First attempt M42 - and second, third

[SMILER]

100% better. thanks for the info arthur

[Saso]

100% better. thanks for the info arthur

Saso

[SteelRat]

Cracking work there Saso - nice one

[Saso]

This is a third actually fourth attempt. 8 images 120 sec ISO 800.

Saso

[moondog]

Saso

That really is a superb M42 - well done !

The extra exposure time really brought out the detail.

8)

MD

[MartinB]

Getting better every time Saso. At this rate by the time you get to your 7th go you will have Sky and Telescopes number 1 image of the year

[Saso]

Thank you MD. Extra exposure is really neccessary.

Thank you Martin. I try.

Saso

[MartinB]

OK you lot! I strongly suspect that you are trying to maintain the black point of your "reworks" and so losing some of the finer bits of the image. Don't be afraid to have a background that is not perfectly black - in life it never is and a too dark black will make the image seem contrived imo.

Nothing wrong with trying to maintain the black point Arthur. Standard curve then set the black point just to the left of the histogram and keep repeating until everything has come out. The problem comes when you try to move the black point into the histogram to remove noise and gradients, like you say it removes the good stuff as well.

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

The last one is outstanding Saso, great shot.

Captain Chaos