M101 (DSLR - 8 Hours)

[Aza]

Hi

This is M101 with almost 8 hours of 6 minute subs.

Taken with a modded 400D and Skywatcher 8" Newt.

After the first 2 nights I had 3 hours worth of data and was very unimpressed with what I had. But last night I managed to get another 5 hours, and it made all the difference (naturally!)

This is my first process, and I think I have been a bit heavy handed. No doubt I will be giving it several more processes.

Cheers

[Roy]

That's a cracker Arran,

Well worth all of the effort you've put into it.

[Aza]

Cheers Roy

Here is another version....I really need to improve my processing skills, I find it so difficult. I think I need to learn more techniques.

[Psychobilly]

Very Nice Arran ... I would say that the 6 min subs and lots of them tis the way to go...

Peter....

[jgs001]

Very nice Arran

[Aza]

Cheers guys

[beamish]

Now that IS v nice indeed !!

Well done

KArlo

[steppenwolf]

Some amazing detail there, especially the red 'knots'

[MaCross]

Great image!

[Les Tilly]

Looking Good Arran, here is a very good Book if your using Photoshop its called Photoshop Astronomy By R Scott Ireland published by Willmann-Bell,Inc

Les

[Beyond_Vision]

Well worth all the time you have spent on it. I like the second process which looks more natural.

Regards

Kevin

[Aza]

Thanks for the comments

Is that book where you got your photoshop skills from Les?

[Darth Takahashi]

Wow, 8 hours of data, I don't know what I admire more your patience or the image!

The image is great though ;-) This must be a tricky one to eyeball...for those of us without goto...

Neil.

[Aza]

Thanks Neil

I never seem to be satisfied until I get some serious hours worth of data.

Even now I think I will let it run for another evening to see what happens.

I want to bring out more detail without messing up the background so much.

There is probably 101 processing techniques to do this, but I dont know them

[saturn5]

Definately time well spent Arran,takes a lot of time to entice this out of the darkness it seems.

[anthony]

A very fine image. Both processes are great but the second is more natural

Anthony

[Les Tilly]

Thanks for the comments

Is that book where you got your photoshop skills from Les?

I have alot of places I pull info from most is from places like this were we can share the info, but I would put this book up there comes with a cd to go along with the Book also check out Warren Keller he has some great tips for Photoshop

Les

[Aza]

Thanks Les. I like the look of those Warren Keller tutorials, think I might try those first off

[rich_t]

That's fantastic Arran, both are great but prefer the more subtle colours of your second process. Excellent stuff.

Cheers,

Rich.

[barkis]

You have built yourself a beautiful Image Arran.

They say hard work brings rewards, and I think you have demonstrated that fact with this image.

I bought the book Les. spoke of. I ordered it from a dealer via Amazon. It took a while to get to me, but I got it in the end. Took about 10 days, so I suppose it wasn't all that long a wait.

Ron.

[Aza]

Thanks Rich.

What do you think of the book Ron? Worth a purchase?

[Aza]

Sorry for yet another version!

I prefer the background in this new one.

I used the curves technique that I posted in the Imaging Processing forum.

[Warhen]

I wanted to thank Les and Arran for the thumbs up of IP4AP! There are great resources for learning image processing today. I'd also recommend Wodaski's books, Tony Hallas, Adam Block, Don Waid and my tutorials, free tuts online at Starizona, astro-imaging conferences: AIC, NEAIC, MWAIC, RAW, major star parties and forums such as these. Drop me a line if I can help further.

[ollypenrice]

Very good image. You can't beat data!

I reckon it has some greens where they're not wanted and if you don't have PixInsight with its SCNR de-greening routine there is a free one here written by Rogelio Bernal Andreo. I'm told it works well;

Hasta La Vista, Green! | Deep Sky Colors - Astrophotography by Rogelio Bernal Andreo

Olly

[roebuck]

You have given me some well needed inspiration using a dslr..

great image... More to come I hope.