Help with post capture processing

[Isphotoman]

I'm sending out a general question requesting suggestions on what to use  to process NIKON RAW NEF files once I've captured all the proper light and calibration frames with BYN? Do most people use Photoshop or is there another program out there?  Thank you for letting me indulge in this question in the BYN support forum.

 

Claude

[admin]

Hi Claude,

 

Before you can process your image you need to stack all your lights and if you have taken calibration frames such as BIAS, DARKS, and FLATS in addition to you LIGHTS.

 

A lot of people are using/starting DSS (DeepSpace Stacker) to achieve that.

 

Regards,

 

Guylain

[Jim]

Hi Claude,

 

I use Pixinsight to process my raw files. It is possible to load Lights, Darks, Bias, and Flats all in to one script module and the module will sort out the stacking and alignment of all the frames (or you can do each step manually). It has many other tools specifically for processing astronomical pictures and is capable of producing terrific results. There are also some very good video tutorials which you may want to have a look through, a set of examples can be seen here -

 

http://www.harrysastroshed.com/pixinsight/pixinsight%20video%20html/Pixinsighthome.html

 

I generally follow Harry's work plan initially and then have a 'play' to see what else I can do.

 

Whatever image processing software you choose, clear skies.

 

Jim