit. Not a lot I can do with the stars at this stage until I can capture some new RGB data.
For that sort of detail in the gas clouds running across the frame, I personally think you can live with stars.
Although, I must also admit, I'd be happy with any of the images as mine. Can't wait to see how you add your future data and then picking your brains as to how you did it!
When I tried this last year I could never reconcile the Ha blend, so in the end I went straight luminence. I could not tell the difference between the lum and Ha data but when combined it made a huge difference. My recommendation is to just do straight Lum for this project. Your frustration will mount trying to sort this Ha data with your RGB, even if it is taken with the new gear.
The trick is to not attempt to match your RGB data in one hit. Would suggest blending Ha data into the red filtered data as previously mentioned, but only a small amount to start with. Then layer the Ha data as a luminance blend mode over the [Ha+R]GB blend at 20% to 50%. Flatten this. You've now created a 'super' RGB that will better accommodate the contrast of the Ha data. Tweak the saturation of the 'super' RGB. Given it a fair boost, then layer the Ha data again but at a higher blend. You can keep doing this process until you feel the RGB data has matched the Ha highlights. This how you come up with LLRGB composites, its just re-layering the luminance to match the increasing strength of the RGB.
Remember - RGB is an additive colour space. 255:255:255 is completely white and as such you can't get any more colour into to it - no matter how hard you try! Shades of grey on the other hand will accept colour. Based on this you may find that it is near impossible to blend 100% of the Ha data if its too 'contrasty'. If this is the case, reprocess the Ha data and don't stretch it too far. Grey highlights are good, white are bad. Of course once you've got the colour you're after, you can then flatten and give a final tweak to the curves to make the highlights pop a little - but do it when the image is flattened, not on the luminance layer alone otherwise you'll knock your colour out which you've worked so hard to maintain.
Cool Doug...playing around with old data what a cool idea, must try that sometime ..The last one does look pretty good. I can't help but compare the images of today to those of yester year, to have produced such an image with film would have been a religious experience.
Jase has provided a nice rework option, you should have a crack you might try blurring the RGB data when blending it in to make the master RGB before adding the Ha this can help clean up the image a little.
Doug.... things I like to see/not see in a colour image....and take this with a grain of salt...but...
Stellar fields that vary in colour
Stars not all saturated to white
No black (processing) rings around stars
No "plastic" nebulae
Highlight and shadow detail
Well controlled noise
While you haven't achieved all of the above, you have given it a good nudge..
Beautiful images Doug, thanks for the views. All the best.
Thanks Lester
Quote:
Originally Posted by desler
Number 4 is a stunner, despite the stars.
For that sort of detail in the gas clouds running across the frame, I personally think you can live with stars.
Although, I must also admit, I'd be happy with any of the images as mine. Can't wait to see how you add your future data and then picking your brains as to how you did it!
Keep having fun.
Darren
Thanks Mate, I will keep you informed of what I find to be the best but whats good for me maybe no good for you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mill
That last one is is getting close to excellent mate.
If you can get the detail of the thirth one in there it is just about perfect
Thanks Martin, some better RGB data will hopefully help a lot.
Quote:
Originally Posted by danielsun
Nice work there Doug. The last is very nice, but I really like the 2nd Ha shot on it's own, stunning!
Cheers Daniel
Thanks Daniel, I agree with you and probably should leave the straight Ha alone and just enjoy it but Hey gotta keep experimenting.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Haese
When I tried this last year I could never reconcile the Ha blend, so in the end I went straight luminence. I could not tell the difference between the lum and Ha data but when combined it made a huge difference. My recommendation is to just do straight Lum for this project. Your frustration will mount trying to sort this Ha data with your RGB, even if it is taken with the new gear.
Thanks Paul, I tend to agree with you. While the Ha detail just adds that little extra it certainly is hard to manage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tandum
I like the pink one for detail, just fix the colours.
Thanks Robin, Trying (very hard) Hey, I love your Observatory, coming along very nicely. Should make your life a little easier.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jase
The trick is to not attempt to match your RGB data in one hit. Would suggest blending Ha data into the red filtered data as previously mentioned, but only a small amount to start with. Then layer the Ha data as a luminance blend mode over the [Ha+R]GB blend at 20% to 50%. Flatten this. You've now created a 'super' RGB that will better accommodate the contrast of the Ha data. Tweak the saturation of the 'super' RGB. Given it a fair boost, then layer the Ha data again but at a higher blend. You can keep doing this process until you feel the RGB data has matched the Ha highlights. This how you come up with LLRGB composites, its just re-layering the luminance to match the increasing strength of the RGB.
Remember - RGB is an additive colour space. 255:255:255 is completely white and as such you can't get any more colour into to it - no matter how hard you try! Shades of grey on the other hand will accept colour. Based on this you may find that it is near impossible to blend 100% of the Ha data if its too 'contrasty'. If this is the case, reprocess the Ha data and don't stretch it too far. Grey highlights are good, white are bad. Of course once you've got the colour you're after, you can then flatten and give a final tweak to the curves to make the highlights pop a little - but do it when the image is flattened, not on the luminance layer alone otherwise you'll knock your colour out which you've worked so hard to maintain.
Cheers
Thanks Jase, I will give your method a go as soon as I get some time on my hands. The highlighted phrase above is what I needed to know and now it is all making more sense. May have helped me more than you think.
Thanks Mate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike
Cool Doug...playing around with old data what a cool idea, must try that sometime ..The last one does look pretty good. I can't help but compare the images of today to those of yester year, to have produced such an image with film would have been a religious experience.
Jase has provided a nice rework option, you should have a crack you might try blurring the RGB data when blending it in to make the master RGB before adding the Ha this can help clean up the image a little.
Mike
Thanks Mike. Playing with old data is all I can do lately. Even with an Observatory I am not getting many more hours under the sky than you. Jases method sound good and I will certainly give it a whirl.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Octane
Doug,
Excellent! One of the sharpest horsies I've seen for a while. Looking forward to the sky clearing up so both of us can do some (more) imaging.
H
Thanks H, It has to get better sometime.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Ward
Doug.... things I like to see/not see in a colour image....and take this with a grain of salt...but...
Stellar fields that vary in colour
Stars not all saturated to white
No black (processing) rings around stars
No "plastic" nebulae
Highlight and shadow detail
Well controlled noise
While you haven't achieved all of the above, you have given it a good nudge..
Well done. Stick with it !
Thanks Peter, I am trying very hard ( I know , very trying)
..The last one does look pretty good. I can't help but compare the images of today to those of yester year, to have produced such an image with film would have been a religious experience.
