29 replies to this topic

[ET_PhoneHome]

I agree with you on the astro aspects.  LR just doesn't seem like the right tool.  For bright objects I could probably get by, but for these dim DSOs, StarTools worked a lot better.  I'm very familiar with LR and wish it did work better for astro.  I actually have Photoshop, too, as part of my Adobe package, but I never really bothered to learn it.  I did mess with it a bit with this Veil image, but I'm finding I like StarTools better.  It seems PS needs a lot of plugins to work well for astro.  I'm sure it can be done manually, but I'm no PS guru.

[starblue]

LOL, don't even get me started about the DPR forums.  I've gotten into quite a few "lively" arguments over there.  Those forums can turn into a real circus

I've found the DPR Astro forum generally supportive of beginning astrophotographers. They're less likely to get sliced-n-diced there than here, particularly true when one is using nonstandard equipment (i.e. not Canon or Nikon). Also, I like nightscape photography, which gets more attention there.

 

As for your Veil photo, I think it's remarkable you got such a good image of it from the city. Just exposing longer should get you closer to your goal.

[ET_PhoneHome]

I've found the DPR Astro forum generally supportive of beginning astrophotographers. They're less likely to get sliced-n-diced there than here, particularly true when one is using nonstandard equipment (i.e. not Canon or Nikon). Also, I like nightscape photography, which gets more attention there.

 

As for your Veil photo, I think it's remarkable you got such a good image of it from the city. Just exposing longer should get you closer to your goal.

Thanks.  Yeah, I think certain sections of the forums over on DPR are more civil than others =)

 

I will try longer integration times and see how it goes, but I'll probably practice on easier targets to get my feet wet.  Not knowing a lot about AP, I think I was expecting too much from such a short total exposure.  Plus, I didn't realize that so much work went into post-processing.  I would say I'm a competent amateur photog, and am good at editing in LR to get pleasing results, but man, this AP stuff is a whole new world.

 

I shot Cassiopeia the other night (20s x 40) and here's what I got with StarTools.  I added the star spikes with a PS plugin, which I suppose was "cheating", but without them, it's very difficult to tell what the image is.

 

https://www.flickr.c...eposted-public/

[starblue]

I'd call your Cassiopeia quite respectable. Did you do it from in town? In town using regular (unmodified) camera equipment I find star clusters easier than nebulae or galaxies and reserve the latter two for dark skies.

[ET_PhoneHome]

Thanks!  Yep, just from my backyard.  I'm in a Cleveland, OH suburb, so the skies are pretty light.  I can't see the Milky Way at all, but I did notice the Pleiades last night, and I could count all seven "sisters" with the naked eye, but just barely.  On top of the regular light pollution, I have a neighbor in the house behind me that has the most obnoxious backyard light I've seen.  It lights up the whole back of his house in a bright bluish/white light, and even lights up the houses next to him.  He seems to have it on at random times.  It's ridiculous.  I'm going to take a picture and post it next time I notice it on