ASTRO: How to Handle Blown-Out Highlights?

Hi Everyone:

I've become quite adept at processing my images using curves in Photoshop.
As anyone who has used this tool knows, you can extract an amazing amount of
faint detail. The problem of course is that relatively bright structures get
blown-out. I was wondering if there was a processing tool in any software,
where you can have both your cake and eat it too, without appearing too
"unnatural". That is, a tool where you can de-emphasize bright structures,
and emphasize faint ones. Well, you know what I mean. Anyway, any
suggestions would be VERY appreciated. Thanks,

-Charles

Charles Shahar wrote:
Hi Everyone:

I've become quite adept at processing my images using curves in
Photoshop. As anyone who has used this tool knows, you can extract an
amazing amount of faint detail. The problem of course is that
relatively bright structures get blown-out. I was wondering if there
was a processing tool in any software, where you can have both your
cake and eat it too, without appearing too "unnatural". That is, a
tool where you can de-emphasize bright structures, and emphasize
faint ones. Well, you know what I mean. Anyway, any suggestions would
be VERY appreciated. Thanks,

ULead's PhotoImpact has some very intuitive controls for dealing with
the darktones/midtones/highlights while showing a histogram of the
original.

The same control handles the individual colour planes as well as the
entire picture. It has a 'Preview' button where the control panel is
minimised to the bottom and you can assess if you have got it right
with the 'UnDo/ReDo' button. There is a tick box to enable instant
update of the main screen image also called 'Preview'.

You can get a demo copy from the ULead website and maybe pick up
a half price boxed copy!


--
Graham W http://www.gcw.org.uk/ PGM-FI page updated, Graphics Tutorial
WIMBORNE http://www.wessex-astro-society.freeserve.co.uk/ Wessex
Dorset UK Astro Society's Web pages, Info, Meeting Dates, Sites & Maps
Change 'news' to 'sewn' in my Reply address to avoid my spam filter.

I often select the bright core of a galaxy, invert the selection, feather it
and then continue with curves on the rest of the image.... might repeat that
process while boosting the mid/shadow levels small amounts at a time.


--
Regards, Doug W.
www.photonsfate.com
--
"Charles Shahar" wrote in message
. ..
Hi Everyone:

I've become quite adept at processing my images using curves in Photoshop.
As anyone who has used this tool knows, you can extract an amazing amount
of
faint detail. The problem of course is that relatively bright structures
get
blown-out. I was wondering if there was a processing tool in any software,
where you can have both your cake and eat it too, without appearing too
"unnatural". That is, a tool where you can de-emphasize bright structures,
and emphasize faint ones. Well, you know what I mean. Anyway, any
suggestions would be VERY appreciated. Thanks,

-Charles

"Doug W." wrote in message
...
I often select the bright core of a galaxy, invert the selection, feather
it and then continue with curves on the rest of the image.... might repeat
that process while boosting the mid/shadow levels small amounts at a time.


Ditto here. I do the same with stars too




--
Regards, Doug W.
www.photonsfate.com
--
"Charles Shahar" wrote in message
. ..
Hi Everyone:

I've become quite adept at processing my images using curves in
Photoshop.
As anyone who has used this tool knows, you can extract an amazing amount
of
faint detail. The problem of course is that relatively bright structures
get
blown-out. I was wondering if there was a processing tool in any
software,
where you can have both your cake and eat it too, without appearing too
"unnatural". That is, a tool where you can de-emphasize bright
structures,
and emphasize faint ones. Well, you know what I mean. Anyway, any
suggestions would be VERY appreciated. Thanks,

-Charles

Thanks everyone for your great ideas!


"Charles Shahar" wrote in message
. ..
Hi Everyone:

I've become quite adept at processing my images using curves in Photoshop.
As anyone who has used this tool knows, you can extract an amazing amount
of
faint detail. The problem of course is that relatively bright structures
get
blown-out. I was wondering if there was a processing tool in any software,
where you can have both your cake and eat it too, without appearing too
"unnatural". That is, a tool where you can de-emphasize bright structures,
and emphasize faint ones. Well, you know what I mean. Anyway, any
suggestions would be VERY appreciated. Thanks,

-Charles

"Charles Shahar" wrote in message
. ..
Hi Everyone:

I've become quite adept at processing my images using curves in Photoshop.
As anyone who has used this tool knows, you can extract an amazing amount of
faint detail. The problem of course is that relatively bright structures get
blown-out. I was wondering if there was a processing tool in any software,
where you can have both your cake and eat it too, without appearing too
"unnatural". That is, a tool where you can de-emphasize bright structures,
and emphasize faint ones. Well, you know what I mean. Anyway, any
suggestions would be VERY appreciated. Thanks,

-Charles


My favourite method for this is to:
1) copy the image onto a new layer
2) adjust the top image as needed, ignoring washout on the high spots,
3) use the eraser, set to about 25-40%, over the washed out bits, exposing
the
"un-washed-out" original below,
4) flatten the two layers.

Works for me.

--
Jeff