Adding Ha data to a LRGB image

[Whippy]

I managed to grab some Ha data last night for my M51 image and I've tried using Russell Croman's method but all I'm gettng is a turquoise coloured mess. Has anyone got a simple method to do this or a link to one?

TIA

Tony..

[SteveL]

Looks for a post from MartinB about this.... cant remember how old it wa,s but thats what I always use for Ha addition to RGB images (including the APOD). I`ll see if I can find a link for you...

[shaunster]

Have a look at this Starizona's Guide to CCD Imaging if using photoshop

[SteveL]

There we go...

http://stargazerslounge.com/imaging-deep-sky/93857-cone-nebula-hahargb.html#post1345059

[MikeD]

Hi Tony.

Not sure what the Russell Croman method is (I will have to go take a look).

But my method which is influenced by the fact that I use Ha data instead of an LP filter.

First create an RGB image and process lightly to get a good colour balance.

Then split the channels of that rgb image to produce three mono images one for each channel(channels/split channels).

Open and fully process the Ha data and add the result to the red mono image as a 50% opacity layer.

Flatten the result and the reconstruct the RGB image( Channels/ Merge channels/RGB colour).

Next adjust the colour of this new Ha/R-G-B image with levels and curves (mosts adjustments will be applied to only the Ha/R channel) to correct the colour balance back to as it was with the original RGB image.

You should now have an Ha/R-G-B image with much stronger Ha regions and in my case a lot less Lp.

At this point I do the same again with the Ha/R-G-B image this time setting the blend mode of the Ha layer added to the Red data to lighten at 100% opacity and push this Ha layer with levels and curves until the ha starts to push through the red mono image.

Hope that makes scene and helps.

Mike.

[MikeD]

Have a look at this Starizona's Guide to CCD Imaging if using photoshop

I like the loook of this method, will have to give it a go Thanks.

Mike.

[Whippy]

Thanks guys , I've also picked out this one from Martin which may or may not be same thing I'm trying to do: http://stargazerslounge.com/imaging-deep-sky/69873-m33-l-r-ha-g-b-2.html (post #28). Plenty to muck around with anyway!

Tony..

[ollypenrice]

I do as Mike does but add the Ha to red in Blend mode Lighten. I may add a little as luminosity to the LRGB as well but rarely more than 10 percent.

Olly

[MikeD]

I do as Mike does but add the Ha to red in Blend mode Lighten. I may add a little as luminosity to the LRGB as well but rarely more than 10 percent.

Olly

I do that too Olly, the first Ha layer set at 50% on the red is too kill the lp in my colour images.Then I do as you do do.

Mike.

[MikeD]

Here is an animation I posted before of a ha layer set to lighten on luminance at 80% opacity.

And the final image (post #6) with a variation on the method I described earlier(details in the thread).

Mike.