RE: [APML] first attempt at scanning, processing, and stacking

["Jeff Ball" <jeffball@astro-photography.com>]

Hello Philip,
You have great tools and raw data.  My recommendation is that if you
don't have Jerry's Photoshop for Astrophotographers book on CD 
< http://www.astropix.com/PFA/PFA.HTM >, please get it and read it at
least twice.  It is indispensable for using Photoshop in every single
aspect.  Looks like you clipped the green and your color is favoring
red.  Also, monitor calibration is critical to getting the results you
are looking for.  If your monitor is not self-calibrating, check out the
Spyder calibration systems available at B&H and others.  I believe they
now have some lower priced units that are a little more affordable.
Since you have Photoshop CS, keep an eye on the expanded histograms with
all 3 color channels during enhancement.  I am guessing with the FS128
and focal reducer you probably have a little more vignetting and you
could utilize any number of anti-vignetting techniques in Jerry's book.
Also, Neat Image is a wonderful plugin to help smooth the image.  Many
of these topics are covered in the archives.  Tracking looks fine, focus
looks fine, and exposure looks good... I wish my first attempts were
1/100 as good as this.  Great results and keep working on it as we all
do.  Thanks for posting.

Jeff Ball
www.astro-photography.com
> 
> This photo represents a first for me on multiple fronts:
> http://www.ruckuseffect.com/astro/horsehead.html
> 
> First attempt to:
> - photograph the Horsehead
> - scan with my new Microtek 120tf film scanner
> - use RegiStar and stack two scanned negatives
> - use PhotoShop for adjustments and layering
> - use newly purchased CS version of PhotoShop
> - present a photo to the APML list
> 
> Constructive criticism/advice is greatly welcomed. I think the flame
looks
> a
> bit florescent, and the blue is missing around the star. I tried
playing
> with the blue channel, but couldn't bring it out enough.
> 
> -Phil


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