M51

[Matt Scunthorpe]

Tonight was the first night ive really tried to do any deep space stuff, having just gotten a HEQ5.

I managed to capture M51, which is about 30mins worth of data. Processing is where it all falls apart for me, normally i just tweak the curves until i like what i see, but i cant seem to get this one to work.

Can anyone explain (or point me to a guide) the basic principles of the curves, levels etc.

Thanks

[foundaplanet]

Good one Matt.

Have a look at The Quatermass tutorials he explains things really well in those mini movies.

I'm sure with some reworking on your original you will be able to pull more out.

[nephilim]

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/87021-photoshop-astrophotography-tutorials/ http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/9392-3-primer-how-to-stretch-the-histogram-using-levels-and-curves-long-download/ These will tell you all u need to know, in the 2nd link if you ask Martin nicely he'll email you one of his own images to practice on which he very kindly did for me.

Steve

[Daniel-K]

Hi matt also make sure you RGB channels are aligned, although you can do it in DSS after stacking when it gets opened in PS i find there still abit out and looking at yours your red channel is over to the right so it needs bringing back in over the green and blue hope this helps

[Matt Scunthorpe]

Thanks for the links and advice guys. Tried to do some work on it quick and got the result below. Looks much clearer. Will need to take another look at the guides though tonight when ive got more time.

[Oily]

Another vote for QM's tuts,here's his utube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/boodlewoodle/videos

Or read his blog here:

http://astrocasto.blogspot.co.uk/

[Guest]

Hope you don't mind but here is your picture again after a bit more work, i used a gradient eradicator to even the background colour, and levels and curves also a noise reduction.

MM

[Matt Scunthorpe]

That looks alot better. These are the kind of things i need to learn how to do

[Guest]

Yes it looks a bit better and could do more with the original image and not a jpeg, just removing the colour gradient makes a huge difference.

Having the right tools helps, i use Gradient Eradicator which is a free plugin for PhotoShop CS get it here: http://www.solarscreech.getfreehosting.co.uk/ under resources gradient eradicator, and it is as good as the popular Gradient Exterminator which costs £30.00.

Also Noels actions for PS are superb too, and a good noise reduction tool helps.

MM

[Matt Scunthorpe]

Downloaded it, but cant seem to find it anywhere within PS

[Guest]

If you have installed it in the right place in PS then it should be under the filters menu

[Matt Scunthorpe]

Yeah i got it, deleted it out and put it back in again did the trick