Which is best?

[MikeWilson]

... or worst!

These are two differently processed North American Nebulae....

But which one should I use for my Christmas cards this year? Decisions, decisions!

[sulaco]

The one on the left is much more festive....well as much as nebulous cosmic gas clouds can be. the right one is too muted but good all the same.

[Stevp]

I think the second feels more Christmassy, more warm and cosy, which after this weeks cold and wet i'm sure a lot of people could do with!

[Gina]

I like the second one best - seems more colourful to me I like the gold colour.

[MikeWilson]

Thanks for the replies, it's really helped make my mind up. The second one it is, then! Warmer it is!

I prefer the bluer colour in the first one, particularly on the right side as it shows up the background of the nebula better. However the stars have those horrible narrowband unholy salmon rings around them which I managed to process out on my second attempt. I also brought out more background too but couldn't manage to seperate the blue on the right so much. The first one is a truer "Hubble Palette" following Bob Franke's excellent Photoshop tutorial here: http://bf-astro.com/hubblep.htm.

All the best,

Mike

[sologuitarist61]

The first image is the best, the second is not so good, but well done

[MikeWilson]

The first image is the best, the second is not so good, but well done

Thanks I wish I could take the best bits of both. Certainly it's possible but by more talented image processors than I!

I'll try again in a year or so

All the best,

Mike

[sologuitarist61]

That is half the battle Mike isn't it, just getting your head around the software. Used to take photos professionally and so have used PS for more years than I care to remember but I am still finding stuff in there that I didn't know existed.

[Tom OD]

1st one for me