Re-processed Image: Helix Nebula from 09-04-2021

[AstroBee]

Nothing better to do on a day off when it's raining... Decided to dig through some old data again.

Captured 09/04/2021
ZWO2600mm
15x120sec, RGB each = 90min.
20x600sec Ha & OIII each = 6hrs,20min
Total Integration time = 7hrs50mins
Explore Scientific ED152 w/1.0x flattener = 1220mm fl.
iOptron CEM70EC mount
Captured with NINA
Processed with PixInsight


Funny thing, when I do this, I always think the new version is better than the old...till I look at the old version again. I try not to look at the old version while I'm re-processing my images.
Here's the old version. Thoughts?

[Thefatkitty]

Honestly Greg, I feel bad saying this, but I'm partial to the old one... Though the reprocess is good, to me it just doesn't have the "ooomph" the original does. But that's me, I know nothing about DSO AP, so I'd take it with a grain of salt

Hope your weather clears!!

All the best,

[AstroBee]

@Thefatkitty , I almost feel the same and I ALWAYS appreciate honest critiques. Personally, I like the stars in the new version and the nebula in the original version. To me, that would be great.
Thanks Mark.
It's crazy how different the same exact data can turn out. It just shows how much of what we do as astrophotographers is a bit of art.

[messier 111]

veri nice redo , thx .

[JayTee]

Interesting.

I like the star size in the new one and the coloration in the old one. Any chance you could combine the two?

[AstroBee]

After seeing the two side-by-side, I seriously considered that. I might work on that tonight or tomorrow. Nothing but clouds here from the Pacific atmospheric river.

[JSBach1801]

Interesting.

I like the star size in the new one and the coloration in the old one. Any chance you could combine the two?

I feel the exact opposite! I think the stars got a little too big in the new one, but love the more realized detail in the nebula.

[AstroBee]

Interesting.

I like the star size in the new one and the coloration in the old one. Any chance you could combine the two?

I feel the exact opposite! I think the stars got a little too big in the new one, but love the more realized detail in the nebula.

I'm a little confused by your comment. The stars are much smaller in the new version compared to the original version.

[AstroBee]

Anyway, it turned out that with the original version, I only had a finished jpg. So rather then attempt to modify it I just reprocessed the entire image again. This time looking at the original and trying to copy the nebula look in the original one but the stars in the new one. This is what I came up with. It's not a perfect match, but much closer than the first new version I posted today.

[JayTee]

That one is a WOW!

[JSBach1801]

Interesting.

I like the star size in the new one and the coloration in the old one. Any chance you could combine the two?

I feel the exact opposite! I think the stars got a little too big in the new one, but love the more realized detail in the nebula.

I'm a little confused by your comment. The stars are much smaller in the new version compared to the original version.

Understandably so, because I got your pictures backwards,
Just ignore me, it's late, I'm tired,

[jthommes]

Nice reprocess Greg. I do think it is an improvement over the original image. I think the main areas of improvement is the color palette and better control of the star field. Nicely done.