Astrophotography Skills – Post-Processing

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Outline of what it will contain:

• Final step in image-processing software
  • e.g. Photoshop, GIMPS, etc.
• switch to image processing software
  • when
  • how
    • Your calibration and stacking software probably worked in FITS
    • Your image processing software probably can’t read FITS
    • Use full-resolution files e.g. uncompressed TIF
• Things you’ll do
  • colour combination
  • Levels adjustment
  • Curves adjustment
  • Gradient elimination
  • High-definition composites
• Exporting results
  • Export JPGs for publication and printing
• Keep all your files from every step
  • Don’t throw anything away
    • You’ll learn new techniques and improve
    • Keeping old data allows you to go back and re-do
  • Use non-destructive edits when possible
    • Photoshop:
      • Layers
      • Smart Objects
      • Save intermediate files if necessary