Wide field processing help required

[Jockinireland]

Hi Joe,

Ah I get it, the effect is similar to adding a luminance layer later?

But I cant work out how to get that nice transparent mask as you have it - no problem getting the layer mask in as a new channel but tried various ways of selecting, painting on the mask but getting nowhere. A wee clue please!

I've looked at and understand all the other steps you have taken on the image. This has been a great learning experience for me. Thanks

Rgds

David.

[OzEclipse]

David
1. Create the duplicate layer, do not create the layer mask on the duplicate layer.
2. Go to channels palette. Select the channel that gives you the intensity distribution you want. Can be RGB or just one colour.
3. At the bottom of the palette, the tool on the left end of the tools is a dotted rectangle.
4. Hover over it and it should identify as "load channel as selection."
5. Click it to load the channel into the selection.
6. Go back to Layers palette and click on create layer mask, the selection automatically goes into the mask.
7. Remember when I made the mask, all the adjustment layers above were not there so you should turn them all off or if starting from scratch create them later.

cheers

Joe

[OzEclipse]

David

Did it work?

Joe

[Jockinireland]

Hi Joe,

Yes pretty much. Though none of the channels were coming up with exactly the same amount of effect as your - not quite as much contrast but pretty close. I wonder is that could be an effect of me selecting from the already reduced file size whereas yours would have come from the full smart object?

Anyway, I now understand it and will make a try from raw data over the week-end. But I really need to get more time on the subject away from the street light. Fabulous clear night last night but nearly full moon. Typical.

Thanks Joe

David.

[Jockinireland]

I had a go with average stacking in dds and it gave me a lot more noise, it was a no go.

This is the best I could manage
all processed in Photoshop from your raws and your darks


Joe

Putting this here as it is a bit of a follow on from the above and done following advice from the two kind gets quoted.
This is the star adventurer, 1100D, kit 18-55mm lens at 55mm F5.0, 30 X 120s at ISO 1600, stacked in squator with darks applied, processed in photoshop with tricks learned from Joe. This was just a quick processing and can probably be made better with more time.

Still a way to go but definite improvement from the last one i think

rgds

David.

[OzEclipse]

David,

Looking real good!

Joe