Processing

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.