Technical picture issue.

[Buldric]

So what I'm hearing here is two things

1.)
a.)I need to take multipule exposure LENGTHS not just multiples of one exposure

b.) I need to stack these pictures SEPERATELY according to their exposure length.

c.) I need to adjust these images by fiddling around with histograms in which i have little theory in how they work, untill the pictures look"best"

d.) I then need to take these pictures into adobe photoshop, or Macromedia Fireworks, and put these seperate stacked exposure, modified curve pictures on top of eachother, and adjust eaches transparency untill they look like one picture, and hope it doesnt look like a smurf with a bad hair day.


2.) Astrophotography is an art which can be tought, but it cannot be learned. Either that, or im hearing "GTFO, im not typing out all that crap, I have better stuff to do, go onto some other guys site that has no life and RTFM" =p But im sure its the prior....yea....


Allright, how about this, im probably going to be imaging the moon tonight, as its going to be taking up the entire sky, and seeing is crappy, but transparency is awsome. Got any tips? exposures, magnification uses of a variable polarizing filter, etc? (and EDITING!)

Clear Skies,
Buldric

[dmill1220]

Originally Posted by Buldric

So what I'm hearing here is two things

1.)
a.)I need to take multipule exposure LENGTHS not just multiples of one exposure

b.) I need to stack these pictures SEPERATELY according to their exposure length.

c.) I need to adjust these images by fiddling around with histograms in which i have little theory in how they work, untill the pictures look"best"

d.) I then need to take these pictures into adobe photoshop, or Macromedia Fireworks, and put these seperate stacked exposure, modified curve pictures on top of eachother, and adjust eaches transparency untill they look like one picture, and hope it doesnt look like a smurf with a bad hair day.


2.) Astrophotography is an art which can be tought, but it cannot be learned. Either that, or im hearing "GTFO, im not typing out all that crap, I have better stuff to do, go onto some other guys site that has no life and RTFM" =p But im sure its the prior....yea....


Allright, how about this, im probably going to be imaging the moon tonight, as its going to be taking up the entire sky, and seeing is crappy, but transparency is awsome. Got any tips? exposures, magnification uses of a variable polarizing filter, etc? (and EDITING!)

Clear Skies,
Buldric

Ok,
First and foremost you don't have to do anything, LOL, and you dont have to stack all images of the same duration separately, you can mix your subs by combining all of them in one stack or use ratios. or use the same length subs and just use one or several of the varied methods of image processing techniques and its associated software.

I am no expert I only know enough to produce what you have seen posted by me so far in the image gallery.
while I have read of this layering technique in photoshop, I am still trying to learn it myself!

I never said Astrophotography cannot be learned, all I am trying to say is that its also sort of an art form, you have to find out what works best for your particular imaging setup and software for different targets, under varied conditions. what works for me with my setup may not work for you.

There are so many different techniques and CCD or CMOS cameras with image processing software programs out there that it will amaze you.

Everyone has their own unique way of manipulating the data and the subs along with their capture process, this will vary with the equipment and software applications used and the specific target they are imaging along with their own level of expertise. I have only been doing this myself for only a little over a year and I am still trying to wrap my own head around all there is to learn.

Since I myself am a rookie to the CCD craze I can only tell you what I have learned so far and that is to read about methods and theories and the use of my software and equipment. and what I still have to learn by reading and experimentation.

You really need to consider reading as much as you can on CCD imaging as I am doing, this will help you find the best way for your particular setup and learn what works best for you, learn as much as you can about masking, filtering, layering techniques,different combining Methods, the Histogram function, Linear stretching, Logarithmic stretching, the Merge function, scaling your image, etc; etc; develop your own work flow as you progress with your particular software.

I can explain to you how I imaged and processed my image of M-31, each and every step of the way, but its particular to my limited
knowledge, Equipment and Software. I dont know of anyone that has not had to research the hobby on their own and learn via experimentation. Heck I have not even come close to mastering Photo Shop! So How can I possibly try to teach someone else what I am just starting to learn on my own???

I have the basics, and I am playing around with all the variables, this is where the fun is for me, learning from what I read about processing, and then trying to figure out how to accomplish the same with my software and equipment.

As for the Moon with poor seeing I would prefer to image the moon when its not near full, or at least when the terminator is visible and under decent or fair seeing. I haven't imaged the Moon yet with my cheap Meade DSI so I cant give you any tips.
besides what do I know of your camera's sensitivity? and your specific software, nothing!

Just take a look at my images I have a long way to go! LOL!
bottom line? I can only lead you in the direction I have been lead to myself.

Dennis

[Buldric]

So i got back in from my night of astrophotograhpy, and edit the two pictures i like the best. At the worst, i can say I'm very pleased with my results. at best, I'm floored with the results i got. Heres the two pics I edited and uploaded, LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!