Where to go from Here?

[tdgm]

 
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Hello Everybody

I am stuck. Where to go from here. I have been practicing all different processes and have even come up with a linear workflow to a point.

My Camera is an SBIG STF 8300C OSC. I use it on a Takahashi FS 78 (old version) with F 5.9 Reducer. Optical aberration on periphery due to the telescope. From other information gathered here I have learned how to help with that. My workflow so here is below:

1-BPP with a Cos Correction applied
2-STF with or without linking channels
3-Channel Extraction RGB
4-Star Alignment choosing one color as reference and aligning the other 2.
5-Linear fit to better align channels
6-Channel Combination with new registered images etc.
7-DBE
8-?Repair HSV
9-?Channel Combine HSV
10-Background Neutralization
11-Color Calibration
12-Deconvolution (if needed but I do not know how to determine that yet).

*** Now WHAT DO I DO?. How does one determine if Noise reduction is needed in linear state and which method is recommended?

13-Non Linear stretching either Masked and Then Histogram Transformation or just Histogram Transformation.

***Now I have no idea where to go from here how does one determine the next steps

If you need examples  of some of my images ask and I can put them up for your suggestions but right now I am asking just how to determine where to go. WHAT DO YOU GUYS USE AS CRITERA.


Thanks for any advise you can give me.


Steve Herrman

[NGC7789]

First off it's bad forum practice to post the same topic in multiple areas. It just makes it hard to follow the thread especially if people start answering in both.

You've come to the fundamental turning point of any image processing (or in fact any creative process). There is a mechanical portion that can have specific nearly universal steps (like calibration) but then you get to the subjective portion. What you are asking is akin to "I've loaded up my pallet with paint now what color should I use?"

Noise reduction can be approached numerically (what is the SNR for example) or cosmetically (do I like what the noise looks like). Either way is fine. I think attacking noise some at the linear stage can be an advantage but invariably you'll have to do it again later because stretching will reveal more noise.

The different stretching techniques have their pros and cons. In the end you have to experiment and judge for yourself. I know it's painful but this is not like cooking or fixing a car where you can follow a recipe or a repair manual. This is like painting or writing. You have to build up your fluency with the tools and what they can do and then it's up to you to choose how to creatively apply them.

There are many processing examples around on this forum and at PI Resources. Do you have Jim's cribsheet?

I hope that helps.

[tdgm]

Hi NGC6778

Thanks for the answers. I will remove other post in other forum thanks for all the advice.


Steve

[tdgm]

Hi NGC6778

No I do not have Jim's Cribsheet? Where can I get that?

Steve

[NGC7789]

Here's a thread with an old one. I think he's up to version 37 or something. He maintains a distribution list outside the forum for updates. I think if you PM him he would be happy to add you on.

http://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=6823.msg49043#msg49043