M42 with the TSA 120 & 40D

[FranckiM06]

Hello every body,

I would need help to finish the process about my image because I don't know how to do it !

I have shot this nice M42 with 20 x 240s at 400 iso and the center is around 10 x 30s at 400 iso:

Shot with 20 x 240s:

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/5598/m421iris2csa4.png

and the 10 x 30s:

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/9393/m42ciris1csa1.png

Thank you in advance to some one who will help me to process it.

Franck

[sgazer]

hello Franck,

a very nice image of M42 there. I'm not an expert on stacking different exposures to get the required dynamic range, but I have read about it in a book about Photoshop. I'm not sure it will be possible with those 2 images as the overexposed area on the long exposure image is much larger than the area covered by the short exposure. Hence when they are merged together, it won't be a nice blend. I could be wrong, but I think you might just need a few more 'in between' exposures to get a nicer blend. The example I looked at in the book had about 5 different exposures. Saying that, an expert might be able to work wonders on it!

[FranckiM06]

Yes, I know that but I don't know the procedure how to do with Photoshop because I have CS3 in my home but only for that, I can't do it !

Franck

[ollypenrice]

Franck, it is easy. I have a tutorial in English for CS3 or you could get in your car and come and see me! Layer masking is really not difficult.

Olly

[MartinB]

This is how to do it -

Compositing 2 Different Exposures via Layer Masks

[FranckiM06]

[ollypenrice]

Franck, the mid range parts of the image are amongst the best I have ever seen! You need longer exposures to get the faint outer dust and just a little practice in Layer Masking. But you have mastered the basics! Brilliant.

I think you needed to apply more blur to the mask itself and then make your short exposure layer active and adjust it in levels and saturation so that it matches the long exposure layer.

This picture could be a chef d'oeuvre!!!

Olly

[sgazer]

Looks like you've pulled it off really well. That's turned into an even more lovely image.

[jerryaxe]

Hi Francki,

Well done

The frenchy

Jerry

[prokyon]

Hey, great! I think we can expect great things from you in future !

cheers

werner

[Coco]

Wow .. the centre has really amazing detail..

Well done..

[kev 102 42]

Really good pic,I like it alot .........kev

[Brunty12345]

i like i like, my fave DSO

[FranckiM06]

Thank you every body

Franck