Announcing the AstronomyForum.net Astrophotography Processing Challenge number 6!

[ghswen]

Announcing the AstronomyForum.net Astrophotography Processing Challenge number 6!


Everything is pretty much the same as the previous Challenges:


About once a month a new 'Challenge' photo will be made available, these will be announced in a new thread 'stickied at the top of the Astrophotography Processing Forum. Members may click on the link and download the calibrated 16 bit .tif file (Keep in mind these will be very large files so give them some time to download to your computer) These images will be full sized 'pre-processed' images (darks, flats, bias removed and stacked). However now is when the fun kicks in!


We ask that the members use what ever software they want, GIMP, Photo Shop (or PS Elements), Pixinsite, Images Plus, StarTools, AstroArt, IRIS or whatever your little heart desires to post process the image. Attach the completed image (please post as a .jpg max 1000 x 1000 pixel size) on the same tread and include the methods you used to get to the end result. Please submit your methods with as complete of detail as you can so others will have some idea how you got to the final result.

___________________________________________
Example:


Post processed using Photoshop CS2 with Noel Carboni's actions

1. levels and curves to bring out DSO
2. Noel Carboni's plug in "Soft Color Gradient removal"
3 Set black and white points using levels
4 Noel Carboni's plug in "Local contract enhancement"
5 Did some minor cosmetic fixes using PS clone stamp.
6 Increased saturation using Adam Blocks method. (can give details if you like.
7 Noel Carboni's plug in "Increase star color"
8 A final pass of levels and curves, used curves to help pull out the contrast.
9 Noel Carboni's plug in "Deep Space noise reduction" and a couple of passes with the "Denoise" PS plugin.
10 PS "Smart Sharpen" tool (Shadow, fade 80%
Highlight, 20%
Power, 65%)
11 Resized to 1000 px max and converted to .jpg.

_________________________________________________

Please export your full history from Photoshop, GIMP or similar programs - How To here: How To Document & Post Your Processing Steps from History Photoshop CS, Gimp Software

The concept is to allow members to share processing techniques and ideas so everyone can learn and improve. The Challenge is open to all so don't feel intimidated as we are all learning. If you see a post and don't understand how a particular process is being done please ask as I'm sure there will be many new methods.


The plan is only one Challenge image will be used for each thread so it will be easy to see the different results and methods for a particular image. I may be asking some of our accomplished AP er's to contribute a pre-processed image from time to time so we can get some variety.


Keep in mind we now have a sponsor for the Challenge!

Ivo from StarTools will be donating a free license for his StarTools software for the best completed Challenge image, one license will be awarded for the best post processed Challenge image from Challenges 5 and 6 so jump in and give it a shot!


In the mean time take a look at the latest Challenge image. I'm not going to tell you what it is, but I will say there is something buried in all that dark sky! The image will have some challenging aspects to it so take your time and pull as much from it as you can.


And just remember to have fun!!!!!

Challenge 5 image information:

Author Information: BCKeith (Thanks Keith!!!!)

Date of image: 2011-06-06

Location: Denman Island, British Columbia.

Bortle: 2 - 3
Seeing: Excellent
Transparency: fair
Light pollution: summer twilight until after 00:00
Lights: 31 @ 60 sec each
Darks: 5
No flats or bias

Total exposure: 31 minutes

ISO: 1600
Scope: Orion 200mm f.4 Newtonian Astrograph
Mount: HEQ5 Pro
Coma Corrector: Televue Paracorr 2
Camera: Pentax IST-DL, unmodified

Challenge 6.TIF

[ChuckWalters]

This one looks challenging! Should be fun. Thank you Keith for the image.

[ChuckWalters]

Here is my go using StarTools. Still learning the software and I have a long way to go!

File loaded [C:\Users\admin\Desktop\Challenge 6.TIF].
--- UNKNOWN MODULE
--- Crop
Parameter [X1] set to [473 pixels]
Parameter [Y1] set to [304 pixels]
Parameter [X2] set to [1629 pixels (-627)]
Parameter [Y2] set to [1121 pixels (-379)]
--- Bin
Parameter [Scale] set to [(scale/noise reduction 86.55%)/(133.50%)/(+0.42 bits)]
--- Develop
Parameter [White Calibration] set to [Use Stars]
Parameter [Gamma] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Skyglow] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Noise Suppression] set to [Off]
Parameter [Digital Development] set to [10.00 %]
Parameter [Blue Luminance Contrib.] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Green Luminance Contrib.] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Red Luminance Contrib.] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Headroom] set to [5 %]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [3.0 pixels]
--- Wavelet De-Noise
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [3.00]
Parameter [Color Detail Loss] set to [33 %]
Parameter [Brightness Detail Loss] set to [67 %]
--- Wipe
Parameter [Mode] set to [Correct Color & Brightness]
Parameter [Top End Treatment] set to [Brightness Mask]
Parameter [Cap Green] set to [No]
Parameter [Output Gradient Only] set to [No]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [4 pixels]
Parameter [Drop Off Point] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Corner Aggressiveness] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [75 %]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Headroom] set to [33 %]
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Channels] set to [Brightness & Color]
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [0.80]
Parameter [Amount] set to [170 %]
Parameter [Small Detail Bias] set to [85 %]
--- Life
Parameter [Detail Preservation] set to [Min Distance to 1/2 Unity]
Parameter [Compositing Algorithm] set to [Power of Inverse]
Parameter [Inherit Brightness, Color] set to [Off]
Parameter [Output Glow Only] set to [No]
Parameter [Airy Disk Sampling] set to [128 x 128 pixels]
Parameter [Airy Disk Radius] set to [25 pixels]
Parameter [Glow Threshold] set to [12 %]
Parameter [Detail Preservation Radius] set to [20.0 pixels]
Parameter [Saturation] set to [50 %]
Parameter [Strength] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]

[Dragon206]

I recently bought PixInsight and I'm learning how to use it (there are so many features!).
This was a tough image, lots of pattern noise, very unbalanced colors and not much detail.

The workflow I followed was:
- Dynamic Background Extraction (remove gradients);
- Background Neutralization (neutralize background color);
- Color Calibration (fix white balance);
- Histogram Transformation x2 (stretch);
- ACD Noise Reduction (remove noise);
- HDR Multiscale Transformation (enhance a little bit the detail in the galaxy);
- Histogram Transformation (stretch);
- ACD Noise Reduction (with luminance mask to reduce large scale noise in background);
- Curves Transformation (to slightly increase saturation);
- Crop.

Challenge_6_F251.jpg

[camknox]

I'm a complete beginner with Photoshop, even though I've had it for years. The most I've ever really used it for is slight touch-ups to family photos. Given that I thought I'd have a go at one of these challenges (although I think I picked a hard one to start on).

To start with I tried to bring the colour back to white for the main stars, this pulled some colour depth out of the image. I even managed to pull another object out of the image in the lower left.
I then set about darkening the background while maintaing some detail in the Galaxies. I suppose in hindsight I could have waved some other colour into the image but I kind of liked the blue tone.

New Color Sampler
Make color sampler
Position: 721.5 pixels, 423.5 pixels
New Color Sampler
Make color sampler
Position: 2230.5 pixels, 269.5 pixels
New Color Sampler
Make color sampler
Position: 1006.5 pixels, 708.5 pixels
New Color Sampler
Make color sampler
Position: 1050.5 pixels, 713.5 pixels
Levels 1 Layer
Make adjustment layer
Using: adjustment layer
Type: levels
Preset Kind: Default
Modify Levels Layer
Set current adjustment layer
To: levels
Preset Kind: Custom
Adjustment: levels adjustment list
levels adjustment
Channel: red channel
Input: 0, 173
levels adjustment
Channel: green channel
Input: 0, 191
levels adjustment
Channel: blue channel
Input: 0, 183
Curves 1 Layer
Make adjustment layer
Using: adjustment layer
Type: curves
Preset Kind: Default
Modify Curves Layer
Set current adjustment layer
To: curves
Preset Kind: Custom
Adjustment: curves adjustment list
curves adjustment
Channel: composite channel
Curve: point list
point: 0, 0
point: 95, 53
point: 198, 196
point: 255, 255
Brightness/Contrast 1 Layer
Make adjustment layer
Using: adjustment layer
Type: brightness/contrast
Modify Brightness/Contrast Layer
Set current adjustment layer
To: brightness/contrast
Brightness: 15
Contrast: 10
Hue/Saturation 1 Layer
Make adjustment layer
Using: adjustment layer
Type: hue/saturation
Preset Kind: Default
Without Colorize
Modify Hue/Saturation Layer
Set current adjustment layer
To: hue/saturation
Preset Kind: Custom
Adjustment: hue/saturation adjustment list
hue/saturation adjustment
Hue: 0
Saturation: 4
Lightness: 2
Exposure 1 Layer
Make adjustment layer
Using: adjustment layer
Type: exposure
Preset Kind: Default
Exposure: 0
Offset: 0
Gamma Correction: 1
Modify Exposure Layer
Set current adjustment layer
To: exposure
Preset Kind: Custom
Exposure: 1.15
Gamma Correction: 0.8
Levels 2 Layer
Make adjustment layer
Using: adjustment layer
Type: levels
Preset Kind: Default
Modify Levels Layer
Set current adjustment layer
To: levels
Preset Kind: Custom
Adjustment: levels adjustment list
levels adjustment
Channel: composite channel
Gamma: 1.37
levels adjustment
Channel: red channel
Input: 9, 255
levels adjustment
Channel: green channel
Input: 12, 255
levels adjustment
Channel: blue channel
Input: 16, 255
Move
Undo
Move current layer
To: 392 pixels, 130 pixels
Sharpen
Sharpen
Vibrance 1 Layer
Make adjustment layer
Using: adjustment layer
Type: Vibrance
Modify Vibrance Layer
Set current adjustment layer
To: Vibrance
Vibrance: 30
Saturation: -10
Select brush
Set Foreground Color
To: grayscale
Gray: 0
Select brush
Set current brush
To: brush
master diameter: 57 pixels
Layer Via Copy
Layer Via Copy
New Layer
Make layer
Brush Tool
Brush Tool
Brush Tool
Free Transform
Transform current layer
Center: center
Translate: 0 pixels, 0 pixels
Angle: 47.4°
Brush Tool
New Layer
Make layer
Select brush
Set current brush
To: brush
master diameter: 65 pixels
Brush Tool
Set current brush
To: brush
master diameter: 80 pixels
Brush Tool
Free Transform
Transform current layer
Center: center
Translate: 0 pixels, 0 pixels
Angle: 53.4°
New Layer
Make layer
Select brush
Brush Tool
Free Transform
Transform current layer
Center: center
Translate: 0 pixels, 0 pixels
Angle: 44.9°
Free Transform
Transform current layer
Center: center
Translate: 0 pixels, 0 pixels
Angle: 45.8°
New Layer
Make layer
Select brush
Brush Tool
Select brush
New Layer
Make layer
Brush Tool
Free Transform
Transform current layer
Center: center
Translate: 0 pixels, 0 pixels
Angle: -44.2°
Merge Visible
Merge Visible
Image Size
Image Size
Width: 1000 pixels
With Scale Styles
With Constrain Proportions
Interpolation: bicubic
2012-08-03 13:42:43 File C:\Users\Cameron\Downloads\Challenge 6.jpg saved
Save
As: JPEG
Quality: 12
Matte: none
In: C:\Users\Downloads\

Challenge 6.jpg

[Celestron]

Here's mine:

Challenge 6-psd.jpg

I used rather unusual processing methods, but it seemed to turn out fine.

1. I used a program called Molecular Expressions Background Removal Toolkit that I found on Cloudy nights to remove the gradient
2. Loaded it into GIMP and went through a few iterations of levels
3. Messed with curves
4. Subtracted the fake flat (made in GIMP)
5. Ran the Background Removal program again
6. Messed with curves
7. Ran the Wavelet Denoiser plugin in GIMP
8. Messed with curves

[ghswen]

Thanks everyone!

Great post processing by everyone.

When I get some 'extra' time next week I will attempt to process in both PS and Startools and see what I can get out of Keiths image.

[KeithBC]

I recently bought PixInsight and I'm learning how to use it (there are so many features!).
This was a tough image, lots of pattern noise, very unbalanced colors and not much detail.

You're not kidding! I'm amazed at what you pulled out of it. You've got me thinking seriously about coughng up some software bucks for PI.

[KeithBC]

Here is my own best shot at it. The image was never intended to be a great pic. While waiting for the sky to get dark, I thought I'd kill some time by getting an image of supernova SN2011dh. This was the result.

Software: GIMP.
1. artificial flat (duplicate layer, cut & paste to cover galaxy, noise spread 200 px, gaussian 200px, layer mode subtract, flatten image)
2. Saturation +175
3. Colour Balance: Green -32
4. Saturation: +50
5. Selective Gaussian Blur: radius 3; delta 49
6. Curves (slight stretch)
7. Crop to 1000px width

M51-s3-p2.jpg

[Ruud]

Thank you Keith, Gordon,

Here's my try:

Challenge 6c.jpg

Before anything else I boosted the exposure by nearly three stops in ACR.
Then in Photoshop, removed color noise, boosted brightness etc.

 2012-08-04  File Challenge 6.TIF opened
        Open
            C:\Users\Ruud\Desktop\Challenge 6.TIF
            As: Camera Raw
            Model:  “TIFF”
            Settings: Image Settings
            Space: sRGB IEC61966-2.1
            Depth: 16 Bits/channel
            Scale: 1
            Resolution: 240
            Resolution Unit: Pixels/inch
            Output Sharpen For: None
    Topaz DeNoise 5
        Topaz DeNoise 5
            Mode: 0
            Overall Strength: 0
            Adjust Shadow: 0,057
            Adjust Highlight: 0
            Adjust Red: -0,389
            Adjust Blue: -0,539
            Clean Color: 1
            Correct Black Level: 1
            Recover Detail: 0,24
            Reduce Blur: 0,09
            Add Grain: 0
            Debanding: 0
            Strip Size: 20
        Select spot healing brush
        Set Foreground Color
            To: RGB color
            Red: 11,712
            Green: 20,428
            Blue: 22,265
        Set Foreground Color
            To: RGB color
            Red: 12,451
            Green: 22,374
            Blue: 22,63
    New Color Fill Layer
        Make fill layer
            Using: fill layer
            Type: solid color
            Slot Color: RGB color
            Red: 12,451
            Green: 22,373
            Blue: 22,63
    Blending Change
        Set current layer
            To: layer
            Mode: subtract
        Select history state -2
    New Layer
        Make layer
    Paint Bucket
        Fill
            From: 1124 pixels, 926 pixels
            Tolerance: 255
            With Merged
            Using: foreground color
    Blending Change
        Set current layer
            To: layer
            Mode: subtract
    Master Opacity Change
        Set current layer
            To: layer
            Opacity: 74%
        Set current layer
            To: layer
            Opacity: 62%
        Set current layer
            To: layer
            Opacity: 60%
    Flatten Image
        Flatten Image
    Duplicate Layer
        Duplicate current layer
            5
    Blending Change
        Set current layer
            To: layer
            Mode: linear dodge
    Blending Options
        Set current layer
            To: layer
            Blend Range List: blend range list
            blend range
            Channel: gray channel
            This Layer Black Min: 0
            This Layer Source Black Max: 0
            This Layer Source White Min: 255
            This Layer Source White Max: 255
            Underlying Layer Black Min: 0
            Underlying Layer Black Max: 20
            Underlying Layer White Min: 255
            Underlying Layer White Max: 255
            Layer Styles: layer styles
            Scale: 333,3%
    New Layer
        Make layer
    Blending Change
        Set current layer
            To: layer
            Mode: subtract
    Paint Bucket
        Fill
            From: 1509 pixels, 952 pixels
            Tolerance: 255
            With Merged
            Using: foreground color
    Master Opacity Change
        Set current layer
            To: layer
            Opacity: 21%
    Add Layer Mask
        Make
            New: channel
            At: mask channel
            Using: reveal all
        Exchange Swatches
        Select brush
    Brush Tool
    Brush Tool
        Select layer “Background copy”
            Without Make Visible
    Add Layer Mask
        Make
            New: channel
            At: mask channel
            Using: reveal all
    Brush Tool
        Select previous history state
        Set Foreground Color
            To: HSB color
            Hue: 0°
            Saturation: 0
            Brightness: 46,667
        Set current brush
            To: brush
            master diameter: 24 pixels
    Brush Tool
    Brush Tool
        Select history state -2
        Set current brush
            To: brush
            master diameter: 45 pixels
    Brush Tool
        Select previous history state
        Set current brush
            To: brush
            master diameter: 21 pixels
    Brush Tool
    Brush Tool
    Brush Tool
        Select history state -3
        Set current brush
            To: brush
            master diameter: 58 pixels
    Brush Tool
        Select previous history state
        Set Foreground Color
            To: HSB color
            Hue: 0°
            Saturation: 0
            Brightness: 72,941
    Brush Tool
    Brush Tool
    Flatten Image
        Flatten Image
    Duplicate Layer
        Duplicate current layer
            5
    Blending Change
        Set current layer
            To: layer
            Mode: linear dodge
    Master Opacity Change
        Set current layer
            To: layer
            Opacity: 49%
    Topaz DeNoise 5
        Topaz DeNoise 5
            Mode: 0
            Overall Strength: 0,12
            Adjust Shadow: 1
            Adjust Highlight: 1
            Adjust Red: -0,389
            Adjust Blue: -0,539
            Clean Color: 0
            Correct Black Level: 1
            Recover Detail: 0,24
            Reduce Blur: 0,09
            Add Grain: 0
            Debanding: 0
            Strip Size: 20
        Hide current layer
        Show current layer
        Select previous history state
        Select last history state
    Rectangular Marquee
        Set Selection
            To: rectangle
            Top: 79 pixels
            Left: 465 pixels
            Bottom: 950 pixels
            Right: 1772 pixels
    Move Selection
        Move Selection
            To: -162 pixels, -9 pixels
    Rectangular Marquee
        Set Selection
            To: rectangle
            Top: 52 pixels
            Left: 286 pixels
            Bottom: 967 pixels
            Right: 1658 pixels
    Move Selection
        Move Selection
            To: -37 pixels, 39 pixels
    Crop
        Crop
    Color Balance 1 Layer
        Make adjustment layer
            Using: adjustment layer
            Type: color balance
            Shadow Levels: 0, 0, 0
            Midtone Levels: 0, 0, 0
            Highlight Levels: 0, 0, 0
            Without Preserve Luminosity
    Modify Color Balance Layer
        Set current adjustment layer
            To: color balance
            Midtone Levels: 24, 0, 0
            Highlight Levels: 0, 0, -26
    Image Size
        Image Size
            Width: 999 pixels
            With Scale Styles
            With Constrain Proportions
            Interpolation: bicubic
        Set Foreground Color
            To: grayscale
            Gray: 0
    New Layer
        Make layer
    Blending Change
        Set current layer
            To: layer
            Mode: subtract
    Paint Bucket
        Fill
            From: 380 pixels, 489 pixels
            Tolerance: 255
            With Merged
            Using: foreground color
        Hide current layer
        Show current layer
        Select layer “Color Balance 1”
            Without Make Visible
    Master Opacity Change
        Set current layer
            To: layer
            Opacity: 37%
        Hide layer “Layer 1”
        Show layer “Layer 1”
        Hide layer “Layer 1”
        Show layer “Layer 1”
    Modify Color Balance Layer
        Set current adjustment layer
            To: color balance
            With Preserve Luminosity
        Select layer “Layer 1”
            Without Make Visible
        Select brush
    Brush Tool
        Select previous history state
        Select layer “Layer 1”
            Without Make Visible
    Add Layer Mask
        Make
            New: channel
            At: mask channel
            Using: reveal all
        Reset Swatches
        Exchange Swatches
    Brush Tool
    Brush Tool
    Brush Tool
    Brush Tool
    Brush Tool
    Brush Tool
    Brush Tool
    Flatten Image
        Flatten Image
 2012-08-04     File C:\Users\Ruud\Desktop\Challenge 6c.tif saved
        Save
            As: TIFF
            Byte Order: IBM PC
            With LZW Compression
            In: C:\Users\Ruud\Desktop\Challenge 6c.tif
 2012-08-04     File Challenge 6c.tif closed