Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Astrophotography => Topic started by: Carole on Mar 12, 2019, 23:39:00

Title: M78 improved image
Post by: Carole on Mar 12, 2019, 23:39:00
Always something new to learn.
Not a reprocess, just some extra "tweaks".

Was never really happy with the original, but having learned a bit more processing technique I have tweaked the image.

Originally imaged in late 2017 @ Cairds

Which do you prefer and why?

A)
(https://cdn.astrobin.com/thumbs/gOlb5DxaGWls_1824x0_l6U3deKq.jpg)

B)
(https://cdn.astrobin.com/images/thumbs/66e9b96b23c7ec34d644da84af71555d.1824x0_q100_watermark_watermark_opacity-25_watermark_position-4_watermark_size-S_watermark_text-Carole%20Pope.jpg)
Title: Re: M78 improved image
Post by: JohnP on Mar 13, 2019, 08:14:58
Can you present them with the same orientation as easier to compare.
Title: Re: M78 improved image
Post by: Carole on Mar 13, 2019, 09:11:19
Rotated version for comparison, but the rotation was one of the things I thought I had improved on.

(https://cdn.astrobin.com/thumbs/ThUu3BTuqA0f_1824x0_wmhqkGbg.jpg)
Title: Re: M78 improved image
Post by: JohnP on Mar 13, 2019, 11:16:13
My preference is the top one with all the brown dust. John
Title: Re: M78 improved image
Post by: Carole on Mar 13, 2019, 12:42:16
Thanks John, I was hoping you would say that.  This is my latest version, and I think the colour balance is better, was never happy with the original yet my usual method of colour balancing resulted in the first effort, so this time I "did my own thing" and am happier with it.

Carole
Title: Re: M78 improved image
Post by: ApophisAstros on Mar 13, 2019, 12:57:05
i like that dark stuff and would like to capture some myself, would i need to get Oii aswell or would i be able with just HaRGB,?
Roger
Title: Re: M78 improved image
Post by: Carole on Mar 13, 2019, 13:01:34
Roger, this is an HaLRGB image.

Carole
Title: Re: M78 improved image
Post by: RobertM on Mar 14, 2019, 00:16:51
Definitely A, the colour balance looks more correct than B.
Title: Re: M78 improved image
Post by: Carole on Mar 14, 2019, 09:08:00
Thank you Robert.

Carole
Title: Re: M78 improved image
Post by: NoelC on Mar 14, 2019, 10:05:07
Don't know if it's correct or not, but prefer A.
Very good Carole.
Noel
Title: Re: M78 improved image
Post by: Carole on Mar 14, 2019, 11:49:08
Thanks Noel.

Well the overall consensus seems to be for version A), (also the same opinion on SGL). 
Glad I took the trouble to go back and rectify it.

Also no-one has commented on the fact (perhaps they didn't notice) that the stars are smaller and less distracting to the nebula on version A).  I found a much better tutorial on how to do this.

Carole
Title: Re: M78 improved image
Post by: The Thing on Mar 15, 2019, 10:19:58
I think they both have their merits but A) has the wow factor.
Title: Re: M78 improved image
Post by: Carole on Mar 15, 2019, 10:41:31
Thanks Duncan.

Carole