M8-Lagoon revisit

[timatworksg]

My second attempt at M8, this time with a little more forethought. Would benefit from more longer exposures to stack for sure...but this exercise was another move forward in my practice on AP. A little over post processed in PS I feel. Feedback and suggestions welcome.

80ED/Fuji S3 at Prime/Orion Skyglow filter/ISO400/9x30s RAW subs/DSS/Neat Image NR/Post in PS/unguided

[mch3898]

Like the wide-field shot. I've never been able to get good shots using a DSLR. (I use the 400D Canon.) I get over-exposed shots at 30 s. How do you do it? Could it be the low ISO setting or are there other tweaks needed?

BTW, my last attempt at the eagle neb wasn't that great. The RGB was so-so but when I added the L, the whole pic sort of runs - a lot of halos. Probably cannot get the L to align well. Will try to post it for gurus to advise when I am able to do so.

[cataclysm]

Nice pic! Better than my first few attempts. Like any other hobby, the more you do it the better you will get.

[timatworksg]

Thanks guys for the encouragement! Agree that the more you try the more you understand and process. Early probs I had was trying to get aligned. Finding a workable yet quick way for myself to get set up was the biggest deciding factor. Finally settled with the CCD drift using my DSLR for 2 sometimes even 3mins.,..hehe! Then the rest is practice, practice, practice. Alot comes to knowing how your DSLR works and what it can give you in different shooting situations. Just like when I was in the studio, I had initial probs with lighting. But once I found a working solution that I can be happy with....I just stick with it!
Like now, I still can't get CCD cams to work for me...haha! Guess I'm too used to a DSLR. My M8 revisit was shot at the next door MSCP rather than my previous balcony attempt. It definately will benefit from longer exposures...which time is hard for me to come by...but with the shorter sub experiments and attempts, I am better prepared for longer exposures when the moment is right! Also, I prefer to work with a simple set up, which is DSLR so I have an option of home or outdoor AP. Less to carry too! Now that my guidescope is almost finished and THANKS to Croy, a small netbook** I can do guiding outdoor with lighter gear.

@mch3898
I almost always shoot at ISO400. This M8 was done in RAW and processed to TIFF in Adobe RAW. Then DSS with some minor tweaks there, I tend to under it a little and do more post process in PS. Sometimes you have to do the 'Lodriguss' method and use Masking. With the unpredictable Singapore skies, you can get 10 clear shots then 10 hazy shots! Don't see why you get overexposed shots though. My white balance is mostly set to Auto but with RAW it doesn't matter. Any stray light nearby?? Sometimes that happens. Maybe one day I pay you a visit and we can investigate!! One thing I like about the Finepix S3 is it's dynamic range, color output and low low noise!!! Even at ISO800...this 13yr camera has been one helluva partner!!

@Croy
Thanks again for the netbook! Keeps the family at bay...haha! I did use a Orion SkyGlow which definately helped alot. Seeing was good that night and M8 high up helped as well. Some subs had oval stars due to the wind. But alot benefitted from shooting in RAW where the final output can be controlled. As mentioned, I processed a little under and do the boost in PS during post...old studio photography habit! And yeah, the Celestron 80ED, Vixen GP, Ioptron EQ convert kit and the trusted S3!! And mozzie repellent!! Tweaks were definately done with curves and color balance...but alot during RAW conversion, so less time during post. The eyedropper tool in curves helps, as you can use it to spot check areas and see where on the curve it appears. Then tweak from there keeping the curve as smooth as possible. Lots of layers and minor adjustments so you can make a mistake and revert back.

@cataclysm
Thanks! Coming from you, I'm thrilled!! Slowly getting there,...at least now I know with short subs, good sky, better CCD drift, Digital imaging and stacking process, I can't wait to find the time I can slowly set up and spend a long night with longer subs! From all the past attempts, I know now that I can go longer and whats expected from my set up! If what I do now gives me this...whoo...can't wait to do longer subs!!

Thanks again...and gonna have more attempts soon. I really like the Clusters for imaging...so thats the aim I'm gonna concentrate on,...they look beautiful shot thru a DSLR!!

[timatworksg]

@mch3898
Hey Chris, are you using the DSLR and shooting in your garden? Yould could be picking up all the ambient light from around you...considering the houses are at close proximity. Also the sky glow which comes from that. I remember shooting in an open field with 3 HDB flats around 50M away and exposing at ISO400 for 30s, gave me an orange and almost blown out night sky!
Increase ISO and you have to decrease exposure time. Increase exposure time and you may have to decrease ISO. It's a fine line to compromise between less sky glow/blowout whilst not sacrificing detail in the subject. Either way...lost of subs need to be done. You could also try a set of 30s and another at 20s/15s at a particular ISO. Then stack.
I find that a little underexposure helps cos post will be able to bring out the mids. And Never never trust the small viewer....like on my S3, if it looks good, it's probably a little overexposed. Also getting used to zooming into the image with the viewer to be able to tell if things are sharp is a practice! You could adjust the brightness/contrast, but I prefer the default and getting used to it for consistency.
DSLR's don't work like a dedicated CCD cam...and you need to cut back on exposure times and ISO's unlike a CCD cam which can handle heat and long exposures without any probs at all!!
I believe any DSLR/cam can do a great shot! Just need to get a feel of it, know what it gives you at various subjects, and work within it's limitations! Lastly, expectations play the key factor. Hubble images?...NAH! But reasonable keepsakes? Definately!

I'm no expert or pro in this line. As I was a freelance commercial photographer. But this is an art or hobby where end results which are reasonable and nice are as good as a magazine cover! So many types of images, under or over exposed have made it big...so what works...why fix it?

[mch3898]

@timatworksg

You are welcome to my garden "observatory" anytime - not that it is great with so much surrounding street lights and limited sky what with the trees and houses all round too.

Yes, it is the orangey sky glow (?) that spoils my attempts. Will try again and see how to find good workround. Your shot has given me hope to go at it again. That's the fun part, isn't it?

[timatworksg]

@mch3898

Thanks for the invite! Lets see if there's a nice Friday or Saturday evening thats possible. Lemme know if either of these days are good for you!

Orange sky glow...ah! Probably from the close proximity of the houses and the narrow like area they give. Your garden pretty much allows for high views and with the houses much taller than the scope..lol the DSLR is picking up a fair bit of ambient and reflected light all around, considering they are taller than your scope set up. The ambient light from the surroundings, plus the narrow channel like area probably contribute to the orange glow. You would probably see a difference if you were to try from your 2nd floor window and aim above their rooftops or higher. DSLR's tend to pick up light very easilly and the glow you get is probably from this ambience.
I get that when I shoot with a 50mm lens or if my scope is near the nearby streetlight. I will have a orange glow all around or half pic.

But, hey,...glad you wanna try again. Wasn't meant for any inspiration but....great! Sometimes I feel dissapointed with my attempts, stop, don't think about it, till something gives me the boost again!

And yes the Fun is actually trying and failing, rethink, try and when there is at least 1% success....hey!...your in the right direction. If there's success, it means it worked and if it works, success follows!

[Gary]

Nice. Thanks for sharing!

[wintertriangle22]

Good effort , nice picture of M8