Heart Nebula Reprocess

[gnomus]

I thought I would have a go at reprocessing the data from Les Granges.  The original is here: https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/280787-heart-nebula-from-les-granges/

To make the exercise worthwhile, I decided I would just use the data that we captured whilst at Les Granges and not add in the additional Ha and RGB that Olly had from a previous time.  This allowed me to present the original framing.  Every time I add Ha (or OIII) into an image it comes out differently.  It is quite different from the earlier effort, I think.  This is Olly's dual Takahashi rig over 2 nights:

3 hours of RGB

4 hours 15 mins Luminance

11 hours Ha

Total = 18.25 hours

[Barry-Wilson]

The plentiful data has given you a beautiful and smooth image.  I like it.

Just need to nudge left for the companion now .

[gnomus]

23 minutes ago, Barry-Wilson said:

The plentiful data has given you a beautiful and smooth image.  I like it.

Just need to nudge left for the companion now .

Nudge left - then nudge down - then nudge back right again to fill in the missing panel......    I suppose I am going back next year...

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Very nice smooth result

[Rodd]

So much more going on than you realize until you zoom into the full image.  It is extraordinary.

[gnomus]

This may be a little better:

[Davey-T]

The data that keeps on giving, excellent.

Dave

[wimvb]

Great image. The second version is better imo. There is some very nice detail in and around the cluster in the center of the heart. That could make a great image of its own, with the right focal length and sensor size.

[PatrickGilliland]

Nice work Steve - I like the background in this version which has subtle structure helping to emphasize the nebulas.

Paddy

[gnomus]

Thank you Paddy.  However, I think I overdid the RGB stretch somewhat in the earlier versions and was playing catch up from that point forward.  After several more hours I have come up with this....

[steppenwolf]

This is really nice, Steve - I particularly like the star colours subtle yet varied.

[PatrickGilliland]

1 hour ago, gnomus said:

Thank you Paddy.  However, I think I overdid the RGB stretch somewhat in the earlier versions and was playing catch up from that point forward.  After several more hours I have come up with this....

 

My bad but like the colours better in earlier version for the stars - just need that with the control of the second one now  should keep you up a little longer.....

[gnomus]

19 hours ago, PatrickGilliland said:

My bad but like the colours better in earlier version for the stars - just need that with the control of the second one now  should keep you up a little longer.....

You're breaking my heart Paddy (literally!!!)  I had deliberately toned down the non-cluster stars in order not to draw attention away from the nebula.  I've amped them back up a bit in this version.  Which is best?  There's only one way to find out ..... 

 

[PatrickGilliland]

I Like this - maybe a little less blue stars but prefer the reds and yellows  (that is what i preferred in first version, reds and yellows gave it another aspect and toning those down I felt was a loss).

Paddy

[ollypenrice]

Second one for me. The final two have the nebulosity a bit on the flat side for my taste but I'm a bit gung-ho on my contrasts.

I've continued to chip away at the 25 hour one we processed together. I wonder what you felt about the effect of the extra data? My feeling was that you just couldn't kill it. It would take some really heavyweight crowbar work in curves. I'll send you the latest version via Dropbox to see what you think.

This is very, very nice data to work with, though.

Olly

[swag72]

Nice star colour and great nebulosity - I like this a lot

[gnomus]

55 minutes ago, ollypenrice said:

Second one for me. The final two have the nebulosity a bit on the flat side for my taste but I'm a bit gung-ho on my contrasts.

I've continued to chip away at the 25 hour one we processed together. I wonder what you felt about the effect of the extra data? My feeling was that you just couldn't kill it. It would take some really heavyweight crowbar work in curves. I'll send you the latest version via Dropbox to see what you think.

This is very, very nice data to work with, though.

Olly

Thanks Olly.  The second version is a little too - what's the word - 'brittle' for my taste at 100%.  Furthermore, I found some odd artefacts from the 'Increase Star Color' Action.  What was happening was that there were groups of close together stars, and when I ran the action I would get a pink/red colour appearing between them.  I'd never noticed anything like that before.  

47 minutes ago, swag72 said:

Nice star colour and great nebulosity - I like this a lot

Do you have a preference as to which version, Sara?

[swag72]

1 hour ago, gnomus said:

Do you have a preference as to which version, Sara?

I like the second one, but with slightly smaller stars of the third  You've got some very nice star colour there ..... 

[gnomus]

Alright.  Back to Photoshop then it seems.  

[swag72]

Just now, gnomus said:

Alright.  Back to Photoshop then it seems.  

No.... no.... you pick something that you like, not something that suits everyone else

[gnomus]

5 minutes ago, swag72 said:

No.... no.... you pick something that you like, not something that suits everyone else

Ha ha.  No worries.  It is very interesting to hear people's views on my photos (even if I don't always agree with them).  Constructive criticism is always positive, and it helps me to re-think my own views on the pictures.    

[ultranova]

Very nice indeed, For me also its the second one,

they all have there merits though.

well done

Paul

[evansg]

Very nice result! I strongly believe your second re-process is the best one. Don't fade the stars in this target. Star colour make beautiful this frame

[gnomus]

OK - I've had another go at this one.  I agree that I over-subdued the stars too much in later iterations.  I managed to get the reds a bit more like I was aiming for too in this version:

[ollypenrice]

I like that one.

Olly