Author Topic: A Rosette by any other name.. Caldwell 49 (Read 717 times)

BillA. · « **on:** January 29, 2012, 06:25:57 PM »

Hello everyone,

Finally ready to post my finished version of the Rosette Nebula.

http://www.wanthonyphotography.com/viewer.cfm?fid=253&folder=gallery

For this image I combined about, 77, 5 minute subs shot over two different nights.
The final average combined image was given a DPP stretch in Images Plus, then saved as a Tiff and brought into PS2.
I used the N/C action set to minimize the stars (about 4 times of make stars smaller). Then the stars were removed using the action set mentioned to me by El Paso Eric.

http://astroanarchy.blogspot.com/2008/11/star-removal-ps-action.html

At this point, another copy of the file (with stars) was brought into PS2 as a top layer, set to brighten to allow the stars to show in the image. But I now had a bottom layer with no stars for processing the nebula. At this point, I used the Shadows filter to bring out more detail followed by a three separate layers. These three layers were for the outer portions of the Rosette, the middle section of the Rosette, and the inner section of the Rosette. I used the Color Range option on each portion to try to increase the visibility of these different regions. For example I tried to really bring out the pinkish inner section of the Rosette, extend the visibility of the faint outer portions, and enhance the dark red color of the middle section of the nebula.

All of this was followed by a simple +7 of the Contrast slider which, worked better then expected.

When this was done, I flattened the image, and then converted to LAB to increase the color as shown by Annie Morris in one of her videos. Then back to RGB mode for one more touch of the NC Make Stars Smaller action.

The stars were maybe a tad bloated in the final image, but not in a distracting way.
Also, my 8X10 print of this came out very well.

Bill A.

Bob Star · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2012, 06:51:23 PM »

A wall hanger for sure Bill!! Well done!!

Bob

El Paso Eric · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2012, 07:24:36 PM »

Beautiful job, Bill. Nice detail, contrast and star color. Glad you found use of the Star reduction action.

Ditto on Bob's comment !

Eric

schmeah · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2012, 07:55:40 PM »

Outstanding, Bill. Great processing and not over processed. Not overly sharpened and yet still with great detail. The stars are nice with just the right amount of fuzziness.
Derek

MikeM · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2012, 08:24:54 PM »

A very nice image Bill, bravo!

BillA. · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2012, 10:49:58 PM »

Thankyou everyone for the nice comments.

They are greatly appreciated!!!

I was very happy with this image, but the most amazing to me was just the fact that
the Rosette is just a truly spectacular looking object. It is simply magical!

Bill

Craig & Tammy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:55:59 PM »

That's a very nice Rosette Bill! Looks like you have the processing down-pat!

Definitely an image to be proud of!

jambroseus · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2012, 09:58:06 PM »

Excellent Bill! that's a poster shot! --John

BillA. · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:01:08 AM »

Thankyou John...!
Poster... hmmm.....
So far I have printed it 8X10, but will try to make a 11X14 print for the office!
Bill

gquinzi · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2012, 09:54:46 AM »

Very lush looking image there. I know I'd definitely put it on my wall :) Bill if I may ask, are you using a home printer or do you have them printed elsewhere?

BillA. · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2012, 10:40:21 PM »

I print them at home for now using a
Canon Pixma MP990 and Canon GlossyII paper.
Results are very good! But the prints do suck up a lot
of costly ink and you have to give the prints 24 hrs to de-gas (as I found out) before framing.

I have used outside sources before for some of my
nature photography, but it is sometimes a gamble or trial and error process.
To print larger than 8X10, I will have to use an outside source though.

Below is a photo of an 8X10 print on Canon Glossy II Letter size paper.
The larger size allows me to print a tad bigger than 8X10 (a few more cm).

Bill

jambroseus · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2012, 08:51:39 AM »

Looks great! now pin it up... <g>

BillA. · « **Reply #12 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:46:37 AM »

Quote from: jambroseus on February 03, 2012, 08:51:39 AM

Looks great! now pin it up... <g>

How about this!!
Bill

El Paso Eric · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2012, 10:06:29 AM »

Beautiful.

Who does your printing?

BillA. · « **Reply #14 on:** February 03, 2012, 10:34:51 AM »

Hello Eric,

I print them at home for now using a
Canon Pixma MP990 and Canon GlossyII paper.
Ink is costly though.

Bill

El Paso Eric · « **Reply #15 on:** February 03, 2012, 10:50:29 AM »

Ah yes. I had seriously looked at the Pixma 9500 MkII and also the new Pro-1. I also looked at large format printers. I used to use a 42" HP800 that really printed well (1200dpi), and the inks come in large volume tanks, and were fairly in expensive. I used to print on Mylar for fantastic results. I could probably write this one off, since I could also benefit from its use in my home office.

However, I think I'll send them out for now. My problem is that I never consider any of my images to be finished.

Thanks for the info...

BillA. · « **Reply #16 on:** February 03, 2012, 11:33:04 AM »

Eric,

I like to show people at work the images, they are just fascinated by them. Also, I have numerous friends and relatives who have at-least one of my photos (nature/astro) hanging in their house. I find that prints truly relay something different to people versus an image on a screen. Hence, for most of my photos, I am more concerned about getting a good print vs. an image for the web. (Does that make sense?)

Bill

Astrovirus · « **Reply #17 on:** February 06, 2012, 02:30:54 PM »

Fine looking Rosette, Bill. And that can also be said for that nice looking wall of yours. Would love to print some of my own shots, but unfortunately, my wife doesn't want them in plain sight in the house.

BillA. · « **Reply #18 on:** February 07, 2012, 10:40:59 AM »

Quote from: Astrovirus on February 06, 2012, 02:30:54 PM

Fine looking Rosette, Bill. And that can also be said for that nice looking wall of yours. Would love to print some of my own shots, but unfortunately, my wife doesn't want them in plain sight in the house.

Thanks for the compliment!
I have given a few of the framed images away as gifts.
If you were to do like wise, I bet here opinion would change after she seeing people
marvel over them. Just a suggestion.
Bill

Astrovirus · « **Reply #19 on:** February 07, 2012, 02:06:52 PM »

Quote from: BillA. on February 07, 2012, 10:40:59 AM

I have given a few of the framed images away as gifts.
If you were to do like wise, I bet here opinion would change after she seeing people
marvel over them.

I'll most certainly keep that in mind, Bill.