Adding "Pop" to Finished Images Using PI

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STEVE333 United States of America
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Adding "Pop" to Finished Images Using PI

#1

Post by STEVE333 »


I've had good success with enhancing my "final" image using the following technique in PixInsight:

1) Name the final image Orig (for original). Extract the Luminance from Orig and name it Orig_L.
2) Make a clone of Orig_L and apply it to Orig_L as a mask and invert it.
3) Run TGVDenoise on Orig_L with the settings shown below:
TGVDenoise.JPG

4) Remove the mask from Orig_L then apply MultiscaleLinearTransform to it with the settings shown below (this will sharpen image):
MLT.JPG

5) Apply LocalHistogramEqualization to Orig_L with the settings shown below (this will increase contrast of small details):
LHE 26.JPG

6) Again apply LocalHistogramEqualization to Orig_L but with the new settings shown below (this enhances contrast of larger structures):
LHE 110.JPG

7) Make a clone of Orig and name it LRGB.
8) Open a Preview window on LRGB over a region showing the noise in the image.
9) Open the Convolution process and select the Parametric tab. Increase the StdDev setting until the noise in the Preview window is no longer visible. Usually a value of between 2 and 4 will be adequate. Apply Convolution to LRGB.
10) Use CurvesTransformation with the Saturation selected and mildly increase the color saturation of LRGB.
11) Open the LRGBCombination process. Leave L checked, but, uncheck R, G and B. Make sure Orig_L has been selected for L. Apply the process to the LRGB image.

You will see a sharpened and enhanced version compared to Orig.

Below is a comparison of my Original image of the Elephant's Trunk Nebula followed by an enhanced version produced using this technique.

ORIGINAL
Orig.jpg

ENHANCED
LRGB.jpg

Hope you find this useful. It isn't as complicated as it looks. It takes less than 10 minutes to enhance an image.

Cheers,

Steve
Steve King: Light Pollution (Bortle 5)
Telescope + Mount + Guiding: W.O. Star71-ii + iOptron CEM40 EC + Orion Magnificent Mini AutoGuider
Camera: ASI 1600MM Pro + EFW Filter Wheel + Chroma 3nm Siii, Ha, Oiii + ZWO LRGB Filters
Software: PHD2; APT; PixInsight ***** My AP website: www.steveking.pictures
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Re: Adding "Pop" to Finished Images Using PI

#2

Post by Graeme1858 »


Excellent PI tutorial there Steve!

The enhancement shows really well.

Regards

Graeme
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Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
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Re: Adding "Pop" to Finished Images Using PI

#3

Post by yobbo89 »


good one steve, i have your og tutorial of the LocalHistogramEqualization saved, i use it every time and it gives me that final colur boost and clarity :)
scopes :gso/bintel f4 12"truss tube, bresser messier ar127s /skywatcher 10'' dob,meade 12'' f10 lx200 sct
cameras : asi 1600mm-c/asi1600mm-c,asi120mc,prostar lp guidecam, nikkon d60, sony a7,asi 290 mm
mounts : eq6 pro/eq8/mesu 200 v2
filters : 2'' astronomik lp/badder lrgb h-a,sII,oIII,h-b,Baader Solar Continuum, chroma 3nm ha,sii,oiii,nii,rgb,lowglow,uv/ir,Thousand Oaks Solar Filter,1.25'' #47 violet,pro planet 742 ir,pro planet 807 ir,pro planet 642 bp ir.
extras : skywatcher f4 aplanatic cc, Baader MPCC MKIII Coma Corrector,Orion Field Flattener,zwo 1.25''adc.starlight maxi 2" 9x filter wheel,tele vue 2x barlow .

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Re: Adding "Pop" to Finished Images Using PI

#4

Post by Juno16 »


Much appreciated Steve!

I really don't understand how all of this works, but using the processes per your outline showed me quite a bit.
This was my first time using MultiscaleLinearTransform, LocalHistogramEqualization, and Convolution.

Following the steps that you described was an excellent lesson using these processes in PI! Thank you very much!

Here is how your steps added "pop" to my recent M106 image.

Original
Original Final.jpg
Original With Steve's Process
Original Final_LRGB with Steves Process.jpg
A nice improvement. Hard to tell posted here, but the difference is significant when viewed in PI.

Thanks Steve!
Jim

Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), Orion 50mm Guide Scope, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, Orion SSAG, IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
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Re: Adding "Pop" to Finished Images Using PI

#5

Post by yobbo89 »


Juno16 wrote: Fri Apr 02, 2021 3:52 pm Much appreciated Steve!

I really don't understand how all of this works, but using the processes per your outline shows me. This was my first time using MultiscaleLinearTransform, LocalHistogramEqualization, and Convolution.

Following the steps that you described was an excellent lesson using these processes in PI! Thank you very much!

Here is how your steps added "pop" to my recent M106 image.

Original

Image

Original With Steve's Process

Image

A nice improvement. Hard to tell posted here, but the difference is significant when viewed in PI.

Thanks Steve!

i can see the difference, i nice contrast and colour boost.
scopes :gso/bintel f4 12"truss tube, bresser messier ar127s /skywatcher 10'' dob,meade 12'' f10 lx200 sct
cameras : asi 1600mm-c/asi1600mm-c,asi120mc,prostar lp guidecam, nikkon d60, sony a7,asi 290 mm
mounts : eq6 pro/eq8/mesu 200 v2
filters : 2'' astronomik lp/badder lrgb h-a,sII,oIII,h-b,Baader Solar Continuum, chroma 3nm ha,sii,oiii,nii,rgb,lowglow,uv/ir,Thousand Oaks Solar Filter,1.25'' #47 violet,pro planet 742 ir,pro planet 807 ir,pro planet 642 bp ir.
extras : skywatcher f4 aplanatic cc, Baader MPCC MKIII Coma Corrector,Orion Field Flattener,zwo 1.25''adc.starlight maxi 2" 9x filter wheel,tele vue 2x barlow .

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Re: Adding "Pop" to Finished Images Using PI

#6

Post by STEVE333 »


Thanks for the nice comments, and, I'm glad it's proving useful for you.

A couple additional things that can help:

If the original steps don't provide enough "pop" you can add a slight S-curve boost to Orig_L after step (6). Something like what is shown below can make a significant difference in the final LRGB result.

Scurve.JPG

After all the enhancements are done the stars will usually be bigger and brighter. They can easily be returned to their original size and brightness as follows:
a) Make a StarMask of LRGB with the settings shown below. You may have to adjust Noise threshold for your image.

StarMask.JPG

b) Apply the star_mask to LRGB.
c) Open PixelMath with settings as shown below and drag the triangle in the lower left corner onto LRGB.

PixelMath.JPG

This will replace the stars in LRGB with the stars from Orig. If the replacement doesn't fully restore the stars to their original brightness, try a slight HistogramTransformation boost of the StarMask.

Hope this helps.

Steve
Steve King: Light Pollution (Bortle 5)
Telescope + Mount + Guiding: W.O. Star71-ii + iOptron CEM40 EC + Orion Magnificent Mini AutoGuider
Camera: ASI 1600MM Pro + EFW Filter Wheel + Chroma 3nm Siii, Ha, Oiii + ZWO LRGB Filters
Software: PHD2; APT; PixInsight ***** My AP website: www.steveking.pictures
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Re: Adding "Pop" to Finished Images Using PI

#7

Post by STEVE333 »


Jim - Here's the result for your galaxy if I use the S-curve and then replace the stars.
Galaxy_LRGB.jpg
I'm sure it would look better using your final image.

Steve
Steve King: Light Pollution (Bortle 5)
Telescope + Mount + Guiding: W.O. Star71-ii + iOptron CEM40 EC + Orion Magnificent Mini AutoGuider
Camera: ASI 1600MM Pro + EFW Filter Wheel + Chroma 3nm Siii, Ha, Oiii + ZWO LRGB Filters
Software: PHD2; APT; PixInsight ***** My AP website: www.steveking.pictures
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Re: Adding "Pop" to Finished Images Using PI

#8

Post by Juno16 »


STEVE333 wrote: Fri Apr 02, 2021 8:34 pm Jim - Here's the result for your galaxy if I use the S-curve and then replace the stars.

Image

I'm sure it would look better using your final image.

Steve
Thanks Steve. I recorded your process including the contrast boost curve and the star replacement.

I might get a partial night out tonight and if it does happen, I will employ the latest steps on M106. Yes, the final image looks much better!

Thanks again!
Jim

Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), Orion 50mm Guide Scope, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, Orion SSAG, IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
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Re: Adding "Pop" to Finished Images Using PI

#9

Post by STEVE333 »


Juno16 wrote: Fri Apr 02, 2021 9:10 pm
Thanks Steve. I recorded your process including the contrast boost curve and the star replacement.

I might get a partial night out tonight and if it does happen, I will employ the latest steps on M106. Yes, the final image looks much better!

Thanks again!

You're welcome Jim. Glad it's helping.

Good luck tonight!

Steve
Steve King: Light Pollution (Bortle 5)
Telescope + Mount + Guiding: W.O. Star71-ii + iOptron CEM40 EC + Orion Magnificent Mini AutoGuider
Camera: ASI 1600MM Pro + EFW Filter Wheel + Chroma 3nm Siii, Ha, Oiii + ZWO LRGB Filters
Software: PHD2; APT; PixInsight ***** My AP website: www.steveking.pictures
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Re: Adding "Pop" to Finished Images Using PI

#10

Post by jmfloater »


Thanks for sharing this work flow Steve, I need all the help I can get.
John

Imaging scope Stellavue SV80S on a Losmandy G11 mount. Roll off roof observatory.
Software: PixInsight, SGPro, Phd2.
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Re: Adding "Pop" to Finished Images Using PI

#11

Post by STEVE333 »


jmfloater wrote: Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:55 pm Thanks for sharing this work flow Steve, I need all the help I can get.

Hope it works for you. So much of what I do in processing is what I've learned from others.

Cheers
Steve King: Light Pollution (Bortle 5)
Telescope + Mount + Guiding: W.O. Star71-ii + iOptron CEM40 EC + Orion Magnificent Mini AutoGuider
Camera: ASI 1600MM Pro + EFW Filter Wheel + Chroma 3nm Siii, Ha, Oiii + ZWO LRGB Filters
Software: PHD2; APT; PixInsight ***** My AP website: www.steveking.pictures
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