Astronomy Technology Today Magazine

www.IP4AP.com received a Rave Review from Astronomy Technology Today Magazine's Austin Grant for its latest series Soup to Nuts in the new issue! Subscribe to ATT today! www.astronomytechnolgytoday.com

High Point Scientific and Clear Skies Media

Hello IP4AP fans!

Just a quick note to say High Point Scientific- Grant, Dave, Bob and all the fine guys in New Jersey have signed on as an IP4AP dealer. You may order either the Superdisk or S/N = Soup to Nuts DVD from them. www.highpointscientific.com

Meantime, look for a major promo deal from OPT with new CCD camera purchases!

Welcome to Mr. Ed Merritt's Clear Skies Catalog! http://www.amazon.com/b/qid=1321637629?ie=UTF8&me=A3K2EESGT2T0XL

Also Teleskop-Service in Germany! www.teleskop-service.com

Visit us for even more content at www.IP4AP.com

Thanks, Warren

Art at Last!

It has been my great hope to see astro-imaging accepted as the fine art it can be. I am pleased to share with you Starstruck http://www.bates.edu/x225901.xml

Now some wonderful personal news! Three prints were accepted for the Starstruck Exhibition in 2012: Pleiades, Leo Triplet, and Alnitak. I also became the newest artist on the roster of Exposures Int'l Gallery of Sedona, Arizona http://www.exposuresfineart.com/

Thank you all for your support and encouragement. For the latest, see www.billionsandbillions.com.

My very best, Warren

HDRT- High Dynamic Range Toning in Photoshop for Astrophotography

Hello gang, My hope is that you are not sweltering too badly through this long, hot summer. I'd like to share a new processing technique with you, which might take some of the heat off! Many of you are likely familiar with HDR (High Dynamic Range) techniques for terrestrial photography. You know- taking a minimum of three images of the same subject with different exposures, to maximize shadows, midtones, and highlights respectively, then blending them with Photoshop's Merge to HDR Pro or similar routine in other software. The results are often WOW, a unique and dynamic look, though artificial looking if overused. If used subtly however, it can be very powerful, and if used more emphatically, it can create surreal and very cool images indeed.

What if I told you that you could partially take advantage of HDR's 'pop' in astro-imaging, and with a single image? Have a look under Image/Adjustments/HDR Toning. While not a true HDR merging of disparate images, it is a very powerful processing tool. Its 'wow factor' is akin to, but more dynamic than what is obtained with Shadows/Highlights, a nonlinear stretch, used as an alternative or in conjunction with Photoshop's Curves. I have stated that using S/H exclusively is 'dangerous medicine' and doesn't yield the realistic look of Curves. The same is true of 'HDRT'. I recommend processing images with IP4AP techniques using Curves as the primary tool after DDP, then consider finishing off with S/H. For a real slam dunk however, particularly for nebulae- try HDRT!

Basic Image Processing

Try my settings, but experiment!

                        

After HDRT- Wow!



I might suggest that you blend in the HDRT as a Layer with reduced Opacity. You can also use Layers' Masks and 'Blend If' if you don't like its effect on the entire image. I think you'll find however that a reduced Opacity of 25-75%, it will do just fine. As you have to begin with a single-layer duplicate anyway, consider using a Pseudo-L or Luminance for the HDRT application. 

Be advised that at the bottom of the dialog is an expandable section called Toning Curve and Histogram. The great Ken Crawford is having much success with subtle adjustments there for his high-resolution work, so experiment here too if you have a mind to. For people like me who like powerful results quickly however, don't worry about it to start!

Until next time, this is Warren Keller for IP4AP- Image Processing for Astrophotography sending my best!                                          

   

IP4AP's S/N = Soup to Nuts Series Complete!

S/N = Soup to Nuts Series is done! Six months in the making, 24 tutorials- stick a fork in it! S/N is streaming Here with several free samples. Please share it with your newer imager friends. Covered is Astroart 5.0, MaxIm DL 5 and Photoshop CS5. It is Now Available from OPT , IP4AP , and other dealers. Thanks for your support!

Best, Warren Keller and Peter Proulx

March 2011

Hello again good people,
                                             It's been a while! Hope all are well.  Thought I'd say hello and publish an update. The New Mexico Skies Observatory has been fully operational since November 2010.  As you'll see at http://www.billionsandbillions.com/ I have a terrific new partner and friend in Dave Raphael of http://www.astrofactors/. We've been sharing observing duties since December.


After much nail biting, the 10" OGS received a new pair of glasses in February, just as Hubble did those years back. The field is now flat and tack sharp and we're thrilled to be collecting ancient photons from galaxies far, far away. Please visit Billions and see my thanks to several friends who made it all happen.


I am working on a new series at IP4AP called S2N, covering the astro-image processing gamut from pre to post processing. Please have a peek at that, as well as the newly redesigned http://www.ip4ap.com/. 


We've also established a facebook page and YouTube Channel for IP4AP.com 


I had the privilege of bringing Atik CCD into the USA as their rep for 18 months, and I continue to use their cameras on the telescope. I'm grateful for the many friends and opportunities I've benefitted from in astro-imaging.


Presenting at NEAIC and for NOVAC, writing a book for Springer Press, consulting with Celestron, teaching via one-on-one sessions, processing, managing my wife's jewelry business http://www.chrizart.com/ , IOW keeping busy!


Well better run! Thanks for catching up with me here. Check the sites mentioned for updates and let us know how we can help you realize your full potential as an astro-imager!


Best, Warren Keller