first M81 & M82 with SW 130pds and Canon 450D

[Russe]

since the weather is ghastly for weeks on end - I've started playing with a small amount of data that I've acquired in November this year. One can always improve on processing skills...

this is my first go at M81 & M82

http://www.astrobin.com/full/68686/0/

29x300s (2hrs 15mn) Canon450D Astronomik CLS filter

130PDS - HEQ5

9x50 finder guider QHY5

[Russe]

needs more data...

[HenryW]

But they look good

[Russe]

Thanks!!

[brantuk]

Nice pic Russe - plenty of detail in there for a first attempt - I'd be pleased if it were me.

[stargazerslivingroom]

I agree...Nice shot.

Is the just lights or did you take darks/flats too?

Steve

[Russe]

I always do 20 F/D/B.

Thanks guys!!

Currently I'm not happy with my processing... It's better than before and I understand all the basic techniques (layer masking, star layers, galaxy core/outer arms, high pass filter...) - but I'd like to get onto the next level. Man, it IS a steep learning curve indeed!!!

[Russe]

No new equipment for me until I get better at processing...

Except, maybe an ST80 guiding setup.

[Russe]

The AstroBin link has the details about the imaging btw. Nice site!!

[poogle]

I always do 20 F/D/B.

Thanks guys!!

Currently I'm not happy with my processing... It's better than before and I understand all the basic techniques (layer masking, star layers, galaxy core/outer arms, high pass filter...) - but I'd like to get onto the next level. Man, it IS a steep learning curve indeed!!!

Looks very good indeed

Have you tried having a go at someone elses data? Like some professional, multi hour data from an observatory or large telescope. I found that it helped my processing skills. There are some stacked but unprocessed images on the pixinsight site that you can play with.

/Patrik

[Russe]

That's a good idea!! The problem with your own data is that you always doubt yourself...

[Pete Presland]

they look pretty good to me Russ, a little blue perhaps though. M81/81 are a couple of very rewarding targets, i think you have some nice data there well done!

[robbie c]

That's a great image Russe well done  

[Twisted Lip]

I like them a lot. Targets I've personally always struggled with so I'm impressed when you see good imaging like that. Couple of questions:

1. Did you use the clipin taking that image?

2. Where did you learn the processing from? Did you use the YouTube tutorials? 

cheers

Will

[Russe]

Thanks guys!! That's very kind.

I made it slightly blue tinged - personal choice - better than green or red.

I learned the absolute basics from Doug German's YouTube videos on astrophotography processing in photoshop:

http://m.youtube.com/user/namregd?desktop_uri=/user/namregd

(Now I follow his site budget-astro.com on Facebook)

Then I bought two books from Jerry Lodriguss:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0972973753

and

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0972973737

I took his main advice - muck about with holiday pics first - that got me into it more. One of the sites I used for more info was by Ron Bigelow: http://www.ronbigelow.com/articles/selections-2/selections-2.htm

And then I found another helpful YouTube tutorial set:

http://astrocasto.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/lets-do-astrophotography-now-part-7.html?m=1

Other sites I've used:

http://www.astropix.com/HTML/J_DIGIT/STARCOLR.HTM

http://www.astropix.com/HTML/I_ASTROP/TOC_AP.HTM

http://starizona.com/acb/ccd/software/soft_proc_ps.aspx

http://lightvortexastronomy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/tutorial-calibration-acquiring-dark.html?m=1

http://www.rosecityastronomers.org/resources/pdf/GuideToGuiding.pdf

[Russe]

Oh, and yes - astronomik CLS clip in filter.

[Pete Presland]

 Doug German's videos on astrophotography processing are excellent, i have watched them many times!

[Twisted Lip]

thanks Russe - I should point out the purpose of my question is basic jealousy in that your processing is far better than mine so wondered if you had tips!

Clipin question was simply because I wondered if it was accounting for the slight blue tinge on the pics? DSS sometimes does a great job of removing but every now again again one of mine still has that blue hue you get with it?

Will

[Russe]

I get green tinged with it... Always have to lower the curves in the green channel at the end...

[Daniel-K]

I get green tinged with it... Always have to lower the curves in the green channel at the end...

http://www.deepskycolors.com/archivo/2010/04/26/hasta-La-Vista-Green.html   this will get rid of your green and its free

[Russe]

http://www.deepskycolors.com/archivo/2010/04/26/hasta-La-Vista-Green.html this will get rid of your green and its free

I'll try that out tonight.

Great stuff!

[Russe]

great stuff - just tried it out on a very light polluted image of M101 - done @ f11.7 (...) w/o a clip filter

[Russe]

with the rain etc etc had another go at my old data: