M42 yep another one - Final Mod page 2 last image

[Maximidius]

I thought I would shamelessly start a new thread for this as I have added more data. This is now 2hr 42 mins @ iso 800 with a DSLR in a bortle 6/7 area, with 282 bias, 162 flats and no darks for calibration. Processed with DSS and PS 2017. I've trawled around the net looking at images and all it did was confuse me as there are so many variations in colour. As it stands I am pretty happy with this. I've tried taking on board suggestions from previous threads so I hope you like it. All CC welcome.

 

Edited February 6, 2017 by Maximidius

[xtreemchaos]

that's a cracking image mate, well done, I think you have caught the right balance in colour and detail. thanks ,  charl.

[Maximidius]

1 minute ago, xtreemchaos said:

that's a cracking image mate, well done, I think you have caught the right balance in colour and detail. thanks ,  charl.

Thanks very much, Charl..  

[wimvb]

I agree, it's a great image. You have the trapezium resolved, a beautiful running man, stars look good, and a lot of dust around the main subject. Maybe a hint of green on the left hand side, but that may very well be my display. I love it.

Thanks for sharing

[Maximidius]

4 hours ago, wimvb said:

I agree, it's a great image. You have the trapezium resolved, a beautiful running man, stars look good, and a lot of dust around the main subject. Maybe a hint of green on the left hand side, but that may very well be my display. I love it.

Thanks for sharing

Much appreciated and thank you

[nucdoc]

Wow, very nice!

I love the softness of the colours 

 

mark

[Maximidius]

7 minutes ago, nucdoc said:

Wow, very nice!

I love the softness of the colours 

 

mark

Thank you, Mark.  

[PatrickGilliland]

Taking shape nicely - def see the improvement.  I would work on the dust more and push into the brown tone but just a personal taste, it's a nice image that, if you like you should leave as is  

Paddy

[Maximidius]

2 hours ago, PatrickGilliland said:

Taking shape nicely - def see the improvement.  I would work on the dust more and push into the brown tone but just a personal taste, it's a nice image that, if you like you should leave as is  

Paddy

Cheers, Paddy  ..I'll take a look, I was wondering if I might be able tease out a touch more of the dust. 

[PatrickGilliland]

2 minutes ago, Maximidius said:

Cheers, Paddy  ..I'll take a look, I was wondering if I might be able tease out a touch more of the dust. 

I don't think you need 'more' instead adjust colour carefully of the dust areas. When done i think it will seem like there is more.  Colour can be a powerful tool, especially when you create variance with it.

Paddy

[Maximidius]

5 hours ago, PatrickGilliland said:

I don't think you need 'more' instead adjust colour carefully of the dust areas. When done i think it will seem like there is more.  Colour can be a powerful tool, especially when you create variance with it.

Paddy

Okay, sound advice. I'll deffo give it a try later. 

[symesie04]

You should be pleased its a very nice image. I also think the colour is quite good in terms of saturation as this target is so often saturated beyond realism. But do agree some adjustment in areas to bring out the darker stuff would help the image.

[Gina]

Amazing, great image of a very difficult object (or three).  Well done indeed   Just shows what can be achieved with a DSLR with the right conditions and human input

[Maximidius]

Modifications as suggested by paddy. 

 

Edited February 3, 2017 by Maximidius
too green

[symesie04]

Yes much better in my book. The brown stuff has lots more detail and the running man also has a more natural look. Spot on.

[RayD]

Well I have to say a cooled mono CCD that would be excellent, with DSLR that's incredible.  Well done Sir, a grand example of what is achievable.

Thanks for sharing.

[Maximidius]

3 hours ago, Gina said:

Amazing, great image of a very difficult object (or three).  Well done indeed   Just shows what can be achieved with a DSLR with the right conditions and human input

Thank you, Gina  ....It's a dirt cheap DSLR too.

30 minutes ago, symesie04 said:

Yes much better in my book. The brown stuff has lots more detail and the running man also has a more natural look. Spot on.

I have to agree and thank you  

12 minutes ago, RayD said:

Well I have to say a cooled mono CCD that would be excellent, with DSLR that's incredible.  Well done Sir, a grand example of what is achievable.

Thanks for sharing.

 

With assistance from the good people on this site, I think I'm getting there slowly but surely. Thank you for such kind words  

[coatesg]

That's a lovely rendition - the second one has a lot of detail and faint nebulosity - even the waterfall/"Orion Streamers" and little bright neb to the south of M42 itself are starting to get consumed in it!  

[Maximidius]

Okay, folks, I've been obsessing but have I gone too far? I've bought the dust out a little more I am really surprised at what's there. What do you think ????

[wimvb]

I think this looks GREAT! You have well defined dust around the main target, and resolved the trapezium in the core. The largest stars are bloated, but that doesn't really distract from the image. I love it.

Thanks for sharing

[Maximidius]

3 minutes ago, wimvb said:

I think this looks GREAT! You have well defined dust around the main target, and resolved the trapezium in the core. The largest stars are bloated, but that doesn't really distract from the image. I love it.

Thanks for sharing

 

I'll see if I can reduce the stars a touch. Noel's action tools aren't cutting it for the big stars. I might have to find a way to layer them in from another image without producing halos or colour changes. Anyway, cheers  

[johnfosteruk]

Astounding. Love the last one. 

[Maximidius]

7 minutes ago, johnfosteruk said:

Astounding. Love the last one. 

Thank you muchly  

[Barry-Wilson]

For me, the second rendition is the best revealing more dust without it dominating, remember it is not as bright as the nebula itself and you are aiming for tonal, brightness and contrast variations across the frame (and nor over-smooth either, like the third version).  So in answer to your question, yes I think you have gone too far in the thrid version.

You have a top drawer M42 in that second version - good job.  You should be very pleased with the result, it is excellent.

For my personal taste, and this really is personal, the large stars are overly sharp with a definite outer edge to them; I prefer something just marginally softer in a colour image.

[PatrickGilliland]

18 hours ago, Barry-Wilson said:

For me, the second rendition is the best revealing more dust without it dominating, remember it is not as bright as the nebula itself and you are aiming for tonal, brightness and contrast variations across the frame (and nor over-smooth either, like the third version).  So in answer to your question, yes I think you have gone too far in the thrid version.

You have a top drawer M42 in that second version - good job.  You should be very pleased with the result, it is excellent.

For my personal taste, and this really is personal, the large stars are overly sharp with a definite outer edge to them; I prefer something just marginally softer in a colour image.

 

 

I like the colour of the last one but the dust levels in the second are better.  Overstretching resulted in some loss of definition and texture.  But both are nice images, sometimes less is more and less brightness in this case will not only provide better balance but darken the red naturally towards brown.

Paddy

Edited February 6, 2017 by PatrickGilliland