Here's my straight HaRGB image of the Wizard. Photoshop CS5 was used for image processing. However, Starnet** was used for creating the starless images.
All images were reduced to 1800 x1156 to speed up processing on my dinosaur desktop.
Workflow ....
RGB image
- Red, Green, Blue images combined using the "Construct
RGB Image" from the Astronomy Tools Action set.
- Overall green background removed using the HSVG (green removal) action from the DeepSkyColor Action set.
- Original
RGB image was duplicated and the copy stretched (Curves and Level) to a point where the stars look good. The image was then split into just the stars (nebula was removed) using a "Separate Stars and Sky" action. Copy
RGB image with stars put aside.
- Original
RGB image was stretched using "Equalize" tool ...thanks for the tip, Carole ... and the stars removed using Starnet**. Back to "Curves" and "Level" to further increase nebulosity. Additional adjustments made on Saturation, Color Balance and Vibrance and overall noise reduction applied using the "Dfine2" action from the Nik Collection. Stars from the Copy
RGB image were then "blended" back into the original
RGB image using the "Lighten" option and star colors boosted using "Increase Star Color" action from Astronomy Tools.
Workflow ...
Ha image
- Used "Equalize" to quickly bring out the nebulosity .... thanks again, Carole ... and removed the stars using Starnet**.
- "Curves" and "Levels" used to bring out the maximum amount of nebulosity.
- Sharpening using "Unsharp Mask".
- Global noise reduction using "Dfine2" and selective noise reduction using "Strong Noise" from the Nik Collection.
- Selective Sharpening/Contrast to bring out faint detail.
Workflow ... Final
- Combining the
RGB image and the
Ha image using "Blend - Lighten"
- Some final color adjustments and selective color enhancements using "Saturation" and "Vibrance.
FULL DISCLOSURE ... I made a major mistake while processing this image. I didn't want to go back and make the needed correction, so I did a quick touch-up. However, the mistake is still glaringly apparent. Can you spot it?