First go at M42 - Quite a challenge to process

[Vox45]

So I had my first go at M42, it was quite difficult to process. I used DSS for the 1st picture and Pixinsight for the the second one. I prefer the second one but I find it a lot more noisy and blueish .. After a couple of hours playing around I tend to lose track of what is good or overprocessed.. I need your fresh eyes people  

Please, any constructive criticism is welcome as I have not a lot of experience processing deep sky images

Processed with DSS

Procesed with Pixinsight

Thanks!

 

[Ronclarke]

DSS is usually just for stacking your images, Pixinsight or Photoshop is for processing them (in general!!)#

Good images both!!

Ron

[Ouroboros]

I agree about DSS. In fact I'm surprised the DSS image is as good as it is. 

I think both images are pretty good which suggests the raw data is good. How many subs did you take? I assume this is DSLR data. 

M42 is tricky because it's got a very bright core and then lots of interesting but fainter nebulosity around it. It's difficult to pull up the fainter stuff without blowing out the core. I have recently been working through the book Inside Pixinsight by Warren Keller which walks the reader through use of masks and other processes to pull out the detail. I recommend it if you've not got it. 

[vlaiv]

Background and nebula rendition from DSS version and color saturation from PI version - that would be a good combo I believe

 

[kosmoplan]

2 hours ago, Ouroboros said:

M42 is tricky because it's got a very bright core and then lots of interesting but fainter nebulosity around it.

How true.

I like both images

[Brian28]

I like the DSS a image  stars look better , and you could increase the colour in Photoshop if you wanted to .  nice job 👍

Edited December 7, 2019 by Brian28