Help With Image Processing

[DaveyLeo10]

Hi

I'm very new to Astrophotography and I'm looking to get some advice on how to process images via Photoshop or Lightroom. I've attached some of the images I've taken below, they're stunning and I really want to get the most out of them. I use the Canon 60Da and my telescope is Nexstar Evo 9.25'.

You're welcome to save and process the images as your own if you're learning yourself or if you want to show me how it's done! 

http://postimg.org/image/jh2nsakex/- Hercules Cluster 30 second exposure.

http://postimg.org/image/4qch845p5/- Dumbell Nebula - 20 second exposure.

http://postimg.org/image/tn362khyh/- Ring Nebula - 20 second exposure.

I really appreciate your help, I'm already hooked on all things astronomy so I want to do it right

[Freddie]

When you label as 30 second exposure, does that mean it is a single frame? If so, the first thing you need to do is take multiple shots and stack them together in something like DSS.

[des anderson]

Great start,i would be proud to get results like that for a first time effort,as mentioned by Freddie go down the multi frames route.......a big improvement Des

[DaveyLeo10]

Hi Freddie

Yes it's one single frame. Stacking is something I plan to try... when the clouds clear that is! Just researching 'Darks & Flats'

[DaveyLeo10]

Thanks Des, I think it's very much a case of crediting the camera and scope more than the guy who took the shots! What software would you recommend regarding stacking?

[Freddie]

DSS, Deep Sky Stacker. Free download. 

[pipnina]

Something you could benefit from learning, looking at the background colour of your images, is gradient removal.

Essentially, you duplicate your image as a new layer in PhotoShop or GIMP 2.9, use the clone tool to remove the brightest data (e.g. the target, bright stars or any stars in areas with dark background) and then blur the duplicated layer by a lot using gaussian and then set the duplicated layer to blend mode subtract or difference after making it slightly (slightly) dimmer in curves (drag the middle of the curve to the right, not down).

Once you've done that, the image should be free of LP and gradients (incl, vignetting). It's extremely useful.

[DaveyLeo10]

Thanks for the advice Pipnina!

I'll try that, I've got photoshop so I'll experiment and see what I can do. I've also been given an LPR filter to cut out the Orange glow but to me it just makes everything look purple which I suppose is easier to process than the orange glow.

As soon as the weather clears I'll get right on it!