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Re: [APML] Advice please...my first color photo - M27



Thankx Jeff,
 
I appreciate your comments.  I used adjustment layers and saved as a PSD so tweaking the levels/curves some more should be quite easy.  I actually kinda cheated...there's some vignetting in the shot as well as a shadow from the OAG.  Rather than process this out (as I should have) I just chopped it all off quick and dirty.  I've been to Jerry's site as well as some others on the list...lots of good stuff...so much to learn, so little time <g>...but with Isodore beating on us right now there's  not much else to do.  I'll definitely be giving this shot a thorough work over, thanks for the pointers.
 
I suspect the source of the scratches is the lab.  The last few frames of the roll were a bit crumpled too.  I'm actually entertaining the idea of doing my own E6.  It seems that temp control and timing are the hot buttons and I believe I am disciplined enough to get consistent results.  It's either that or find another lab that doesn't send slides out for processing.
 
I have an ST-5C and would like to start autoguiding, but I wanted to try manual guiding on this first roll as a baseline.  Next roll I'll give autoguiding a go.  I have seen the ears while I was playing around with levels and curves...I'll see if I can bring those out. 
 
As for focusing, I think my Stilletto KEF needs some recalibration.  All of my shots with the f/6.3 FR are out of focus and most of my f/10 shots are a little soft.  Collimation on the C8 is good so I don't think that's a factor. I think I'll shoot a roll and see if I can find the optimal setting.  'course it could just be operator error <vbg>.
 
The idea of combining with Provia is intriguing.  You guys are great!  Thanks for all the help!
 
Carpe Nox,  Frank
----- Original Message -----
From: Jeff Ball
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2002 8:35 AM
Subject: RE: [APML] Advice please...my first color photo - M27

Hello Frank,
That is very nice!  The histogram is clipped on the dark end.  Look at levels in Photoshop and you will see the RGB curve not falling totally within the graphic box.  If you haven't done so yet, check out Jerry Lodriguss' website on curves and photoshop techniques.  Rubber stamp tool in Photoshop is one of the best ways to eliminate the horizontal lines.  You may want to seek out a pro lab if you think your current lab is scratching the film during development.  I see where you have developed your own black and white.  If you aren't seeing the scratches with your own development, then that would probably rule out the camera pressure plate as the culprit for the scratches.  The scanner may also be a source of the lines.  Best advice is to eliminate them prior to Photoshop work<g>
 
As always, my advice is to shoot multiple exposures to at least have 3, even with a fine grain like E200.  That is when I experiment with longer exposure times.  I know you are manually guiding and that is a lot of work<g>  The "ears" of M27 are just starting to stick out in your image.  I think with a modified histogram without clipping and a couple of slightly longer exposures, you would nail this feature.   Guiding looks very good and focus looks very close.  You may also consider a combination with Provia to enhance the blues of M27.  Just some thoughts since you asked.  Best of luck and very nice work!
Jeff Ball
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-astro-photo@seds.org [mailto:owner-astro-photo@seds.org]On Behalf Of Frank Barrett
Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2002 9:06 PM
To: astro-photo@seds.org
Subject: [APML] Advice please...my first color photo - M27

All,
 
My film scanner arrived today and I am excited to post my first color photo of M27:
 
 
This was a 60 minute manual guided shot.  I did very minimal processing in Photoshop adjusting levels/curves and applying a mild unsharp mask.  I would really appreciate some feed back on this.  For one, there are some nasty scratches which go horizontally.  What is the best way to remove these in Photoshop.  Any help is appreciated.
 
Comments please!
 
Carpe Nox,  Frank