M13 Image Processing using Picture Window Program

Raw Negative Scans of M13 and Galaxy NGC6207

AP130

Astro Physics 130mm at F6 using Kodak PJM-2 Multispeed film.
10 bit/color Scans using HP Photosmart scanner and VueSmart program

Balance Color and Levels

Use "Reset" under Color Balance for auto color and brightness level

Select Alignment Stars for Combining the Two Frames

In Composite Mode, use 2 Point, Subtract Mode, Auto for Fine Alignment

Combine both Frames into a Single Frame

Comparison of three possible combining selections.
(Note that "Image Amt" should be set at 100% resulting in a 50/50 combining for the overlay % shown above)
"Add" was chosen for the remaining processing

Enhance Stars in Outer Area of Cluster and Darken Background

Use "Log" selection under Brightness Curve Options to show detail histogram
Adjust curve lower at bottom left to obtain darker background
Adjust curve higher near center to brighten outer cluster stars

Sharpen and Increase Color Saturation

Use Unsharp Mask at 100%, Radius 2, Threshold 16
Increase Color Saturation 20%

Process 5 Min Exposure and Make Mask

The 5 Min exposure is first enhanced using techniques described previously.
A mask is made by using the Mask Curve feature to select the brighter stars.

M13 Final Composite of Two 20 Min and 5 Min Exposures

Additional final adjustments included sharpening by masking and brightness leveling

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