First try - don't be too harsh!!

[Saata]

Hi guys

This is my first image of the moon and I know it's not brilliant, but it's MINE!

(Hope I did that right?!?!?)

I was hoping to get some a little closer, but struggled with a x2 barlow - Couldn't get to focus... Any suggestions? I was using the Tal 100r.

Thanks

Steve

[Stephen]

Cracking first effort

If you can focus without the barlow, but not with, then you possibly need more back ("out") focus - an extension tube. As to how long it needs to be, disconnect the camera and slowly move it out of the barrel and backwards. When it's focused, you can gauge the extension tube length you will need.

[Saata]

Right, thanks for that!

I have an extension tube that came with the 200p for use with 2" ep's - could that be pressed into service or do I need something specific?

[Black Knight]

Looks like a fine first effort to me!

[Stargazing_Cliff]

Thats superb for your first try.

[southernman]

What a great first image.

[tomw28]

Thats a brilliant image, regardless of the fact that its your first try.

[nightfisher]

very good image, just shows how good tal 100`s are

[Steve 1962]

Great shot in its own right - never mind a first attempt - well done

[Saata]

You're all very kind, thank you!

If I could just work out the PHD guiding with the webcam, I think I'll try some DSO's. (When the skies clear again!!)

Thanks again

[ScubaMike]

Nice one Steve,

It's a great feeling isn't it.

At a guess you've changed your PC backdrop to this already?

I know I did.

[Pete Presland]

looking good well done

[nightfisher]

hope you dont mind but i had a little play with your image, as it was a little over exposed, see what you think

[Saata]

That looks great nightfisher! Looks like I need some practice in post-production too

It's all a learning curve and I don't take any offence to constructive criticism, because otherwise, how would I learn? Could you let me know what processing you did to pull the extra detail out?

Thanks

Steve

[Uranus]

hope you dont mind, I did some processing of it too

[nightfisher]

That looks great nightfisher! Looks like I need some practice in post-production too

It's all a learning curve and I don't take any offence to constructive criticism, because otherwise, how would I learn? Could you let me know what processing you did to pull the extra detail out?

Thanks

Steve

steve, you might laugh at what i used, the picnik app on facebook, i find it very useful for simple lunar processing and its free and simple to use

[Uranus]

GIMP 2.6 very useful for free.

2.8 will get even easier with their new UI.

[Photosbykev]

personally I think the exposure is about right it just needs a curves adjustment to bring the detail out. If you had underexposed it any more you would start to lose the limb in shadow

[Rob1961]

That is a very good image - I'd be well pleased with it

[Uranus]

Aww you removed my nice processed lunar image

No sense of humour?

[JimiJames]

Nice One...

[JimStan]

As Kev's excellent work shows, a lot of the resulting image can be attributed to the post processing! For moon shots, I always try to control the highlights, and let the shadows take care of themselves. You can often bring data up out of the dark areas of the picture, but if the highlights are "blown out" or over-exposed, you cannot pull that data back. Blown out highlights are gone forever! This is especially true of a Full Moon shot, where the contrast is quite subdued and the highlights are very bright! Keep them below saturation, and increase the contrast in the darker parts of the picture, and you will have excellent results !

Jim S.

[astropete]

hi saata, as you have said the pic is yours, as a first be proud of the result its a good pic. thanks for sharing.

[todd8137]

nice pic

[Captain Tripps]

Great image dude

Lee