M8 Lagoon reprocessed

[Paul Haese]

Hi all, this is part of a much larger project which will have narrow band combined with broad band. So far the results are better than my previous image of the Lagoon.

Click here for the new image.

Click here for the old image.

Feel free to comment of critique.

[gbeal]

Nice Paul. The different image scale threw me for a while, but different cameras I guess. Both are nice, but I hate to say it, the old one to me is "nicer", sorry. The new one appears "cleaner" looking with respect to the left hand side perhaps.
Mind you, I'd be happy with either/both.
Gary

[Peter.M]

Lovely image Paul, I look forward to seeing you put some narrowband data towards this.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne (Justin Tilbrook)]

Hi Paul,

That's nice, certainly more subtle colours in the latest image. I'm kind of glad to be using a standard DSLR at the moment. So much more to combining all the different wave lengths into a final image.

Cheers,

Justin.

[gregbradley]

Looking pretty good there Paul.

Comments: As you probably know the Lagoon actually has light blue misty reflection nebula surrounding it on its sides. You picked up some of that but its more extensive than your image shows so far.

Also the colouration of the central area I think has more blue in it. Marcus Davies recent lagoon shows a nice colour balance.

Background looks too dark/black and perhaps should be lighter.

Lots of good things about the image though, lots of detail and nice depth to the colours. My favourite Lagoon shots though show it a bit more ephemeral and semi translucent in spots.

Greg.

[RickS (Rick)]

I like both images and don't have a strong preference for one over the other.

Cheers,
Rick.

[stardust steve (Steve)]

Great images. After flicking through both images multiple times i reckon the newer version is better. I find the Nebula dust clouds are better defined and don't have that strong perimeter colour like the older version...if that makes sense?

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Not much in to me they look essentially the same the latest is slightly softer and nicer though

So...what's the secret project

Mike

[atalas]

Looks great Paul.

[Martin Pugh]

Hey Paul

I can see the evidence of the Ha blend here, particularly around the stars in the Lagoon which have a monochrone halo. I understand how this happens when blending Ha as the stellar widths are much smaller.

I do prefer this version over the first though and the detail is good.

cheers
Martin

[Ross G]

Hi Paul,

Both versions are great looking photos.

However, the older one looks slightly sharper and the stars have more of a "golden" glow to them which looks nice.

Ross.

[SkyViking (Rolf)]

Hi Paul, both are great shots. I prefer the newer version, it has a nice smooth look to it. The star colours are more pronounced in the old version though, so maybe boosting them in the new would look good.

Cheers,
Rolf

[Poita (Peter)]

I like the 2nd one better, it feels like it has a deeper range.

I grabbed your second image and tried that PS technique of adding another layer with soft-light then adding a third layer with Luminosity, and I like that better still, retains a bit of the punch of the first image, and more intense star colours, but keeps the subtle detail and smoothness of the second.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the comments made.

Greg, my final version will certainly have the blue in it. I just lack the data at this stage.

Steve, yep that all makes sense. The completed image will have a more polised look to it.

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

So...what's the secret project

Mike

Ah you will have to wait for that one mate, but I am hoping it will have that wow impact.

Martin I thought the blend was better this time rather than last time. Several years later of processing experience but yes there is some evidence in the darker regions that I can see. I will be looking to your guidance when I produce the final version, if this cloud ever clears.

[Rex]

Beautiful rich colours Paul. Your second one looks more natural. I like it a lot.

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Rex.

I have done a reprocess for those that are interested and am reasonably happy with the result. I want to get the other narrow band data to complete the image but the cloud is preventing this at present.

[gregbradley]

Yeah I like that repro better Paul. The background has more life in it and the core has that nice magentish colour in it (the Hbeta).

Greg.

[Peter.M]

The reprocessed version is so sharp! those little dark globules really jump out at you.

[iceman (Mike)]

Beautiful image Paul!

[Rigel003 (Graeme)]

Great repro! Looking terrific now.