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Deep-sky image editing

One session, your problem solved

One-on-one guidance to edit your data with confidence, with simple, easy-to-follow workflows. From basics to advanced, you tell me what you need and I'll tailor the session to you.

per session
2h
per session
fixed price
75€
fixed price
personalized session
1-on-1
personalized session
by video call
Online
by video call
See before and after
Editing session in PixInsight, with the image split into stars and starless

I guide the whole session via screen share.

Who it's for

This is for you if...

  • You struggle to edit your own data.
  • You're lost in the overwhelming number of YouTube tutorials.
  • You want guidance to get the most out of deep-sky processing.
  • You already work with the software, but don't like the final result.

Before and after

From raw data to the final image

Drag to see the difference. This is the kind of leap we work on in the session, always with non-destructive editing in PixInsight and Photoshop.

LDN 1622 after editing
LDN 1622 before editing
Before After

What we cover

The session is tailored to you

You don't have to pick a course from a list. After booking, you tell me where you're at and what you want to solve, and I'll prepare the session from there. These are the topics we can cover, on their own or combined.

Foundations

To edit with confidence and consistency, from start to finish.

1.1 Color or mono workflow The basics of one-shot color or mono image processing in PixInsight. +

Agenda

  • Stack analysis
  • Workflow overview
  • Cropping the image
  • Image solver
  • Star correction
  • Gradient removal
  • Color calibration
  • Star reduction and sharpening
  • Noise reduction
  • Separating the stars
  • Stretching the starless image
  • Stretching the stars
  • Range masks
  • Combining stars and starless
  • Curves

You'll need

  • Color or mono stacks
  • PixInsight
  • RC-Astro scripts (optional)
1.2 Dualband or narrowband workflow The basics of dualband or narrowband image processing in PixInsight. +

Agenda

  • Stack analysis
  • Workflow overview
  • Cropping the image
  • Image solver
  • Star correction
  • Gradient removal
  • Color calibration (HOO)
  • Star reduction and sharpening
  • Noise reduction
  • Separating the stars
  • Stretching the starless image
  • Stretching the stars
  • Range masks
  • Combining stars and starless
  • Curves

You'll need

  • Dualband or narrowband stacks
  • PixInsight
  • RC-Astro scripts (optional)
1.3 Critique and editing of your image For anyone stuck on a specific image who wants advice and one-on-one guidance. +

Agenda

  • Stack analysis
  • Review of your workflow
  • Image critique
  • Editing together
  • Advice to get better results

You'll need

  • Color, dualband, mono or narrowband stacks
  • PixInsight
  • RC-Astro scripts (optional)

Advanced

For those who already have solid foundations and want to take a step further.

2.1 Advanced non-destructive editing Taking the image further with non-destructive editing techniques in Photoshop. +

Agenda

  • Understanding layers and adjustment layers
  • Building the image with layered channels
  • Adjustment layers to fine-tune intensity
  • Curves and masks
  • Camera Raw
  • Export

You'll need

  • Non-linear starless image (RGB, dualband or narrowband)
  • Non-linear stars image (RGB, dualband or narrowband)
  • Photoshop
2.2 Advanced star stretch, with diffraction spikes Newtonians are famous for diffraction spikes. How to stretch stars to make them look good. +

Agenda

  • Why stars matter
  • Separating the stars
  • Stretching the starless image with GHS
  • Star stretch (HT) versus advanced star stretch (GHS)
  • Combining stars with starless, in Photoshop
  • Making the spikes shine with curves, in Photoshop

You'll need

  • OSC or mono RGB stack with diffraction spikes
  • PixInsight
  • RC-Astro scripts
  • Photoshop
2.3 Continuum subtraction Blending narrowband data into your broadband data, with continuum subtraction in Photoshop. +

Agenda

  • Understanding the continuum subtraction concept
  • Combining Ha into RGB with continuum subtraction
  • Adjustment layers to fine-tune and reach the best result
  • Curves

You'll need

  • Non-linear RGB starless image
  • Non-linear RGB stars image
  • Non-linear Ha starless image
  • Photoshop

My approach

Simple, in the right order

  • Visual references

    We always work with a reference in sight, so you know where you're taking the image.

  • Making the most of scripts

    PixInsight has powerful scripts. The trick is knowing what each one does well.

  • The right order

    Applying scripts in the right order changes the result more than any fine-tuning.

  • Keep it simple

    No PixelMath complications. If there's a simple path that gets the same result, that's the one we take.

  • PixInsight to prepare

    Correcting, calibrating color and stretching. This is where the image gets ready for the rest.

  • Photoshop to take it further

    It's in non-destructive editing in Photoshop that the image gets its final finish.

How it works

From booking to the final image

You need PixInsight installed, and Photoshop for the advanced topics. RC-Astro scripts help but are optional in most cases.

  1. 1

    You book the session

    Pick it on the calendar and pay at booking. It's always 2 hours, whatever the topic.

  2. 2

    We set up the time

    After booking I get in touch to arrange a time that works for you.

  3. 3

    You tell me what you need

    Before the session you tell me where you're at and what you want to solve, so I can prepare everything.

  4. 4

    We work with your data

    We use your images. If you don't have anything to work with yet, I'll provide the data.

  5. 5

    I guide you from start to finish

    The session is online, via video call, and I guide you the whole time through screen sharing.

Bring your data

Two hours, one-on-one, focused on what you need to solve.

Have questions? Get in touch