Processing is a key feature in digital astrophotography. Basically each pixel in a photo file has a corresponding code number that represents color and it's this data that is filtered and /or enhanced. Astrophotographers use many different programs and applications to enhance their photos, but many may ask if what we see in this photos is real.
Jerry Lodriguss, an experienced astrophotographer, has a great article about this subject here.
Since i'm not doing science what i want to acomplish is that my photos be the more pleasant as possible, just like if we where right there journeying in a spaceship.
I have to say that my processing experience is almost zero and im still in the long learning road.
Image Data: Ursa Major
Lens/Scope: Canon 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 EF-S Zoom IS Lens
Focal Length: 18mm
F/Stop: f/3.5
Exposure: One 3-second exposure
Mount: Fixed Tripod
Guiding: None
Camera: Unmodified Canon 500D (Digital Rebel T1i)
Mode: Raw
ISO: 800
White Balance: None
In-Camera Noise Reduction: Off
Filter: None
Date: July 31, 2010
Location: Beja, Portugal
Calibration: None
Processing: Color ajusted, contrast increased, noise reduction, resampled in Digital Photo Professional
And after doing a little simple processing in the photo from the last post, the one filled with light pollution:
Image Data: Deneb - Vega - Altair
Lens/Scope: Canon 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 EF-S Zoom IS Lens
Focal Length: 18mm
F/Stop: f/3.5
Exposure: One 15-second exposure
Mount: Fixed Tripod
Guiding: None
Camera: Unmodified Canon 500D (Digital Rebel T1i)
Mode: Raw
ISO: 400
White Balance: None
In-Camera Noise Reduction: Off
Filter: None
Date: August 01, 2010
Location: Beja, Portugal
Calibration: None
Processing: Color ajusted, brightness and contrast enhancement, noise reduction, resampled, sharpened in Photoshop.
