M42 Using Manual HDR Process

Post your DSO images here.
Post Reply
User avatar
STEVE333 United States of America
Inter-Galactic Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 3466
Joined: Sat May 11, 2019 5:01 pm
4
Location: Santa Cruz, Ca, USA
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#1

Post by STEVE333 »


In a previous post I showed the result of combining multiple different exposure time images to form an HDR image using the PixInsight GradientHDRComposition process. The resulting image lost much of the Ha background which was presented earlier in an Ha only image. So, I decided to try manually blending the different exposure time images with masks following a technique perfected and popularized by Jerry Lodriguess for Photoshop (I adapted it to PixInsight). It was a lot of work, but, in the end it was possible to bring out the Ha background along with the nebula. Quite honestly I'm not sure I can reproduce the work flow because multiple attempts were required and, in the end, two different approaches were merged together. However, I really like the final result. Hope you enjoy it.

HOO_Combo.jpg

IMAGE DETAILS:
Equipment:
W.O. Star71 telescope, EFW Filter Wheel (8-Position), 3 nm Chroma S/H/O filters, ASI1600MM camera (-15C, Gain=140), CEM40 mount, Orion MMAG autoguider, StarLite stepper motor (focusing), Dew Heaters

[Mount/ASI1600MM camera/Filter wheel/MMAG autoguider/Focusing stepper motor all controlled remotely using APT. APT is on a laptop in the house which is connected by a WEme 4-port USB 2.0 extender system with 40 ft ethernet cable to the equipment outside at the end of my mobile home driveway. The ethernet cable is fed into the house through a slightly open window where the screen has been temporarily set ajar.]

Images: (Dithering on every image)
Ha
  • 19x600 sec
  • 16x120 sec
  • 20x30 sec
Oiii:
  • 22x600 sec
  • 21x120 sec
  • 35x30 sec
Total Exposure: 8 hr 31.5 min

Master Dark Frame (24 Darks), Master Flats (30 Flats and 30 Flat Darks for each filter).

Software:
Captured with APT, Guided with PHD2, Processed with PixInsight. The new APT Autofocus routine was used for all focusing.

Thanks for looking,

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
Image
Image
User avatar
Mirrorgirl Great Britain
Milky Way Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 1541
Joined: Tue May 14, 2019 8:44 pm
4
Location: England
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#2

Post by Mirrorgirl »


Hi Steve

That’s beautiful you well deserve an APOD for that excellent

Regards
Rhoda :observatory:
Eqm35 Skywatcher mount..Skywatcher 80 ed telescope, 71 W/O GT ...bunch of eye pieces 25,mm 32mm etc...Nexter 4,se...385 mc Zwo camera, Zwo 183 colour cooled pro camera... Orion 80 ed...two compass...
Sky fi wireless telescope controller.. Rebel t3i.. light pollution L XTREME, Idas light pollution filter and Antlia 3nm gold, Antlia h alpha filter filter..other filters .. pixinsight .. startools..

:observatory: NONE :observatory:
User avatar
Gmetric Great Britain
Milky Way Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 1224
Joined: Sun May 12, 2019 6:08 am
4
Location: Japan
Status:
Offline

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#3

Post by Gmetric »


Wow, Steve, that's a view of M42 that I've never seen before. Very unique, that's for sure.
Arry (Bortle 7 area)

Telescopes: Sky-Watcher ED72II, Sky-Watcher PDS130, Sky-Explorer SN F4 200mm astrograph and Vixen F11.1 90mm
Cameras: Nikon D5300 modded, Canon Kiss X8i modded, Cooled Canon kiss X4 modded, Atik 16IC and 383 colour, ASI120MC, QHY5LII
Mount: Sky-Explorer HEQ 5 belt driven
User avatar
MariusD69 Romania
Inter-Galactic Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 3633
Joined: Sun May 12, 2019 1:22 pm
4
Location: Romania
Status:
Offline

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#4

Post by MariusD69 »


Wonderful image! Great work, Steve!!
Marius
Mount: iOpton Cem60, HEQ5-for spare
Scopes: newt SW 150/750PDS, dobson SW 150/1200; SW 114/500; TS Photoline 80mm f/6 Triplet APO; SW ST80
Cameras: ASI294MC Pro; ASI1600MM Pro; Atik 314L+mono; Canon 1100D; QHY5III-178m; QHY5L-II-m ; ASI224; Altair GPCAM 290M, GPCAM290C
Accessories: Baader MPCC; GPU KomakorrF4; TS Flat2; TS 0.79x FR/FF
User avatar
JayTee United States of America
Universal Ambassador
Articles: 2
Offline
Posts: 5619
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2019 3:23 am
4
Location: Idaho, USA
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#5

Post by JayTee »


WOW Steve, I really don't have words to describe what you've presented us with this image. All I can say is this is next level stuff and you have achieved the next level.

Nicely done my friend,
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

Image
User avatar
STEVE333 United States of America
Inter-Galactic Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 3466
Joined: Sat May 11, 2019 5:01 pm
4
Location: Santa Cruz, Ca, USA
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#6

Post by STEVE333 »


JayTee wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 7:12 pm WOW Steve, I really don't have words to describe what you've presented us with this image. All I can say is this is next level stuff and you have achieved the next level.

Nicely done my friend,
Thanks so much JayTee - This was definitely the most difficult processing job so far. The version produced using GradientHDRCdompression did a nice job on the nebula, but, completely lost the background details. When I redid the processing manually the beautiful background emerged, but, the nebula didn't look as good. Grrrr. So, I found a way to combine the best of both with this beautiful result. This one will definitely be printed on metal.

MariusD69 wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 2:59 pm Wonderful image! Great work, Steve!!
Thanks Marius.

Gmetric wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 2:51 pm Wow, Steve, that's a view of M42 that I've never seen before. Very unique, that's for sure.
Thanks "G". It's a new view for me too!

Mirrorgirl wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 11:26 am Hi Steve

That’s beautiful you well deserve an APOD for that excellent

Regards
Rhoda :observatory:
Thanks Rhoda, very kind.

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
Image
Image
User avatar
messier 111 Canada
Universal Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 9472
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2020 2:49 am
3
Location: Canada's capital region .
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#7

Post by messier 111 »


Gmetric wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 2:51 pm Wow, Steve, that's a view of M42 that I've never seen before. Very unique, that's for sure.
+ 1
I LOVE REFRACTORS , :Astronomer1: :sprefac:

REFRACTOR , TS-Optics Doublet SD-APO 125 mm f/7.8 . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor .

EYEPIECES, Delos , Delite and 26mm Nagler t5 , 2 zoom Svbony 7-21 , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .

FILTER , Nebustar 2 tele vue . Apm solar wedge . contrast booster 2 inches .

Mounts , berno mack 3 with telepod , cg-4 motorized , eq6 pro belt drive .

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in.”
― Isaac Asimov

Jean-Yves :flags-canada:
User avatar
starfield United States of America
Milky Way Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 1011
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 3:22 pm
4
Location: San Diego
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#8

Post by starfield »


Love the result, Steve. Look at all that dust. Really gives you a completely different perspective on Orion.
Scopes: Esprit 100, 12.5" Telekit Dob
Camera: 294 MC Pro, 224 mc, 2600mm
Guiding: ZWO 290 mini on 120mm guide scope
Mounts: EQ6R-Pro, EQ Platform.
Filters: Optolong L-Pro & L-Enhance, Chroma 36mm LRGB, 5nm HA, 3nm OIII, 3nm SII.
Software: SharpCap, SGP, StarTools 1.7, Photoshop, Pixinsight
The Death Star Observatory
Astro Photos:https://www.astrobin.com/users/starfield/
User avatar
jthommes United States of America
Milky Way Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 1891
Joined: Tue May 21, 2019 4:52 am
4
Location: San Diego
Status:
Offline

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#9

Post by jthommes »


Nicely done Steve. I did look at your other two posts as well. I love all of the images.

The HDR on this field is quite the challenge. M42 is soooo bright, yet the very dim (relatively) surrounding area is quit interesting. Glad you tackled it.

My approach is surrender. I have been focusing a lot on surrounding areas deliberately keeping M42 out of it.
Jim Thommes
Jim's Astrophotography
David Levy Maksutov Newtonian, Celestron Edge 9.25, FSQ-106N Refractor (on loan), WO ZenithStar 66 APO Refractor, WO Megrez II APO, Sigma 150 mm EOS Lens
Losmandy G11/Gemini, iOptron GEM45, Celestron Advanced VX, iOptron CEM70
ST8300M Camera, Atik 383L, Canon 350D (IR cut modified), ASI1600M, ASI294M, ASI260M
Observatory - Desert Astronomy Association (Shelter Valley, CA)
User avatar
STEVE333 United States of America
Inter-Galactic Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 3466
Joined: Sat May 11, 2019 5:01 pm
4
Location: Santa Cruz, Ca, USA
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#10

Post by STEVE333 »


Thanks Jim - It was definitely more of a challenge than I had anticipated. However, as always, I learned from the experience. Can't say that I blame you for "surrendering" to M42. Always look forward to your next 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
Image
Image
User avatar
Juno16 United States of America
Universal Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 8195
Joined: Sun May 12, 2019 3:13 pm
4
Location: Mississippi Gulf Coast
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#11

Post by Juno16 »


Hi Steve,

The star(s) of the show are amazing, but the dust in your image is phenomenal!
Your processing work absolutely paid off. Outstanding job 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
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
User avatar
STEVE333 United States of America
Inter-Galactic Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 3466
Joined: Sat May 11, 2019 5:01 pm
4
Location: Santa Cruz, Ca, USA
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#12

Post by STEVE333 »


Juno16 wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 2:06 am Hi Steve,

The star(s) of the show are amazing, but the dust in your image is phenomenal!
Your processing work absolutely paid off. Outstanding job Steve!
Thanks Jim. Much appreciated!

Initially I was happy with the first nebula image. However, after again viewing my Ha image that showed so much dust details I was disappointed that it didn't show up in the HOO image. That started several reprocessing attempts that failed to produce the desired improvement. Then I remembered something from the past about doing the HDR processing step by step rather than using one of the PI HDR processes. That finally got me where I wanted. Sometimes a bit of adversity isn't a bad thing. :angry-tappingfoot: :smile:
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
Image
Image
User avatar
Ylem United States of America
Universal Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 7477
Joined: Sun May 12, 2019 2:54 am
4
Location: Ocean County, New Jersey
Status:
Offline

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#13

Post by Ylem »


Wow! That's amazing Steve, never saw M42 quite like that!
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


Member; ASTRA-NJ



Orion 80ED
Celestron C5, 6SE, Celestar 8
Vixen Porta Mount ll
Coronado PST
A big box of Plossls
Little box of filters
:D



User avatar
ic_1101 Canada
Orion Spur Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 968
Joined: Sat May 11, 2019 1:19 pm
4
Location: Canada
Status:
Offline

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#14

Post by ic_1101 »


That's a gorgeous image Steve, beautifully processed. Really well done!!
Alex
Scope: SW Esprit 120ED, Askar FRA300
Mount: ZWO AM5
Cameras: QHY268M/C, QHY183M/C, ASI290MM
Software: Pixinsight, AstroPixelProcessor, SGP
Observatory: Exploradome with Nexdome rotator
https://www.astrobin.com/users/ic_1101/
User avatar
Juno16 United States of America
Universal Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 8195
Joined: Sun May 12, 2019 3:13 pm
4
Location: Mississippi Gulf Coast
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#15

Post by Juno16 »


STEVE333 wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 2:18 am

Thanks Jim. Much appreciated!

Initially I was happy with the first nebula image. However, after again viewing my Ha image that showed so much dust details I was disappointed that it didn't show up in the HOO image. That started several reprocessing attempts that failed to produce the desired improvement. Then I remembered something from the past about doing the HDR processing step by step rather than using one of the PI HDR processes. That finally got me where I wanted. Sometimes a bit of adversity isn't a bad thing. :angry-tappingfoot: :smile:

Yes, a bit of adversity is a good thing.

This is a dust masterpiece!

I know that you keep meticulous notes and will be applying these techniques to future processes.

Fine work sir!
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/
User avatar
BABOafrica Kenya
Local Group Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 2757
Joined: Tue May 07, 2019 2:41 pm
4
Location: Kenya
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#16

Post by BABOafrica »


Gorgeous capture. One of the best.

BABO
"In lumine tuo videbimus lumen."

Scopes: Stellarvue SV80 Raptor Carbon Fiber ED Doublet / Celestron SCT C8
Williams Optics 66mm APO / DIY 8" f/4 Newtonian astrograph / Nikon 180mm f/2.8
Mounts: Orion Atlas EQ-G / Celestron AVX / DIY mini-equatorial
Cameras: QHY163m / Fujifilm X-A1 (modded) / Fuji X-A2 (not modded) / Orion StarShoot Auto Guider
Filters: ZWO 7nm NB set / ZWO LRGB set / ZWO Dual Band / Astronomics UHC
User avatar
SkyHiker United States of America
Local Group Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 2293
Joined: Sat May 11, 2019 8:40 pm
4
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#17

Post by SkyHiker »


Wow that's quite something, to see the dust areas around the nebula so clearly. Thanks for posting this one!
... Henk. :D Telescopes: GSO 12" Astrograph, "Comet Hunter" MN152, ES ED127CF, ES ED80, WO Redcat51, Z12, AT6RC, Celestron Skymaster 20x80, Mounts and tripod: Losmandy G11S with OnStep, AVX, Tiltall, Cameras: ASI2600MC, ASI2600MM, ASI120 mini, Fuji X-a1, Canon XSi, T6, ELPH 100HS, DIY: OnStep controller, Pi4b/power rig, Afocal adapter, Foldable Dob base, Az/Alt Dob setting circles, Accessories: ZWO 36 mm filter wheel, TV Paracorr 2, Baader MPCC Mk III, ES FF, SSAG, QHY OAG-M, EAF electronic focuser, Plossls, Barlows, Telrad, Laser collimators (Seben LK1, Z12, Howie Glatter), Cheshire, 2 Orion RACIs 8x50, Software: KStars-Ekos, DSS, PHD2, Nebulosity, Photo Gallery, Gimp, CHDK, Computers:Pi4b, 2x running KStars/Ekos, Toshiba Satellite 17", Website:Henk's astro images
User avatar
STEVE333 United States of America
Inter-Galactic Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 3466
Joined: Sat May 11, 2019 5:01 pm
4
Location: Santa Cruz, Ca, USA
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: M42 Using Manual HDR Process

#18

Post by STEVE333 »


Thanks everyone for the nice comments, much appreciated.

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
Image
Image
Post Reply

Create an account or sign in to join the discussion

You need to be a member in order to post a reply

Create an account

Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute

Register

Sign in

Return to “Deep Sky Images”