Tarantula region work in progress

[Lester]

Thanks Marcus and Martin for your comments. I will have another play with this today. Martin to process an image like this with very bright regions and yet faint detail also, do you add all exposures into one image and then process, or add in the shorter exposures with a layer mask?

Thanks.

[TrevorW]

On that one lester I would stack them all into one exposure, thats what I've done in the past, but why not try both too see the effect.

[Lester]

Thanks Trevor, I have always stacked them all together, and to be honest have never done a layer mask, but I have seen it done on U-tube.

[mill (Martin)]

Layer mask them Lester like you do with M42.
Did you try using levels first?
Move the left hand slider to the right until the data starts and slide the right hand slider to the left until the data starts too but watch out for blow out.

[Lester]

Thanks Martin, yes I did use levels, but only the left and centre sliders. I will try again if the cricket hits a lull.

[TrevorW]

It's one of those things when doing a wide field with an 80 stars look bigger in smaller scope images.

Another thing as always if you haven't enough data and seeing was average then no amount of playing is going to make a difference.

Also certain targets lend themselves more to layered stacking techniques etc such as M42 due to its very bright core.

You get excellent results with you DSO stuff so just keep playing with it as we all do, the image that is!!

Cheers

[mill (Martin)]

Lester i did mean the middle slider.
Watching cricket? Isn't that like watching paint dry?

[Lester]

Thanks again Trevor and Martin. Here is attempt number 4, hope I am progressing in the right direction. Used levels, curves, shadow and high-lights.

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/76db7c49.jpg

[richardo (Rich)]

Hi Lester, have been watching your repros with interest on this object.
It certainly is a hard one to process and bring out all that is there, what with all that dynamic range and the fov you have with this setup!.
This repro is by far the best so you are on the right track!

I've been working on the area just south of the Tarantula. I also have found it a very interesting area to process (at the mo and in the past). Albeit I am only doing a Ha- RGB mix with this one...

Keep up the good work.... hopefully we'll see some more clear nights!

All the best
Rich

[Lester]

Thanks for your comments Rich, I appreciate them.

Yes it is a huge dynamic range to process without burning out and consealing faint detail. I think we are in for some summer at last with a high comming, although clear skies would be good without the heat.

All the best.

[atalas]

Lester a great effort!

[Lester]

Thanks Louie, although hoping I can improve on this. Your tutorials are Very helpfull for me, thanks.

All the best.

[mill (Martin)]

That looks a lot better Lester
Now you have to start working on selective sharpening but don't overuse it.